Cricket twisters...

While winning and losing is definitely a part of sports, twisting/cheating is certainly not. Utilizing illegitimate means of optimizing performance like using steroids , or altering playing conditions to favour a player or team like ball tampering in cricket is one such example.

Time and again, individual players and collective teams have been accused of tampering the cricket ball to intensify its in-flight swing or spin off impact from the ground. You’d be surprised to know that some of the most popular stadium faces (Michael Atherton, Shahid Afridi, Sachin Tendulkar, Waqar Younis, Rahul Dravid, etc.)  have been accused and  convicted of ball tampering charges.

Recently, Liam Plunkett; English team’s fast bowler was accused of ball tampering in a match against Pakistan, during the second one day international. A short video clip surfaced on social media, showing Plunkett rubbing his fingernails against the ball's surface. Plunkett took the issue to ICC officials, who acquitted him after investigating the matter.

Using unfair means to win competitions is a highly detestable offense, which contaminates the true spirit of sportsmanship. Contemporary technological devices have mitigated the use of such means, but their usage is still rampant. The field should be battle ground of hard earned talent and practice, not swindling and fleecing of trophies.

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CIAO!

Salford made history for English football league

Salford made a history to promote English football league after beating AFC Flyde by 3-0 and win play off final.This fourth promotion in five seasons closing a Football League place, and nobody seriously expects the journey to end here. Salford will be playing in League in next two seasons. Salford have won four promotions in five seasons since five members of United's 'Class of 92' - Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs - took control of the Ammies in 2014. Salford become in final while beating Eastleigh on penalties while Flyde came through a elimination against Harrogate and then won 1-0 score at Solihull. As Salford spent just one term in fifth times and made a victory and club want him to play at higher level. Salford makes a history while broking deadlock in just 15 minutes when Dieseruvwe made the most of a fortunate break in the penalty box. Salford almost grabbed a second in the 24 minutes when Nathan Pond’s was about to make a goal. Salford make their lead early in the second half. There may be hope of Fylde to comeback were successfully ended on the hour while Salford enjoyed the game. Fylde will return to Wembley for the FA Trophy final and looked for sympathy but James Hardy sent his effort into the side netting.

Kemar Roofe scores his fourth one of the season

Kemar Roofe scores his fourth goal of the season against Rams. His 15th goal was outstanding as in his first attempt he did goal with his left leg. Derby were angry when assistant referee Eddie advice Carig Pawson cancel his award of plenty to the Rams within 14 minutes and declare Jayden Bogle to have fouled.

Midfielder Mateusz Klich was sent back as he hit Fikayo Tomori in his chest and that's why he was given yellow card over the incident. Leeds has played well and they deserved to win but on another hand Derby failed to achieve the target. After first half Roofe came and make goals and make the match interesting. This season Klich’s argument with Tomori and the overturned penalty was the latest controversy in football news.when referee Pawson see the kick at that spot and discussed with his fellow and give free kick to leeds team. Leed should have double the lead just after the hour. Whites has lost there two league matches due to poor performance. But they were much better team against the Rams as they have score 4-1 in Lampard in August. They went midway in first half when Roofe score against Jack Clarke,s. As Clarke,s was playing much better throughout the game and Derby Keeper think that he was much better the Harrison.

Woods beats Patrick Cantlay, advances to Round of 16 with some help from Aaron Wise

After getting off to an ideal start with a win on Wednesday at the WGC-Match Play, Tiger Woods lost his second match to Brandt Snedeker on Thursday, though he certainly put up a good fight. But it wasn't enough, and now Woods is in need of a victory over Patrick Cantlay on Friday and in need of some serious help from Aaron Wise.

Because Snedeker and Cantlay halved their match on Wednesday, then each won their matches on Thursday, they are each at 1-0-1, and that half point is crucial. Even if Woods can beat Cantlay, he would still get knocked out if Snedeker beats Wise on Friday because Sneds' record of 2-0-1 would be better than Woods' record of 2-1-0 thanks to the half point Sneds earned on Wednesday. If Wise can beat Snedeker and Woods beats Cantlay, Tiger is in.

Of course, Cantlay would like to advance as well, and a win for him would put him at 2-0-1, at least guaranteeing himself a spot in a playoff with Snedeker were he to beat Wise. If Cantlay wins and Snedeker loses or halves his match with Wise, Cantlay is in. For things to get really nuts, a Tiger win and a Snedeker halve would set up a playoff with Tiger and Sneds.

Mason Greenwood shows promise, but Man United end season farcically in Cardiff loss

Manchester United completed a shambolic end to the season with a humiliating 2-0 defeat to relegated Cardiff, the result coming a week after a limp draw at Huddersfield, who will also play Championship football next season.

United end the season 32 points behind champions Manchester City, the furthest off the top they have finished since returning to the top flight in 1975. Their sixth-place finish means they need City to win the FA Cup final against Watford to avoid a Europa League qualifier on July 25, the same day they are scheduled to play Tottenham in a preseason friendly in Shanghai.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing's double strike made the difference for Cardiff and the day ended with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being told "you're getting sacked in the morning" by away fans.

Positives

Mason Greenwood's full debut was the only highlight. At 17 years and 223 days, he became the youngest United player to start a Premier League game, fitting reward after a season that has seen him score 30 goals in 29 games for the Under-18s, U-19s and U-23s. With seven shots, he was the hosts' brightest attacker and completed the full 90 minutes.

Negatives

Mendez-Laing's first half penalty made it 15 games without a clean sheet, United's worst run since a 16-match streak in 1970. They have stopped the opposition at home just twice in the league all season, which is their worst record since 1962-63.

What Chelsea Legend Ashley Cole thinks about Eden Hazard?

According to Ashley Cole, Eden Hazard will remain with Blues for years because he loves the club so much.

Cole and Hazard were team-mates at Stamford Bridge fir a time period of two years till the departure if former England defender’s in 2014, he has also watched in west London turning Belgian into a club icon.

After Sunday’s match he spoke on Sky Sports at Liverpool where Hazard was a lively figure and could have found the net.

“He was brilliant, the way he gets players involve in the game and the chances he had. They have to keep him. I don’t see why he’d want to leave; the club loves him and he loves the club. I hope he stays and I think he will stay to be honest. I know how much he adores the club, and everyone loves him. I think he should stay.”

Under Frank Lampard at Derby County Cole is now playing also discussed Callum Hudson-Odoi,who he has been impressed with this season.

‘He’s a great asset and has come into a team that wasn’t playing that well,’ the 38-year-old said.

‘He’s been the spark with the players and the fans, he’s brought something different and he’s got much more to give. He needs to get a run of games and continue playing because he could be at the top.’

Liverpool & Manchester City both deserve to win the Premier League, insists Guardiola

The former Barcelona manager insists both sides at the top of the table deserve to win this year's title after dominant showings all season.

Manchester City are second in the Premier League on 83 points having played 33 games. Liverpool are two points ahead of them, but they have played one game more and have just four fixtures left to play.

After facing Tottenham in the Champions League on Wednesday, Guardiola's men have another tie with the same opponents on Saturday, while the Reds travel to Cardiff for their game on Sunday.

City won the Premier League last season with a tally of 100 points, but the season prior to that Chelsea won the league on 93 points which is a tally both sides can exceed and still not be triumphant.

"If we don't win these games this week, we lose both titles," said Guardiola.

"This season we had an incredible opponent in Liverpool. Usually 84, 85 points is enough to win the title. We both deserve it but only one can get it."

Guardiola's sentiments were reinforced by defender John Stones, who believes this situation helps to bring out the best in the City players.

"Vincent Kompany made a good point before Palace where these sorts of moments as players bring out the best in us," he said.

"We have got five games left in the league, everything to play for and we’ve got to keep believing and enjoying the pressure."