Lenovo's ThinkPad Tablet Sports Optional Pen and Keyboard

Leave it to laptop veteran Lenovo to make a tablet that's as comfortable with a pen or keyboard as it'll be with your fingers. The Android 3.1-based ThinkPad Tablet is a 10.1-inch slab that can work pretty much like most of today's Honeycomb tablets, but also allows you to add a $99 USB-based, full-sized keyboard and a digitizing stylus.
Like the HTC Flyer, the ThinkPad Tablet works with a digitizing pen that, unlike styluses used on traditional capacitive-screen-only tablets, can work on the screen even when your hand is resting on the touch display. It's also pressure-sensitive, which means you can vary the width of your drawing line by decreasing and increasing pressure on the screen, instead of selecting a different pen thickness. Even though there's a built-in slot ready and waiting for it, the pen doesn't ship with the $499 tablet; it adds $30 to the price.

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The $99 keyboard portfolio add-on is also a dock and makes the ThinkPad Tablet look very much like a ThinkPad laptop, but with one significant difference. The trademark Trackpoint button is actually an optical control. Instead of gently pushing the button this way and that to move the mouse, you move your finger over the head of the button. It works rather like the touch buttons on today's BlackBerry devices.
This is actually the second Android tablet Lenovo's unveiling. It also has the more-consumer-friendly IdeaPad K1, which while roughly the same size, does not offer pen input or work with the keyboard dock.
Otherwise, the two tablets share a host of similarities. Both have traditional USB ports and SD card slots. Both offer Lenovo's proprietary Android interface overlay, which gives you quick access to core features, and there's a proprietary Android app marketplace. Preinstalled applications include Norton Mobile Security, Docs to Go, and free access to 2GB of cloud-based storage. Each 10.1-inch tablet also runs Nvida Tegra 2 processors.
There are, of course, differences. The ThinkPad Tablet is clearly targeted at a business audience. So where the IdeaPad is all smooth lines and curves, the 1.57-pound, 14mm-deep ThinkPad Tablet is all black and features squared off corners and more visible buttons. It includes two cameras, a back-corner-mounted 5-megapixel and a 2-megapixel camera on the front (same as the K1). Its screen resolution is a higher-than Apple iPad 1,280-by-800 pixels.
The ThinkPad Tablet will ship with 16, 32 and 64GB options, on Wi-Fi and 3G. In North America, it'll be available on AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon, but without a contract. Instead 3G will be sold via a variety of day-pass options. While the 16GB Wi-Fi model pricing has been set at $499, additional pricing details were not yet available

7-on-7 summer high school football events raising concerns

The hot topic at the group's issues forum was the explosive growth of 7-on-7 football teams and events, the influence of non-scholastic coaches in these programs and the possible ramifications on recruiting. Some players are joining 7-on-7 all-star teams and traveling long distances to events, which can leave their high school coaches and counselors feeling left out of the recruiting process.

"High school football needs to be high school football and stay high school football," says coach Mickey Conn of Grayson High in Loganville, Ga. "People trying to leech onto this thing need to stay out of it. These kids need to be with their teammates and build their (high school) teams during the summer and play with each other."

About 200 representatives of state high school athletic associations from around the nation heard Marcus Wilson, an NCAA assistant director of enforcement, discuss the topic, NFHS executive director Bob Gardner said. This comes amid growing concern that 7-on-7 is starting to resemble the summer basketball model, which years ago changed how high school basketball players are recruited by colleges.

Gardner said the worry among administrators is the entity appears to be "snowballing."

"The recruiting process is getting to be like basketball, with more of an emphasis on summer events, travel teams and outside influences and less regard for the school and the school coach. That has not been good for basketball, and I don't think it would be good for football."

Participation in a 7-on-7 event — an all-passing game with skill position players — is not a violation of NCAA regulations. There is no rule limiting the number of teams a player can be on or events he can participate in. College coaches, though, are prohibited from attending the events, per NCAA rules.

But the receipt of any illicit benefits or preferential treatment from outside parties could jeopardize players' college eligibility, said Rachel Newman Baker, NCAA managing director of enforcement. NCAA investigators have spent a good portion of the summer traveling to various 7-on-7 events, Newman Baker said.

"A lot of it is about connecting the dots. Who is affiliating with who? Who works with who? What prospects are close to third parties?" she says.

There have been high school-team-based 7-on-7 leagues and events for years. Most high school coaches don't have a problem with those.

The traveling all-star teams, however, are a different matter, and some high school coaches are working on their own to try to limit outside influences. It's a matter of educating players and parents, they say.

"Our state coaches association has talked about trying to come up with almost a coaches' seal of approval with all these different events because guys are charging $50, $80, $100 at combines, telling kids they're going to get all these looks (from colleges), and they're not," says Frederick (Md.) coach Vince Ahearn. "Colleges want the game tape and want to see a kid in camp."

Biff Poggi, the longtime coach at Gilman High in Baltimore, prohibits his players from competing for all-star teams, which he likens to "old-time gladiator acts" going from place to place.

"It's very undisciplined, and there's a lot of stuff that has nothing to do with football going on," Poggi says. "They peddle kids to colleges, and they say they are giving them exposure and are acting as mentors. But a lot of these kids don't need any more exposure."

There is money to be made in 7-on-7 events even for high school teams.

Booker T. Washington (Miami) recently earned $10,000 for its booster club by winning the Battle by the Beach 7-on-7 tournament in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. The Tornadoes defeated Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) in the title game. As the runner-up, Treasure Coast won $5,000.

The cash was put up by a New Smyrna Beach-area organization that raises money for youth and high school sports in the area.

Washington coach Tim Harris said the money helped defray expenses for a trip to play in an event the following week at Walt Disney World near Orlando and also will pay for shoes, sweat suits and equipment.

"It was a great incentive for the kids to work for something (where) they can actually see the result," Harris says.

Will SEC rule start trend?

As concern has grown, the Southeastern Conference passed legislation at its spring meeting this year which bans all non-scholastic 7-on-7 events from the league's campuses. The SEC still will allow events for high school teams.

"The premise of this legislation is to anchor football recruiting in an academic environment," commissioner Mike Slive says. "This spring, we were asked by our schools to specifically put the 7-on-7 issue on the agenda (for the meeting).

"We're going to propose this nationally and ask the NCAA to pass it. There are those who believe (recruiting) should be part of the academic experience and mission and should all occur within the academic environment. It will be very interesting to see if there is national support. We hope it will help."

Added the NCAA's Baker, "I do feel confident that we're on the front end of this and we can have a positive impact. … I think the membership will have a pretty engaged time (looking at the issue) in the next year."

But all-star events could still be held off campuses. An inaugural one was sponsored in late June by IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla., which operates summer camps, weekend programs and year-round academies in various sports for athletes.

Twelve teams participated in the event, which was put together by Chris Weinke, the director of IMG's football academy. Weinke won the Heisman Trophy as quarterback for Florida State in 2000.

"We didn't want to make it too big to start off," Weinke says. "My philosophy was to provide a good product and invite all-star teams to start, but we will move into all-star and high school team events moving forward."

Recruiting at heart of debate

Don Clayton, coach at Cinco Ranch in Katy, Texas, and incoming president of the Texas 7-on-7 State Board of Directors, said his state's coaches got into 7-on-7 as a conditioning vehicle, not a money maker. The state coaches association holds its own 7-on-7 event, now in its 12th year. It includes 25,000 athletes.

While the Texas state 7-on-7 event involves only high school teams, that doesn't prevent other non-scholastic groups from having similar events or stop high school teams from playing in events outside the state tournament.

Badger Sport/New Level Athletics held a 7-on-7 championship earlier this month at SMU in Dallas. The event was won by 1925 Productions, an all-star team from California, coached by former Southern California and NFL players Keyshawn Johnson and Brian Kelly.

The pair also has put on a series of 7-on-7 events through their business, Big Man on Campus (BMOC). Not all the events are scholastic-based.

Kelly says he doesn't invite recruiting services to be at his events but sees little wrong in steering players toward one school or another.

"It scares me to see what the kids often base their decisions on," says Kelly, who said players don't consider enough factors when selecting a college. "That's one of the reasons that we're doing this. We want them to make good decisions."

Kelly said the 7-on-7 events put on by BMOC don't bring in a lot of money, possibly $20,000 a year total. However, they help build the brand of BMOC, which includes camps, personal training and a potential reality TV program that revolves around high school players making a college choice.

"We're building something," Kelly said. "The real money is in getting sponsorships from companies such (as) Nike, Under Armour or Gatorade. If you do it right, corporations are going to want to get attached to your brand."

Badger Sport/New Level Athletics is run by former New Hampshire player Baron Flenory, whose operation has been under scrutiny since reports surfaced in March that Oregon had paid Flenory more than $3,700 for recruiting information. The payment was cleared by the school's compliance office as being within NCAA rules at the time. However, the NCAA ruled that Badger Sport/New Level Athletics can no longer receive payment from schools for recruiting information if it wants to continue to stage events on campuses.

Flenory, who says his firm has put on events at UNLV, Pittsburgh and Rutgers among other colleges, believes he has been "unfairly portrayed," and denies that he steers players to certain colleges. "That's an absolute no," he says. "We want to be as transparent as possible. We believe in travel 7-on-7 as the best thing for recruits in terms of the camp process."

However, Flenory says he has a hard time understanding how high school coaches can feel threatened by his operation because players still have to play regular high school football in pads and helmets with its blocking, tackling, rushing and special-teams play to be legitimately evaluated for recruiting purposes.

"You can't tell me a high school coach who has been active in a kid's life is going to be cut out of the process

NBA players looking overseas but it may not be 100% ideal

For Sonny Weems, agreeing to a deal in Lithuania is a proactive move, with the uncertainty of the NBA lockout clouding his future with the Toronto Raptors.

For New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams, it's a chance to play abroad with minimal commitment or risks.

Playing overseas is the intriguing topic of the moment in the early stages of the NBA lockout, but the idea is not for anybody and everybody.

• MORE: Pachulia, others turn their attention to Europe

• STORY: Yao Ming retirement risks NBA profile in China

"From a functional standpoint, it might not be a situation that's beneficial to both sides," said agent Bernie Lee, who had 19 clients overseas last season.

For starters, spots are limited. It's not as if 400 or so NBA players can find a willing team.

Some of the top European leagues (Spain, Russia, Italy) also have limits on the number of U.S. players on a roster.

Money is limited, too. European leagues with roster limits pay the best; leagues with no restrictions on U.S. players don't pay as well.

"What you're going to see is guys with maybe one foot on either side of the fence," Lee said.

Players such as Williams and Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia, who are planning to play for Turkish team Besiktas if the lockout costs them NBA games next season, are the exception.

In general, European teams are not interested in signing players with the caveat of returning to the NBA when the lockout ends. Many teams prefer long-term stability.

"In the eyes of coaches, general managers and owners, European professional basketball is not lesser or subservient to the NBA in any way," Lee said. "Just because there's this opportunity of having what would appear to be an available pool of NBA players, it's not going to make them jump up and down."

Playing internationally also means dealing with cultural and language barriers. "It's not easy, trust me," Pachulia said. "It's not always how good of a player you are. It's a different lifestyle, language, traveling, training camp. Everything is different."

Weems' agent, Roger Montgomery, said his client took into account those factors and said, "Where, when and how much?"

"It's not going to be a difficult transition for those who want to go overseas," Montgomery said. "That difficult part will be for those who don't really want to go but have determined the (NBA) season is going to be lost."

Most European jobs will fill up in the next few weeks. Octagon agent Lance Young, whose clients include Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, said some of his players would take a wait-and-see approach.

"If a lockout keeps going, a guy like Stephen might go over for a little while," Young said.

Lee and Young agree on a burgeoning basketball market that will be attractive in a long lockout: China.

"The biggest money is China, hands down," Young said. "You can make almost double in China what you can in Europe. The Chinese league isn't as good of a league. But if it's all about money, you might as well go over there and make as much money as you can."

The Chinese season doesn't start until December, and teams recruit in September and October, Lee said. Players will know if NBA games are lost. "I can see a number of NBA guys getting attractive offers from Chinese teams that will have those walk-away outs," Lee said

Kevin Durant not ruling out playing abroad during lockout

The Oklahoma City Thunder forward said Tuesday during a promotional tour in China that he thinks more players will follow Deron Williams' example and play overseas if the NBA season is disrupted. Williams has said he will play for Besiktas in Turkey if the lockout remains.

"We'll see, I would like to try something new," Durant said. "But of course, my first option is playing in the NBA. So now I want to see how this lockout goes."

• STORY: Players looking overseas but it may not be ideal

• STORY: Pachulia, others turn their attention to Europe

He said he's still hopeful that a new collective bargaining agreement will be reached.

"If not, I will make a decision on where I am going to play basketball," said Durant, who added he's in no hurry to make a decision. "I am going to take it slow, everybody's going to wait to see how this plays out. D-Will, you know, he made his decision quick and I am sure you are going to see a lot of guys kind of follow his footsteps. So, he's very brave to be the first guy to do it."

He added it is "tough" to see Yao Ming retire, and the 7-foot-6 Houston Rockets center deserves to be in the basketball Hall of Fame.

Durant said it has been an honor to play Yao, who is expected to announce July 20 that he's retiring from the NBA after nine seasons because of leg and foot injuries. The 30-year-old Yao has missed 250 regular-season games over the past six seasons.

"Tough, man, tough to see a great player and a great competitor like Yao Ming leave the game after being injured a few years," Durant said. "As a player, you come into the league, the first thing somebody asks you is what you want to do when you get here, and a lot of players say, 'I want to dunk over Yao Ming.' So you can tell how much impact he has in the game.

"He comes in, he works every day and you can tell that he's never in trouble and he sets such a good example for the players coming into the league."

Asked if he thought Yao should have a place in the basketball Hall of Fame, Durant said the Chinese player deserves the honor.

"It was exciting to watch such a tall guy but that can shoot the basketball and put so much pressure on your defense by playing down low, and also his defense, too," Durant said. "He does so much for the game, and he does deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. He's so dominant in the game, and he changed the game by him just running up and down the floor."

Yao boosted the popularity of the basketball league in China and throughout Asia, spiking merchandise sales and TV ratings for games after the Rockets made him the top overall pick in the 2002 draft.

Timberwolves' Tolliver keeps faith with business venture

No, the Minnesota Timberwolves forward is not looking to play overseas during the NBA lockout. Instead, Tolliver, recently married, is fully engaged in his real estate business and what he says is a risky apparel venture with a former NBA Development League teammate.

"After I'm done with basketball, I'm going straight into entrepreneurship," says Tolliver, who owns properties in his hometown of Springfield, Mo., and Richmond, Calif., through his company, Say You Can .

"Financially, I'm fine. I'm keeping busy and doing my businesses, so I'm not bored or anything. I don't have any reason to go overseas. … I'm doing what I love to do."

• STORY: Timberwolves fire coach Kurt Rambis after two years

• MORE: T'wolves team report

He recently formed a partnership with Lanny Smith, a teammate from the Idaho Stampede. A 2010 knee injury ended Smith's NBA aspirations, but he soon started Active Faith, a Christian-based apparel company. Tolliver had long been interested in the idea.

Smith and Tolliver have used word-of-mouth advertising to get support from NBA players. The Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose and C.J. Watson have worn Active Faith wristbands that say, "In Jesus name I play." So has Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

"It's definitely a movement. It's starting to pick up with the football guys" and other athletes, says Smith, who attended church with Tolliver when they were teammates. "He told me then, 'If you get this up and running, I would like to invest.'

"A lot of guys will say that, but sure enough, when the time came and it needed a boost financially, he was there."

Tolliver, who signed a two-year, $4.8 million deal with the Timberwolves going into last season, is a 2007 finance graduate from Creighton. He began investing when he played professionally in Germany in 2008 and then while in the D-League.

He was called up by the San Antonio Spurs and played 19 games in 2008-09, then played two games for the Portland Trail Blazers and 44 with Golden State the following season. Tolliver started 29 games for the injury-depleted Warriors, averaging 12.3 points and 7.3 rebounds. That success led to a free agent deal with Minnesota.

"Once I went overseas and played for a few months, I was able to scrape up enough pennies to buy my first house," Tolliver says. After signing with the Spurs, "I was able to get another property. I've been able to continuously pick properties, then form my real estate business."

Active Faith is close to his heart; there's interest in the apparel line from private Christian schools. And Smith will be in Atlanta next week to speak at Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard's basketball camp.

Tolliver started Say You Can two years ago with a childhood friend, naming it in honor of his late mother, Donna Lewis, who had those encouraging words since he was in elementary school. He's bringing that same mind-set to Active Faith.

"I'm willing to take a chance. This is like my baby," he says. "I'm passionate about it. Even if it doesn't pan out, I'll have fun trying to build it up."

Shaquille O'Neal will share TNT stage with Barkley

O'Neal will become a regular with Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson on the Emmy-winning studio show Inside the NBA.

But will one set be big enough, literally and figuratively, for The Diesel and Sir Charles?

O'Neal said the two giants will peacefully co-exist. "It is not a concern for me. I've always been a team player," he said on a conference call Thursday.

Turner Sports President David Levy said Barkley was one of the biggest proponents of hiring O'Neal. Smith has nicknamed his new colleague "The Big Analytical."

Said Levy: "We have always had four people sitting up there. … I think there will be enough to go around for everybody."

ESPN tried to recruit O'Neal as its answer to outspoken, entertaining Barkley. ESPN recently lost lead NBA game analyst Mark Jackson, who became coach of the Golden State Warriors. ESPN has often tinkered with the cast of its own pregame studio shows to replicate the success of Inside the NBA.

But the sports world's biggest TV free agent says he didn't want to start a bidding war for his services between networks. "(Inside the NBA) has always been my favorite show. I thought that was just the best fit for me," O'Neal said.

The funny, charismatic four-time NBA champion could make a great addition to the popular Barkley-Smith-Johnson team. Asked if he and Barkley could become the "Kobe (Bryant) and Shaquille" of TV, O'Neal said sure.

"Charles is a funny guy. He's a guy that says what's on his mind. I'm just honored to sit up there with him, Kenny and Ernie."

On the other hand, O'Neal has a tendency to mumble and talk in a low, monotone voice. Plus, chemistry's a funny thing in TV sports. What works on paper doesn't always work in reality.

TNT was forced to retreat back indoors from its outdoor set after Miami Heat fans taunted and threw towels at Barkley. He flipped them off.

Fox tried Joe Buck as host of its top-rated Fox NFL Sunday studio show. But there wasn't enough air time for Buck, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson. Buck was replaced by Curt Menefee.

Dwight Howard strongly considering career overseas

In an exclusive interview Sunday with the Associated Press, Howard said he would consider playing in China or Europe if the NBA lockout doesn't end.

Howard, a five-time All-Star who led Orlando to the NBA finals in 2009, stopped short of saying he's in contract discussions with teams overseas.

New Jersey guard Deron Williams said recently after signing with a team in Turkey that Howard could become a worldwide star if he played in China.

Howard, who hosted a celebrity basketball game Sunday at Langston Hughes High School to raise money for his charity, didn't disagree.

"The big thing for me is not giving too much information away, but at the same time I still need to let people know what's going on with me," Howard said. "I don't want to just sit over here and forget about basketball and waste, you know, opportunities for me to get better."

Howard wasn't interested in discussing his potential free agency at the end of next season. Along with Williams and New Orleans guard Chris Paul, Howard is a marquee name for potential free agency in 2012.

He saw no point in discussing the 2012-13 season when there's no guarantee of an NBA season in 2011-12.

That's why an opportunity overseas could make sense soon.

"If I decide to go overseas, the main thing is for me to continue to get better, not to do the things that I normally do, but do better at the things I'm not good at," Howard said. "So I can use that talent to go overseas, working on my skills and staying in great shape."

Howard recently hosted 400 kids at a youth basketball camp in Spain and was planning to host "a bunch of them in China, but the lockout messed everything up."

The former overall No. 1 NBA draft pick loves working with kids in his native Atlanta, but he's also longing to spread his appeal in other parts of the world.

"Being a role model lasts longer than being a basketball player," he said. "Right now I have an opportunity to do a lot of great things. I'm blessed with a lot of talents, but one of my talents is being great with kids. Being a good role model, you just want to lead them in the right direction."

Despite lockout, NBA releases its schedule for next season

Among the marquee nationally televised on ABC, ESPN and TNT:

• The NBA champion Dallas Mavericks would open at home Nov. 1 vs. the Chicago Bulls, who finished with the league's best record last season, and the would host the Western Conference finalist Oklahoma City Thunder.

• The Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat would open on the road at the New York  the following night.

• Last season's Christmas Day game,. Heat, would be Dec. 8.

• The Mavericks and Heat would have their Finals rematch Dec. 25, followed by the   Bulls. The  Boston Celtics would open the day's action, but the Christmas schedule is scaled back from five games last season.

NBA All-Star weekend is scheduled Feb. 24-26 and the Orlando Magic would play the New Jersey Nets in London on March 7 and 8.

The Mavericks and Boston Celtics would have the most national TV appearances, which includes NBA TV, with 30, followed by the  and Bulls (29), Heat (28) and and Thunder (27).

Those totals do not include "Fan Night" selections on the network.

Even with a lockout, teams are promoting and selling regular-season ticket packages, but single-game tickets wouldn't be available until October at the earliest. The last day of the season would be April 18.

Nancy Lieberman goes from D-League coach to front office

Lieberman — a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame— was made assistant general manager on Monday. The switch will allow her to spend more time with her son during his senior year of high school, as well as learn about the management side of the league from general manager Del Harris and team owner Donnie Nelson, the president of the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks.

"I truly believe that every woman can attain both their personal and professional goals," said Lieberman, whose career has been filled with breaking gender barriers in basketball. "My position as assistant general manager allows me to balance my schedule while maintaining my professional goals."

Under Lieberman, the Legends went 24-26 and made the playoffs, becoming only the third expansion team in league history to do so. They were knocked out in the first round.

"Nancy took on a tremendous challenge in becoming our head coach, and she embraced that challenge like she has throughout her life," Nelson said. "I have no doubt that Nancy will be successful in her new capacity. Her experience as a coach will only make her a stronger asset in the front office."

The Legends, an affiliate of the Mavericks, have not chosen their next coach. Assistant coaches David Wesley and Scott Flemming will be the first candidates considered, Nelson said.

Chief selector ready to serve as batting coach

KARACHI: Pakistan chief selector Khan, who was working as a batting coach during the first-phase of the National Cricket Academy  Fast-track said on Sunday that he would take up the additional job of the batting coach if offered by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Pakistan have been unable to rope in a batting coach in spite of facing a lot of problems in that department of the game.

“I always felt that I can serve Pakistan in two departments, one is in selection department and the other as batting coach. If PCB would offer me to take charge of this additional post, I could ponder on taking on the assignment,” Khan told ‘The News’.

“I was given the responsibility for and I performed that

Speaking on the outcome of the coaching project, said that the players, who were the part of should let their bat and ball do the talking.

The participants were found to be over-confident during the course of the camp, as quite a few of them said that they have learned a lot and would be altogether different entities when they emerge on the scene again.

“The players have worked really hard but the onus should now be on producing results in the matches because applying the things they have learned under the match-pressure would be their real test,” he said.

Khan added that the coaches worked on improving the mental side of the participants, so that they do not melt down under-pressure. He also said that special emphasis was laid on improving the fielding standard. The participants were asked to do the nets on two different pitches, one full of grass, while the other as the perfect batting paradise.

The was marred by on and off rains in Lahore but the coaching staff did not let rains disturbed the camp and practiced in indoor nets to keep the momentum going.

The outdoor sessions and the some activities could not be held due to these rains.

Khan revealed that several players requested the coaches to keep them for the second phase but they could not do so. Quite a few players said that they wanted a prolong stay because such high profile camps are hardly conducted in Pakistan.

“Many players wanted to extend the stay but a matter of fact is that we could not afford to help all of them. But if required we will call back two three players,” he said.

Test fast bowler khan has expressed his wish to prolong his stay citing improvement in his fielding especially, which has been a big problem for the right-arm quickie.

Fletcher factor can boost India: Laxman

  Kingdom:  believes India coach Duncan Fletcher will play a key role in his team’s bid to win their forthcoming Test series against England.

Fletcher took over as India coach earlier this year and insists he felt the benefits of working with the former England chief during the recent Test series in the West Indies.

The batsman talks in glowing terms about Fletcher, who spent eight years as England coach and led them to Ashes victory over Australia in 2005.
 expects the 62-year-old Zimbabwean to provide plenty of insight into how to beat the English on home soil, starting with the first Test at Lord’s on Thursday.

“It has been brilliant working with Duncan,

“The time we spent with him in West Indies was very encouraging and you know from just talking to him that he has such a deep knowledge of the game.

“The Lord’s Test is going to be his 100th as a coach, which is a great achievement in itself, and he will be the first coach to achieve it.

“We are very lucky to have someone like Duncan with us because he is a very experienced and very mature person. I feel I can learn from him. There is always scope for improving and having discussions with someone like Duncan can only make you a better cricketer.

“I talked with him a lot in the West Indies, especially about technique, and I found him really knowledgeable in that respect.”
 insists that defending their ranking as the top Test playing country in the world will be the last thing on India’s mind when they take on England.

“We don’t see it as being about proving ourselves the top nation,” he said.

“We just want to concentrate on winning each and every Test match, rather than thinking about number games and rankings.

“It is going to be a highly challenging series for us without a doubt because England have a very good side. They have a very formidable and balanced bowling attack with some real match-winners. But I firmly believe that if we play to our potential we can beat any side in world cricket.

“We are looking forward to playing to our strengths and continuing the good work we have done in recent years. We will concentrate fully on our own performances and preparation and if we do that we can definitely do well here.”
 has watched from the sidelines as India endured a frustrating rain-affected fixture against Somerset at

That fixture is India’s only match before the first Test but insists they will still be ready to take on England.

“We are not concerned at having only one warm-up game in England,” he said.

“With the hectic schedule of international cricket these days, even one such match is a luxury. When we went to the West Indies we didn’t have a single warm-up game before the first Test so it is not a worry. I’m very happy with the way we have prepared for this tour.

“I am not playing against Somerset because I had three back-to-back matches at the end of the West Indies tour and it was thought better that I should rest.

Bresnan recalled to England squad

LONDON: Stuart Broad and Tim  were given the nod ahead of fellow  Steve Finn in England’s 12-man squad for Thursday’s opening Test of the four-match series against India at Lord’s.

England’s new Twenty20 skipper Broad was dropped for the fifth and final One-day International in the recent 50-overs series against  after struggling to take wickets.returns to the Test squad for the first time since the final Ashes Test in Sydney in January after recovering from a calf muscle injury, the England Cricket Board  said in a statement ahead of the sport’s 2,000th Test match.

Squad: Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Tim Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Morgan, Kevin , Matt Prior, Graeme  Jonathan

China perfect as illness dashes Daley bid

SHANGHAI: China stayed perfect on Sunday in the world championships diving events as grieving British star Tom Daley’s hopes were hit by a last-minute illness to his 10m partner Peter

Olympic champion combined with new partner  Bo to claim his third straight world title in the event, shrugging off the loss of long-time team-mate Lin to injury.
 480.03 points, leaving Germany’s Patrick and Sascha Klein 37.02 adrift in the silver medal position with Ukrainians claiming bronze.

Individual 10m world champion Daley, 17, whose father died from brain cancer just two months ago, finished sixth with who missed a week of training with flu-like symptoms.also overcame obstacles to claim gold. The two had been together for just a matter of months after Lin was ruled out through injury, underlining the Chinese diving dynasty’s extraordinary strength in depth.

China also won the on Saturday as they target the first ever clean sweep of diving titles, after winning seven out of 10 two years ago in Rome.

Meanwhile Russia’s swimming queen Natalia claimed the event’s first gold — and her 11th world title  when she won the technical solo ahead of China’s Huang and Andrea Fuentes of Spain.

Man Utd chief Gill accuses FA of 'harsh' treatment

There were some  decisions that wouldn't have necessarily hit others - the actual punishments were harsh," said FA board member Gill.
"That's not to say I'm condoning  comments, because I don't think they were correct, or what Sir Alex said, because it wasn't helpful.
"We're possibly being caught up in being one of the biggest clubs and the  Respect agenda being there.
"What better way to demonstrate the authorities are being tough than by hitting one of the biggest clubs the hardest?"
Rooney admitted to losing control in the league match against West Ham in April, while his manager Ferguson received his touchline ban for
Ferguson received a three-game ban for the remarks and saw a two-game suspended ban he had previously earned for saying referee Alan Wiley was not "fit enough" to keep up with play activated.
Gill, who was quoted in a new book about United called Champ19ns, questioned whether other players who commit a similar act to Rooney will receive the same punishment.
"The club doesn't condone it but Wayne it was wrong and  almost immediately," said Gill.
"We have various issues with the ban - one being consistency. What's going to happen now? Is the referee under pressure to send everyone off?
"It's a dangerous course the FA has gone down, because consistent application is what's required and I'm not sure that will necessarily happen.
"There are certain things you should wait until the start of the season to change."
in March.

Abdoulaye Meite joins French newcomers Dijon

French top-flight newcomers Dijon have announced the signing of Ivory Coast centre-back Abdoulaye Meite.

The defender has put pen to paper on a three-year contract.
He joins the French club on a free transfer after his contract with English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion expired.

Prior to joining West Brom in 2008, he represented Red Star Belgrade (1998-2000), Marseille (2000-2006) and Bolton Wanderers (2006-2008).

Sunderland sign South Korean striker Ji Dong-won

Sunderland have completed the signing of South Korea striker Ji Dong-won from Chunnam Dragons for an undisclosed fee.

The 20-year-old has signed a three-year deal at the Stadium of Light following a wait for the administrative side of the move to be tied up.
Dong-won has scored six goals in 11 international appearances,
He had a brief spell with Reading during the 2007/08 season.
"I am so satisfied to be able to come to a good club, a nice club in the world's number one league," he told S. "I am happy because I have a chance to challenge the biggest players, and that gives me motivation.
"As a striker, I like to overwhelm defenders. My aim is to help the team get as many points as possible. That is what will give me satisfaction."
Dong-won admits that getting used to life in England and his new club will take time, but hopes the Black Cats will soon see the best of him.
"It will not be easy," he added. "I am enjoying the life and studying English. I hope I could be a member of this team within six months."
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce said: "The boy has been in fantastic form for both club and country and he was one of South Korea's stand-out performers at the Asian Cup, so we are delighted to bring him to
"The Premier League is very different to the K-League, so there is hard work ahead, but you just have to look at players like [Manchester United midfielder] Park Sung and [Bolton winger] Lee Chung-Yong to see how well Korean players are adapting to its pace and physicalityding four at the 2011 Asian Cup.
He is the second striker to join Sunderland in as many days following

The Black Cats have also brought  for an undisclosed fee believed to be about £6m having signed winger  last week
Dong-won scored 16 goals in 44 appearances for the Dragons, having joined them from Gwangyang Jecheol High School.

F1 aims to make efficiency 'cool' with new engine rules

Formula 1 is aiming to make increased fuel efficiency in cars "cool" through its new engine rules, Ross Brawn says.

Plans to replace the current 2.4-litre V8s with 1.6-litre V6 turbos with extensive hybrid systems on Wednesday.
Mercedes boss Brawn said: "It's not about the fact that the new engine is going to be more efficient in itself.
"It's the message it gives that it's cool to have a really efficient engine and race on a lot less fuel."
Cars will use about 35% less fuel in 2014 than they currently do, with plans to introduce further efficiencies in the future. This target will partly be achieved by increasing the aerodynamic efficiency of the cars at the same time.
Brawn added: "The important thing about racing
"We're setting dramatic targets for reducing the amount of fuel we race with - 30, 40, 50% less than what we're racing on now but still with the same power and the same excitement."
The idea behind the new engines was to  this type of power-train, which is the route many road-car manufacturers are taking in a bid to respond to a world of rising fuel prices, diminishing oil supplies and climate change.
There is also the hope that using these technologies in F1 will increase their speed of development in road cars, further reducing carbon emissions.
Brawn gave the example of the advances in the battery systems that have been developed for Mercedes'  hybrid system in F1 already making their way on to the company's road cars.
The decision to introduce V6 turbos in 2014 came after months of negotiations following the decision last December to switch to  four-cylinder engines in 2013.
A number of stakeholders objected to the move on various grounds, including commercial boss Bernie  who remains opposed to the new engines.
 has argued that the new turbos will sound less dramatic than the current engines, which rev to 18,000rpm, and that noise is an important part of the sport's spectacle.
The compromise was to change the four-cylinder layout to a V6 and increase the rev limit from 12,000rpm to 15,000rpm. The sport will continue with a greatly increased focus on the use of energy recovery systems - called  in F1 at the moment, but better known as hybrid systems in road cars.
Brawn was speaking at a fans' forum  by the teams' umbrella group base in, Surrey.
Brawn  that the new rules were a way of making F1 more appealing to car manufacturers who were not currently in the sport, where Mercedes, Fiat (Ferrari) and Renault currently compete along with independent company.
"You're not going to get manufacturers coming in with the normally aspirated V8 we have now," Brawn said. "The new engine creates opportunity for manufacturers to come in and that's a vital reason why we need a new engine with a more relevant specification for the manufacturers."
The fans' forum was an opportunity for about 200 fans to ask questions of key members of F1 teams, among them drivers Lewis Hamilton
cars is the message they can give.

Wimbledon 2011: Maria Sharapova returns to Wimbledon final

• Venue: All England Club, London
• Date: 20 June - 3 July
• Coverage: Live on BBC One, Two, 3D, HD, Red Button, online (UK only), Radio 5 live, 5 live sports extra; live text commentary from 0900 BST on BBC Sport website (#bbctennis); iPlayer

Sharapova amazed to back in final

Maria Sharapova recovered from a dreadful start to beat Sabine Lisicki and reach her first Wimbledon final since she won the title in 2004.

The fifth-seeded Russian will play Petra Kvitova on Saturday after winning 6-4 6-3 in an hour and 26 minutes.
A rash of errors left Sharapova 0-3 down but she took nine of the next 10 games against the German wildcard.
Both players struggled on serve, with Sharapova hitting 13 double-faults, but some big groundstrokes saw her through.
Sharapova, who has fought back from a serious shoulder injury that threatened to end her career, is into her first Grand Slam final since the 2008 Australian Open and will be favourite to triumph against Kvitova.
But she was fortunate that 21-year-old Lisicki crumbled and was unable to produce the kind of tennis that had made her the surprise package of this year's tournament.

England maintain bid for fifth spot at Champions Trophy

England beat Germany 1-0 to maintain their bid for fifth place in the Champions Trophy in the Netherlands.

The only goal came in the 50th minute when Alex Danson collected Hannah McLeod's pass and slid the ball under Germany goalkeeper Yvonne Frank.
Janine Beermann struck the base of the post for Germany and England goalkeeper Beth Storry made some vital saves.
England's next opponents will be Australia on Friday when a win will guarantee them a fifth-place play-off.
It was England's sixth successive victory against Germany, who now contest a play-off to decide seventh and eighth places on Sunday.
"We weren't great. We didn't play that well, particularly in the first half, although we were better in the second half," admitted head coach Danny Kerry.
Germany were arguably the better side in the opening 20 minutes, and aside from Beermann's strike against the woodwork they also had two penalty corners blocked.
Anna Bennett had a bright moment for England when she dribbled past Frank, only for the well-organised German defence to clear.
After Danson's well-taken goal England pushed forward in search of a second, but Frank made a series of fine saves from three penalty corner attempts in quick succession.
Germany finished strongly and won several penalty corners of their own but Storry held firm to record her second clean sheet of the tournament.

Glamorgan stripped of England v West Indies Test match

The England and Wales Cricket Board made the decision after Glamorgan said they would be late paying the fee they owe for hosting May's Sri Lanka Test.
Next year's Test will be put back out to tender for other venues to bid for.
Glamorgan will still host a one-day international against India this summer and remain eligible to hold more international matches in the future.
The Swalec Stadium is scheduled to host a minimum of one Test, five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 before 2016, with the next Test set to take place in 2014.
No decision is expected on which ground will host next summer's West Indies Test until  the international match schedule for 2012.
Meanwhile, following further discussions between the, it has also been agreed that the club will be given an extended period to pay the money it owes for hosting  Test.
 chief executive David Collier said the governing body  that  had made "considerable investment into developing and upgrading the  stadium" and that it wanted to help them develop "a sustainable long-term business plan for staging international cricket".
"While it will not be permitted to stage the West Indies Test match next year, the club will continue to host a one-day international against India later this summer and South Africa next year," added Collier.
 chief executive Alan  admitted the Welsh club had encountered financial difficulties staging the Test against .
"Due to the commercial challenges the club faced in staging the recent  Test match, the have agreed to extend the deadline for Cricket to meet the financial terms of the match agreement," confirmed Hamer

Australia to host ranking World Snooker Tour event

Australia is to stage a ranking tournament for the first time as World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn attempts to expand the game's reach.

The Australian Goldfields Open will take place in Bendigo between 18-24 July 2011, with a three-year deal signed to stage the event.
"Snooker is going global like never before," said Hearn.
"We also have new events in Thailand and Brazil within the next few months, plus many more in the pipeline."
Australia produced its first world champion when .
"This is a long-standing dream come true for me, as I am sure it is for many snooker players and fans in Australia," said Robertson.
"To have a world ranking event in my home state will be just unbelievable and I hope to get a lot of support

Wimbledon 2011: Maria Sharapova returns to Wimbledon final

• Venue: All England Club, London
• Date: 20 June - 3 July
• Coverage: Live on BBC One, Two, 3D, HD, Red Button, online (UK only), Radio 5 live, 5 live sports extra; live text commentary from 0900 BST on BBC Sport website (#bbctennis); iPlayer

Sharapova amazed to back in final

Maria Sharapova recovered from a dreadful start to beat Sabine Lisicki and reach her first Wimbledon final since she won the title in 2004.

The fifth-seeded Russian will play Petra Kvitova on Saturday after winning 6-4 6-3 in an hour and 26 minutes.
A rash of errors left Sharapova 0-3 down but she took nine of the next 10 games against the German wildcard.
Both players struggled on serve, with Sharapova hitting 13 double-faults, but some big groundstrokes saw her through.
Sharapova, who has fought back from a serious shoulder injury that threatened to end her career, is into her first Grand Slam final since the 2008 Australian Open and will be favourite to triumph against Kvitova.
But she was fortunate that 21-year-old Lisicki crumbled and was unable to produce the kind of tennis that had made her the surprise package of this year's tournament.

David Haye Versus ....

WBA Heavyweight Champion Of The World David Haye is stepping into the ring with some of the world's biggest celebrities in two 1 hour documentary specials commencing this evening 9pm (Tue 28 Jul 11) on Sky 1.

Guest appearances include "A List" Celebs; Justin Bieber, Ricky Gervais and Mickey Rourke.  The programme is called "David Haye versus", It is sure to be a massive hit amongst the public whether they are boxing fans or not.  The programmes are a prelude to a truly massive week for The Hayemaker which finishes off with his fight against Wladimir Klitschko, a fight which is surely the biggest sporting event of 2011.   
Fans can look forward to a ringside view as David and his celebrity sparring partners take part in some one-on-one boxing training; pulling no punches either conversationally or in the ring.
The programmes give viewers a fantastic insight as these intimate training sessions will coincide with interviews with David himself, reflecting on his career so far, and with those who work with him and know him best providing an exclusive insightful look into what drives him to succeed and how he has reached the world class standard he is now.
In addition by exclusive invitation only, David has requested the company of five celebrity friends to train with him as they discuss their own career defining moments and share amusing, personal anecdotes across the ring. From the familiarity of his training gyms in London, Miami and New York, David will be sparring with Ricky Gervias, Justin Bieber, Dizzee Rascal, Michael McIntyre and Mickey Rourke as he gives them tips on boxing and asks them about their career experiences, highlights and ambitions.
With the final press conference now out of the way The Hayemaker is in a surprisingly relaxed mood and very much looking forward to unifying the Heavyweight Division on Saturday evening. Sadly it may be the last time we see him in the ring before he jets off to Hollywood determined to succeed in his second career of becoming an actor on the big screen and just like his fights appearing in exciting not to be missed blockbuster films.
Viewers should tune into Sky 1 this evening at 9pm (UK Time) and the sametime on Wed 28 Jul 11.

Haye 'an embarrassment to boxing'

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Haye denies overstepping the mark with his comments about the Klitschkos

Wladimir Klitschko has labelled David Haye an "embarrassment to boxing" ahead of their world heavyweight title fight in Germany on 20 June.

Haye wore a T-shirt portraying him holding the severed heads of Wladimir and his older brother Vitali at a news conference in London on Monday.
Wladimir said: "What's next? My mum's and my dad's head cut off? Will he attack my race or religion?
"It is upsetting to see my relations portrayed like that. It is not sport."
Londoner Haye, who will challenge for Wladimir's IBF and WBO belts at Schalke 04's Veltins Arena, in Gelsenkirchen, fired back: "Your style's embarrassing, everything you do in the ring is embarrassing.
"His jab, jab, grab tactics aren't impressive and will not work against me. I'll make him fight and he doesn't like fighting.
"He holds, paws and grabs and doesn't stand in the ring and go to war like a true heavyweight sh
"He sucks, I don't like his style. I don't like what he represents. Yes, he's charming, but this is boxing and he doesn't entertain in the ring."
Former undisputed  champion  28, added that his trash-talking tactics had had the desired effect and he did not regret his actions.
"I got the reaction I wanted," said  who has 22 wins from 23 fights. "All the screaming and shouting has come to fruition.
"I got under his skin and hopefully he'll come out throwing bombs. All the screaming and shouting is necessary because people have to hear about the fight.
"Boxing is not about what you do in the ring, you have to make people want to pay to see the fight. I want a boxing extravaganza, so I want people to have passion for the fight

David Haye's speed can hurt Wladimir Klitschko - Lewis

• Venue: Imtech Arena, Hamburg, Germany
• Date: Saturday, 2 July
• Start: From 2200 BST
• Coverage: Live text commentary on BBC Sport website; Live on Sky Box Office (subscription required)

Haye expects the Kiltschko fight to be a "career-defining" contest

Lennox Lewis has said David Haye's speed and movement could be the deciding factors in his heavyweight clash with Wladimir Klitschko.

Lewis told Sportsweek on BBC Radio 5 live that Klitschko will start the 2 July bout with several advantages.
But the former world champion added that Haye could triumph if he repeats the tactics he used

"He fought a perfect fight, he kept moving, he stayed elusive," said Lewis.
"He has the speed and the weight in his arms and any shot he hits Klitschko with will be a shocking blow.

"Klitschko has the bigger advantages but if David is able to stay with his game plan and move and throw combinations he should do very well."
Lewis added that it is crucial for Haye to prevent Klitschko, 35, from using his weight advantage in the bout at Hamburg's Imtech Arena.
"His [Klitschko's] strength is his size, his reach and his weight," stated Lewis. "He has all those advantages and on paper he is the one they will pick to win because he is a natural heavyweight.
"Haye is light but he can use it to his advantage if he can stay away from him.
"But if they get into a clinch and Klitschko puts his weight on David it may sap some of David's energy."
Haye enjoyed success as a cruiserweight in the earlier part of his career and is still relatively light for a top-ranked heavyweight

Dave Haye trainer repeats call for world title ref switch

• Venue: Imtech Arena, Hamburg, Germany
• Date: Saturday, 2 July
• Start: From 2200 BST
• Coverage: Live text commentary on BBC Sport website; live on Sky Box Office (subscription required)

Haye fights Wladimir Klitschko at Hamburg's Imtech Arena on Saturday

David Haye's trainer has repeated his call for referee Genaro Rodriguez to be replaced for Saturday's heavyweight showdown with Wladimir Klitschko.

Adam Booth is concerned at the way Rodriguez officiated a previous fight of IBF and WBO champion Klitschko.
"In the first five rounds Wladimir was allowed to get away with 32 offences without being spoken to once, and that concerns me," said Booth.
He wants WBA referee Luis Pabon to officiate. Haye holds the WBA belt.
Klitschko's American adviser Shelly Finkel says he has it in writing from the WBA that it is happy for Rodriguez to officiate.
"All we are asking is for the rules of boxing to be applied by the referee," said Booth.
Rodriguez has refereed four of IBF and WBO champion Klitschko's fights, three of them wins and one of them a defeat at the hands of Corrie Sanders in 2003.
However, Haye said he did not want to get involved in any controversy that may deflect his attention from the fight itself.
"I'm not letting that bother me whatsoever," said the 30-year-old Englishman. "I just do what I do in the ring.

boxing

 Trainer Emanuel Steward concedes his charge has not met anyone with David Haye's confidence and belief for six years.

David Haye has winner's mindset, says Klitschko trainer

• Venue: Imtech Arena, Hamburg, Germany
• Date: Saturday, 2 July
• Start: From 2200 BST
• Coverage: Live text commentary on BBC Sport website; live on Sky Box Office (subscription required)

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Haye 'in best shape of career'

Wladimir Klitschko's trainer Emanuel Steward has conceded his charge has not met anyone with David Haye's confidence and belief for almost six years.

Briton Haye, the WBA champion, and the Ukrainian IBF and WBO title-holder meet in Saturday's heavyweight fight.
"Haye brings to the ring, speed, power and the mindset of a winner," Steward told BBC Sport in Hamburg.
"He's confident and that's something Wladimir hasn't experienced since his first fight with Sam Peter [in 2005]."

Click to play

Trainers ready for battle

Steward added: "There's a whole new energy that Haye brings that Wladimir has not had to deal with since then."
Klitschko was knocked down three times by Peter, before going on to outpoint the Nigerian, but the 35-year-old three-time world champion has won nine of his 10 fights since inside the distance.
The two protagonists engaged in media workouts on Wednesday, where the psychological warfare continued.
Klitschko's camp arrived earlier than planned and attempted to block Haye's path to the venue, which led Haye's camp to seek out an alternative entrance.
There followed the bizarre sight of Klitschko's entourage watching ringside as Haye went through a light workout, during which the Englishman, a right-hander, was throwing punches from a southpaw stance.
Earlier, Haye continued his campaign to wind up Klitschko by to a film featuring Adolf Hitler, with mock subtitles added which refer to preparations for their bout.
Haye, 30, has continually sought to goad his rival in the build-up with various tasteless comments and stunts - and Haye claims the gamesmanship has got to Klitschko

Ben Spies delighted by first MotoGP win at Assen

Yamaha's Ben Spies is a happy man after leading from start to finish at Assen, for the American's first ever win in MotoGP.

Casey Stoner admits that his Honda did not have the pace to cope with Spies, but is satisfied with the second place that extends his lead at the top of the driver's championship.

Highlights - Ben Spies claims first MotoGP win at Assen

Yamaha's Ben Spies wins his first MotoGP, as he leads from the first lap to the finish in Assen.

The American took advantage of an early crash between pole sitter Marco Simoncelli and defending champion Jorge Lorenzo to cruise to his first maximum, ahead of Casey Stoner and Andrea Dovizioso.

Loris Capirossi misses his home MotoGP race at Mugello

• enue: Mugello
• Date: 1-3 July
• Saturday 2 July: MotoGP qualifying 1150-1500 BST, BBC Red Button/online
• Sunday 3 July: 125cc & Moto2 races: 0950 -1205, BBC Red Button/online; MotoGP live: 1230-1400, BBC Two/online; MotoGP Extra: 1400-1430, BBC Red Button/online

Capirossi is a three-time world champion in 125cc and 250cc racing

MotoGP rider Loris Capirossi will miss his home race in Mugello, Italy this weekend through injury.

The 38-year-old crashed out of qualifying for last week's race at Assen and broke two ribs.
He also injured his shoulder and will miss a race at Mugello for the first time in his 22-year grand prix career.
The Pramac Ducati rider said: "Now I will have to rest, sit still for at least two weeks and try to get back on track as soon as possible".
Italian Capirossi was keen to race in his homeland but could return in Germany in a fortnight's time.
"I'm obviously very disappointed and angry," he added.
"I was hoping I could do to get on track for this race, but the double fracture of the ninth and 10th ribs and distorting the shoulder joint injury forced me to raise the white flag for the first time in my career for Mugello

Is Mark Cavendish already a legend?

Pushed for time to tell a story on television, succinct soundbites are a gift. Brian Holm, sports director for the  cycling team, delivers one with the final words of his interview.
We are discussing road cycling's supremely talented Manx sprinter, who begins his fifth campaign next week. Earlier this year, we spent two days with him and his HTC team in Belgium.
Holm, a Danish former pro, clears his throat a final time. With the air of a doting grandfather, he looks me in the eye and says: "He is already a legend."
Holm and his HTC colleagues do not see the enigma in 26-year-old Cavendish that others do. Despite 15 Tour de France stage wins in the last three years - almost unparalleled in the sport - Cavendish sometimes seems known in Britain only as  Irritable, outspoken, even selfish.
When he received an MBE earlier this month, somebody on Twitter said they didn't know why: "The stories I've heard don't make him sound like a team player." Cavendish, a sigh audible in his typing, "And I drown kittens."
Reporters have spent years sitting down with Cavendish, and define a man whose success has yet to make him a household name in the UK.
Cavendish is doing a better job of it  possibly surprising a few with links to Huffington Post articles, a Father's Day message to his dad signed with a kiss, friendly jibes at his Team Sky rivals and praise for the good-natured people of Newcastle.

He isn't inclined to open up like that with cameras rolling. Why should he? As he often tries to make clear, being famous is about the last thing he wants.
"The reason I do this sport is because I want to win," he says. "I love the sport. I'm not in it to be recognised on the street or to earn a bit of money and then retire."
What he wants to do is become a legend. That's where the single-minded, driven Cavendish comes in. But he sees that and fame as very different concepts.
"Imagine there's a book and it just lists the greats of cycling. The greats I grew up watching and reading about," he says, reeling off names like a Belgian considered by many the greatest cyclist in history, and who won the Tour de France a record seven times in a row from 1999 to 2005.
"I'd like my name written with them. I'd like to leave a legacy in the sport, that's what's important to me. But I'm not going to put myself in the same sentence as any of them."
Holm, however, doesn't blink at doing so. "He can be at the top level for 15 years and I believe he'll be the world champion one day," he says.
"I would love him to beat Eddy Merckx's record, 34 stage wins in the Tour de France. He has just started and already has 15, so that will be a close one."
The next year may put Cavendish firmly on that path. He and his team believe they do more homework than most professional cycling outfits, spending days studying each Tour stage. He has for this year's event, which begins on 2 July.
If he were to win five - ambitious, but feasible - he would share sixth place in the  with 20 to Merckx's 34, six years before reaching the age of 32 at which Merckx retired.
Beyond the Tour, in Copenhagen provide Cavendish, in his words, with his "best chance of winning it since I've been professional".
The flat course suits him. Owning the rainbow jersey which comes with a world title is among cycling's most prestigious honours.
And then there is the Olympics. Cavendish is routinely mentioned as  in the men's road race, the day after the opening ceremony, on a similarly favourable course.
Uncommonly among Olympic sports, in road cycling the Games are considered a poor cousin to the World Championships, the Tour and the series of one-day  races. But Cavendish realises its importance for Britain, if not cyclists.
"In terms of being a pro cyclist, the World Championships is an honour that is greatly, greatly admired in the sport," he says.
"The Olympics, being British, is more of a patriotic thing. As a Brit the Olympics are very important, as a cyclist the Worlds are very important."
Holm, more pointedly and dismissively, says: "You can't compare anything to the World Championships. If you can ride for a year in the rainbow jersey, it means everything.
"It's probably nice to be Olympic champion. Like or something."
Perhaps. But, having acrimoniously returned from Beijing 2008 as the only GB track cyclist without a medal -  in his subsequent autobiography - Cavendish knows that, rightly or wrongly, Olympic gold medals carry more weight in Britain than cycling's green jerseys.
It may be his reaction to losing out in Beijing that first inspired the view of him as "not a team player". Scraps in races since, accompanied by have not helped. But it's not a Cavendish his current colleagues recognise.
"Mark fights for his team. He appreciates them, he looks after them," says HTC technical director an Australian former pro who works alongside Holm managing Cavendish and the others.