Dhoni loses top spot to Gilchrist

Dubai, April 29
Mahendra Singh Dhoni lost his status as the top rated ODI batsman in the world to Adam Gilchrist but Irfan Pathan climbed one place to second position in the latest LG ICC one-day bowling charts.

Gilchrist leapfrogged his captain Ricky Ponting and Dhoni on the strength of his consistent performances in Bangladesh and the left-hander now holds a slender three-point advantage over the explosive Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, who assumed the top position from Ponting for the first time less than two weeks ago.

Pathan is now in second place in the ODI bowling rankings behind South African Shaun Pollock. The Indian left-arm pacer gained one spot, as did injured Kiwi pace spearhead Shane Bond, at the expense of fourth placed Glenn McGrath who missed a lot of cricket recently to be at home with his ailing wife.

Pathan is also third on the all-rounders’ list behind Pollock and England’s Andrew Flintoff.

Ponting’s modest ODI series in Bangladesh saw him slip to third in the batting list.

Australia dominate the one-day batting rankings with four of its players in the top five as Andrew Symonds and Michael Hussey are placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

Symonds has his best-ever haul of rating points while Hussey has entered the top five for the first time. He gained one spot at the expense of South African skipper Graeme Smith.

Indian captain Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh are placed ninth and 10th, respectively, while Sachin Tendulkar has fallen out of the top 20. Harbhajan Singh is placed 10th among one-day bowlers.

New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori hangs on to fifth spot while Australian Nathan Bracken has moved up one spot to seventh in the bowling charts. Sri Lankans Mutthiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas drop one place each to eighth and ninth.

Australia’s clean sweep in Bangladesh means it retained its 13 point lead over South Africa at the top of the ODI championship table, with India a further three points back.

Pakistan, currently fourth, trails its arch-rivals by two points while leading New Zealand by just one. — PTI

ICC meets today to decide on 2011 World Cup host

Dubai, April 29
The International Cricket Council’s Executive Board meets here tomorrow to decide on the hosts for the 2011 World Cup amidst indications that neither of the two bids, a joint proposal from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and the other from Australia-New Zealand, may receive a clear majority.

The ICC has given enough indications of a deadlock, which would mean that the Executive Board would have to reconvene at a later date.

Voting is conducted from 13 countries and seven votes from full members are required to win. Besides the 10 Test playing nations who are full members, three associate members, Israel, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates, have voting rights.

ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed said the compelling bids submitted by the two parties might see neither of them receiving a majority from the Executive Board.

That situation might lead to a decision on who would host the 2015 edition of the game’s flagship event being put on hold too.

“We put in place some very strict compliance guidelines so a lot of work has gone into both of these submissions. This leaves us in a very positive position where we have two strong options for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and there will doubtless be extensive discussion as to which submission will be successful,” Speed said.

A decision of the ICC board requires the support of the majority of full and associate member representatives including at least seven of the 10 full members.

Bindra to attend meeting

Mumbai: Former BCCI President Inderjit Singh Bindra would represent India at Sunday’s Executive Board meeting of the ICC at Dubai instead of current president Sharad Pawar.

“Bindra has already left to attend the meeting in Dubai as per the decision taken earlier,” a board source said.

He said it had been decided by the board that whenever Pawar is unable to attend ICC meetings, the Punjab Cricket Association chief would represent the Indian board in his place. — PTI

Amla anchors South Africa

Cape Town, April 29
Hashim Amla scored his maiden half century to anchor South Africa’s reply to New Zealand’s towering total on the third day of the second Test today.

South Africa were 155 for two in reply to New Zealand’s first innings of 593 for eight declared when bad light ended play in the 12th over after tea.

Amla, who played his last Test against England in Cape Town in January, 2005, was 50 not out. Jacques Kallis was 25 not out in an unbroken stand of 47.

Debutant Jeetan Patel captured the wicket of South African captain Graeme Smith with his third ball in Test cricket. The off-spinner later bowled Boeta Dippenaar.

Earlier, James Franklin put New Zealand in a commanding position with his maiden Test century.

Scoreboard

New Zealand (1st innings)

Papps b Nel 22

Fulton c Boucher b Steyn 36

Fleming b Prince 262

Styris c Dippenaar b Ntini 11

Astle lbw Ntini 50

Oram run out 13

McCullum lbw Ntini 5

Vettori c Nel b Ntini 11

Franklin not out 122

Patel not out 27

Extras (b-3, lb-15, nb-15, w-1) 34

Total (8 wkts dec, 165 overs) 593

Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-62, 3-82, 4-188, 5-237, 6-259, 7-279, 8-535.

Bowling: Ntini 43-5-162-4, Steyn 31-4-114-1, Nel 27-3-98-1, Kallis 15-4-45-0, Boje 29-4-89-0, Smith 17-2-61-0, Amla 1-0-4-0, Prince 2-0-2-1.

South Africa (1st innings)

Smith c and b Patel 25

Dippenaar b Patel 47

Amla not out 50

Kallis not out 25

Extras (b-8) 8

Total (2 wkts, 61.5 overs) 155

Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-108.

Bowling: Martin 7-3-19-0, Franklin 10-2-22-0, Vettori 21-3-40-0, Patel 20.5-4-58-2, Styris 3-1-8-0. — Reuters, AFP

Sonia wins bronze in shooting

New Delhi, April 29
Sonia Rai struck her first major international medal by winning the bronze in women’s 10 m air pistol while Samresh Jung finished sixth among men on the second day of the ISSF World Cup at Resende in Brazil.

Rai fired an aggregate of 482.2, which included qualification scores of 384, with a series of 98,96,97,93 and a final round of 98.2 to win the sole medal for the country yesterday.

Harveen Sarao finished ninth with a score of 382 (97,94,95,96) while Shweta Chowdhary finished 24th with a score of 377 (98,94,92,93).

Jasna Sekaric of Serbia shot 486.1 (387+99.1) to win the gold medal while the silver of Li Rong Sung of China was worth 482.8 (383+99.8).

Jung shot a total of 680 (579+101) with a series of 97,96,94,97,97,98. Jung, who just about managed a place in the finals, put up an improved performance to end up sixth.

Veteran marksman Jaspal Rana finished 11th with a score of 578 (94,97,97,95,97,98) while Vivek Singh finished 15th with a score of 577 (94,97,98,94,96,98).

Franck Dunoulin of France claimed the gold medal with a score of 687.2 (587+100.2). — PTI

TT eves bow out of top division

Bremen, April 29
Indian women were knocked out of the championship division after they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the play-off match against the United States in the World Table Tennis championship here today.

The Indian eves, playing in the top division of the prestigious tournament for the first time in 25 years, squandered a handsome 2-0 lead and went on to suffer a 3-2 defeat against the USA.

The loss meant the Indians maintained an all-loss record to finish 24th and last to be demoted to the second division for the next edition of the team championship. — PTI

Hockey legend dies unsung

New Delhi, April 29
Shankar Laxman, the hockey goalkeeper who stood between gold for India and brutal Pakistan onslaughts in the finals of 1964 Tokyo Olympics and 1966 Bangkok Asian Games, died today at Mhow uncared and unsung.

Laxman represented India in three successive Olympics — 1956, 1960 and 1964 and then led the country to gold in the Bangkok Asian Games two years later.

Born at Mhow (Madhya Pradesh) on July 7, 1933, Shankar Laxman joined the Army after passing his higher secondary from a local school. He rose to become honorary Captain in the Maratha Light Infantry from where he retired in 1979.

Shankar started his career in 1955 playing for Services and earned kudos for his daredevil goalkeeping.

He represented India in three successive Olympics beginning 1956 when India, under Balbir Singh, won the gold by defeating Pakistan.

He was the goalkeeper when India, for the first time, lost the Olympic title to Pakistan in I960. He played his last Olympics under the leadership of Charanjit Singh in 1964 in Tokyo where India defeated Pakistan to win back the title and he was the only player from the victorious team chosen to receive the coveted Arjuna Award that year.

He figured in three Asian Games starting 1958 when hockey was first introduced in the Asiad in Tokyo. He was again there to defend the goal in the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta. He captained the team in the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok and for his glorious contribution was conferred with the Padma Shri in 1967.

Despite his superb showings, Laxman was treated shabbily by the Indian Hockey Federation and was stunned and shocked when he was dropped from the squad for 1968 Mexico Olympics. This led to a strong protests and IHF decided to recall him.

It was a case of too little and too late and he, as a sportsperson of strong convictions, declined the offer saying that he has been out of practice. The rest, as they say, is history and India slipped to the third place at Mexico and Indian hockey was never the same again.

His rivals described Laxman as the “Rock of Gibraltor” as they found it very tough to beat him.

The man who brought laurels for the country struggled for treatment in the later stages of his life with no help coming from either the IHF or the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) or the Sports Ministry.

Laxman’s 13 years of illustrious career was worth only Rs 25,000. Yes, this was the amount he received from the state government towards his treatment.

And the less said about the IHF the better. Laxman deserved much better fate. The way he spent his last days in great agony and pain and without any financial help will remain a black spot on the name of the game in the country. — UNI

Top stars for Amby Valley golf
Tribune News Service

A strong international field, featuring 20 winners from the Asian Tour, will vie for top honours at the inaugural Amby Valley Asian Masters golf tournament to be held at the Amby Valley City Golf Course, near Mumbai, from May 11 to 14. The $ 400,000 event would make the winner richer by $ 63,400.

Leading the challenge will be Australian powerhouse Terry Pilkadaris, a three-time Asian Tour winner who has been ranked inside the top five of the Order of Merit for the past two seasons. Pilkadaris has won a title in every season since his double victory in China in 2004, and the reigning Brunei Open champion will tee up at Amby Valley as one of the firm favourites.

The talent on display will include some top names from the highly successful Asian Tour. It will see the likes of proven winners in Canadian veteran Rick Gibson, Korean-born American Anthony Kang and Australians Marcus Both and Jason Dawes teeing up in India’s newest golf tournament.

Some of Asia’s finest young talents will also challenge for honours. Thailand 's latest golf sensation Chinarat Phadungsil, compatriot Chapchai Nirat and Filipino Angelo Que have produced some wonderful performances in recent times to suggest that the future of golf in Asia is bright.

Challenging this international star cast will be a strong Indian contingent.

Rahil Gangjee, Harmeet Kahlon, Gaurav Ghei and Amandeep Johl will be among the top Indian regulars on the Asian Tour, who will contend for the title. Also in the fray will be home talents like Vijay Kumar (2002 Indian Open champion), Feroz Ali (1998 Indian Open winner), Ali Sher (1991 and 1993 Indian Open champion) and Mukesh Kumar, who despite being India’s top golfer six times in the past seven years, still awaits for his maiden Asian Tour title.

Arjun Singh and Vivek Bhandari, who have good finishes on the Asian Tour in the past, will look at the Amby Valley Masters to revive their fortunes on the Asian circuit. Digvijay Singh, a multiple winner on the Indian Tour, will also be in the thick of things.

The Amby Valley Asian Masters is the 13th leg of this season’s Asian Tour Schedule.

Jeev in line for top-five finish

Nagoya (Japan), April 29
Jeev Milkha Singh kept himself in line for a top-five finish after recording a one-under 69 in the third round of the 120 million yen International Crowns Golf tournament here today.

Jeev came up with a string of nine pars on the back stretch for a tied-4th finish and 10 shots behind leader Shingo Katayama at the Nagoya Golf Club’s Wago course.

Johl in the race

Seoul: Amandeep Johl played his third straight sub-par round with a two-under 70 that kept him inside the top 10 after the third round of the $ 600,000 GS Caltex Maekyung Open golf tournament here on Saturday.

At eight-under for 54 holes, Johl is six shots behind leader, Korea’s Lee Seung Man. — PTI

Thomas Cup
India overcome Germany

Sendai (Japan), April 29
Rupesh Kumar and V. Diju rose to the occasion to pull off the deciding doubles match and give India a thrilling 3-2 win over Germany in the Thomas Cup badminton finals here today.

Kumar and Diju, a scratch combination put together after the doubles specialist Sanave Thomas pulled out, defeated the world no 17 pair of Michael Fuchus and Roman Spitko 21-18, 21-12 for a crucial Group A victory for the Indians.

It was India’s first win in the tournament and helped them avoid a tougher opponent in the first match of knock-out stage. India will now play New Zealand in the pre-quarterfinals on May 1.

The Kiwis finished at the bottom of Group B after losing both their league matches to Korea and Indonesia.

India began on the wrong note with Chetan Anand, world ranked 24th, going down to Bjoern Joppien 21-17, 21-12.

But Anup Sridhar and Arvind Bhat won the second and third singles matches to put India 2-1 ahead before the Germans levelled the scores through their win in the first doubles.

Sridhar played with admirable grit to overcome a tough challenge from Conrad Hueckstaedt, world no 40, for a 22-20, 14-21, 21-6 verdict.

Bhat then fought a gruelling battle against Spitko before emerging a 21-14, 17-21, 21-16 victor.

The Germans then hit back through Kristof Hopp and Ingo Kindervator who defeated the seasoned pairing of Kurien Thomas and Jaseel Ismail 21-9, 21-16 to leave the tie poised on a knife’s edge.

India might have felt the absence of Sanave Thomas at this point but Kumar and Diju made light of it as they won in straight games against Fuchus and Spitko.

Indian coach Vimal Kumar gave credit to the singles winners but said Spitko was not at his best, which helped his team to an extent.

“He was a bit tired after playing a long drawn singles match and was not fresh in the last doubles,” he said. — PTI

Chelsea retain league title

London, April 29
Chelsea retained the Premier League title when they crushed second-placed Manchester United 3-0 at Stamford Bridge today. The victory put Jose Mourinho’s side 12 points clear of United with two games to play.

Defender William Gallas gave Chelsea a perfect start, nipping in to head past Edwin van der Sar after four minutes when Didier Drogba knocked on Frank Lampard’s corner.

A magnificent individual goal from midfielder Joe Cole just past the hour mark made it 2-0 and Ricardo Carvalho finished off a sweeping move with a fierce shot after 73 minutes to put the title party in full swing.

The one blot on the occasion was United and England striker Wayne Rooney being carried off on a stretcher after a fair challenge from Paul Ferreira in the 78th minute that left him clutching his foot in pain.

Rooney left the stadium on crutches with United manager Alex Ferguson confirming the 20-year-old had injured his foot.

“It’s a fantastic feeling...that’s the second in England after two in Portugal,” Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports, before captain John Terry lifted the trophy.

Mourinho also won successive titles in his native Portugal with Porto, as well as the Champions League.

United responded to the early setback of Gallas’ goal to carve out several chances, the best falling to Rooney after 21 minutes when he sped through on goal but pulled his shot wide of Petr Cech’s goal.

Rio Ferdinand and Cristiano Ronaldo also had chances for United but their hopes of keeping the title race alive were killed off by a moment of brilliance from Cole.
— Reuters

Sethuraman pulls off upset win

Dubai, April 29
Teenager S.P. Sethuraman scored a smashing victory over Woman Grandmaster Maria Sargeeva of Kazakhstan and moved within striking distance of his maiden International Master norm after the sixth round of Dubai International Open Chess championship here.

GM R.B. Ramesh did well to hold higher-ranked GM Ghaem Maghami Ehsan of Iran.

Double GM norm holder Parimarjan Negi was at his technical best in cruising past compatriot M.R. Lalith Babu while IM Abhijeet Gupta scored a finely crafted victory over A.M. Soozankar of Iran. — PTI

Major Hooda wins tent pegging title

Jayant leads in archery meet

Amritsar, April 29
Jayant Talukdar of Jharkhand was leading with 989 points in the men’s recurve events on the first day of competition of the National Ranking Archery Circuit Tournament at Guru Nanak Stadium here on Saturday.

Jayant was followed by N. Ravinder of Andhra Pradesh with 984 points, and favourite Tarundeep Rai of SSCB with 979 points.

In the men’s compound event, Jayanti Lal of Rajasthan was leading with 998 points, while Poltan Hansda of Jharkhand and Rajwant of Delhi were following with 992 and 978 points, respectively.

In the women’s recurve event, favourite Rina Kumari was leading with 979 points, while Rosy Lal Rem of Jharkhand and Chekrovolu of Nagaland were at 954 and 953 points, respectively.

Jahnu Hansda of Jharkhand was heading the compound event (women) with 1,028 events, while Manjudha of Jharkhand and Radha Bai of Chhattisgarh had accumulated 1001 and 977 points. — OSR