PCB in talks with Saqlain to help Ajmal

Former Pakistan offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq has said he is in talks with the PCB to help Saeed Ajmalremedy his bowling action though an arrangement is yet to be finalised. While the delivery of the doosra has come under increasing scrutiny in recent times, Saqlain, one of the pioneers of the delivery, said it was possible to bowl it with a clean action.

"It is a matter of concern," Saqlain told ESPNCricnfo, that all of Ajmal's deliveries were found to be illegal. "I got a call from the PCB on Tuesday. We are talking but I haven't yet committed. They have given me short notice. They asked me if I would help Ajmal. I would love to. I said definitely, but we are trying to see if the dates can be worked out. I am hopeful."

Saqlain said he had not been paying close attention to Ajmal's action in the recent past. The last time he saw Ajmal bowl live was at Lord's in July, when the MCC played Rest of the World.

"I thought he must be bowling legal deliveries so I was focusing on his tactical aspects: how he is setting his field, which ball he would deliver next, how he would trap the batsman," Saqlain, who was on commentary for the game, said. "In that match I was speaking on those lines."

Saqlain said he had not worked with Ajmal previously, apart from an informal chat during Pakistan's tour of England in 2010, when they discussed a variation that did not concern Ajmal's stock ball or doosra.

Several concerns have been raised over whether the doosra can be bowled with a clean action, and Saqlain said it could be delivered within the ICC's 15-degree limit for straightening of the elbow. "Of course, it can be bowled within the rules," he said.

A spinner begins to face technical issues, according to Saqlain, if his muscles have not developed properly. "You have to work on four important things: endurance, strength and power, flexibility, and finally quickness or speed," he said. "These are the things to be sorted out first, even before we arrive at the bowler's action, run-up, loading and follow-through."

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Amazing Health Benefits of Guava Seeds That You Never Knew

              Guava is a nutritious and delicious fruit that tastes like a combination of pear and strawberry. It is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, niacin, thiamine, iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, etc.

In addition, it has a high fiber and water content. This tropical fruit also has digestive, carminative, antihyperglycemic, antispasmodic, antibiotic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.

It helps treat acne, cure piles, lower the risk of diabetes, promote fertility, and relieve digestive disorders such as constipation, diarrhea, stomach ache, and acidity. Plus, it works as a filling snack and yet aids in weight loss. Regular consumption of this fruit is good for your skin too.

Guava has white or maroon pulp with plenty of small seeds packed within. Although the seeds of most fruits and vegetables are discarded as they cannot be digested, guava seeds need not be treated in the same way as they are edible.

In fact, they are great for your health as they are packed with antioxidants. They are also rich in other nutrients, essential fatty acids, and contain a good amount of iodine.

The seeds and skin of this fruit have glycosides, carotenoids, and other phenolic and flavonoid compounds. They also have anti-inflammatory and antibiotic effects.

Discussed below are some health benefits of guava seeds.

Lowers High Blood Pressure
           Guava fruits and seeds are good for reducing high blood pressure as they are high in antioxidants and potassium. Due to its high potassium, banana is often considered for high blood pressure but it is interesting to note that a guava has almost 60 percent more potassium than a medium-sized banana. Studies have shown that intake of potassium helps regulate blood pressure.

The bioactive compounds and antioxidant power of guava seeds also help control body weight, glycemia (concentration of glucose in the blood), dyslipidemia (high amounts of lipids in the blood), triglyceride levels and other factors that contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Relieves Constipation

            Guava seeds, especially when ingested whole, are useful for those suffering from constipation because of their stimulant laxative effect. The seeds are also a good source of dietary fiber that aids in digestion. So, eat guavas with seeds to promote bowel movement and relieve constipation.
         
For best results, it is often suggested not to chew the seeds; rather swallow or gulp the small seeds after chewing the pulp or else it may cause acidity.

Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk

                             
               Guava pulp and seeds help restrict the development of cancer cell lines. They are high in an antioxidant called lycopene that fights prostate cancer. It is also suspected to help inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.

Antioxidants are extremely important in preventing and controlling cancer as they help the body defend itself from the proliferation of free radicals.

Studies have also found guava seed extracts to have anti-cancer effects on hematological and solid neoplasms. In addition to guava seed extracts, studies have also evaluated guava leaf extracts. Leaf oil, and whole plant extracts for chemotherapeutic applications.

Helps Control Cholesterol

           Guava seeds contain polyunsaturated fatty acids that help manage high cholesterol by keeping blood cholesterol levels in check. Moreover, the seeds being rich in fiber, interfere with the absorption of bile in the intestines.

As the bile is eliminated in the feces, the liver makes bile salts to make up for the loss of bile. This helps reduce cholesterol in the bloodstream because the body uses it to produce the bile salts by increasing the production of LDL receptors.

If you do not like to eat guava seeds yet want to derive the health benefits of this food then you can get guava seed extract from the market. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids.

Moreover, you can apply guava seed oil on your skin to maintain skin moisture for soft and supple skin. Due to the high antioxidant levels, it will also fight free radicals and prevent premature aging and wrinkles.

Being astringent in nature, it will also promote skin tightening. When applied to the scalp, it will help control dandruff, prevent hair loss, and make your hair strong and shiny. When purchasing guava seed oil, make sure you get an organic one.

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iPhone 6: battery life hopes rise on eve of launch

With Apple expected to unveil the iPhone 6 today evening, hopes are rising that the new model will offer substantially improved battery life.

Super-tough screens, integrated payment systems and a range of health-monitoring apps have all been predicted for the new handset, but potential customers may be just as pleased that Apple is working on something more fundamental – a battery that lasts.

Analysts anticipate that the iPhone 6 will come in two sizes – one, with a 4.7-inch screen that will be available within days, and another, with a 5.5-inch screen, which may not go on sale until later in the year.

Over the past few months, mixed signals have emerged about the likely battery capacity of the iPhone 6, but a consensus is emerging that the larger of the two new handsets will come with a substantially longer battery life.

Owners of existing iPhone often complain that their devices barely make it through the day without needing a recharge.

It's a problem that affects all smartphones to some extent. Phone-makers say customers demand light, slim phones that limit battery size and capacity – as well as big screens and powerful processors, which drain power quickly. By contrast, the simpler, stouter phones available a decade ago could go as long as a week in between charges.

The current iPhone, with its small four-inch screen and slim frame, has less room for its battery than most of its competitors. Unlike Android phones, it also provides no way to see which apps are sapping power, so that users can switch them off to conserve battery life.

Evidence emerged earlier in the summer that iOS8, the new operating system that will debut with the iPhone 6, will give Apple owners that option for the first time.

"A presentation slide shown during the tech giant’s Worldwide Developer Conference revealed the next-generation software will monitor battery usage by app," the Daily Mail reports.

"By monitoring which apps use the most power, Apple users will be able to keep a closer eye on their battery life and know which services to close, in order to extend it."

Previously 9to5Mac.com had reported that the iPhone 6's new processor, known as the A8, will also help to extend the life of the battery.

"Sources say that Apple has developed a new A8 system-on-a-chip for the next iPhone that focuses on marginal speed improvements rather than core architectural changes, but adds significant performance and efficiency enhancements in order to improve the iPhone’s battery life," the website reported.

More recently, leaked specification for the iPhone 6 suggest that both models will feature improved battery capacity, which is measured in milliamp-hours (mAh).

"A capacity of 2,915 mAh [for the 5.5-inch model] would be much greater than that of the 1,560 mAh battery found on the iPhone 5s and the rumored 1,810 mAh battery said to be included on the 4.7-inch iPhone 6," Macrumors reports.

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5 Incredible Health Benefits of Music

Playing as well as listening to music can be beneficial for your physical as well as mental health. Researchers have found several health benefits of music therapy and believe that it can play an important role in modern healthcare. The key to most of these benefits is listening to the type of music you enjoy most.

Music lovers will agree that music has the ability to ‘heal the soul’. Furthermore, scientific studies show that it affects various parts of the brain. As Oliver Wendell Holmes puts it, “Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the
body.


Let’s explore the incredible health benefits of music.

Soothes Pain
        A study published in the Journal of Pain suggests that listening to music can work as an effective pain relief for high-anxiety persons by diverting cognitive focus from pain. High anxiety persons usually become absorbed in activities easily thus causing distraction, which is a proven pain reliever.

According to paper published in the UK-based Journal of Advanced Nursing, listening to music can help reduce chronic pain by up to 21 percent and depression by up to 25 percent. The study participants reported a drop in self-rated disability by 18 percent and a rise in feelings of empowerment by eight percent after listening to music of their choice, an hour a day for one week.

Increases Workout Endurance
        Listening to high energy and high tempo music while exercising can help improve your workout by increasing your endurance, improving your mood and also keeping you distracted from discomfort caused by exercising. It also releases endorphins, the hormones that lift your mood, thus motivating you to carry on longer with your workout.

A study by scientists at the Brunel University has found that music can help increase workout endurance by almost 15 percent. The study has also shown music to have improved the experience of cardiovascular exercise.

Reduces Anxiety and Stress
        Several studies have shown that music therapy can be useful in reducing anxiety and stress. Moreover, it has been found to be more effective than prescription drugs in decreasing anxiety before undergoing surgery. Listening to music has also been found to help cancer patients manage stress and anxiety better.

More often than not, gentle music with a familiar melody is considered calming and comforting. No wonder the sounds of nature are considered most soothing and relaxing. Still, you can explore different types of music find the melodies that produce a sense of calm and centeredness for you.

Research indicates that music helps reduce the levels of stress hormone cortisol which suppresses the immune system. Chronic stress has been known to wreak havoc on your mind as well as body, thereby putting your health at risk. It contributes to problems including depression, sleep problems, digestive problems, heart disease, weight gain, etc.

Improves Cognitive Health
        Music is known to promote cognitive development in children. Several studies have found that music training at an early age stimulates a child’s brain to improve visual, verbal and communication skills. It has also been shown to improve memory.

Playing or listening to music also keeps the brain healthy as it ages. It has inherent restorative and healing qualities that can help fight dementia as well. In fact, it seems to reach the damaged parts of the brain more efficiently than other forms of communication. Singing, in particular, helps unlock memories and regain cognitive skills.

Boosts Heart Health
       University of Maryland Medical Center researchers have linked listening to joyous music to improved heart health through a healthy effect on the blood vessel function. They have found that the emotions aroused by joyful music promote the dilation (or expansion) of the inner linings of blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow.

Listening to relaxing music every morning and evening, just for half an hour can also help lower blood pressure in patients suffering from high blood pressure. Plus, Finnish researchers suggest that listening to music can help with stroke recovery as well.

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India fall short despite Dhoni, Kohli

England 180 for 7 (Morgan 71, Shami 3-38) beat India 177 for 5 (Kohli 66, Dhoni 27*) by three runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

The final match of the tour came down to the final over, 17 to win from six balls with MS Dhoni on strike - just the sort of equation the Edgbaston crowd, filled with India fans, might have asked for if they had been handed a questionnaire at the gates. Dhoni clubbed a six off the first ball and brought it down to five off two, before refusing a single off the penultimate ball.

Taking the single would have meant Ambati Rayudu could have won it with a last-ball four. But Dhoni is the sort of batsman who backs himself to hit the last ball for six. The pressure was on Chris Woakes, and he produced a slower ball that wasn't full enough to hit down the ground. Having to manufacture all the power himself, Dhoni heaved, didn't connect cleanly, and it rolled down to Moeen Ali, sweeping up on the leg-side boundary.

It was only appropriate that the slower ball won England the match, since it had been an essential ingredient in their death-overs fightback, which began just as India seemed to be cruising. Virat Kohli, having failed to cross 40 across 14 innings in the Tests and ODIs, finally made a half-century - his fourth in a row in T20 chases - and it looked while he was in like being a fourth successive match-winning fifty. Eoin Morgan's 31-ball 71 had powered England to 180, and it was beginning to look inadequate.

When Kohli holed out looking to hook Steven Finn, the equation still seemed to be in India's favour: 50 to get from 34 balls. But James Tredwell bowled a tight 16th over, and Harry Gurney produced a peach of a yorker to bowl Suresh Raina, who had put on 42 with Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja ran himself out going for a non-existent second run. India were panicking, Dhoni and Rayudu struggled to time the ball, and England won the game by winning the death-overs mini-contest.

Steyn burst, Du Plessis 96 seal title for South Africa

South Africa 221 for 4 (du Plessis 96, de Villiers 57*) beat Australia 217 for 9 (Faulkner 40, Steyn 4-35) by six wickets 
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

South Africa won a first-ever tournament final against Australia after a Dale Steyn bowling masterclass handed them the advantage and an anchoring innings from Faf du Plessis - which ended just four short of what would have been a fourth century in the series - guided a composed chase. Steyn's four wickets, which included two in two balls, led a surge through the Australian middle-order in which South Africa plucked five wickets for 29 runs. South Africa paced the reply perfectly using du Plessis' purple patch as the pivot and winning with 9.1 overs remaining.

On a pitch that had not been used in the tournament so far, Steyn found movement early on and reverse-swing by the half-way stage. Australia could not muster anything similar, nor could they find a way to dislodge du Plessis who eventually fell searching for his milestone.

Swing was on offer from the outset but it did not account for the initial breakthrough; Phillip Hughes' overeagerness to show aggression did. He hit the first ball of Steyn's third over hard but AB de Villiers had moved himself out of slip and to short cover, where he collected a stinger. Similarly, after Wayne Parnell's opening over cost nine runs, Steve Smith tried to take the left-armer on and top-edged a pull that ballooned straight up for David Miller at mid-on.

South Africa spinners then enforced a stranglehold as Aaron Phangiso found bounce and Imran Tahir used the googly to good effect. Ultimately, it was Tahir's variation that accounted for George Bailey who chopped one on as he failed to pick the wrong 'un. Australia needed a batsman to partner Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh looked the candidate to do the job but the strike was seldom rotated. Finch reached his third fifty of the tournament and but Australia were stung when Steyn's second spell launched in full swing, literally.

Finch's growing unease was exposed when Steyn ripped through the bat-pad gap and wrenched the stumps from the ground. With his next ball, Steyn trapped Glenn Maxwell on the back foot to open Australia up. After a six off Tahir, Marsh's threat was also blunted when he inside-edged a Parnell delivery onto his stumps in the over before the Powerplay, leaving the lower-middle-order with a big job.

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Brathwaite century puts West Indies in command

West Indies 264 for 3 (Brathwaite 123*, Gayle 64, Bravo 62) v Bangladesh
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Kraigg Brathwaite's quintessential Test innings, an unbeaten 123, directed West Indies towards early control of the first Test against Bangladesh at Arnos Vale. A third rain break at exactly 5.00pm ended the first day's play with West Indies 264 for three.

It was Brathwaite's second century, coming in the space of three Tests having scored his last one against New Zealand at Port-of-Spain in June. He hasn't played much cricket since that series, so he must have retained rigorous focus.

West Indies lost a late wicket when Bravo got out for 62 off 126 balls, getting a bit too impish for his own good. He struck Taijul Islam for two consecutive fours over mid-off towards the fag end of the day but he tried to repeat the shot even after the bowler changed angle and went around the wicket and hit him straight to the fielder, Mahmudullah.

But that was one of precious few bright moments for Bangladesh on a day when they picked only three specialist bowlers and put West Indies in to bat in what looked like and later proved to be excellent batting conditions. It was enough encouragement for Brathwaite, who hardly dithered from his known and trusted method.

Brathwaite let Chris Gayle to do all the scoring at first, before reaching his fifty at the start of the second session. West Indies lost two wickets quickly but he remained unfazed, again letting his partner get the boundaries as he went after only the deliveries that were too wide or two full or both. Hardly anything troubled Brathwaite, except for a few missed flashes and the odd ball from Rubel Hossain that jumped on him.

When the opener hung back on his backfoot, the bowlers didn't bowl full enough, and Al-Amin didn't make him play enough, bowling a one-day line wide outside off stump.

Brathwaite reached his century off 219 balls, having struck eight boundaries at that point. To reach the three-figure mark, Mahmudullah offered him a full-toss which he slapped past cover for a boundary. This was reward for his patience. He was further rewarded on 113 when Mushfiqur him off Shuvagata Hom when he got one to go with the around-the-wicket angle and kiss his outside edge.

But some credit is due to the Bangladesh bowlers, especially the two newcomers. Taijul, the left-arm spinner, and Shuvagata, the offspinning allrounder, became the 72nd and 73rd Test players for the country, and they had an eventful first day.

The pair bowled the majority of the overs, picking up all three wickets. They looked lost at first, but soon they discovered the rewards of bowling proactively. They stuck to trusted lines, and slowly began to bowl like they would in domestic cricket.

Gayle's wicket was Bangladesh's first success of the match. Having made 61 before lunch, he added just three runs off 21 balls after the break, with the two newcomers muffling his strokeplay. Both attacked his off stump, either spinning in or leaving him slightly. Eventually he missed a sweep off Shuvagata, but umpire Marais Erasmus denied the loud appeal.

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