England have high hopes of World Cup success

England coach Hope Powell believes the squad she has selected for the forthcoming Women's World Cup in Germany is the strongest she has ever chosen in her 13 years in charge of the national side.
England have never won a major women's tournament but recent victories over the United States and Sweden, first and fifth in the world respectively, mean Powell's team are among the leading contenders for a World Cup that starts in Germany on June 26.
And England have also been boosted by the return of fit again captain Faye White, who has not played for six weeks due to injury.
England reached the final of the European Championships two years ago only to see her side thrashed 6-2 by Germany in Helsinki. But Powell, whose team went through qualifying unbeaten, is confident her squad have overcome the disappointment of that defeat. "I think this is the best squad I've had," Powell said. "The depth is better than we have ever had and the versatility of the players is a brilliant thing to have in your locker.
"The girls have the experience of playing in major tournaments, whether it be at youth level or in the Euros, and our average amount of caps is 49, which is great. "We've got a few girls that can change games too so I'm encouraged by that." England, ranked eighth, beat the States 2-1 but Powell was wary of taking anything for granted in what appears to be a relatively easy group also featuring Mexico, New Zealand and Japan.

No ton no problem for Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen insisted he felt "a lot of happiness" despite missing out on a Test century against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl here on Saturday. Pietersen made a fluent 85 to help England to 195 for four at stumps on the third day of the third and final Test, a first innings lead of 11 runs.
But, just eight minutes before the schedule close, he was caught behind to give otherwise struggling medium-pacer Thisara Perera a first Test wicket.
His exit left Pietersen searching for his first Test century in Britain since making exactly 100 against his native South Africa at The Oval in August 2008. the first match of his brief and ultimately controversial stint as England captain. But the 30 year old said of his latest innings: "Actually, it wasn't frustrating at all. To play the way I've played today has given me a lot of happiness.
"To have gone back to basics and hit the ball straight and kept penetrating the opposite stumps, and playing in three or four areas, for me was brilliant."
Pietersen, who has scored just one hundred in his last 36 Test innings a Test best 227 against Australia at Adelaide in December, added: "If you'd said to me this morning 85 and to play the way I played, the hundreds will come and a lot of them, I hope.
"I had three or four scoring areas I've been really working hard on.

atching Federer slam haul a 'dream' says Nadal

Rafael Nadal played down his chances of matching Roger Federer's Grand Slam haul here Sunday, saying the likelihood of reaching his rival's record of 16 titles remained "a dream."
After adding four more Grand Slam titles in the past year the 25 year old Spanish world number one now has 10 to his name and will be targeting an 11th at Wimbledon over the next fortnight.
Victory at the All England Club would see Nadal move alongside Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver in the all time standings, one behind Roy Emerson on 12, three behind Pete Sampras (14) and five behind Federer. But Nadal dismissed suggestions that Federer's record was in his sights here Sunday, saying he was "very far" from the Swiss master's benchmark. "I am not close to the 16 of Roger," Nadal said. "Sixteen is a lot.
Reigning champion Nadal, who opens the defence of his title with a first round match against American Michael Russell on Centre Court here Monday enjoyed a stellar 2010, scooping the French, Wimbledon and US Open crowns. But although Nadal defended his French crown at Roland Garros earlier this month, he doubted whether he would be able to emulate his feats of last season.
"Last year was in my opinion very impossible to repeat three Grand Slams in a row," Nadal said. "I am very happy about what's going on this season. But I don't think I will repeat what I did last year for sure."
Virtually invincible on the red clay of Roland Garros, Nadal has slowly but surely parked his tanks on the lawns of Wimbledon in recent years, reaching four of the last five finals. The only year he missed was 2009, when a recurrence of a knee injury ruled him out of the tournament.

Bell and Morgan build England's lead

Ian Bell carried England into a strong position on the fourth morning at the Rose Bowl as they reached 291 for 5 at lunch which represented a lead of 107. Nightwatchman James Anderson hit a brisk 27 then Eoin Morgan settled in alongside Bell in a steady partnership against a Sri Lanka side that was looking less interested with each passing over.
On the first uninterrupted opening session of the Test, Bell reached his fifth consecutive half century from 74 balls. The late cut to third man was one of his favourite strokes while his cover driving continued to be eye catching. He was rarely in trouble and also dispatched a limping Dilhara Fernando through the covers with elegant timing.
Anderson actually dominated the early scoring in a perfect display of how a nightwatchman should bat having survived his primary role so that the game doesn't seize up. Two boundaries came in the first over of the day and he peppered the off side off a combination of front and back foot. He had just slotted Chanaka Welegedara for consecutive fours when the bowler dragged his length back to find the edge. Morgan took time to play himself in against some fairly gentle bowling but collected his first boundary with a strong square cut then drilled a superb straight drive off Thisara Perera. The visitors carried the air of a team already resigned to watching the weather for a route to safety and it was odd to see a half fit Fernando jog in off half a run up.
Rangana Herath had bowled just four of the 71 overs when he was finally recalled to the attack shortly before lunch then there was some gentle medium pace from Mahela Jayawardene, who bowled for the first time in a Test since August 2009, ahead of the new ball. England, though, won't mind if Sri Lanka take the new ball as it is often easier to scorer more quickly.