Towsville (Australia), Aug 26 (IANS) India's Smit Patel, who hit the winning runs in the ICC U-19 World Cup final against Australia, Sunday said he was always confident of victory. 'It was awesome batting with (captain) Unmukt (Chand). He is a match-winner,' said Patel, who remained unbeaten on 62. 'We kept discussing our strategy during our partnership. I was quite confident that if we continued (the way we were playing), we could achieve the target (even if) with difficulty. 'The situation was quite tentative when we lost the fourth wicket for 97 but we stuck to our basics. Our coach had told us whenever there is pressure we should just stick to our basics and that's what we did,' added the wicketkeeper-batsman. Australia had scored 225/8 which the visitors chased successfully with six wickets to spare in 47.4 overs. This is India's third title after having won in 2000 and 2008.

Syndey, July 25 (IANS) If a child receives consistent and warm parenting in a secure family environment, it can prevent them from psychopathic acts and violent crime in adulthood, says a new research. 'We found that the quality of a parent's emotional interaction and attachment with a young child is crucial to predicting if that child will develop this high-risk pattern of behaviour,' said David Hawes, from the University of Sydney School of Psychology, who led the study. Children who early on show a fearless temperament and indifference to other people's emotions, especially when they are upset or in need of help, are known as having 'callous-unemotional' (CU) traits. This behaviour has been shown to be a strong indicator of psychopathic behaviour and violent crime in adulthood. 'These children are indifferent to punishment for poor behaviour and, in fact, the more severe the punishment the worse the behaviour becomes,' said Hawes, according to a university statement. 'While CU characteristics seem to be largely under the control of genetics if a child receives consistent and warm parenting in a secure family environment, it can protect against those traits. This aspect of parenting is still relevant in terms of influencing the traits even though it is not the cause,' said Hawes. 'In fact, its protective effects - its ability to prevent the development of aggressive and oppositional behaviour - also appear to be strongest for children with the highest level of CU traits,' added Hawes. Hawes and his colleagues have just completed a four-year study, looking at children aged two to four with CU traits. The research was unusual in concentrating on very young children and being based primarily on direct observation. It used video analysis to evaluate the quality of interactions and attachment between mothers and children. 'The study suggests that the emotional bonds between mothers and their children strongly predict if they will show high levels of CU traits, as well as conduct problems,' said Hawes. Until recently the quality of a child's parenting was not believed to have an impact on either callous-unemotional or the behaviour of children with such traits, but this research suggests that strengthening the emotional bonds between parents and their infants can make a difference.

Hove (England), May 7 (IANS/CMC) The West Indies endured another miserable day on their tour of England when only 18 overs were possible on the scheduled second day of the rain-ravaged three-day tour match against Sussex here. After rain, resulting in a wet outfield, forced a late start Sunday at the Probiz County Ground, the West Indies struggled to 46 for two before bad light and then rain ensured there was no further play

Hove, (England) May 5 (IANS/CMC) The West Indies were still waiting on three players to join their touring party even as the first match of the series bowled off here.

Hove, (England) May 6 (IANS/CMC) Fitness doubts remain over leading fast bowler Fidel Edwards as West Indies' tour of England formally started here, but captain Darren Sammy has backed the speedster to recover in time for the Lord's opening Test in 12 days' time. Edwards missed the third and final Test against Australia in Dominica late last month because of injury and Sammy confirmed the Barbadian would also be rested for the three-day match against Sussex, the first day of which was rained out Saturday.

Christchurch (New Zealand), May 4 (IANS/CMC) New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced three 15-man squads for the tour of West Indies, starting in June. It noted that it placed heavy emphasis on player workload management in light of the rigorous international schedule.

Pakuranga (New Zealand), April 21 (IANS) India came back from two goals down to hold New Zealand 3-3 in their last preliminary match of the second leg of Women's Four- Nation Tournament at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium here Saturday. The goal scorers for India were strikers Rani, Vandana Katariya and Chanchan Devi Thokchom while Katie Glynn, Cathryn Finlayson and Krystal Forgesson were on target for New Zealand who led 2-1 at half time

Pakuranga (Auckland), April 18 (IANS) The Indian women's hockey team went down 0-3 to the US in their first match of the second leg of the Four-Nation Tournament at the Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium here Wednesday. The US dominated the proceedings as India played insipidly with numerous unforced errors.

Whangarei (New Zealand), March 30 (IANS) Team MRF drivers Chris Atkinson and Gaurav Gill warmed up for this weekend's Rally of Whangarei by topping the time charts at the official shakedown here Friday.

Auckland (New Zealand), March 29 (IANS) Team MRF, with a two-car line-up comprising Indian champion Gaurav Gill (co-driver Glenn Macneall) and fresh recruit Chris Atkinson (Stephane Prevot), both in brand new Skoda Fabia S2000 cars, will begin their quest to regain the Asia Pacific Rally Championship title here this weekend when the Rally of Wangharei will be held. Queenslander Atkinson and Delhi-based Gill, in the Race Torque-prepared cars, are determined to push for victory against last year's championship-winning Proton team.