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Yuvraj almost certain to play second Test
World Cup bid
Makhaya Ntini destroys Australia
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Windies beat Kiwis, avoid whitewash
C’wealth Games
Manuj shines in 400 metres
Indian soccer eves to face Kyrgyzstan
JCT meet Air-India on March 12
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Cook spoils India’s broth
Nagpur, March 4 The young Cook anchored the innings brilliantly with a measured 104, while Kevin Pietersen hit 87 as the visitors put themselves firmly in the driver’s seat by reaching 297 for three at close on the penultimate day. The English batsmen showed no signs of any discomfort as they countered the famed spin duo of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh to completely push the hosts on the backfoot on a day which saw the home team spill as many as five catches. The day clearly belonged to England as they took just seven balls in the morning to polish off the Indian first innings for 323 and then compounded the home team’s misery by batting sensibly on a wearing track at the VCA Stadium. With the pitch expected to deteriorate further on the final day tomorrow, the Indians will have to bat out of their skins to save the match. The 21-year-old Cook, who made a memorable debut by scoring 60 in the first innings, showed maturity beyond his years to guide his under-strength team to a position from where they can push for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. It was a pathetic display by the Indians as the bowlers lacked the sting, while the fielders made matters worse by grassing most of the chances that came their way. Cook, who put on 95 runs for the first wicket with Andrew Strauss (46), and 124 for the third with the hard-hitting Pietersen, had added 76 runs with first-innings centurion Paul Collingwood (35 not out) for the fourth wicket. The England top-order batsmen consolidated their team’s position with some determined approach, personified by Cook who faced 243 balls and struck 12 fours. After losing his opening partner Strauss and Ian Bell — both dismissed by Irfan Pathan in quick succession — Cook joined forces with Pietersen, who faced 119 balls and hit 14 fours and a six. Cook, dropped twice after reaching 70, became the 16th Englishman to score a century on debut. The home team added to their woes by dropping Pietersen (on 8 and 51) and Cook (on 70 and 91) twice each and first-innings centurion Collingwood (on 4). Mohammed Kaif, who showed great character in his comeback Test by scoring a responsible 91 yesterday, was the chief culprit, the others being debutant S Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, off his own bowling, and skipper Rahul Dravid. Earlier, left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan took two wickets in successive balls to become the second bowler after England’s Matthew Hoggard to be on a hat-trick in the Test. Pathan packed off opener Strauss, who hit six fours in his 130-minute innings, and one-down batsman Ian Bell (1), with the last and first balls of his eighth and ninth overs to give India a great start in the post-lunch session after England had adjourned for the break at 77 for no loss. However, India could not press home the advantage of this twin strike as Cook and Pietersen rallied the visitors around with a stand of 124 runs in 193 balls for the third wicket. Scoreboard England (1st innings) 393 India (1st innings) Jaffer c Flintoff b Hoggard 81 Sehwag c Pietersen b Hoggard 2 Dravid lbw Hoggard 40 Tendulkar lbw Panesar 16 Laxman lbw Hoggard 0 Kaif b Panesar 91 Dhoni c G. Jones b Flintoff 5 Pathan c Flintoff b Hoggard 2 Kumble c Cook b Harmison 58 Harbhajan not out 0 Sreesanth lbw Hoggard 1 Extras
(b-17, lb-3, nb-2, w-5) 27 Total (9 wickets, 136.5 overs) 323 Fall of wickets:
1-11, 2-140, 3-149, 4-149, 5-176, 6-183, 7-190, 8-318, 9-322. Bowling:
Hoggard 30.5-13-57-6, Harmison 27-5-75-1, Flintoff 29-10-68-1, Panesar 42-19-73-2, Blackwell 7-0-28-0, Bell 1-0-2-0. England (2nd innings) Strauss c Dhoni b Pathan 46 Cook batting 104 Bell c Dhoni b Pathan 1 Pietersen c Dravid b Kumble 87 Collingwood batting 36 Extras
(b-12, lb-7, nb-2, w-2) 23 Total (3 wkts, 87 overs) 297 Fall of wickets:
1-95, 2-97, 3-221. Bowling: Pathan 14-2-48-2, Sreesanth 10-2-36-0, Kumble |
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Yuvraj almost certain to play second Test
Nagpur, March 4 BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah said a fitness report on the Punjab left-hander was with the Board and it appeared he had recovered. “I have got first-hand report on Yuvraj’s fitness and he seems to have recovered,” Shah said here today. “The report of the physiotherapist would be taken into consideration when the selection committee meets here tomorrow,” he added. Yuvraj, who suffered the injury during India’s sensational run-chase in the fifth and final ODI against Pakistan at Karachi, missed the ongoing first Test here. Meanwhile, Shah said coach Greg Chappell had acknowledged the missive e-mailed to him by the Board, warning him not to talk on the Sourav Ganguly issue. “We have received the acknowledgement from Chappell,” Shah said while adding that no meeting was to be held here between the coach and BCCI president Sharad Pawar as speculated in a section of the media.
— PTI |
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Crucial meeting on March 12
Mohali, March 4 Joint Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) M. P. Pandove today informed that board presidents of these Asian nations would work out details, including financial, administrative and deciding venues, before submitting the combined India-Pakistan-Sri Lanka-Bangladesh bid for the 2001 World Cup. The Asian countries have sought an extension of date from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for submitting their combined bid in Dubai this month. The last date for bidding expired on February 28. BCCI President Sharad Pawar, who will attend the meeting, would also inaugurate the indoor cricket playing facilities being constructed at the PCA Stadium, which is hosting the second Test between India and England from March 9 to 13. The teams will reach here on March 6 from Nagpur where the first Test is being played. Regarding the Barmy Army, the staunch supporters of the English cricket team, Mr Pandove said, “We have directly not received any request for bulk purchase of tickets. The PCA has sold 80 tickets for AC lounge for the English team supporters. However, we are expecting nearly 2,000 English spectators as the tickets are being purchased for other blocks online and other sources. Booking has been done through various travel agents.” — UNI
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Makhaya Ntini destroys Australia
Cape Town, March 4 Australia’s total was their worst against South Africa, the previous lowest being 125 in Melbourne in 1997-98. Ntini’s spell included an accurate new-ball burst which left Australia reeling at seven for four in the 10th over. He finished with six for 22, the best by a South African in one-dayers. Chasing 290 to win, Australia were in disarray from the second over. With Shaun Pollock, who bowled seven overs for nine runs, concentrating on line and length, Ntini was able to roar in and he had Australia on the back foot from his first ball, removing Adam Gilchrist for a single. Gilchrist did not bother waiting for the umpire’s decision after a fine inside edge to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher. Phil Jaques, called up after the injuries sustained by captain Ricky Ponting and Andrew Symonds, lasted four balls before Ntini had him caught at second slip. Damien Martyn (four) hooked a well-directed Ntini bouncer to fine leg and Michael Clarke (one) gifted another catch to Boucher. Mike Hussey (22) and Shane Watson (27) were the only batsmen to make it past 20. Earlier, South Africa made 289 for seven thanks to a quickfire unbeaten 51 from Justin Kemp and 66 from Herschelle Gibbs. Kemp smashed four sixes as he reached his half century in 41 balls. He and Pollock (38) added 62 off 50 deliveries for the sixth wicket after the hosts had reached 192 for five in the 39th over. The third match is in Port Elizabeth on Sunday. Scoreboard South Africa Smith b Clark 24 Dippenaar b Watson 31 Gibbs c and b Hogg 66 De Villiers b Watson 18 Boucher lbw Hogg 42 Kemp not out 51 Pollock c Clarke b Lee 38 Peterson c Martyn b Clark 4 Hall not out 4 Extras
(b-1, lb-5, w-5) 11 Total (7 wkts, 50 overs) 289 Fall of wickets:
1-45, 2-57, 3-95, 4-175, 5-192, 6-254, 7-262. Bowling: Lee 8-0-51-1, Bracken 10-0-45-0, Clark 10-2-69-2, Watson 10-0-46-2, Hogg 9-1-48-2, Clarke 3-0-24-0. Australia Gilchrist c Boucher b Ntini 1 Katich c De Villiers b Nel 16 Jaques c Kemp b Ntini 0 Martyn c Dippenaar b Ntini 4 Clarke c Boucher b Ntini 1 Hussey c Kemp b Nel 22 Watson c Boucher b Ntini 27 Hogg c Pollock b Peterson 6 Lee c Dippenaar b Nels 1 Bracken c Boucher b Ntini 10 Clark not out 2 Extras
(lb-1, w-2) 3 Total (all out, 34.3 overs) 93 Fall of wickets:
1-1, 2-1, 3-5, 4-7, 5-33, 6-57, 7-70, 8-71, 9-86. Bowling: Pollock 7-4-9-0, Ntini 9.3-4-22-6, Nel 8-2-30-3, Hall 5-1-15-0, Peterson 5-0-16-1.
— AFP |
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Windies beat Kiwis, avoid whitewash
Auckland, March 4 New Zealand had comprehensively won the first four games and their 233 in the fifth and final match could have been another winning score. The visitors began their run chase at a painful crawl to be one for 10 after 10 overs. But once Daren Ganga and Runako Morton had seen off the new ball attack, the West Indies batsmen gradually reclaimed an air of authority. One-day specialist Wavell Hinds hit the winning run with two balls to spare. It was a much-needed victory for the West Indies, who had not won a one-day match since last August, before the first of three Tests starts here on Thursday. Going into the final 10 overs, the West Indies still needed 71 runs to win. When captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul fell for 41 in the 43rd over, leaving them 175 for six, they were still staring at a whitewash. But after Hinds and Denesh Ramdin took the attack to Kyle Mills and Nathan Astle, 17 runs were needed from the final 18 balls, and then three from the last over. On the third ball Shane Bond had Ramdin caught for 38 with the scores tied, but he could not stop Hinds hitting the winning run off the next delivery to finish unbeaten on 40. Dwayne Smith had earlier produced a man-of-the-match performance with the ball, taking five for 45 as he ripped through the middle order and tail to restrict the New Zealand total. Scott Styris overcame a shaky start to provide the backbone of the home innings with 90 after Stephen Fleming won the toss and chose to bat. Fleming contributed 32 and Ross Taylor 31. Taylor, in only his second international, hit seven quick boundaries before being bowled by Ian Bradshaw. His dismissal reduced New Zealand to 59 for three in the 11th over and brought Styris to the crease. After a cautious start, which involved a near runout with Fleming and being dropped by Chris Gayle, Styris stubbornly stayed at the crease. His timing was not perfect but his concentration and determination to stay in the middle was evident as wickets fell around him. Styris eventually went in Smith’s last over, leaving the bowler sitting on a hat-trick which Kyle Mills avoided. Scoreboard New Zealand Vincent b Bradshaw 1 Fleming c Ramdin b Smith 32 Astle c Ramdin b Edwards 4 Taylor b Bradshaw 31 Styris c and b Smith 90 Fulton c Gayle b Hinds 19 H. Marshall b Smith 19 McCullum c Ramdin Franklin c Taylor b Smith 7 Mills not out 3 Bond b Edwards 5 Extras
(lb-1, w- 8, nb-3) 12 Total (all out, 49.3 overs) 233 Fall of wickets:
1-2, 2-8, 3-59, 4-96, 5-146, 6-188, 7-200, 8-224, 9-224. Bowling:
Edwards 9.3-0-53-2, Bradshaw 9-1-49-2, Taylor 7-0-30-0, Gayle 10-0-36-0, Smith 10-0-46-5, Hinds 4-0-18-1. West Indies Gayle b Bond 2 Ganga c Mills b Patel 34 Morton b Franklin 22 Bravo st McCullum Smith c Vincent b Bond 16 Chanderpaul c Patel b Mills 41 Hinds not out 40 Ramdin c Styris b Bond 38 Lewis not out 0 Extras
(nb-1, w-1, nb-1) 3 Total (7 wkts, 49.4 overs) 234 Fall of wickets:
1-6, 2-54, 3-72, 4-98, 5-125, 6-175, 7-233.aBowling: Mills 9-3-37-0, Bond 9.4-2-32-3, Franklin 8-0-38-1, Styris 6-0-26-0, Patel 10-0-58-1, Astle 7-0-42-1.
— AFP |
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C’wealth
Games
New Delhi, March 4 The team, which consists of 10 men and 15 women athletes, would leave for Melbourne on March 9. Anju Bobby George would be going for gold in women’s long jump while there would be three Indian representatives in heptathlon — Soma Biswas, Sushmita Singha Roy and J. J. Shobha. Pinki Pramanik would challenge in both the women’s 800m and the 4x400m relay. Among the men, Ghamanda Ram would be eyeing a medal in 800m while Vikas Gowda will compete in discus throw and shot put. Jora Singh, who set a national record in decathlon at the Federation Cup, also finds a place in the team. Team: Men: Ghamanda Ram (800m), Vikas Gowda (discus & shot put), Jora Singh (decathlon), P S Jalan (20 km walk). Women: Manjeet Kaur, Chitra K. Soman, Sathi Geetha, Pinki Pramanik, Rajwinder Kaur Gill, Ashiq Beevi (all 4 x 400m Relay), Pinki Pramanik (also in 800m), O.P. Jaisha (1,500m), Seema Antil and Krishna Punia (discus throw), Anju Bobby George (long jump), Sushmita Singha Roy, Soma Biswas and J. J. Shobha (all heptathlon), Deep Mala Devi (20 km walk). The men’s 4x400 relay contingent has also been provisionally selected but they will make it to Melbourne only if they record a timing below 3:04 seconds together as they had not been able to run as a team so far. The team consists of Bhupinder Singh, P Shankar, S. Srinivas, Satbir Singh, Kuldev Singh and Srijith Sridharan. In addition, Harwant Kaur can also compete in the discus throw at the mega event if she records a good mark on March 12. She got injured before the event at the Federation Cup and could not complete her throws. As she was doing well, the Selection Committee provided her another chance to make it to the Commonwealth Games.
— PTI |
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Manuj shines in 400 metres
Daudhar (Moga), March 4 In the 400 metres girls final, Jaintika from Daya Nand Ayurvedic College, Jalandhar, stood first, Babe Ke Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Daudhar, was second and Parul from the Mai Bhago Ayurvedic College, Muktsar stood third. In high jump for girls, Jaintika of Daya Nand Ayurvedic College, Jalandhar, stood first while Nishi from Babe Ke Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital stood second. In the javelin throw competition for girls Deepshikha of Babe Ke Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital bagged the first position while Kamalpreet of Desh Bhagat Ayurvedic Medical College,Mandi Gobindgarh, stood second and Harsh of Babe Ke Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital Daudhar stood third. In shot put (boys), Narinder of Gaur B Ayurvedic College, Rohtak, bagged the first position while Gurbakshish of Babe Ke Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital was second spot followed by Mandeep of Desh Bhagat Ayurvedic Medical College, Mandi Gobindgarh. Manuj Uppal of Babe Ke Medical College and hospital bagged the first position in the Long Jump competition for boys while Rajeev of Sri Krishna Government Ayurvedic College, Kurukshetra stood second, and Aditya of Babe Ke Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital Daudhar stood third. In 1500 metres for boys, Sandeep of Gaur Brahman Ayurvedic College, Rohtak, stood first followed by Vikrant of Smt Urmila Devi Ayurvedic Medical College, Hoshiarpur, was second and Karun of Babe Ke Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital stood third. In 200 metres for girls, Jaintika of Daya Nand Ayurvedic College, Jalandhar, stood first while in 200 metres for boys, Manuj Uppal of the Babe Ke Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital was first. |
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Kapur moves up to tied 4th
Jakarta, March 4 After the third round, Kapur is 10-under with scores of 72, 68 and 66. He is five off the lead held by Australians Andrew Buckle and Simon Dyson.
Meanwhile, Rahil Gangjee overcame his problems on the front nine with three birdies on his way back. His card of 71 saw him to a total of nine-under 207, tied for eighth after being fifth after two rounds. Jyoti Randhawa carded an even par 72 with four birdies and an equal number of bogeys to total two-under 214 and is in tied 52nd place. Jeev Milkha Singh blotted his card with three bogeys in the last four holes and dropped to one-over 73 for the day and is now even par for three days in tied 62nd place. Also missing the cut were Amandeep Johl (74-75) and Harmeet Kahlon (76-76). Chopra eighth
Doral (Miami): Daniel Chopra kept up the pressure and stayed on course for a good finish with a second round of five-under 67 that brought him to 11-under 133 and in eighth position at the midway stage of star-studded Ford Golf Championships here today. Chopra was two off the lead held jointly by four players — Tiger Woods (67), Phil Mickelson (66), Scott Verplank (65) and Camillo Villegas (66). Arjun Atwal ensured there were no missed cuts anymore as he played a flawless three-under 69 to come to seven-under and in tied 25th place down from overnight 20th. Chopra, tied seventh overnight had six birdies and just one bogey on the 13th, as needed just 24 putts for the second day running. His putting has been excellent, despite less than hoped for accuracy off the tee. But with his putter doing a great job, Chopra did well to get into the greens in regulation and sink his birdies.
— PTI |
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Indian soccer eves to face Kyrgyzstan
New Delhi, March 4 The second match of the competition will be played between Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh on March 7 and the last match will be between India and Bangladesh on March 9. The toppers of the group will qualify for the final round of the AFC Under-19 Championship. DSA secretary N K Bhatia said the Indian team would be led by defender Romi Devi Ashem of Manipur and include Neha Kapoor of Delhi. Other players in the team are: Arshy, W Thabal Devi, Bijay Laxmi Sahu, Alochana Senapati, Tuli Goon, Ranjita Devi, Thangjam, Kh. Surbala Devi, Manpreet Kaur, Gracy D’Costa, Punam Chauhan, L Asharani Devi, C Sanathoi Chingtham, Anu Kumari, Domiana Gomendes, Sasmita Malik, Lal Varmoi Hmar, Prameswori Devi and Ngangom Bala Devi.
— OSR |
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JCT meet Air-India on March 12
Chandigarh, March 4 |
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video: CAB to write to BCCI against Chappell. (
