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India, Pak players take a day off
Harbhajan reported for suspect action
Rahul made a huge difference
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“Concerns” over Delhi hosting one-dayer
Dalmiya indicted in telecast
rights case
Rain provides Kiwis hope after follow-on
Dharmani guides Punjab into final
Play washed out
East Bengal not taking JCT Mills lightly
Anand crushes Topalov
Advani clinches a grand double
RCF player found dead
HP beat Tripura 3-2
Local player shines in skiing
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India, Pak players take a day off
Bangalore, March 21 The visitors and the home team -- except skipper Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Ashish Nehra and Gautam Gambhir who are expected to land later today or tomorrow -- are already in the city. Coach John Wright visited M Chinnaswamy Stadium and inspected the pitch. Among the players, wicket-keeper Dinesh Kaarthick was the only one to turn up at the venue in the morning to get a feel of it. "I am happy with my performance at Kolkata (where he scored 93 in the second innings), Kaarthick said. "I feel it has come at the right time. It has given me great confidence." The first Test at Mohali had ended in a draw after Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal and Abdul Razzaq combined in a 186-run seventh wicket partnership, thwarting India's bid for win on the final day. Pakistan held a team meeting in the evening where the "shortcomings" in the Kolkata match and strategy for the final Test were discussed. Skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq said on arrival here that the final XI would be decided depending on pitch conditions.
— PTI |
Harbhajan reported for suspect action
London, March 21 Harbhajan was reported for suspect action for his ‘doosra’, a delivery that spins away from a right-handed batsman, after the second Test between India and Pakistan at Kolkata, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said today. The bowler was reported by on-field umpires Darell Hair and Steve Bucknor, third umpire A. Jayaprakash and match referee Chris Broad. Harbhajan had been cleared by the ICC to play in the Test series against Pakistan earlier this month after he was reported for his ‘doosra’ in the second Test against Bangladesh in December. “The report relates specifically to the bowler’s action when delivering the ‘doosra’. It was noticeable to the umpires and me that there was an apparent change in action when bowling this delivery between the first innings of the match, when no concerns were raised, and the second, which then prompted the report to be made,” ICC match referee Chris Broad was quoted as saying. “Broad has informed both the ICC and the Indian team management of the report, as per the ICC regulations governing the reporting process,” an ICC press note said. This is the third time in his career that Harbhajan has been reported for suspect bowling action, and the first time after the ICC made changes to the bowling rules allowing spinners to straighten their arms by 15 degrees. Harbhajan would now have to “undergo independent analysis” of his action by a specialised ICC panel within 21 days and would be free to play till then at the “discretion” of the Indian cricket board. “This will take place as soon as practically possible, and within a maximum period of 21 days from receipt by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of formal notice of the report by the ICC, together with copies of the relevant match tapes from the Kolkata Test,” it said. “Within 14 days of the independent analysis being carried out, the appointed specialist will supply the ICC with a written report advising the outcome of the bio mechanical assessment. This will confirm whether the bowler’s action falls within, or exceeds, the 15 degrees of permitted elbow straightening,” it added.
— PTI |
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Rahul made a huge difference
A
victory against Pakistan at Eden Gardens was long overdue, and when it came, it concluded a very well-fought Test match. However, my own happiness at the win has been a little clouded over by the news that my action has once again been reported by the match referee.
While I will abide by whatever the ICC stipulates, I am really surprised by this development. My action was cleared only last month by a panel of experts, and my ‘doosra’ was declared clean after scrutinising images from a dozen cameras using modern technology. I am at a loss to understand how, after being cleared by the panel, I am again being reported. Moreover, the rules say that the arm must not straighten at more than 15 degrees. It is a very technical stipulation, and I am baffled by the fact that the umpires and the referee were able to make this rather difficult calculation using the naked eye. Finally, the contention that my ‘doosra’ was clean in the first innings but illegal in the second is strange to say the least. In my first article, I had said that I was tense and nervous when I went for my tests last month. This time, however, I am confident of my innocence, and my team-mates are giving me tremendous support. I have been playing Test cricket for many years now, and it is surprising that question marks are being raised about my action 40 Tests and 180-odd wickets down the line. I am not clear where all this leads – am I to undergo tests every time someone says something about my action? If that is the case, then the test I underwent was not conclusive, and yesterday’s developments mean that the ICC referee does not trust the ICC’s tests for bowling actions. I know that I am clean and I will continue to bowl as well as I can for my nation. I also have full faith in the ICC and the procedures that I went through last month. As far as I am concerned, the ICC will trust its own tests and let me continue to do what I love — bowling for India. On a happier note, it was very satisfying to be part of the Test victory. Anil was simply unstoppable after he took a wicket off the first ball. The Eden pitch had less bite, spin and pace than the track on which we won against Australia in 2001 and even against South Africa two months ago. Anil, however, was very confident after that early breakthrough and never looked back. I did my best to support him by keeping the runs down and maintaining pressure at the other end. Sure, I was also going for the wickets, but maintaining pressure was of prime importance. I am proud to be part of the only spin duo in world cricket today. Other teams may have one champion spinner but Anil and I are the only spin duo in business right now. I think the turning point in the Test was the run out of Asim Kamal in the first innings. That throw from Sachin gave us tremendous momentum at a time when the game could have gone either way. After that, of course, it was Rahul and Dinesh who did the rest. I was particularly impressed by Dinesh because he played his shots and was an equal member in the partnership. Finally, it was Rahul’s excellent show that
made a huge difference. Anil and Rahul now head towards home turf and things can
only get better for the two champions. — Gameplan |
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“Concerns” over Delhi hosting one-dayer
New
Delhi, March 21 Sundaram, who inspected the Ferozeshah Kotla ground for close to three hours, did not say what were the concerns before committee, but said they would discuss about it before submitting the report to the board “shortly”. “We have made a number of observations. There are certain areas which are of concern to us. Our team would discuss about it before talking to DDCA (Delhi and District Cricket Association) officials. Then we will submit our report BCCI,” Sundaram told reporters. Sundaram praised the DDCA for making a “stupendous” effort in making the ground ready for the match on April 17. “I must congratulate the DDCA for their stupendous effort to ensure that the ground stages the match. It is no mean a task to make a modern stadium ready for the international match,” he said. Sundaram, who came to the stadium just afternoon, made an inspection of the newly-laid pitch and watched the proceedings of an under-21 match for some time.
— PTI
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Dalmiya indicted in telecast
rights case Chennai, March 21 Disposing of a writ petition filed by Zee Telefilms against the BCCi order cancelling the tender awarded to it, Mr Justice K.P. Sivasubramaniam said the cancellation of the tender process by the board was improper and vitiated by arbitrariness and unfair action of the board and Mr Dalmiya in particular.
It was open to the petitioner to sue the appropriate respondents (BCCI, Dalmiya and ESPN) for damages. After the Indo-Pak series was over, telecast of subsequent series or matches would be only after calling for fresh tender. It was to be hoped that members of various committee would realise that they were performing duties which were akin to quasi-judicial function and they could not abandon their rights to assert their views and duty to act independently. Both the petitioner and ESPN were entitled to take part in the fresh tender, the Judge added. ‘’I am inclined to conclude that the series of events which have ultimately ended in the termination of the tender process was unjust and illegal, and was the result of bias against Zee Telefilms. I am even prepared to assume that Dalmiya did not have a good opinion about Zee Telefilms, capacity of satisfying the international standards and quality of televising the matches and honestly believe that the petitioner was not up to the expectation. The conduct of the President of such a big institution should be above board and he cannot act in an unethical manner causing loss to the petitioner,’’ the Judge added. — UNI |
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Rain provides Kiwis hope after follow-on
Wellington, March 21 In the rain-disrupted Test, the New
Zealand first innings ended at 244 on tea on the fourth day in reply to
Australia’s 570 for eight declared. Australian captain Ricky Ponting
enforced the follow-on, but as New Zealand openers Craig, Cumming and
Stephen Fleming prepared to return to the wicket, the rain came
again. After sitting out the morning session because of rain, New
Zealand resumed their first innings after lunch at 122-4. Lou Vincent
and nightwatchman James Franklin cautiously steered their way forward in
a 58-run partnership, but the rot set in when Franklin was out for 26
with the score at 166. Despite some late hitting by Daniel Vettori, who
cracked 45, New Zealand lost their last six wickets for 78, while
Australian pacer Michael Kasprowicz moved to 99 Test wickets. He made
the first breakthrough with a reverse swing ball that enticed Franklin
to hang out the bat and he was caught by wicket-keeper Adam
Gilchrist. Vincent reached his seventh Test half century off 115 balls
before Kasprowicz removed him sparring outside off stump for 63 in 199
minutes. Warne then removed Brendon McCullum and Craig McMillan in quick
succession for three and 20, respectively, both to loose leg side
shots. Vettori hit eight fours in his 45 off 63 balls as he and Chris
Martin put on a 10th-wicket stand of 32, with Martin (0) facing 16 balls
and being not out at the end. Kasprowicz ended with 3-42 while Warne
bowled 28.1 overs and had 3-69. Australia (first innings): 570-8 dec New
Zealand (first innings): Cumming b Kasprowicz 37 Fleming lbw McGrath
0 Marshall c Gillespie b McGrath 18 Vincent c Gilchrist b Kasprowicz
63 Astle c Warne b Clarke 9 Franklin c Gilchrist b Kasprowicz
26 McMillan b Warne 20 McCullum c Vettori c Martyn
b Warne 45 O’Brien b Gillespie 5 Martin not out 0 Extras (b-4,
lb-8, w-1, nb-5) 18 Total (all out, 81.1 overs) 244 Fall of wickets:
1-9, 2-55, 3-79, 4-108, 5-166, 6-180, 7-184, 8-201, 9-212. Bowling:
McGrath 14-3-50-2, Gillespie 20-4-63-1, Kasprowicz 16-2-42-3, Warne
26.1-7-69-3, Clarke 3-1-8-1. — AFP |
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Murali weds Chennai girl
Chennai, March 21 Madhimalar is 24 year-old elder twin daughter of late Dr. Ramamurthy and Dr. Nitya Ramamurthy who own the ultramodern medical facility Malar Hospitals in south Chennai. Madhimalar manages the hospital. Her twin sister, Radhimalar, is a doctor. Murali comes from a family of Tamils who are of Indian origin but settled in Sri Lanka. While Murali was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka, his parents are from Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. The family runs a confectionery business in Kandy. The wedding was held according to Tamil Hindu tradition amidst tight security at Rani Meyyammai Hall, located next to Air India, Indian Airlines complex in central Chennai, between 10am and 11am this morning. A few Chennai-based satellite television channels showed the event live. Murali sported a French beard and was clad in a silk dhoti and shirt, with a silk angavastram (south Indian long towel) draped over his shoulders. Madhimalar wore a red silk zari sari and was bedecked with gold jewelry studded with diamonds and other precious stones. |
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Dharmani guides Punjab into final
Mumbai, March 21 Dharmani, who top-scored in the visitors’ meagre first innings tally of 126 with a stubborn 32, was once again the batting hero as he held the lower order together with aplomb to remain unconquered with a superb 86 after a five-hour stay. But for his valiant knock, that included eight fours and a six and came off 237 balls, Punjab’s hopes of shocking the reigning champions of the last two years would never have materialised. Fittingly, it was the Punjab wicketkeeper who hit the winning runs in the first over after lunch on the fourth and penultimate day of the semifinal. He struck a four off Avishkar Salvi and then cut the Mumbai medium-pacer for a single to point to signal wild celebrations in the Punjab camp, who had to wait anxiously till after lunch to see their endeavour fulfilled. Punjab were poised for a win when the day commenced. Needing 68 more runs for a win after commencing the day at 226 for 4, chasing 294, they lost three more wickets against a determined Mumbai team, who made the visitors earn every run. Dharmani saw three of his team-mates depart and then found an able ally in Gagandeep Singh (15 not out in 65 minutes) to take Punjab home from 261 for 7 to 294 without further loss. |
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Play washed out
Chandigarh, March 21 Mopping up operations continued since morning. When the ground and the weather conditions looked fit for resumption of play, fresh downpour lashed the area, nullifying the possibility of any play during the day. At close of play yesterday, Haryana, in the second essay, were 26 without loss. By virtue of the first innings lead, Haryana are sitting pretty and poised to enter the final. Brief scores: Haryana (1st innings): 453 Jharkhand (1st innings): 308 Haryana (2nd innings): 26 without loss. |
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Dharamsala, March 21 |
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East Bengal not taking JCT Mills lightly
Ludhiana, March 21 Though leading the table with 24 points, East Bengal still have a lot of ground to cover in the current league. The race is neck and neck and several contenders for the winners' purse of Rs 40 lakh are virtually breathing down the neck of the defending champions. Among the frontrunners are Goa's Dempo SC and Sporting Clube de Goa, though other outfits like Mahindra United, Fransa and JCT Mills are not far behind. In the current league, East Bengal have won seven matches out of 11 played so far and have drawn three. Their only defeat came against Dempo, who beat them 3-2 in the tenth round at Margao on February 24. They have registered victories against Churchill Bros (2-0); Vasco (3-0); SBT (4-2); JCT (2-0); Salgaocar (1-0); Tollygunge (5-0); and Sporting Clube (2-1). The matches against Mohun Bagan and Fransa ended goal-less while Mahindras held them to a 1-1 draw. JCT Mills, who finished fifth last year, are currently placed sixth with 15 points. Out of 11 matches, they have won four, drawn three and lost four. JCT have beaten Fransa (1-0); Salgaocar (3-1); Churchil Brothers (3-0); and SBT (1-0). They have tasted defeat at the hands of Dempo, Sporting Clube de Goa, East Bengal (away match) and Mohun Bagan. Their matches against Vasco, Mahindra and Tollygunge were drawn. Tomorrow's match not only provides JCT an opportunity to avenge the 0-2 humiliation at the hands of the red and gold brigade at Kolkata in the sixth round, courtesy Juliano Martins and Climax Lawrence, but also gives them a chance to move up the ladder in the high-profile league. JCT's coach Sukhwinder Singh, talking to The Tribune today, sought to play down the absence of Bhutia and Douglas while emphasising that East Bengal were certainly a good side and that it was an "honour to play against such a good team". "Nevertheless, my team comprises fighter and we will certainly go all out to capitalise on home advantage," he added. JCT have undergone a major overhaul this season with veterans like I.M. Vijayan and Joe Paul Ancheri moving on to greener pastures. Among the new faces are Nigerians Julius Akpele and Alexander Jebba. Goalkeeper Mansuru Mohammed, also a Ghanian, is into his third season with the mill men. In the defence, the dependable Harpreet Singh, who was with Mohun Bagan last season and stopper back K.V. Dhanesh, along with Daljit Singh, have performed creditably. The attack comprises some of the old faces like winger Jaswinder Singh, Baldeep Singh and Harvinder Singh, though striker Hardip Gill's return to the side from Mohun Bagan has also given them an edge. Surjit Singh, who incidentally has turned a devout Sikh sporting long hair, is also a player to watch out for. East Bengal's bench strength is the envy of every team. Though some of their regulars like Bhutia and Douglas will be absent tomorrow, the team management is not unduly worried. Sangram Mukherjee, Malswam Tluanga, Alvito de Cunha, Bijen Singh, Climax Lawrence, Selwyn Fernandes, besides Juliano Martins, are have been performing wonders for their team. Climax Lawrence, in particular, has been in devastating form, scoring as many as six goals so far. On the whole, it appears to be a close contest and JCT will certainly not like to disappoint the home crowd, who backed them with full-throated cries when they beat East Bengal on this very ground in the seventh edition of the National Football League. The kick-off is at 4 pm. The following are the latest standings of the teams in the ninth National Football League after taking into account the result of today's match between Mahindra United and Fransa played in Mumbai (read under teams, matches played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, and points):
Teams
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
Pts.
East Bengal
11
7
3
1
22
7
24
Dempo SC
12
7
3
2
13
10
24
Fransa FC
13
6
3
4
16
14
21
Sporting Clube
12
6
2
4
24
14
20
Mahindras
13
4
7
2
16
13
19
JCT Mills
11
4
3
4
10
9
15
Salgaocar SC
13
4
3
6
14
14
15
Mohun Bagan
13
4
3
6
9
12
15
Tollygunge
12
3
5
4
13
21
14
Churchill Bros
12
3
4
5
11
16
13
SBT
12
2
3
7
12
20
9
Vasco SC
12
2
3
7
8
18
9 |
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Anand crushes Topalov
Monaco, March 21 Anand gave an aesthetic display of positional and tactical chess in two games of the day and remained the sole leader with an absolute score of 4/4. The Indian ace, who started with a 2-0 drubbing of Spaniard Alexei Shirov in round one, now sat pretty with a slender half point lead over nearest rival Peter Svidler of Russia, who crushed Israeli Boris Gelfand in both forms of the game to move to 3.5 points. With nine rounds still to come in this unique competition, with one blindfold and one rapid game in each round, Vasily Ivanchuk of Ukraine and Russians Vladimir Kramnik and Evgeny Bareev were on joint third spot with 2.5 points each in their kitty.
— PTI |
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Advani clinches a grand double
New Delhi, March 21 The 19-year-old, who won the points format title beating compatriot Devendra Joshi 6-2 in the final on Wednesday, showed that he had the patience and the skills to beat the best in the longer format as he got the better of former champion Geet Sethi 2242-1717 in a thrilling six-hour final, according to information received here. This was only the second time that the time format and points format championships were held together and Advani created history by winning both the crowns. In 2002 at Sydney, Australia, Ashok Shandilya, whom Advani beat in the semifinals, had won the points format title while Mike Russel of England got the better of Sethi in the time format. Advani is also the second cueist in the world to have won both the world billiards and snooker title after Paul Mifsud of Malta. While Mifsud won the snooker title in 1985, 86 and bagged the billiards crown in 1979, Advani clinched the snooker championship in 2003 in China. He also holds the Asian billiards crown. For Sethi — who has won the amateur crown thrice and the professional title four times so far — this was a third successive defeat in the final of the IBSF World Championship.
— PTI |
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RCF player found dead
Kapurthala, March 21 While some witnesses maintained that it could be a case of murder, police officials claimed that it was suicide as it had been found that the deceased, who hailed from Orissa, was hooked on drugs and had been remaining absent from duty as clerk in the steel works section of the factory for quite some time. An employee of the RCF, he reportedly remained quite erratic and was even facing termination due to his behaviour at one point of time. Anolecka was, however, being retained on the assurances given by his parents and some officials of the RCF. But he still was not regular for quite some time and was often found intoxicated in the campus area, employees of the RCF said. The police registered a case of suicide under Section 174 of the IPC. The body was handed over to his next of kin of a nearby village even as his parents were yet to arrive from Orissa. |
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HP beat Tripura 3-2
Hyderabad, March 21 Indian Airlines, leading 2-1 at the half-time, surged ahead with a brace by Altaf-ur Rehman to win the match and move in to the knock-out phase. Sukhvinder Singh scored the lone goal for Universities. Sunil Ekka and Harpreet Singh scored two goals each for Services who trounced Bhopal while Himachal Pradesh got past Tripura 3-2. Andhra got the better of Chhattisgarh 9-1 and Tamil Nadu blanked Uttaranchal 4-0. With one more round left in the league phase after which top two teams from the eight pools will enter the knock out phase. Airlines, Chandigarh, Punjab, Services, Railways, Tamil Nadu and Hyderabad have already qualified for the next stage. Results: Indian Airlines b Universities 6-1; Andhra b Chattisgarh 9-1; Tamil Nadu b Uttaranchal 4-0; Services b Bhopal (Blue) 10-2; Himachal b Tripura 3-2.
— PTI |
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Local player shines in skiing Patiala, March 21 Verma, a jeweller by profession and a former Judo player, led a four-member contingent out of which three skiers qualified for the second round after clearing 48 barriers. Verma exuded confidence that the state team will win medals in the 2006 national skiing championship, to be held at Manali.
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