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DHAKA | Sat Feb 19, 2011 7:23pm GMT

DHAKA Feb 19 (Reuters) - Favourites India launched the World Cup with fireworks from Virender Sehwag and the expected opening day big victory over their co-hosts and neighbours on Saturday but Bangladesh will surely rue their lack of ambition.

Instead of opting to bat first on a featherbed of a batting pitch after winning the toss, the home side's Shakib Al Hasan inserted India's crack batting line-up and then watched virtually helpless as they amassed an enormous total of 370-4.

Bangladesh made an early stab at the daunting seven and a half runs an over they needed for the unlikeliest of wins before a conservative approach bogged them down and from then on the match as a contest was all but over.

In the end, India moved on to a far more serious test of their title credentials -- at least on paper -- against England on Feb 27 with a comfortable 87-run victory and Bangladesh departed with heads held still high after a respectable 283-9.

Sehwag did most to enhance an already formidable reputation as a match-winner with easily his highest one-day score which even threatened to eclipse South African Gary Kirsten's World Cup record 188 not out before he dragged Shakib on to his stumps.

The fact that he played much of his innings with a runner after tweaking his knee attempting a quick single spoke volumes for his striking power which enthralled the India fans and did much to silence most of the 25,000 capacity crowd.

EARLY DEMISE

Sehwag, who earlier had a mix-up with Sachin Tendulkar which led to the latter's early demise for 28 in a run out in his record-breaking 445th ODI appearance, hit five sixes and 14 fours often without moving his feet because of the injury.

It was an extraordinary exhibition of power hitting and an enviable eye for a ball.

He was given super backing by the 22-year-old prospect Virat Kohli, who reached an unbeaten 100 in the final over showing excellent technique, but the combination of a flat track and an innocuous attack hardly tested either batsmen.

Nevertheless, Sehwag, who said he had not thought about surpassing the magical 200 mark or particularly concentrated on Kirsten's record, believes India have unearthed a real gem in his partner on Saturday.

"Kohli played very well. I think he is showing that he is a very mature batsman now. He is not throwing his wicket away, he is quick learner," he said.

It was, however, not all positive news for Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

His volatile seamer Shanthakumaran Sreesanth had the kind of a day he will want to forget in a hurry, bowling with fire but precious little accuracy or guile and conceding a rapid 53 without reward from five wayward overs.

Labels: ANALYSISCricketSehwag, India, learn, little, opener, Reuters, shines

By Chris Wheeler Last updated at 8:21 PM on 18th February 2011

Nobody will be giving non-League Crawley Town a chance when they visit Old Trafford to face the might of Manchester United in the FA Cup. The Blue Square Bet Conference side are in the fifth round for the first time after knocking out Derby and Torquay, while their opponents have won the famous trophy a record 11 times. But United have been victims of several upsets over the years and here CHRIS WHEELER meets the players who have managed to leave the famous Red Devils with red faces.

Manchester Utd 1 Walthamstow Ave 1 (FA Cup 4th rnd, Jan 31, 1953)

Nobody gave the Isthmian League underdogs a chance when they arrived at Old Trafford to take on Matt Busby's English champions, even less so after United took a first half lead. But thermos flask salesman and England amateur international JIM LEWIS equalised (below) to earn a draw. Lewis, now 83, signed for Chelsea after scoring twice when United won the replay 5-2.

He said: 'We saw it as a day out because we didn't think we stood much of a chance. We'd never experienced playing in front of that kind of crowd before. There were 35,000 at Old Trafford and 46,000 at Arsenal (for the replay). Our average was about 5,000.

'Eddie Lewis gave United the lead but I remember at half-time we didn't think we were going to get thumped. We went out to give it our all. I equalised 10 minutes from the end. I was some way out and hit it straight into the top corner. It could have been the greatest upset ever because United keeper Ray Wood tipped my shot over, and Trevor Bailey, the England cricketer who sadly died recently, almost scored in the final minutes.

'I think of it when I see the likes of Crawley doing well. They'll think they've got a chance and you never know. It's one of those things that does the FA Cup so much good.'

Burton Albion 0 Manchester Utd 0
(FA Cup 3rd rnd, Jan 8, 2006)

Amazingly, United were held to a goal less draw by Conference opponents for the second year in a row before winning the replay 5-0.

Sir Alex Ferguson gambled with a changed line-up and his players laboured on a heavy pitch.

JON SHAW (pictured on Shaun Harrad's shoulders) went closest for Nigel Clough's side with a header that was cleared off the line.

The 27-year-old, who was on loan at Crawley in 2009, now plays for Gateshead.

Shaw said: 'It gave us a bit of hope when we saw the teamsheet but United still brought a strong side. Then, with half an hour to go, we thought our luck had run out when they sent on Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, but we held on. Phil Bardsley cleared my header off the line and we had a penalty appeal turned down.

'We had a good bunch of lads but we trained together only a couple of times a week. When I went on loan to Crawley they were a full-time outfit and they will surprise United with how direct, fit and professional they are. They've got a chance.'

Carlisle Utd 1 Manchester Utd 1
(FA Cup 3rd rnd, Jan 7, 1978)

United were the holders when they were drawn away to Third Division Carlisle. Lou Macari gave Dave Sexton's team an early lead but Ian McDonald headed an equaliser and United were forced to hang on for a replay after Brian Greenhoff was sent off.

Carlisle striker BILLY RAFFERTY (above) played in both games, scoring in a 4-2 defeat at Old Trafford. The 60-year-old lives in Cumbria and runs a corporate six-a-side league.

Rafferty said: 'There was a fantastic atmosphere because it was the only time Carlisle have played Man Utd. The town was buzzing. There were 25,000 inside Brunton Park and I remember running out and thinking it was going to burst at the seams. Macari's goal quietened them down but we battered United after the equaliser.

'They were all over the place when Brian Greenhoff was sent off. We had a feeling they were there for the taking but we couldn't finish them off. There were mixed feelings in the dressing room. We were elated that we'd played so well but disappointed we hadn't beaten them.'

Bournemouth 2 Manchester Utd 0 (FA Cup 3rd rnd, Jan 7 1984)

Ron Atkinson's side began the defence of their trophy with what looked like a routine tie against the Third Division strugglers and Harry Redknapp, who was three months into his first managerial job.

But Milton Graham stunned a United side including the likes of Frank Stapleton, Bryan Robson, Arnold Muhren and Norman Whiteside with the first goal (below) before Ian Thompson added a second.

Graham, 48, is a section manager for a boat and tractor engine company in Peterborough.

He said: 'Deep down I didn't think we had a chance but if there's one thing history has taught me about Harry Redknapp it's that he knows players. He just instilled the confidence in us to go out and play.

'I like to think that Gary Bailey didn't fumble the corner, but he did and I volleyed it in. Funnily enough, it wasn't until I saw it in the papers on Monday that I realised I'd scored or that it was so momentous.

'Ron Atkinson kept his players in the dressing room for an hour after the game. Ours was just crazy. Champagne everywhere. We poured a bottle over Harry's head. The chairman gave me ?200 for the team, which was hard to spend that night because everyone was buying us drinks.

'Later on, I played for Crawley manager Steve Evans at Stamford. Crawley should enjoy themselves because these games don't come around too often. To this day when I'm introduced to people at work, the first words are, "This is Milton, who scored against Manchester United in the FA Cup".'

Manchester Utd 0 Exeter City 0 (FA Cup 3rd rnd, Jan 8, 2005)

Sir Alex Ferguson put out a weakened team and then had to apologise to fans for what he described as 'the worst FA Cup performance in my 18 years at the club' as non- League Exeter earned a draw with the holders.

Former Old Trafford apprentice ANDY TAYLOR (right) twice went close to scoring against his old club but United won the replay 2-0.

Taylor, 28, runs his own business as a strength and conditioning coach, and plays for Truro City.

'That game saved Exeter and I remember the jubilation when we drew United because we could easily have gone out of business,' said Taylor.

'From a personal point of view it was nice to go back. I was in the year above Darren Fletcher at United but they discovered a degenerative knee problem and I was advised to retire at 19. I'd never played at Old Trafford before.

'There's no point going there thinking you'll get turned over, you just have to set your stall out to get a result. The noise our fans made at the end is a memory that will stay with me. Scholes and Phil Neville came over and asked how I was and the manager gave me a pat on the back. United gave us all a shirt or something after the game.'

Labels: Crawley, daily, Donapost, little, Manchester, scare, United, write

CRAWLEY, England (AP)—They both are nicknamed the Red Devils and both have fiery Scotsmen as their managers. That’s where the similarities end between Manchester United and Crawley Town.

The gulf between the clubs could hardly be bigger ahead of their meeting Saturday in the FA Cup’s fifth round, a game billed as among the biggest mismatches in the competition’s history.

United, a world power with three European titles and famous players such as Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs, has a four-point lead in the Premier League as it tries for a record 19th English title.

Crawley has never played above the fifth tier of English soccer and, until this year, struggled to attract crowds of more than 500 to its non-league matches.

The tiny southeast club would become a household name if it wins Saturday at Old Trafford.

“It’s a dream come true for the club,” Crawley chairman Victor Marley told The Associated Press. “The opportunity to perform in front of 75,000 people is something that every player, every manager aspires to do. It’s also a fantastic moment for the people of Crawley, to go and see their team play the future champions of England. It’s what any non-league club would ever have wished or hoped for.”

Crawley became only the sixth non-league team since the end of World War II — and the first in 17 years—to reach this stage in the FA Cup after beating league clubs Swindon, Derby and Torquay.

It stands to receive “in excess of 1 million pounds ($1.6 million),” according to Marley, in gate receipts, television revenue and other add-ons from the United match.

The club was about to fold in 2006 under the tenure of brothers Chas and Azwar Majeed, then was rescued by a group of local businessmen.

Debts of more than 1 million pounds were wiped clear and new investors pumped more cash into Crawley to help build a squad of relative quality and depth, costing a reported 500,000 pounds ($800,000).

Crawley is now second in its division of the Football Conference, on track for promotion to League 2 next season—and league status for the first time since it was formed in 1896.

Crawley’s manager is Steve Evans, who hails from Glasgow, Scotland, and is known for having a short temper—just like Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

Gone are the days when non-league giant killers had a construction worker at left back and a mechanic in central midfield. Unlike most other clubs at its level, Crawley has a roster of professional players, many with extensive league experience.

Players such as Argentine midfielder Sergio Torres, brought in from third-tier side Peterborough, and prolific lower-level forwards Richard Brodie and Matt Tubbs were signed for a combined fee of 270,000 pounds ($434,000) by Evans, helping improve the average attendance at 5,000-capacity Broadfield Stadium by 75 percent to about 2,000 this season.

“We have new investment in and that’s enabled the manager to purchase the players that have pushed us to the forefront,” Marley said. “But you can spend money and still not win the league, as has been seen in the past with other clubs.”

Labels: Crawley, little, looks, United, upset

Mark Webber has poured cold water upon Michael Schumacher?s impressive recent testing pace for Mercedes Grand Prix at Jerez, suggesting the German legend?s eye-catching lap times were ?probably just a little show for Germany? and not representative of his true form heading into the F1 2011 campaign.

Following on from a difficult first test in Valencia earlier this month ? when the new Mercedes MGP W02 proved to be neither particularly fast nor reliable ? the Brackley-based outfit on the face of things made a quantum leap forward when the action shifted further south in Spain last week, with Schumacher pacing the field on day two and lapping a close third-quickest on day three with Pirelli?s super-soft rubber to close out the test with the best time of any of the 24 drivers in attendance.

However, given that team-mate Nico Rosberg struggled to reach the same kind of lap times during his two days in the cockpit and that ?Schumi? himself has admitted to being ?slightly concerned? at the car?s lack of speed [see separate story ? click here], Red Bull Racing star Mark Webber wonders if the Jerez performance was in truth little more than a publicity stunt to try to ease the mounting pressure on the team.

?It was probably just a little show for Germany,? the Australian mused. ?The super-soft tyre is much faster, but they only last for one lap ? [and after his fast lap] he was immediately two seconds off the pace once again.?

?I was on a ten-lap run, so I don?t know if you can call that very short,? countered Schumacher, dismissing suggestions that he had barely a thimble-full of fuel in his car at the time. ?It is also true that we are not the only team to have tried these tyres.?

Schumacher?s former team-mate Felipe Massa, however, has sprung to the seven-time world champion?s defence, insisting that it is ?not news? that he was so quick since ?he?s won more than any of us? ? but still speculation persists that the times set by the 42-year-old as well as the headline-stealing efforts of Nick Heidfeld on his testing debut for Lotus Renault GP and Rubens Barrichello for cash-strapped Williams were more about showboating to sponsors than any indicator of genuine potential.

Lotus Renault GP needs to placate its financial backers in the wake of Robert Kubica?s rallying accident, whilst Williams is set to float on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange early next month.

?There are big differences between the different types of tyres,? conceded 2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button, with Lotus Renault GP reserve driver Bruno Senna ? who tested on Sunday at Jerez ? assessing the difference between the hard compound and the super-soft to be in the region of 1.5 to 1.7 seconds.

Labels: aposjust, Eurosport, Germanyapos, little, Schumacher, Webber, Yahoo

“These days players across the world are as big and as powerful as each other. We’ve all got access to gyms and conditioners. There’s no real difference between the teams.”

Lamont is wrong of course. And right. Right because, self-evidently, the size of the gene pool doesn’t influence the results of international matches in the way that it did a generation or so ago; because Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Italy, with fewer players to choose from, can now, on the back of specialist nutritional advice and a load of weights, churn out individuals who tip the scales with, and stand as tall as, the best of the rest.

But wrong because Lamont’s answer ignores the way France go about their rugby, which, at its finest, is an explosive combination of very powerful men running fast at pockets of unguarded space. It is the Holy Grail of modern Test rugby, and no one, not even New Zealand, does it as well as France when they are up for it.

In recent seasons, it has come with a twist. France have always done big and direct. From the brutish and bullying Gerard Cholley and Jean-Pierre Bastiat, down through Marc Cécillon, and onto the likes of Fabien Pelous, a succession of French coaches have reasoned that a good big ’un will marmalise a good little ’un. Current boss Marc Lièvremont is no different.

He also is of the opinion that size matters, only Lièvremont has shifted the big is beautiful philosophy from the pack to a specific area of the backs.

When Ireland take on France in the Aviva Stadium this afternoon they will encounter a midfield of Damien Traille, switched from full-back to centre because of an injury to Maxime Mermoz, and Aurélien Rougerie, who are a stone and a half heavier and five inches taller than their oppos, Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll.

Rougerie and Traille, at 16st 5lb each, are heavier than three of the French forwards, and taller, at 6ft 4in, than six of them. This is not a one-off. Last season Lièvremont selected Mathieu Bastareaud who is six-foot tall and 17st 4lb, while Yannick Jauzion, on the bench this afternoon for France, has been an ever-present at 6ft 4in and 16st 7lb.

It’s not as if Rougerie and Traille are just big lumps either. Rougerie, having spent much of his career on the wing, has gas, and, as his deft poke through for France’s opening score against Scotland demonstrated, can manipulate a rugby ball with his feet. Traille, no slouch himself, has started at outside half as well as full-back and centre for France in his 78-cap career. These guys can play.

That’s Ireland’s first job. Stop the French midfield from operating and you start to stop France, because they are at their most dangerous when their big men get in behind the tacklers and are able to offload to support runners flooding the holes close in. That’s the benefit of being tall and heavy on attack. It allows you to ride over or through the collisions, freeing up a hand to distribute. In defence the additional weight on impact can dislodge the ball, forcing turnovers.

Ireland play it differently. If their run-out against Italy is anything to go by, they will attempt to bewilder France with the variety of their offence.

Ireland weren’t very good against Italy. There were far too many unforced errors by D’Arcy in particular, but they are more of a play-book side than France, more reliant on choreographed decoys and deceptive running lines involving the back three. France thump in midfield.

Ireland, led by the majestic O’Driscoll, aim to obfuscate, to fix or wrong-foot defenders by confusion. Pull Traille and Rougerie out of their defensive channels and they fall off tackles. It’s not quite beauty against the beast, but almost.

The other big difference between the two sides is at the scrummage. France can. Ireland can’t. Again, size is the issue here. France were a stone a man lighter than Scotland up front yet forced a penalty try from Scottish inadequacies, damaging Euan Murray’s reputation for competence into the bargain. Against Ireland, France are just half a stone lighter but they still expect to dominate that area. Less weight, more go-forward. It doesn’t make sense.

Except that it does when you take account of the fact that French oomph is channelled through a front row which houses a freak of a forward.

At a vertically challenged 5ft 8in, Thomas Domingo, the French loosehead prop, is the Six Nations’ little big man. His diminutive stature is a virtue because taller opponents find it almost impossible to get underneath him to shunt him backwards. Nicolas Mas, Domingo’s mate on the tight head, is also smallish for a modern prop.

At 5ft 11in, he completes a squat trio which, when the front rows engage, naturally thrusts up and against taller opponents. Trying to get low in the stance to meet them head on, which is what Murray tried to do, means shifting your feet further back away from the hips which in turn makes you vulnerable to collapse. Ireland could be in real trouble here this afternoon.

Mike Ross is six inches taller than Domingo, a massive discrepancy. With the International Rugby Board keen to address the mess of collapses and resets polluting Test rugby, English referee Dave Pearson is honour bound to reward the dominant scrum.

So, a game of intriguing contrasts, of petit French props and huge centres against big Irish props and little centres. They may not be the only issues around which the game turns. The French mood generally, the return of the excellent Jamie Heaslip and the fact that Ireland won’t be as diffident as they were in Rome may affect the result. But in an age where the top teams are all much of a muchness, it is rather satisfying to anticipate genuine points of difference.

Labels: France, French, hopes, Ireland, lifted, little, Nations, Telegraphcouk