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The merits, or otherwise, of putting cricketers through military-style boot camps have been debated at length over the years. In 2010-11, James Anderson emerged from Englands camp in Bavaria with a broken rib, courtesy of a boxing match with the squads Terminator lookalike, Chris Tremlett.And four years prior to that, Shane Warne famously spat his dummy straight in the face of Australias then-coach, John Buchanan, after being subjected to three days in the Queensland jungle ahead of the 2006-07 Ashes. Midway through that trip (which led, coincidentally or otherwise, to a 5-0 series whitewash) he reportedly turned on his coach with the words: Im weak as piss, I hate your guts and I want to go home.Only time (and, perhaps, a few reveal-all autobiographies) will tell how some of the less naturally compliant members of Pakistans Test squad have taken to the events of the past few months, in which their preparations for a seminal tour of England have included beastings at the countrys Military Academy at Abbottabad, as well as intensive skills and acclimatisation camps in both Lahore and Hampshire.But on the opening day of the first Test at Lords, and in the captains maiden first-class innings on the most famous ground in England, Misbah-ul-Haq not only gave incontrovertible evidence of the benefits of such exhaustive preparations, he even displayed enough surplus energy to drop to his hands and knees after 154 balls of stereotypically frill-free accumulation, and reel off ten press-ups in tribute to the men who had helped make his innings possible.That was my promise to the army guys, Misbah said afterwards. We did a camp in Abbottabad before the skill camp in Lahore, and we used to do an honour code every time, we just stepped into the ground and did ten push-ups. And I promised them, if ever I score a hundred, I will definitely do that to remind you that we were there.He did admit, on the sly, that his drill sergeant might well have sent him back to do another set of ten, given that his arms were too bent first time around, but Misbahs gleeful team-mates on the visitors balcony had no such qualms about the performance their skipper had just put in.At the age of 42 years and 47 days, and having had nothing but a diet of limited-overs cricket for Islamabad to sustain him since his victorious performances in their most recent Test series against England in November, Misbah confirmed the wisdom of his decision to stay at his countrys helm by leading from the front in the most inspirational manner possible.In so doing, he rolled back Father Time himself - who was watching benignly from the top of the Tavern stand clock - to enter the sort of rarefied atmosphere that players of his age, and in this era, are simply not meant to reach. Among his many accolades, hes the oldest player to score a Test hundred since Patsy Hendren in 1934, and the oldest to do so at Lords since Jack Hobbs and Warren Bardsley traded scores in the 1926 Ashes Test.Obviously when you are playing competitive cricket you dont just think about your age, he said, but if you think you are [still] competitive you can take the challenge of playing that game. These records are always something special, and you are satisfied at getting these achievements, but the main thing is to perform for your team and country.He did that to supreme effect, and acknowledged the latter with a subtle salute towards the pavilion as he shuffled down the pitch after bringing up his three figures. That was for the flag, he later confirmed. And, notwithstanding the loss of two late wickets that allowed England to regain a measure of parity of a fascinating first day, his tenth Test hundred has established the sort of platform, at 282 for 6, that could yet allow Pakistans talented crop of bowlers to thrive in the second innings.Obviously you need at least 400, thats what we are looking forward to, Misbah said. We have to work hard tomorrow, so if we can bat more than a session we could really give us a big advantage. Here at Lords, the average score is around 400 in the first innings, so that could give us something to put pressure on England.Obviously, we worked really hard in terms of our fitness and skills, and in terms of acclimatising and coming here before [the start of the series], he added. All those aspects are really helping us. The batsmen are now adjusting to these conditions, they have got runs under their belts so they are confident, and now everyone is looking in good shape so that really helped us today.Despite the intensity of their preparations, Pakistans batsmen didnt all hit the ground running at the same speed - and it took a critical 148-run stand for the fifth wicket with Asad Shafiq to rescue their side from a post-lunch nadir of 134 for 4. Shafiq, who has been in promising form on the tour so far with scores of 80 and 69 not out in the first warm-up against Somerset, seemed set for a century until Chris Woakes disciplined line and waspish aggression caught him in two minds on 73.It would have been really nice for us if Asad and me could have batted the whole day, but then they just came back into the game so theres still a lot of hard work to do tomorrow, said Misbah. But Asad has been a star for us in the previous four or five years, hes the top player at No. 6, scoring so many hundreds and scoring consistently. Hes a special player and I think in future Pakistan will be looking to him.For the time being, however, Pakistan are looking no further than their leader, who will resume on the second morning on 110 not out, with a special place in history already confirmed following an innings that the man himself admitted was his best he has yet produced.Its a dream to play at Lords, and especially getting a hundred and my name on the honours board, he said. Its something special, and a century is always satisfying for a cricketer, but I rate this innings at the top in Test cricket especially. I am really happy about that.Earl Ingarfield Sr. Jersey . James, who turned 29 on Monday, injured his groin Friday during the Heats overtime loss at Sacramento. 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Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. Craig Adams Jersey . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A year after Patrick Kanes career appeared in jeopardy because of a sexual assault claim, the Chicago Blackhawks star was named one of the alternate captains for the United States for the World Cup of Hockey.Its a huge honor for sure, Kane said. Its one of those things I dont know if I was expecting to receive that, but at the same time, I still think its a responsibility I can handle and hopefully take somewhat of a leadership role and take charge.The sexual assault case in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, was dropped Nov. 5 for what the prosecutor said was a clear lack of evidence, and Kane quickly put aside the off-ice troubles. He had an early 26-game points streak and became the first American-born player to win the Art Ross (top scorer) and Hart (most valuable player) trophies.Sometimes you look back, its almost like a blur, it went by so quick, he said. It didnt seem like it at the time, but it was a really fun year.Kane had 106 points (46 goals, 60 assists) to become the first player to crack the 100-point mark in four seasons, and he finished 17 points ahead of runner-up Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars.He was on a roll early, got his confidence going and never looked back, said David Backes, the Boston Bruins center and U.S. teammate.Along the way, Kane might have grown up as well. The incident in Buffalo was the latest of several brushes with the law in his career.Im 27 years old. Im going to be 28 later this year; you want to maximize your potential, he said. You want to get all you can out of your prime while youre still young, maybe advance that prime into your later years, too. Thats where my thinking is now.U.S. and Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella knew Kanes reputation but did not know him before the Americans training camp openned Monday in the Ohio city.ddddddddddddHe has matured. We all see that, the coach said. A lot of things have gone on with him obviously. Just talking with him one-on-one here in the past couple of days you can see the maturity.Thats why Kane was named an alternate captain, along with the Minnesota Wilds Ryan Suter, to captain Joe Pavelski of the San Jose Sharks.I want [Kane] to take more responsibility now, Tortorella said. Hes ready for more responsibility as a leader of a U.S. team where before it was Kaner, go play, and hes really good at it. I think hes ready for more responsibility, and Im ready to give it to him because he deserves it.The game has always come easy for Kane, who has won Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks in 2010, 13 and 15 and a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. But last season, he ascended to a different level.He was the best player in the league last year, said?Montreal Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty. Not many people can play the game the way he does. Hes special.Pacioretty, Kane and Pavelski form the top line for the U.S., and they need to come through for any chance of winning the eight-team tournament. The U.S plays World Cup favorite Canada in exhibition games Friday in Columbus and Saturday in Ottawa.The focus will be on Kane, but this time, for a good reason.I sometimes catch myself over the summer saying, OK, you did it once but can you do it again? Can you prove yourself again? Kane said. It gave me a little bit of motivation over the summer, a lot of motivation. I want to get back to the level, stay there and do it as long as I can. Its fun when youre producing like that on the ice. You feel awesome. ' ' '