THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
S P O R T S

Australia tighten grip on third Test
Melbourne, December 28
Australia tightened their grip over the third cricket Test after yet another double century by Ricky Ponting and cheap dismissals of both the Indian openers at the end of the third day’s play here today.

Ricky Ponting is stumped by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel for 257 runs Ricky Ponting (L) is stumped by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel (R) for 257 runs on Sunday.
— Reuters photo

Kumble will be key player in 4th innings
Defeat is certainly staring at India at the end of the third day. The onus is on the Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly and his ever-reliable deputy Rahul Dravid to save the Test.

Injured Zaheer out; Bangar, Yuvraj in
Kolkata, December 28
Injured seamer Zaheer Khan was today left out while utility player Sanjay Bangar earned a recall to the 16-member Indian one-day side for the upcoming tri-series cricket tournament in Australia.

No revolt by Indian cricketers, says Yadav
Melbourne, December 28
India team manager Shivlal Yadav said a report that the side’s tour of Pakistan in February was in doubt because of a player revolt over security issues was completely untrue.

Mongia fashions India ‘A’ win
Kolkata, December 28
India ‘A’ made heavy weather of a small target to reach to 99 for six thanks to an allround performance from Dinesh Mongia against Pakistan ‘A’ in the Kenstar Asian ‘A’ Teams’ Tournament here today.



Brett Lee jumps in air while bowling to Sourav Ganguly during the third Test in Melbourne
Brett Lee jumps in air while bowling to Sourav Ganguly during the third Test in Melbourne on Sunday.
— Reuters

EARLIER STORIES
 
Butler corners Pak with 6-wkt haul
Wellington, December 28
A devastating six-wicket haul by young speedster Ian Butler destroyed the Pakistan first innings and put New Zealand firmly in control of the second cricket Test at the Basin Reserve here today. Butler, 22, took his last five wickets for just 12 runs as Pakistan folded to be all out at tea for 196 on the third day, in reply to New Zealand’s first innings 366. At stumps New Zealand in their second innings were 75 for three for an overall lead of 245 with two days remaining.



New Zealand fast bowler Ian Butler, who finished with figures of 6/46 to help dismiss Pakistan for 196 in their first innings on the third day of the second Test in Wellington on Sunday.

New Zealand fast bowler Ian Butler, who finished with figures of 6/46 to help dismiss Pakistan for 196

SA pile up 658
Durban, December 28
Jacques Kallis and Gary Kirsten guided South Africa to a record total that put them in control of the second Test against the West Indies today. At stumps on the third day, the West Indies were 18 without loss in their second innings, a deficit of 376.

Railways storm into semis
Vadodara, December 28
Former Ranji champions Railways scored a 57-run win over Baroda in crucial Elite Group A Ranji Trophy match at IPCL ground here to move into the knock out stage. This is for the first time Railways entered the knock-out stage after the introduction of new Ranji format two years ago.

Punjab-Mumbai tie ends in tame draw
Chandigarh, December 28
Punjab batsmen came a cropper as their Elite Group "A" Ranji Trophy match against the defending champions Mumbai ended in a lacklustre draw at Mohali, near here, today. And with the draw in which the hosts failed to gain even the first innings lead vanished all their hopes of making the next grade.

Sandeep helps HP salvage draw
Kolhapur, December 28
Himachal Pradesh were able to salvage a draw against Maharashtra, on the back of some gritty batting and opener Sandeep Sharma's hundred in the four-day Ranji Trophy plate 'B' match at the Rajaram stadium at Ichalkaranji in Kolhapur district today.

Punjab cops, IOB in semis
Nabha, December 28
Indian Navy’s dreams of clinching a semi-final spot ended when a resolute Punjab Police sunk their aspirations by posting a laboured 1-0 win while IOB, Chennai, who are making their debut in the tourney, outstroked the high flying ITBP Jalandhar 5-3 in the quarterfinals of the 28th All-India Liberals Hockey Tournament played at the Ripudaman College ground here today.

Amritsar eves stun Ludhiana
Sangrur, December 28
Amritsar girls caused the biggest upset of the tournament when they dethroned holders Ludhiana in the Punjab State Junior Volleyball Championship which concluded today at Mastuana Sahib. In the boys section Sangrur retained the title, when they thrashed Jalandhar easily.

Vikas, Mayank steal the show
Chandigarh, December 28
The qualifying round of the  women's artistic event began this morning on the second day of the 44th Senior National Gymnastics Championship at the  indoor hall of the Shivalik Public School, Mohali today. Vikas Pandey and Mayank, both from Uttar Pradesh, stole the limelight in respective events. Earlier in the men is apparatus championship qualifying round, in floor exercise, Abhinav of UP at 9.10 point was leading. He was followed by Vikas of UP with 9.0 points.

 



A gymnast on the balancing beam during the 44th Senior National Gymnastics Championship in Mohali on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

A gymnast on the balancing beam during the 44th Senior National Gymnastics Championship in Mohali

Haywards hold Bagan
Margao, December 28
Mohun Bagan had to rely on Jose Barreto's brillance as they rallied from behind to hold Haywards 2000 Sporting Club to a 2-2 draw in the eighth National Football League match here today. Both teams played an attacking game creating scoring opportunities.

Rajni Sharma All eyes on ‘golden girl’
Chandigarh, December 28
All eyes are on Patiala girl Rajni Sharma who will vie for top honours in the rythmic gymnastics event in the ongoing 44th Senior National Gymnastics Championship at Mohali. She will compete in rope, hoop and ribbon events.

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Australia tighten grip on third Test

Australia's Ricky Ponting celebrates making his double century during the third day of the third Test against India
Australia's Ricky Ponting celebrates making his double century during the third day of the third Test against India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. — Reuters photo

Melbourne, December 28
Australia tightened their grip over the third cricket Test after yet another double century by Ricky Ponting and cheap dismissals of both the Indian openers at the end of the third day’s play here today.

Seeking to level the series after the shock defeat at Adelaide, Australia first took a lead of 192 by notching up 558 of which Ponting made 257, his second double century of the series and third of the year. Batting for 11 overs of the day, Virender Sehwag, whose magnificent 195 had propelled India to 366 in the first innings, as well as Aakash Chopra fell early to leave their side vulnerable.

The Indians were precariously placed at 27 for two and face a Herculean task of saving the match with two days left on a Melbourne Cricket Ground track which was expected to deteriorate.

Rahul Dravid (6) and captain Saurav Ganguly (6) survived some anxious moments to remain unbeaten at stumps with India still trailing by 165 runs on a day which saw the world champions maintaining their stranglehold.

Ponting, who had scored 242 in the second Test at Adelaide, plundered runs at will against the modest Indian bowling attack to join Don Bradman as the only players in the history of Test cricket to score three double centuries in a calendar year.

The Australian vice-captain is also now leading run scorer for 2003 with 1472 runs from 11 Tests at a staggering average of 98.13.

He needs only nine more runs from a possible Australian second innings here to move past third-placed Michael Vaughan (1,480 in 2002) in the all-time leading runs scorers in a calendar year. Viv Richards heads the list with 1,710 runs in 1976 followed by Sunil Gavaskar on 1,555 in 1979.

Anil Kumble toiled hard for his six for 176 from a marathon 51 overs. Ajit Agarkar was the other productive bowler for India with three for 115.

But the day’s other highlight after Ponting’s virtuoso knock was Australian captain Steve Waugh coming in twice to bat in the same innings in his final Test at the MCG.

Waugh was struck on the left elbow by Agarkar off the second ball he faced and had to retire for treatment. But he came out at the fall of Simon Katich (29) to another standing ovation at the venue where he made his Test debut 18 years ago against the same opposition.

Waugh’s farewell knock in front of a Sunday crowd of the Boxing Day Test though was a scratchy 19. He survived two confident shouts for leg before wicket before umpire David Shepherd ruled him out the third time he padded up to Kumble.

Ponting meanwhile showed immaculate concentration in his near 10-hour knock that consumed 458 balls and contained 25 fours. His stay at the crease began in the first session yesterday and finished in the final session today when he was stumped off Kumble.

Ponting shared two crucial partnerships with Damien Martyn (31) and Simon Katich (29) that left the hosts as firm favourites to win the Test.

First, the Tasmanian extended his overnight partnership with Martyn to 78 runs before the latter snicked Ajit Agarkar to wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel.

He then added another 64 with Katich for the fifth wicket.

Waugh could have been out to the first ball he faced from Kumble but umpire David Shepherd rejected the shout and the Australian captain stayed for 63 balls more before a similar appeal was withheld.

Kumble then had Brett Lee (8) caught at silly point and Ponting stumped long way down after the batsman had given a charge in order to wrest the strike.

Kumble thus had three wickets in the final session which yielded 78 runs. It was his second successive five-wicket haul following his 5 for 154 in the second Test at Adelaide.

Sachin Tendulkar tried to make up for his batting failure with the ball and induced a simple return catch from Nathan Bracken.

Stuart MacGill was out leg before to Agarkar off the very first ball he faced.

Zaheer Khan bowled only eight overs in the morning in two spells but looked clearly in discomfort.

But even before their relief at finally bowling out the hosts could sink in, the tourists lost both the openers in the last one hour of play.

Aakash Chopra (4) was unlucky to be given caught out behind the stumps when the ball from Nathan Bracken had brushed his pads while Virender Sehwag (11) was brilliantly caught at square leg by Brad Williams off Brett Lee.

Interestingly, captain Saurav Ganguly came in to bat at number four instead of Sachin Tendulkar who was out for first ball in the first innings on Friday.

SCOREBOARD

India (first innings): 366

Australia (first innings overnight 317-3):

Langer c Tendulkar b Agarkar 14

Hayden lbw b Kumble 136

Ponting st Patel b Kumble 257

Gilchrist c Nehra b Kumble 14

Martyn c Patel b Agarkar 31

Waugh lbw b Kumble 19

Katich c Chopra b Kumble 29

Lee c Laxman b Kumble 8

Bracken c & b Tendulkar 1

Williams not out 10

MacGill lbw b Agarkar 0

Extras: (b-4 lb-8 w-5 nb-17 penalty-5) 39

Total: (all out, 151.2 overs) 558

Fall of wickets: 1/30, 2/264, 3/295, 4/373, 5/437, 6/502, 7/535, 8/542, 9/555.

Bowling: Ajit Agarkar 33.2-5-115-3, Zaheer Khan 25-4-103-0, Ashish Nehra 29-3-90-0, Anil Kumble 51-8-176-6, Sachin Tendulkar 13-0-57-1.

India (second innings):

Chopra c Gilchrist b Bracken 4

Sehwag c Williams b Lee 11

Dravid batting 6

Ganguly batting 6

Extras: 0

Total: (2 wkts in 11 overs) 27

Fall of wicket: 1/5, 2/19.

Bowling: Brett Lee 6-1-20-1, Nathan Bracken 5-2-7-1. — UNI
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Kumble will be key player in 4th innings
Javagal Srinath

Defeat is certainly staring at India at the end of the third day.

The onus is on the Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly and his ever-reliable deputy Rahul Dravid to save the Test. This partnership on Monday morning would decide whether India will draw this Test and keep alive hopes of winning the series.

It’s rather unfortunate to see India succumb under pressure despite being in a commanding position on the first day. The adage of “old habits die-hard” seems to have come true as India have faltered once again. Is it the resilient nature of the hosts or the complacency of the touring side? Only the result of the Test match will give the true picture.

Sehwag played a blinder of an innings in the first innings to set up a great stage for other batsmen to seize the opportunity. But on the contrary, the Indians, at the end of the third day, have played themselves into a precarious position and struggling to save the match. Except for the daring knock of Sehwag on the opening day, nothing much has gone the Indian way.

The early collapse of the later order for a paltry sum followed by great batting by the most revered batsman at the moment, Ricky Ponting, snatched the initiatives, which the Indians held by the end of the first day.

A fully fit and steaming Zaheer Khan is a major requirement in India’s pursuit to win this series. In a crucial game like this, the Indian spearhead didn’t appear fully fit although he tried his best. Hamstring damage is such a bane for a fast bowler that it annoys the bowler at the back of his mind with a constant apprehension of a recurrence. I sincerely hope Zaheer will hit the purple patch again before it is too late. If the Indian batters put up a decent total, I am sure Zaheer and company will make the most of the opportunity.

Sachin’s dismissal down the leg side has raised too many eyebrows concerning his form. I strongly feel that his poor scores have a lot to do with the luck factor than anything to do with his form. A scratchy innings complied with few chances or with unsure footwork can call for lack of form. But a dubious leg before decision and an equally freaky dismissal cannot be attributed to loss of form or change in technique. It’s only fair to wait and watch for him score in time to come.

Sehwag’s knock came at the right time and it will have a huge bearing on his career. The stunningly dominating knock was simply described as a “leaf out of Richards book” by none other than legendary GR Vishvanath. He also added that such knocks should win matches for the team. But to India’s misfortune, another run-machine exists in the opposite side — Ricky Ponting. The Aussie has the ability to negate the Sehwag effect.

Twenty Test centuries at the age of 28 speaks volume of the ability of this diminutive batsman. Equally phenomenal is his rate of scoring. When none of the other Australian batsmen looked settled, Ricky simply pulverised the Indian attack to put the Australians back in the driver’s seat. Skipper Waugh has never seemed comfortable since the time he announced his retirement. It is great to see that while Waugh is struggling to make his last series personally a memorable one, his teammates are working hard to gift him Border-Gavaskar trophy as a parting gift.

Selectors reluctantly picked Anil Kumble for the arduous tour Down Under. It only proves that the voice of the team has more credibility and faith than that of the selectors. Anil has once again stood tall to deliver under extreme conditions. His two five-wicket haul in successive Tests suggest that Anil would be a key player in the fourth innings of this match, provided the Indian batsmen do justice in the second innings.

The selection for the one-day team is already in progress. With Yuvraj Singh and Mohd Kaif being automatic choice, the slots for another batsman and a bowler remain open. Considering the performance in the on going India A tournaments, Gautam Gambhir and Amit Bhandari should claim their stake.

But then, one problem will still remain unresolved. Will Rahul Dravid continue to keep the wicket or not ?

— Chivach Media
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Injured Zaheer out; Bangar, Yuvraj in

Kolkata, December 28
Injured seamer Zaheer Khan was today left out while utility player Sanjay Bangar earned a recall to the 16-member Indian one-day side for the upcoming tri-series cricket tournament in Australia.

With two main strike bowlers — Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh — ruled out due to injury, rookie pacers Irfan Pathan and Laxmipathy Balaji have been retained in the squad for the tournament, beginning at Melbourne on January 9, Cricket Board secretary S.K. Nair announced here today.

The selection committee headed by Syed Kirmani finalised the team after a deliberation of more than two hours during which they also took the opinion of coach John Wright and skipper Saurav Ganguly in Australia through teleconferencing.

Nair said Zaheer Khan has been left out as according to a report by team physio Andrew Leipus he would be out of action for 4 to 6 weeks due to a left hamstring injury.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has already been ruled out of the current Test series and tri-series involving Zimbabwe apart from Australia due to an index finger injury.

Both Pathan and Balaji are now doing duty for the Test side Down Under.

Openers Aakash Chopra and Sadagoppan Ramesh and wicketkeeper-batsman Deep Dasgupta will return from Australia after the Test series.

The team: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Rahul Dravid (vice captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Virendra Sehwag, V.V.S. Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mohd. Kaif, Parthiv Patel, Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Murali Kartik, Irfan Pathan, Ashis Nehra, L. Balaji, Sanjay Bangar and Hemang Badani.

Nair said though not included in the team, both Zaheer and Harbhajan will stay back in Australia to remain under the observation of Leipus.

He said the committee picked up a 16-member squad in view of the long span of the tournament. — PTI
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Zaheer ruled out for Sydney Test

Kolkata, December 28
Zaheer Khan would not play in the coming Sydney Test because of a left hamstring injury.

Mr S.K. Nair, BCCI secretary, told UNI here today that Zaheer Khan was nursing a left hamstring injury, which would take four to six weeks to heal.

‘’Khan is undergoing a rehab programme along with spinner Harbhajan Singh under physio Andrew Leipus and hence has not been included in India’s ODI squad as well,’’ Mr Nair said.

Khan would, however, stay back in Australia for the rehab programme.

Mr Nair said: ‘’According to report from Andrew Leipus from Australia Zaheer Khan will not be able to take part in any form of action after this Test which automatically puts him out of the final Test in Sydney and the first part of the ODI series.’’

‘’It is up to the team management to decide whether Irfan Pathan or L. Balaji will replace Zaheer for the final Test. They have their options in hand and the choice is up to them, ‘’ he said when asked if any decision had been taken regarding Zaheer’s replacement. — UNI

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No revolt by Indian cricketers, says Yadav

Melbourne, December 28
India team manager Shivlal Yadav said a report that the side’s tour of Pakistan in February was in doubt because of a player revolt over security issues was completely untrue.

“It’s all rubbish,’’ Yadav told Reuters at Melbourne Cricket Ground during the third day’s play of the third Test against Australia.

“There is no truth in it.’’

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed optimism yesterday that the Indian team’s tour to Pakistan would not be derailed following security concerns after the suicide bomb attempt on President Pervez Musharraf in Rawalpindi.

“What happened on Thursday is of grave concern to everyone and bad for the country. But I remain optimistic that if the SAARC conference goes ahead on schedule then the Indian tour will also be held as planned,’’ Mr Shaharyar Khan told a news conference in Karachi.

Reports in the Indian newspaper Mid-day said yesterday the Indian players currently touring Australia had taken a unanimous decision not to tour Pakistan in February 2004 in view of security threats in Pakistan. — Reuters
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Mongia fashions India ‘A’ win

Kolkata, December 28
India ‘A’ made heavy weather of a small target to reach to 99 for six thanks to an allround performance from Dinesh Mongia against Pakistan ‘A’ in the Kenstar Asian ‘A’ Teams’ Tournament here today.

Pakistan ‘A’, batting first, scored 97 all out in 22.2 overs and India ‘A’ overhauled the target reaching 99 for six in exactly the same number of overs.

Earlier, the entire morning session of the match was lost due to a sudden spate of showers in Kolkata due to a depression and after three inspections the game began at 12.35 pm reducing the game into a 25 over match.

Dinesh Mongia was the hero of the day, remaining unbeaten on 48 off 61 deliveries and adding an invaluable 30 run unbroken seventh wicket partnership with S. Bahutule (not out 8) to take India ‘A’ to safety. Earlier, Mongia had taken two wickets for 19 runs and was chosen the ‘man of the match’ for his efforts.

The best part of his innings was that he did not give up or panic when the wickets were falling all around him.

Scoreboard

Pakistan A: S.Butt c Yuvarj b Bangar 21Afridi c Badani b Trivedi 0 Rehman b Patel 10 Hafeez c Patel b Mongia 5 Iqbal lbw b Mongia 10 Latif lbw b Bangar 1 Asad st Ratra b Bahutule 23 Amjad run out 8 Khalil c and b Bahutule 0 Zia c Gavaskar b Bangar 4 Khan not out 2

Extras (lb-5, nb-1, w-7) 13.

Total (all out, 22.2 overs) 97.

Fall of wickets: 1/4, 2/27, 3/37, 4/50, 5/52, 6/56, 7/80, 8/85, 9/95.

Bowling: S. Trivedi 3-0-19-1, M Patel 5-0-12-1, S. Bangar 4.2-0-23-3, D. Mongia 5-0-19-2, Sarandeep Singh 2-0-10-0, S. Bahutule 3-0-9-2.

India ‘A’: D. Mongia not out 48 G. Gambhir b Khalil16 Y. Singh st Rehman b Hafeez 12 H. Badani lbw b Amjad 0 S. Bangar b Zia 0 R. Gavaskar lbw b Zia 0 Ratra b Zia 2 S. Bahutle not out 8.

Extras (lb-3, w-10) 13.

Total (for 6 wkts, 22.2 overs) 99.

Fall of wickets: 1/31, 2/52, 3/64, 4/65, 5/65, 6/69.

Bowling: A Khan 3-0-21-0, Md Khalil 4.2-0-37-1, M. Hafiz 5-0-16-1, J. Zia 5-0-12-3, M. Amjad 5-0-10-1. — PTI
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Butler corners Pak with 6-wkt haul

Wellington, December 28
A devastating six-wicket haul by young speedster Ian Butler destroyed the Pakistan first innings and put New Zealand firmly in control of the second cricket Test at the Basin Reserve here today.

Butler, 22, took his last five wickets for just 12 runs as Pakistan folded to be all out at tea for 196 on the third day, in reply to New Zealand’s first innings 366.

At stumps New Zealand in their second innings were 75 for three for an overall lead of 245 with two days remaining.

Playing in only his seventh Test, Butler produced a withering spell with the second new ball as Pakistan lost their last six wickets for 28 runs, and their last four wickets for only two runs. Pakistan had started the day with intentions of batting their way to safety and from a slow start had reached the comparatively comfortable total of 134 for four at lunch.

Yousuf Youhana, who struggled early in his innings, gained in confidence in the after lunch session and moved to 60 in 246 minutes at the crease before popping a simple catch to Stephen Fleming off Daniel Vettori and Pakistan were 168 for five.

Enter Butler. Charging into the northerly wind, he bowled Abdur Razzaq for 26 in his first over back to make it 171 for six.

Scoreboard

New Zealand (1st innings) 366

Pakistan (first innings)

Farhat c Hart b Oram 20

Umar c Oram b Tuffey 16

Hameed b Butler 3

Youhana c Fleming b Vettori 60

Inzamam lbw b Oram 34

Razzaq b Butler 26

Moin c Vettori b Butler 19

Sami c Hart b Butler 4

Shoaib Akhtar b Butler 0

Shabbir Ahmed not out 0

Kaneria lbw b Butler 0

Extras :14

Total (all out, 90 overs) 196

FoW: 1-27, 2-30, 3-60, 4-113, 5-168, 6-171, 7-194, 8-195, 9-196

Bowling: D. Tuffey 24-9-46-1, I. Butler 20-6-46-6, J. Oram 22-5-49-2, D. Vettori 22-6-47-1, S. Styris 2-1-1-0

New Zealand (2nd innings):

Richardson not out 35

Vincent lbw b Akhtar 4

Fleming lbw b Kaneria 24

Jones c Moin b Shoaib 7

Tuffey not out 0

Extras (lb-3 nb-1 w-1) 5

Total (3 wickets, 36 overs) 75

FoW: 1-8, 2-43, 3-73

Bowling: Akhtar 9-3-12-2 Ahmed 9-2-11-0, Sami 4-1-12-0, Kaneria 9-2-18-1, Razzaq 5-1-19-0. — Reuters
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SA pile up 658

Durban, December 28
Jacques Kallis and Gary Kirsten guided South Africa to a record total that put them in control of the second Test against the West Indies today.

At stumps on the third day, the West Indies were 18 without loss in their second innings, a deficit of 376.

Scoreboard

West Indies (1st innings): 264

South Africa (1st innings):

Smith c Sarwan b Edwards 14

Gibbs b Sanford 142

Rudolph c Ganga b Sanford 36

Kallis c Sarwan b Dillon 177

Kirsten c Drakes b Sarwan 137

McKenzie c Jacobs b Drakes 32

Boucher lbw b Drakes 12

Pollock not out 38

Hall c sub b Sarwan 32

Ntini c Lara b Sanford 0

Extras (lb-9, nb-23, w-6) 38

Total (9 wkts decl. in 166.2) 658

Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-99, 3-267, 4-516, 5-562, 6-572, 7-599, 8-649, 9-658

Bowling: Dillon 33-5-111-1, Edwards 25-1-115-1, Sanford 38.2-4-170-3, Sarwan 21-2-65-2, Drakes 30-3-113-2, Hinds 13-2-50-0, Ganga 6-1-25-0.

West Indies (2nd innings):

Hinds batting 7

Ganga batting 4

Extras (lb-6, nb-1) 7

Total (for no loss ) 18

Bowling: Pollock 5-4-2-0, Ntini 5-1-10-0. — AFP

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Railways storm into semis

Vadodara, December 28
Former Ranji champions Railways scored a 57-run win over Baroda in crucial Elite Group A Ranji Trophy match at IPCL ground here to move into the knock out stage.

This is for the first time Railways entered the knock-out stage after the introduction of new Ranji format two years ago.

It was off-spinner Shreyas Khanolkar who took the advantage of a turning wicket to claim five wickets conceding only 21 runs and played an important role to bundle out hosts in their second essay.

Baroda were set a target of 240 runs for victory soon after Railways were all out for a paltry 103 runs in their second innings this morning after resuming at overnight total of 84 runs for loss of 8 wickets.

In reply, Baroda openers Rishikesh Parab and Satyajit Parab started batting sensibly before the former was trapped leg before by Harvinder Singh when the team’s total was just 25 runs.

With this win Railways secured four points. Baroda, who finished with four points from seven matches, managed to retain their position in the Elite A group.

Scoreboard

Railways (Ist Innings): 353.

Baroda (Ist Innings): 217.

Railways (IInd Innings: Overnight 84 for 8):

Khanolkar c Parab b Joshi 5

Pagnis lbw b Patel 4

Singh lbw b Joshi 15

Verma lbw b Joshi 1

Ali b Bhoite 37

Goud c Mongia b Buch 7

Wankhede lbw Patel 9

Singh c and b Bhoite 0

Parida lbw b Buch 0

Saxena not out 11

Yadav st Mongia b Buch 4

Extras: (b 3, nb 7) 10

Total: (all out) 103

FoW: 1-10, 2-14, 3-15, 4-37, 5-70, 6-82, 7-82, 8-83, 9-90.

Bowling: Rakesh Patel 10-3-32-2, Shekhar Joshi 8-1-24-3, Valmik Buch 11-3-27-3, Ajit Bhoite 8-1-17-2.

Baroda (IInd Innings):

Parab lbw b Harvinder 12

Parab lbw b Parida 33

Williams b Parida 21

Martin c Pagnis b Yadav 19

Mongia st Wankhede b Yadav 6

Arothe c Sahu b Khanolkar 33

Bhoite b Khanolkar 18

Patel c Verma b Khanolkar 4

Gaekwad b Khanolkar 0

Buch not out 8

Joshi st Wankhede b Khanolkar 5

Extras: (b 9, lb 13, nb 1) 23

Total: (all out) 182

FoW: 1-25, 2-56, 3-87, 4-96, 5-101, 6-140, 7-142, 8-146, 9-175.

Bowling: Harvinder Singh 9-0-36-1, Santosh Saxena 9-2-26-0, Kulmani Parida 19-9-25-2, Madan Yadav 23-6-52-2, Shreyas Khanolkar 10.4-2-21-5. — PTI

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Punjab-Mumbai tie ends in tame draw
Gopal Sharma

Chandigarh, December 28
Punjab batsmen came a cropper as their Elite Group "A" Ranji Trophy match against the defending champions Mumbai ended in a lacklustre draw at Mohali, near here, today. And with the draw in which the hosts failed to gain even the first innings lead vanished all their hopes of making the next grade.

In fact, Punjab's chances of making any further progress in the group had taken a beating after they had made a mess while chasing Mumbai's modest total of 224 yesterday. With five frontline batsmen back in the pavilion and 52 on the board, it was really a matter of time before the innings folded. Punjab's innings came to an end immediately after the lunch break today at 153. Left-arm seamer Amit Uniyal was the only batsman to make some contribution. He was unbeaten on 56 when the innings ended.

In the absence of regular Mumbai seamers Avishkar Salvi and the paceman Munaf Patel, inexperienced frontline bowlers Swapnil Hazare and Usman Malvi acquitted themselves well. They bowled an impeccable line and length. Maintaining relentless pressure they choked the rival batsmen for runs, inducing errors in the process.

Punjab must have felt the absence of their main batsmen and skipper Dinesh Mongia and one-day batsman Yuvraj Singh. Both are part of the India "A" squad currently playing in Kenstar Asia Cup in Kolkata. In their absence none of the other batsmen could stay at the wicket as Uniyal and wicketkeeper Chandan Madan (33) were the highest scorers from the side.

Resuming from the overnight score of 70 for five, Punjab suffered an immediate jolt when the last of the recognised batsmen Samrat Sharma was caught behind off Hazare. Uniyal and Madan were then involved in the most fruitful stand of the innings which helped in only delaying the inevitable. Madan contributed 33 before being scalped by off-spinner Ramesh Powar. Uniyal hit five fours and the lone six from the side in his unbeaten half century which helped Punjab get past the 100-run mark.

Mumbai, in their second innings, were 181 for four at close. Opener Vinayak Mane played an entertaining knock of 60 runs off 84 balls. After this last league match, Mumbai have sailed into the semifinal with 22 points, while it is the end of the road for the hosts. They logged 11 points from seven matches.

Mumbai (1st innings): 224

Punjab (1st innings): Ricky b Usman 7, Munish c & b Hazare 18, Kakkar lbw Usman 4, Dharmani c Samant b Hazare 15, Sodhi c Jaffer b Hazare 0, Samrat c Samant b Hazare 11, Madan c Jaffer b Powar 33, Uniyal not out 56, Gagandeep b Hazare 1, Navdeep c Samant b Malvi 4, Vineet b Malvi 1

Extras: (lb 2, nb 1): 3

Total: ( all out in 61 overs): 153

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-23, 3-45, 4-45, 5-52, 6-70, 7-124, 8-135, 9-151.

Bowling: Usman Malvi 22-8-55-4, Swapnil Hazare 21-9-45-5, Robin Morris 7-1-13-0, Ramesh Powar 7-2-24-1, Vinod Kambli 2-0-12-0, Nilesh Kulkarni 2-0-2-0.

Mumbai (2nd innings): Mane run out 60, Morris lbw Gagandeep 1, Thakkar c & b Gagandeep 50, Powar c Uniyal b Navdeep 36, Mazumdar not out 11, Samant not out 13.

Extras: (b 2, lb 4, nb 4): 10

Total: ( 4 wkts in 47 overs): 181

FoW: 1-3, 2-103, 3-152, 4-154

Bowling: Gagandeep 17-1-78-2, Reetinder Sodhi 4-0-20-0, Amit Uniyal 8-2-20-0, Navdeep Singh 17-2-53-1, Ravneet Ricky 1-0-4-0.
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Sandeep helps HP salvage draw

Kolhapur, December 28
Himachal Pradesh were able to salvage a draw against Maharashtra, on the back of some gritty batting and opener Sandeep Sharma's hundred in the four-day Ranji Trophy plate 'B' match at the Rajaram stadium at Ichalkaranji in Kolhapur district today.

The huge first innings total by the hosts and some fine bowling by Mandar Dalavi were in vain as the visitors managed to garner some pride from the match.

Asked to follow-on by Maharashtra, Himachal resumed on the penultimate day from their overnight score of 137 for one with opening bat Sandeep Sharma (64) and one-drop all-rounder Sangram Singh (26) taking up the challenge and with some fine batting display taking the score to 237 before Sangram Singh looking good for his 70 was caught by D. Mohan of the bowling of Khadikar.

Scoreboard:

Maharashtra (Ist innings): 564 all out

Himachal Pradesh (Ist innings): 219 all out

Himachal Pradesh (IInd innings): Anil Sharma c Khirid b Dalavi 30, Sandeep c Jadhav b Dalavi 135, Sangram c Mohan b Khadikar 70, Bisla c Siddiqui b Dalavi 83, Ajay Mannu b Siddiqui 22, Panta c Satbhai b Dalavi 01, Amit c Khirid b Khadikar 17, Vishal lbw Dalavi 04, Ashok b Dalavi 00, Mallik c Kulkrani b Dalavi 01, S.P. Singh not out 00,

Extras: 29

Total: all out in 130.1 overs 392

Fall of wickets: 1/88, 2/237, 3/262, 4/308, 5/309, 6/349. 7/358, 8/391, 9/391, 10/392.

Bowling: I. Siddiqui 14-2-52-1, C. Kulkarni 12-3-33-0, M. Dalavi 44.1-17-93-7, R. Khirid 8-2-38-0, Khadikar 35-6-109-2, H. Kanitkar 12-1-37-0, N. Godbole 3-1-8-0, D. Mohan 2-0-3-0,

Maharashtra (IInd innings): Godbole not out 01, Mohan not out 01, Total: (without loss in one over): 2 Bowling: A. Thakur: 1-0-2-0. — UNI

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Punjab cops, IOB in semis
Our Sports Reporter

Nabha, December 28
Indian Navy’s dreams of clinching a semi-final spot ended when a resolute Punjab Police sunk their aspirations by posting a laboured 1-0 win while IOB, Chennai, who are making their debut in the tourney, outstroked the high flying ITBP Jalandhar 5-3 in the quarterfinals of the 28th All-India Liberals Hockey Tournament played at the Ripudaman College ground here today.

With the completion of today’s programme, the decks have been cleared for the semifinals in which Punjab Police will square off against Vajra Corps, who downed CISF 5-3 while BSF, Jalandhar, who got the better of Rock Rovers, Chandigarh 2-1, cross swords with IOB.

Punjab cops, powered by a five forward frontline, dashed the hopes of Indian Navy by putting in a cohesive performance in the first half of the match, although the second half saw them playing subdued hockey as they seemed to be more content on riding to the last four stage by virtue of defending their slender solitary goal lead earned in the first half.

The frequency of the cops’ incursions in the first half should have secured them a better scoreline but some poor finishing let them down. As they gained momentum, the rival citadel fell when skipper Jagbir Singh gave a deft pass to right-in Sarabjit Singh who in turn put centre forward Avtar Singh on the move. After side stepping his way past a defender, Avtar drew out the onrushing goalkeeper before slotting the ball home to put his side 1-0 up.

The second half saw the cops dishing out some defensive hockey even as they hung on tenaciously to the one-goal lead. Towards the fag end the Navy men did come up with some good moves but all their good work was nipped in the bud by the cops’ defence in which goalkeeper Paramjit Singh stood out for some fine blocks.

IOB, Chennai, who made a fine debut yesterday when they downed Corps of Signals, one again put on a memorable performance to outclass ITBP, Jalandhar 5-3. The security men started strongly and opened the scoring through nippy winger Kulwinder Singh. However, this advantage was soon nullified by IOB when K. Padmanabhan scored an opportunistic goal. The Chennai bankmen soon went into the lead through T. Senthil and as it seemed they would cruise into the last four stage, ITBP fired in a goal through B. Subash. The tie breaker saw IOB putting it across their rivals by posting a 5-3 verdict.
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Amritsar eves stun Ludhiana
Our Sports Reporter

Sangrur, December 28
Amritsar girls caused the biggest upset of the tournament when they dethroned holders Ludhiana in the Punjab State Junior Volleyball Championship which concluded today at Mastuana Sahib.

In the boys section Sangrur retained the title, when they thrashed Jalandhar easily.

The Ludhiana-Amritsar final in the girls section was easily the best match of the tournament. The match which lasted about two hours, was well contested. Amritsar won 25-16, 16-25, 25-22, 18-25, 16-14. Ludhiana who were favourite to win the tournament started on a bad note losing the first game rather tamely at 16-25. But they came back in their own in the second game winning 25-16. The third game was closely fought with both the teams trying to take lead. They were tied 21-21 but after that Amritsar girls took four points in a row to make it 24-21. Ludhiana reduced the margin by one point. A thundering smash by Amritsar smasher Sukhdeep sealed the fate of Ludhiana, who were now trailing by 1-2. Ludhiana girls once again fought back in the fourth game winning it rather easily 25-18.

The final game saw good volleyball from both the teams. Their powerful smashes and lifts from difficult angles enthralled the huge holiday crowd. It was a close affair till the end when both the teams were level at 12-12. It was once again Sukhdeep and Navjot who helped their team to snatch the final game 16-14. Meenu, Sukhdeep and Navjot excelled for Amritsar while Jagdeep and Rajwinder played an excellent game for Ludhiana.

Sangrur got third place defeating Gurdaspur.

The boys final was a tame affair with Sangrur spikers thrashing Jalandhar with ease. Sangrur won the match 25-17, 25-14, 25-12 in 30 minutes. Major Singh, Jagjit Singh, Nitesh Kumar, Gagan and International Gauravpreet Singh played on excellent game for Sangrur while Manjit Singh and Gurpreet Singh played well for Jalandhar.

Mr M.S. Bhullar, former DGP, gave away the prizes to the winners.
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Vikas, Mayank steal the show
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, December 28
The qualifying round of the  women's artistic event began this morning on the second day of the 44th Senior National Gymnastics Championship at the  indoor hall of the Shivalik Public School, Mohali today. Vikas Pandey and Mayank, both from Uttar Pradesh, stole the limelight in respective events.

Earlier in the men is apparatus championship qualifying round, in floor exercise, Abhinav of UP at 9.10 point was leading. He was followed by Vikas of UP with 9.0 points.

In Roman Rings, Lalit Kumar of Punjab with 9.35 points was in lead. In parallel bar, Mayank of UP with 9.15 points was ahead. In vaulting horse, again Mayank of UP with 9.15 points was in lead . In Horizontal bar and Pommel horse both , it was Vikas who stayed ahead.   

Earlier fancied Vikas Pandey of Uttar Pradesh took lead with 330 points to qualify for the  all round individual championship in the men is artistic event.

Meanwhile, during the executive committee meeting of the GFI, it was decided to open new centres of excellence  at various places in the country. The centres were proposed to be set up at Patiala, Gurdaspur, Chandigarh, Ambala, Hyerbadad, Agartala and Kolkata.

The GFI has also decided to hold the second Central South Asia Gymnastics meet at Surat in 2004, then the fourth Asian artistic  both senior and junior Gymnastics championship at Hyderabad in 2005. The disciplines of trampoline, aerobics, and acrobatics have been brought under the ambit of the GFI.

Results: Men: (all round individual championship):

Vikas Pandey 330 U.P 52.75 1, Mayank 332 U.P 52.10; 2, M.Shinoj 312 SSCB 50.80 3, Deepesh 334 U.P 50.70 4, Saraf Raj Ahmed 304 I.R 49.80 5, Ramesh Behara 310 SSCB 49.50 6, Krishen 245 Har 49.05 7 Raja Ray 315 I.R, 48.90 8, Lalit Kumar 351 Pun 48.90 9, B.N. Shiva Kumar 201 A.P 48.55 10, Sudip Jana 302 I.R 48.45 11.

Results men team championship:

Uttar Pradesh 255.80 1, Services Sports Control Board 246.35 2, Indian Railways 245.05 3.
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Haywards hold Bagan

Margao, December 28
Mohun Bagan had to rely on Jose Barreto's brillance as they rallied from behind to hold Haywards 2000 Sporting Club to a 2-2 draw in the eighth National Football League match here today.

Both teams played an attacking game creating scoring opportunities.

Barreto created panic in the rival defence whenever he moved up and gave his team the lead in the 12th minute when he shot home from the top of the box a deflection which came to him via Leonard.

But the Goans who stretched their famed rivals in both the half, restored parity three minutes latter when Dudu Omagbemi capitalised on a defensive error when defender Sanjeev Maria and Rishi Kapur let go a cross from Francis Andrade and Dudu made no mistake in nodding home.

Bagan defence looked jittery after conceding the goal and Dudu had a glorious chance to put his team up but he headed wide off a long lob by Vincent Pires. Thereafter, keeper Prasanta Dora made a save when he blocked a Jotin shot after Dudu set him on the right.

Haywards midfield played in unison as they kept their strikers busy and went ahead in the 32nd minute off a free kick. — PTI
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All eyes on ‘golden girl’
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, December 28
All eyes are on Patiala girl Rajni Sharma who will vie for top honours in the rythmic gymnastics event in the ongoing 44th Senior National Gymnastics Championship at Mohali. She will compete in rope, hoop and ribbon events. Rajni, known as golden girl and winner of a number of medals in the 43rd national championship, and at the 32nd National Games at Hyderabad, had recently went to Azerbaijan for the World Rythmic Gymnastics Meet.

Rajni, a Punjab Police employee, said her aim was to represent India at the international level. With the passage of time, I will certianly do something for my country, affirmed Rajni. It was at Government Victoria Girls Senior Secondary School, Patiala, where she honed her skills. She practiced under the able guidance of many coaches.

She was influenced by her younger sister, Suman, a regular gymnastics trainee and Rajni took to gymnastics at the age of 12. Daughter of a PRTC employee at Patiala, Rajni’s initial success came in 1996 in the Punjab State Gymnastics Championship at Patiala. There she won one silver and three bronze medals in various artistic events which included hoops, rope and ribbon.

The “rubber girl” of Patiala once saw Uzbekistan gymnast Alexandria at the South Asian Gymnastics Meet at Patiala in 1999 and began admiring her. “The international meet was real exposure for her as she got to learn many off-game things like when to warm-up and eat, besides the kind of diet she should take.

“In a gymnast, there should be a will to perform to one’s optimum capacity in front of large public,” said Rajni. She was now coached by Ms Kalpana Debnath at the NIS, Patiala.

Rajni’s other previous achievements included a gold medal in the National School Games at Pune in 1996. She won one gold and two silver medals at the 1998 National School Games at Surat. At the Udaipur Senior Nationals and Federation Cup in Delhi, she won a bronze medal each. Rajni said the sport did not get much patronage in India, though we had good coaches, who needed advanced training. She said the Gymnastics Federation of India was paying due attention to its talented players.

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UP inflict 90-run defeat on Kerala

Palakkad, December 28
A fine spell of bowling by spinner Nikhil Chopra (3/24) and some inept batting by the hosts helped Uttar Pradesh register a 90-run win over Kerala in the Elite group 'A' Ranji Trophy cricket match here at today. Requiring 191 runs for an outright win, Kerala squandered the opportunity with some poor shot selection to be bundled out for 132 runs 17 minutes after lunch.

The loss also saw Kerala, who finished last in the eight-team group 'A' with only 2 points, being relegated to the "Plate division".

Resuming the fourth and final day at 32 for one, Kerala lost wickets at regular intervals and were in dire straits at lunch with 121 for 6. — PTI
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Cricket trials

Sangrur, December 28
Selection trails to pick the Sangrur district under-15 team for participation in Minor Districts Cricket Championships will be held at Ranbir College on December 30 at 11 am according to Mr G.S. Dhillon president, DCA. The championship is being held at Faridkot from January 3, 2004. — OSR
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 BRIEFLY

INDIANS, AUSSIES WARNED
MELBOURNE:
India and Australia were warned not to disregard the umpire in their over-enthusiasm to celebrate a dismissal in the on-going third cricket Test here on Sunday.

Match-referee Mike Procter said in a press note that both the sides were issued with the warning from the two umpires at lunch break according to which any bowler that does not look for an umpire’s decision to an appeal will be reported under clause 1.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

The penalty for a level one offence is a reprimand or a fine of 50 per cent of players’ match fee. Procter’s ire was directed at both teams whose bowlers were rushing in to celebrate the “fall” of a wicket without bothering for an umpire’s decision. — PTI

SACHIN’S DEMOTION
MELBOURNE:
Sachin Tendulkar’s non-emergence
from the dressing room towards the fag end of third day’s play left tongues wagging at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Tendulkar did not take his customary position at number four at the fall of Virender Sehwag’s wicket and it led to speculation the ‘Little Master’ did not want to put himself under test in tense final moments of the day’s play.

Tendulkar has scores of 0, 1,37 and 0 from four innings of the series and the word gained ground he was not keen to risk his wicket at that moment of day’s play. Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble said the decision to hold back Tendulkar was taken by captain Sourav Ganguly himself. — PTI

ARMY CROSS-COUNTRY
FARIDKOT:
National champion Havildar Deep Chand of 22 Infantry Division got the top position in the 12 km cross country championship of Western Command held somewhere in the Western Sector on Sunday. He completed the event in 38.40 minutes after beating other rival LNk Alok Kumar who remained second. In the 4 km circuit another national champion Sepoy Karan Singh of Infantry Division covered the distance in 12.7 minutes leaving behind Subedar Ridmal Singh for the second berth. Ram Division annexed the overall championship which was decided on combined aggregate points secured by the participants of each division in both the events. — OC
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