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The 44th minute of the Cup-opening match between Spain and South Africa saw the video referral system being put into use for first time in the event when the latter appealed against Malaysian referee Amarjit Singhs decision to not give a penalty corner....

Referrals make debut

The 44th minute of the Cup-opening match between Spain and South Africa saw the video referral system being put into use for first time in the event when the latter appealed against Malaysian referee Amarjit Singhs decision to not give a penalty corner. Video umpire Jamson Hamish of England upheld the appeal,though South Africa could not convert. A minute later,South Africa asked for a referral against the decision of Dutch referee Van Eert Roel to award Spains third goal. The video umpire,however,turned down the appeal.

Charlesworth unhappy

Australian coach Ric Charlesworth said the video referral system had made his sides life difficult with many wrong decisions against them during the 3-2 loss to England. The umpires made lots of decisions against us and the video referral decisions went against us. It happened in the Champions Trophy in Australia last year too. But it is the system here,what can we do, he said.

Celebrities swarm Twitter

Shah Rukh Khan,IPL commissioner Lalit Modi,Sania Mirza and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore swarmed Twitter to cheer India ahead of their opener against Pakistan. Getting ready to watch India vs Pakistan in the opening match of the World Cup hockey. Jai Hind, Mirza wrote. Wishing best of luck to Indian hockey team for match against Pakistan, Yuvraj Singh wrote.

Bhajji congratulates team

India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh congratulated the national hockey team for starting their campaign on a winning note. The match really set the tone for the World Cup today. I congratulate all the team members for this beautiful victory, Harbhajan said. I also hope that Indian team will carry on same form throughout the tournament, he added. It was a festive atmosphere at my house and we distributed sweets after the match, he said.

Coins a security threat

With heavy security for the event,fans entering the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium came in for a shock when police insisted that currency coins posed a security threat to the players. Police personnel took away coins from fans so there was no danger of those being thrown onto the ground. We have got orders not to allow coins inside the stadium. We cannot take chances,anybody can throw them onto the field and players might get hit, an officer said.

First game,first casualty

The events first match,watched by 3,000-odd spectators,saw its first casualty in the form of Irish umpire Colin Hutchinson who retired after being hurt. Fifteen minutes into the match,Hutchinson was hit on the thigh and he had to be given first aid on the sidelines and did not return to the field. Reserve referee Amarjit replaced Hutchinson and officiated in the remaining 55 minutes of the match.

IPL not worth dying for: Bopara

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London: English cricketer Ravi Bopara has indefinitely postponed his trip to India for IPL due to security apprehensions,saying cricket meant everything to him but it is not worth dying for. Bopara,who was snapped at 450,000 by the Kings XI Punjab,was supposed to leave today to join the Mohali-based outfit for this years IPL but the Essex cricketer backed out at the last moment. Cricket is my living and in many way my life. But it is not worth dying for, Bopara was quoted as saying by The Mail on Sunday. However,IPL commissioner Lalit Modi declared on his Twitter page that he has spoken to Bopara and that the England cricketerhas assured him of taking part in the IPL.

Miandad opposes Waqar

Lahore: PCB Director General Javed Miandad has opposed Waqar Youniss appointment,citing his involvement in the match-fixing scandal. Miandad said he is surprised that the PCB had not heeded to the Justice Malik Qayyums report. Everyone knows that Justice Qayyum had recommended to the board to not give positions of responsibility to Waqar,Aaqib Javed,Wasim Akram etc.,in Pakistan cricket but this is what is happening, he said.

Akmal may face action

Karachi: Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal may face some disciplinary action by Pakistan Cricket Board after the inquiry committee probing into the national team8217;s poor performance in Australia submit its report on Tuesday. 8220;I don8217;t know whether it pertains to these reports about Akmal and Rana Naved being under investigation for match-fixing or the fact that Akmal gave unauthorised statements in Australia,but definitely the board chairman is not happy with the wicketkeeper,8221; a PCB source said.

Kapil,Botham,Lara invited

Dubai: Cricket may not have fetched too many trophies at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards but three of the games biggest legends Kapil Dev,Ian Botham and Brian lara have been invited to attend the March 10 ceremony in Abu Dhabi. Kapil,a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy,Lara and Botham will be among a host of sporting icons attending the function. The Australian cricket team led by Steve Waugh won the Team of the Year in 2002,while it is India and Pakistani counterparts won the Sports for Good award in 2004.