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Australian Olympian swimmer Stephanie Rice is leading from the front for a noble cause. She is leading to help 5-year-old Zachary Archer who becomes the first Australian to receive cutting-edge cord-blood therapy in a US trial.

Five-year-old schoolboy Zachary Archer, who had suffered a stroke aged four months will travel to North Carolina’s Duke University in September for the ground-breaking treatment.

If successful, the cord-blood therapy will reduce muscle spasticity in Zachary’s right side caused by cerebral palsy and ease epileptic seizures.

Rice has donated a signed Australian tracksuit as the Archer family muster items to be pitched at a fundraiser for Zachary. Organisations such as Queensland Cricket and the Brisbane Lions, along with a variety of local businesses, including Stefan Hair and Westfield, have contributed to the school disco fundraiser at StDympna’s Primary School in Aspley on September 3.

But the medical treatment is expensive, with the Archer family not expecting to see any change from $40,000.
To donate, phone Mr Archer on 0403698866.

Image Courtesy: Northside-chronicle.whereilive.com.au

Former Australian cricketer Dean Jones has admitted fathering a child with flight attendant Kerri-Anne Hamilton from Sydney. The 49-year-old Victorian cricketer has admitted to the nine-year affair with Kerri-Anne Hamilton.

35-year-old Hamilton, gave birth to a boy, Koby, in August last year. The pair first met in the late 1990s at a celebrity golf day.

Dean Jones has been married to wife Jane for 24 years and has two teenage daughters, Phoebe, 19 and Isabella, 14. In a statement released to the Sunday Herald Sun, Jones pleaded for privacy after the long-term extramarital affair.

As reported from News.co.au Jones pleaded for privacy after the long-term extramarital affair.

In a statement released to the Sunday Herald Sun, Jones pleaded for privacy after the long-term extramarital affair.

"Following an on-and-off relationship with a woman, a child was conceived and subsequently delivered," Jones said.

"I can also confirm that I have supported the mother and child more generously than was agreed.

"At no stage, have I not met my obligations. My immediate aim is to seek the forgiveness and understanding of family.

"I am therefore asking that you respect our privacy."


Ms Hamilton was working as a promotions model at the time. A source said the relationship soured last year when a six-months pregnant Hamilton asked Jones for child support payments. It is believed Jones has not yet met his 11-month-old son, however, he agreed to pay child support after a positive paternity test.

Image Courtesy: Whatsonxiamen.com, Womansday.ninemsn.com.au

Eric Tindill- who has the unique status to represent New Zealand in both Cricket and Rugby as a player and referee (Rugby) and Umpire (Cricket) died on Sunday in Wellington Hospital. He was 99 years 226 days.

At 99 years, he was the longest living Test Cricketer and oldest Rugby international.

A left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, Eric Tindill played five cricket Tests for New Zealand between 1937 and 1947. He also represented the All Blacks rugby team 17 times between 1935 and 1938, making his only Test appearance in a 13-0 loss to England in 1936.

He was referee in two rugby Tests between the All Blacks and British and Irish Lions in 1950 and New Zealand's second Test against Australia in 1955. He then umpired New Zealand's cricket Test against England at Christchurch in the summer of 1958-59.

Although George Dickinson, Curly Page, Charlie Oliver, Jeff Wilson and Brian McKechnie also represented New Zealand in both rugby and cricket, Tindill was the only player to play Tests in both the sports.

May His Soul Rest in Peace!

News Courtesy: The Canadian Associated Press
Image Courtesy: Zimbio.com

Two English cricket fans claim that they were hit by meteorites when they were watching a county cricket match between Middlesex and Sussex in Uxbridge when it hurtled towards them. Jan Marszal, 51, and Richard Haynes, 52 were the two Sussex fans that claim such incident.

One piece struck Mr Marszal on the chest, while the other bounced on the boundary board. They described the rock landing five yards inside the boundary, before breaking in two, with one part bouncing up and striking Marszal on the chest.

Mr Marszal, an IT consultant, said: "'We were sitting at the boundary edge when all of a sudden, out of a blue sky, we saw this small dark object hurtling towards us.

"'It landed five yards inside the boundary and split into two pieces.

"One piece bounced up and hit me in the chest and the other ended up against the boundary board." (as reported by Uxbridgegazette.co.uk)

Meteorite expert Dr Matthew Genge said: "It would be the first fall in the UK since 1992."

Picture Courtesy: Dailymail.co.uk

After Peter Sainsbury, now Robert Croft. This English player, who plays for english county side Glamorgon took his 1,000th first-class wicket for his county on Thursday (22nd July, 2010).

40-year-old Robert Croft reached this milestone when he dismissed Leicestershire’s Wayne White and joined the elite club of 10,000 runs and 1,000 first-class wickets for just one club after Hampshire's Peter Sainsbury in 1972.

He also joins the elite club of 10,000 runs and 1,000 first-class wickets (who has played for more than one club) along with eight other county cricketers, i.e. Trevor Bailey, Tony Brown, Tom Cartwright, Ray Illingworth, Derek Morgan, John Mortimore, Peter Sainsbury and Fred Titmus.

He is now the 4th Glamorgan after Don Sheherd, Jack Mercer and Johnnie Clay to claim 1,000 first-class wickets for the Welsh county.

Image Courtesy: Glamorgancricket.com

Sri Lankan legend off-spinner 38-year-old Muttiah Muralitharan becomes the fist cricketer in the history of the game to claim 800 wickets. His 800th victim was Pragyan Ojha of India, when he was caught by Mahela Jayawardena on the fifth day of the 1st Test against India on Thursday (22nd July, 2010) at Galle.

Mutiah Muralitharan is the leading wicket-taker in tests and one-day internationals. He has reached this milestone in his final test match appearance.

In Picture: Muttiah Muralitharan just after the historic moment with his teammates

Ten limited edition copies of Sachin Tendulkar's autobiography, The Tendulkar Opus, will be released in February 2011. Each book to weigh 37 kilograms (80lb). All 10 has been pre-ordered.

Each book (Ten limited edition copies) would be printed containing a signature page mixed with Sachin's own blood and would cost $75,000 (£49,000) (Rs. 35 lacs) each.

The book has more than 1,500 pictures in 852 pages and each page will be edged in gold leaf.

The book will be produced by Kraken Opus, the publishing company owned by former investment banker Karl Fowler. His previous subjects have included Ferrari, Diego Maradona and Michael Jackson.

Image Courtesy: Krakenopus.com

Teenage cricketer Oliver Hardaker smashed a world-record of 329 runs not out in one day.

Oliver blasted 27 sixes and 28 fours during his 144-ball local cup match knock that puts Indian master blaster Sachin Tendulkar in the shade.

At one stage he hit five sixes and a four in one over. The 18-year-old said there was only one chance to get him out – and that was when he was on 140.

'It was the best day of my life. My best previous score was 100 not out,' said Oliver.

'I've played cricket since I was five years old and I would love to become a professional cricketer.

'I've got Yorkshire Under-19 trials later in the summer.'

Oliver's mammoth innings came for Horsforth cricket club against Upper Wharfedale in North Yorkshire.

Image Courtesy: Dailymail.co.uk

Defending champions Pakistan suffered a double blow when pacer Umar Gul and all-rounder Yasir Arafat were ruled out of the Twenty20 World Cup in the WestIndies after failing to recover from injuries sustained during the ongoing preparatory camp in Lahore.

The selectors have recommended the names of Mohammad Sami and uncapped Mohammad Irfan as their replacements, however, a final decision would be taken by thePCB Chairman Ejaz Butt.

Chief selector, Mohsin Khan told reporters here that both Gul and Arafat failed to clear the final fitness test on Sunday.

Charlotte Edwards of England leaves the field after being dismissed during the ICC Women's World Cup 2009
Lisa Sthalekar of Australia is run out with with a direct hit by Nicky Shaw of England during the ICC Women's World Cup 2009
Nicky Shaw of England celebrates after she ran out Lisa Sthalekar of Australia with a direct hit during the ICC Women's World Cup 2009
India's Mithali Raj plays a shot against Sri Lanka during their match in the ICC Womens World Cup cricket in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, March 12, 2009. Raj top scored with 75 not out helping India set a target of 137 run.
The Australian team celebrate after a wicket during the ICC Women's World Cup 2009 round two group stage match between Australia and South Africa
(L-R) Jodie Fields, Alex Blackwell and Erin Osborne of Australia celebrate the run-out of Susan Benade of South Africa during the ICC Women's World Cup 2009 round two group stage match between Australia and South Africa at Newcastle No.1 Sports Ground on March 10, 2009 in Newcastle, Australia
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Australia may have home advantage for the 2009 World Cup and the statistical benefit of being unbeaten in a one-day series since 2000, but as the world at large has been learning, numbers can mask a truer picture. They had to come from 2-0 down in their series with a strong New Zealand in February, while England have emerged as a force and held them to a draw in their backyard last year.

Being uncertain as to who will be the winner this time indicates a time of strength for the women's game. Australia, New Zealand and England are the three main contenders and have sides brimming with talent, desire and ability. They are the only teams to have won the tournament since its inception in 1973.

It would be foolish to write off India, the fourth main contender, and the beaten finalist in 2005. However, they have been on the wrong side against the three big players, with a 12-match losing streak stretching back to 2007.

This is where another number clouds the truth. India head into the tournament ranked at No. 2, based on their final appearance four years ago. Since then they have won eight and lost 35 against the top three. A more realistic billing on current form would be a distant fourth.

Australia are rightly No. 1 for their consistent record, and it is hard to split England and New Zealand for the No. 2 spot. What of the other contenders? Sri Lanka are only in their 12th year, but have already won more of their 70 games than they have lost, albeit against the lesser teams.

West Indies surprisingly took the final qualifying place last time ahead of the hosts South Africa. Since then they have hardly played international cricket, meaning that during last year's European tour the majority were debutantes. Their raw talents had a steep learning curve - and were boosted by further experience in Sri Lanka - and will head into the World Cup with some confidence and nothing to lose.

South Africa usually present a decent challenge, and have beaten some of the top teams already this decade, while the fellow qualifier Pakistan have managed only two wins from their past 23 matches. It's hardly inspiring.

Though many teams have not faced each other this millennium, video recordings of the warm-ups should assist with last-minute analysis. Not that any upsets are really expected.

As for the format, for the first time in World Cups there is a Super Sixes stage. The two groups of four will compete to move into the last six, with points from the group games carrying over. It means fewer matches of lower quality, with the bottom two sides knocked out quickly.

New South Wales won the right to host the tournament, although some group-stage games will be played in Canberra, which sits in the Australian Capital Territory. All of the matches at North Sydney Oval will be televised globally, giving the largest exposure for the women's game. They have put the most attractive fixtures up for showcasing, with only one contest there not featuring a top-four team.

Though North Sydney Oval is only the second non-Test ground to host a women's World Cup final the choice is sound. The ground offers intimacy and grassy banks and its smaller capacity should allow for better pictures of the crowds, rather than swathes of empty seats.

While we can't be sure how many will turn up, and we can't hope to know the eventual winner, one thing is for certain: this World Cup has the potential to be the most exciting yet. The batsmen are hitting harder than ever before, the fielding is generally of high quality and the mark for winning totals gets higher and higher. There is plenty of anticipation surrounding the most important tournament of all for the women's game.

by Jenny Roesler
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