China :: Sports Extra

Watch Video Play Video With the cricket world gearing up for the semi-final round of the World Cup, Australian captain Ricky Ponting has sent a shock-wave through the sport. Ponting, announcing Tuesday, his retirement as Australia cricket captain, ending a nine-year career that has made him one of the country's most successful skippers. He said, "I've decided to stand down as captain of the test team and the one day team as of now. The main reason for me was that it's the right time." The 36 year old Ponting's exit comes on the heels of Australia's early World Cup exit. Australia went to the World Cup as two-time defending champions but returned home after defeat to India in the quarter-finals. Ponting is Australia's most successful captain to date. He led Australia to wins in 48 of 77 tests, including a record-equalling run of 16 consecutive victories between December 2005 and January 2008. Ponting has won three World Cups, two as captain when A...

Watch Video Play Video Brazil reassured FIFA on Monday it would be ready to stage a good World Cup in 2014 after president Sepp Blatter criticised delays in the country's preparations. Blatter warned the South American giant that it needs to speed up preparations, telling it the tournament was "tomorrow" and not the day after. Brazil's Sports Minister Orlando Silva repelled criticisms and said Blatter would change his mind after taking a closer look at Brazil's works. Orlando Silva, Brazil's Sports Minister, said, "I am not a commentator of President Blatter's statements. What I can say is that President Blatter is always welcome in Brazil and when he arrives here, he will have a clear notion of Brazil's preparations and I believe he will be very confident." Brazil has come under fire for being behind on the construction of stadiums and other infrastructure works, such as airports and hotels. Five-times World Cup winners Brazil, which h...

Watch Video Play Video Sebastien Ogier has bounced back from the disappointment of the Mexican Rally earlier this month, as he has claimed his first win of the season at the Rally of Portugal on Sunday. Ogier, dominating the tricky race run on gravel roads. The French Citroen driver missed out on the victory in Mexico when a crash during the last stage gifted the win to team-mate Sebastien Loeb. Ogier made no such mistake this time, mastering the demanding gravel roads to produce an error-free performance. It's a surface that clearly suits Ogier's style of driving - he also won here last year - and he crossed the line a convincing 31.8 seconds ahead of Loeb. As a seven-time winner of the World Rally Championship, Loeb has faced the unusual challenge of struggling to match the pace of his team-mate so far this season. Starting the day with a half minute deficit to Ogier, Loeb conceded victory to his younger compatriot at the halfway stage on Sunday, acknowledging that Ogie...

Watch Video Play Video Formula One's new season is finally underway. Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel took off from pole position at Melbourne's Australian Grand Prix on Sunday. When the five red lights at the starting line went out, the 2011 F-1 season was on. Vettel outraced his rivals to the first corner and took the early lead. Ferrari's Fernando Alonso started 5th, but he slipped to 9th place. Rubens Barrichello's Williams went off-road as well. The seven-time former champion Michael Schumacher was elminated early. A flat tire forced him to the pits after only one lap. On lap 12, Jenson Button passed Felipe Massa, but race officials punished the 2-time Australia winner for taking a short cut to get around the Brazilian. It was not a good day for the Mercedes team, starting with Schumacher's departure from the race. Nico Rosberg crashed with Barrichello and he was also finished. McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (L), Red Bull Formula One ...

Watch Video Play Video The Women's Curling World Championships continued in Esbjerb, Denmark as China took on Sweden. The top two teams, ranked top of the points table, were playing for automatic qualification for Sunday's final. The winner earns ticket while the loser will compete against the winner of third and fourth place team for a final spot playoff. China's third Liu Yin made an uncharacterist error in the first end. Her attempt to take out the red stones failed as it hit China's own defensive stone. Skip Wang Bingyu, however, made up for that mistake. Wang hit a double-takeouts. And China managed to tie the game at 2-all at the break. In the 6th end, Sweden Skip and twice Olympic champion Anette Norberg committed a violation on her shot, which gave China some breathing space as China stole 2 points in this end for 4-2 on top. the next end was a tight contest, Sweden had two stones curled into the center. China managed to expose the red stones for take outs...

Watch Video Play Video A Western Conference battle between Anaheim and Dallas on Wednesday. The Ducks and Stars would go down to the final five seconds of regulation and beyond in one of the most dramatic finishes of the season so far. After two periods they were tied 1-1...but Dallas broke the deadlock four and a half minutes into the third. Loui Eriksson tapped home and the Stars went up 2-1. But the lead would not last. Corey Perry struck back for the Ducks. Perry's 40th goal of the season tied him with Daniel Sedin for second in the NHL behind Steve Stamkos. Dallas went back in front nine minutes later. Trevor Daley's shot bounced through Anaheim goalie Ray Emery. The Stars held a 3-2 lead with a little over six and half minutes to go. NHL: Ducks defeat Stars 4-3 in over-time Now, at the end of regulation...10 seconds left on the clock...Saku Koivu tried a last shot for Anaheim. It deflected over to an open Teemu Selanne and the Finnish Flash connected with 5 seconds ...

Watch Video Play Video China's national "Dream Team" of divers returned to the National Aquatics Center in Beijing...three years after the 2008 Olympics. The diving platform was the same, but the starry line-up was a bit different at the Water Cube. The Water Cube tourists were lucky on Tuesday, as they watched a first class training session. The national diving team would usually train only in front of coaches and professional journalists. He Chong was glad to be back at the lucky location of his first single world championship title. But it was the first chance for He Zi to dive at the Water Cube. He joined Olympic veterans Wu Minxia, He Chong, Qin Kai and Chen Ruolin at the nationally-famous venue. He Chong, China Diving Team, said, "I got my first world champion title in early 2008 before the Olympics. I feel this is the place that we have battled and strived together, realizing our dreams. " He Zi, China Diving Team, said, "It's very exciting...

Watch Video Play Video In an earlier time, the Russian side in red also had a fierce match against Switzerland. Competition was suffocating in the first four rounds, the sides fought hard to get just one point even with after-shots. Russia were leading 2-1 after the fourth. Into the fifth, Switzerland took the after-shot and fully performed to their techniques. They were decisive at the key moment and winning two points to lead 3-2 by mid-time break. After a short readjustment, Russia first got one with after-shot and then followed with a first-hand stealing for three to carry out a comeback at 6-3. The advantage was not kept long however, as the Swiss side stole for three in the nineth to rewrite it 7-6. Russia got only one point in the tenth as they went into extra time the first to curl. The Swiss team finally took another 2 points to win 9-7 over Russia. Related stories Curling: Sweden win focal match against Germany 2011-03-23 Curling: China lose to Switzerland in overtime ...

Watch Video Play Video The 2011 CBA All-Star game will be remembered for a number of touching moments. The fans who took in the game not only witnesses to the best players in China, but also witnesses to a romantic marriage proposal. Instead of his basketball uniform, CBA All-Star guard Zhang Qingpeng showed up for the game's introductions wearing a suit and tie to everyone's surprise. Zhang then headed into the crowd to find one special girl as he created a very special moment. CBA All-Star guard Zhang Qingpeng makes a romantic marriage proposal. "Please marry me!" His girlfriend appeared a bit shy at first, but then happily accepted his proposal. "I will marry you." Zhang's proposal brought the crowd to it's feet and for the all-star it was the perfect moment. Zhang Qingpeng, Xinjiang Guard said "Basketball gives me everything. I also dedicate myself to basketball. I hope to use this dedication to engage my life's other half. To me, ...

Watch Video Play Video Basketball this is the CBA all-star weekend here in Beijing. Some of the biggest names on China's basketball scene arrived at a special school in the capital, and left the students wearing smiles. A school for the children of migrant workers here in northeastern Beijing the site for a special visit from players who will be taking part in the CBA all-star game. Upon entering the school, the players were greeted to a heroes welcome. The school offers free public education through the "Hope Project" of the Chinese Adolescence Development Foundation for eligible students who are between 16 and 22 years old and come from poor families below regional poverty standards. The students performed songs for the visitors and were thrilled to talk to their favorite players in an interaction session. The students and athletes exchanged gifts. Wang Zhizhi, CBA All-Star, said, "Special feeling? It's that these kids are really pure and simple and reall...

Watch Video Play Video The NBA's Boston Celtics wanted to put an end to a three-game slide in their game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. They turned up the defensive heat and set a franchise record for fewest points conceded in the shot clock era. 1st Quarter, Just two minutes into the game...Ray Allen beat the shot clock buzzer. His lay-up bounced around the rim and dropped in to put Boston ahead. Second Quarter, All-star guard Rajon Rondo bounced the ball to Allen. He hit a short shot from the paint. Boston by 16. Then, it's a Celtics defensive stop followed by a classic fast break play. Kevin Garnett to Rondo to Paul Pierce. Pierce scored and was fouled by Carlos Delfino. The three-point play put the Celtics up 18. Pierce finished the game with 14 points, while Allen led Boston with 17. Allen went two-for-two beyond the arc. He hit this one inside the final five minutes of the third quarter...the Celtics led by 20. The game's top highlight happened in the fo...

Watch Video Play Video We roll on with the latest from tennis' Davis Cup and former champions Spain, completing their first round tie with Belgium. Spain had already secured a quarterfinal spot by winning the first three matches of the tie, so Sunday's action was more like an exhibition. The fans did get to see world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in action as he took on Olivier Rochus. Rafa used it as a nice warmup ahead of next week's Indian Wells Masters. He brushed aside Rochus 6-4, 6-2 for a 4-0 Spanish lead. The final rubber featured Feliciano Lopez against Steve Darcis. The lower ranked Belgian prevailed in two hours 34 minutes, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6. Darcis restored some honor for Belgium, but Spain is through to the Davis Cup last eight with a 4-1 victory. US ousts Chile to set up meeting against Spain Spain will meet US in the quarters. Andy Roddick sent the United States through by dispatching Paul Capdeville 3-6 7-6 6-3 6-3 to secure the Americans spot with an insurmountable ...

Watch Video Play Video We continue with the association, and a great match up as the best team in the NBA, took on the league's best collection of stars. The league leading San Antonio Spurs, at home to the Miami Heat. The Spurs making a huge statement on Friday night. The Spurs would jump out early and never look back Manu Ginobili, who scored 20, hit a three, Spurs top 9-2. Matt Bonner drained a baseline triple. the Spurs began to pull away midway through opening frame, 20-11 On the other end, the Heat were restrained by a robust defense. LeBron James collected an offence foul. Deep in the second quarter, LeBron got on board with an acrobatic drive-in lay-up from Bonner's arms. Heat made it 58-42. James had 26. Tony Parker, on a surprise return from sprained calf, drove down the lane for a bucket, Spurs 82-58 blowout. Parker, who had 15, hit another three point play, the Spurs were in total control deep in the third Bonner knocked down a three, Spurs went on to crush He...

Watch Video Play Video Soccer's rule-making body has gathered in Wales to evaluate recent experiments with goal-line technology systems. A proposal for further testing was on Saturday's agenda, but there's still a long way to go, before such devices are used to help referees make decisions. A year after goal-line technology was rejected by the International Football Association Board, the item is back for more discussion, following tests carried out at FIFA's headquarters. Other proposed rules changes relate to objects on the field, including extra balls and animals, players wearing snoods and colored tights, as well as referees using "vanishing spray" to mark where defensive walls stand. Editor: Zhang Pengfei | Source: CNTV.CN

Watch Video Play Video The 2012 London Olympics is getting closer. A giant set of Olympic rings have been unveiled at one of London's busiest train stations, with less than 17 months to go before the 2012 Games. The five multicoloured aluminum rings - measuring 20 metres wide and 9 metres high and weighing 2,300 kilograms - were unveiled hanging from the roof of a platform at St. Pancras International station in central London. London Mayor Boris Johnson marked the launch. Boris Johnson, London Mayor, said, "And how appropriate that the first great symbol is going to be here at St Pancras international, so the first thing you see, the first thing anyone sees when they arrive on the Eurostar (international trains) is a gentle and tactful reminder to our French friends that London won the right to host the games in 2012 - and every single day I am more glad than ever that we did." Many fans from Europe are expected to head to London on the train, and the rings will be...

A strange incident during a soccer match in South America left a mascot owl dead and a player facing severe sanctions. The owl was hit by a football, and then was kicked by the player who tried to clear it from the pitch. It happened in Barranquilla, Columbia, between home club Atletico Junior and Deportivo Pereira on Sunday. The owl landed near the corner of the field. The bird was first struck by the ball on a rolling pass near the Pereira penalty area. Then Pereira defender Luis Moreno walked over and cleared the owl off the pitch with his foot. The owl served as the mascot for Atletico Junior, and Moreno later apologised to home fans. Doctors who treated the owl thought at first its injuries were minor, including a small fracture to its right leg. Local media said the owl will be preserved by a local taxidermist, and put on display at the football stadium where it lived. Editor: Zheng Limin | Source: CNTV.CN

Two of the best players in tennis history showed they haven't lost their touch as they squared off in New York. Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, who won a combined 22 grand slams in their careers...renewing their long time rivalry on Monday. New York's Madison Square Garden, playing host to the tennis greats as they took part in the BNP Paribas Showdown. Pete Sampras came out to take on one of his biggest rivals while playing professionally - Andre Agassi. The two played 34 times between 1989 and 2002, with Sampras holding a 20-14 head-to-head edge. He started strong and dominated Agassi early in this one, showing off his famous forehand on his way to taking the first three games of the opening set. Sampras was also known for his serve and he powered several past Agassi over the course of the evening. This ace put him ahead 4-1 and Agassi was powerless to stop him. Two games later Sampras was on serve ahead 5-3. Agassi had forced deuce but gave Sampras the advantage by not ...