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Sehwag salvages draw
BCCI, ICC on collision course |
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Adam Gilchrist (L) and Ricky Ponting hold the
Border-Gavaskar Trophy after Australia beat India 2-1 in the four-Test series on Monday. Sehwag scored 151. — Reuters
photo
‘Dropping VVS was deciding moment’
Duleep Trophy
Sania is Asia’s No.1
India defeat Belgium 3-2
Kalmadi fumes as Aiyer skips meeting
Chd, Jalandhar boys win
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Sehwag salvages draw
Adelaide, January 28 The series outcome, though, could have been just the opposite, for the Indians were unarguably done in by atrocious umpiring in the 2nd Test at Sydney. Here at the elegant Adelaide Oval, too, India would have enjoyed a better chance of victory, if Rudra Pratap Singh - described by skipper Anil Kumble at Perth as the leader of the Indian pace attack - had not suffered a hamstring tear after bowling only four overs. India’s gambit of pressurising the Australians with five specialist bowlers, consequently, involuntarily came unstuck. It was almost a fairytale comeback by Sehwag. Having survived a dropped catch by Michael Clarke at 2nd slip on the 4th evening when he was only two, he celebrated the escape with a blistering attack on the Australian bowling in the morning session. Resuming on 31, he was unconquered on 103 at lunch, having motored to a 123-ball century. He cut and drove with characteristic aplomb; and once effortlessly hoisted Brad Hogg over midwicket for six. India tragically lost Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar before the break - the first retiring hurt after being struck on the right middle finger (which was later diagnosed as a hairline fracture) by a rising delivery from Brett Lee and the other suicidally running himself out. Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman flattered only to deceive. The former failed for the fourth consecutive innings when he drove to short mid-off, where Mike Hussey took an acrobatic catch. And as for the slick southerner, his recent 2nd innings under-achievements continued, as he gloved Lee down the leg side. The bigger disappoint, though, was Mahendra Dhoni, who couldn’t touch 40 in eight outings in this series. In an era revolutionised by Adam Gilchrist’s all-round performances as wicket-keeper-batsman, the Indian counterpart’s inability to cope with batting conditions outside the sub-continent is a considerable worry for Indian selectors. Indeed, if Dinesh Karthik can improve his glove work, he could be a better bet for India in Tests. Notwithstanding his woes as a sacrificial opener in this game, Irfan Pathan, too, is back in business. He crossed 1,000 runs in the previous Test and 100 wickets in this one, thus achieving the symbolic “double”, which only six Indians before him have accomplished. There were, admittedly, a some anxious moments after Laxman left with the total on 186 for four - when India were only 149 runs ahead and more than 50 overs were still left to be played. But Sehwag switched to being completely responsible, scoring just 29 runs between lunch and tea off 68 balls without a single boundary. Earlier he had threatened to cut loose, which forced Ricky Ponting into containment. The defensive field elicited mistakes at the other end, but Sehwag, quite remarkably, remained incorruptibly patient so as to prevent a repeat of the disaster at Sydney. He was finally deceived by a top spinner from Andrew Symonds to be caught at the wicket. As the option of terminating the match after 75 overs was utilised, Gilchrist, bidding farewell to Tests, embraced Kumble in the middle and then visited the Indian dressing room to shake hands with the visitors. The animosity between the teams, following Symonds alleging a racial slur by Harbhajjan Singh and a controversial catch claimed by Clarke and Ponting against Ganguly at Sydney, could have been avoided if the same spirit had been displayed throughout the series. Scoreboard India (1st Innings): 526 Australia (1st Innings): 563 India (2nd Innings): Sehwag c Gilchrist b Symonds 151 Pathan lbw b Johnson 0 Dravid retd hurt 11 Tendulkar run out 13 Ganguly c Hussey b Johnson 18 Laxman c Gilchrist b Lee 12 Dhoni c Hayden b Lee 20 Anil not out 9 Harbhajan c Ponting b Hogg 7 Ishant not out 4 Extras (b7, lb9, w3, nb5): 24 Total (7 wkts decl, 90 overs): 269 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-128, 3-162, 4-186, 5-237, 6-253, 7-264 Bowling: Brett Lee 27-3-74-2, Mitchell Johnson 16-1-33-2, Andrew Symonds 22-4-54-1, Stuart Clark 12-3-37-0, Brad Hogg 12-3-53-1, Michael Clarke 1-0-2-0.
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BCCI, ICC on collision course
Adelaide, January 28
In a statement read out before TV cameras before the start of play on the 5th and final day of the 4th Test between India and Australia, Justice Hansen indicated: “There may also be some additional evidence, such as the transcript available from the stump microphone, which was not available to Mr (Mike) Procter (the match referee).” It may be recalled Proctor had categorically stated on record before the hearing presided over by him on January 6 at Sydney that the stump microphones installed by Australia’s Channel Nine, the host broadcaster, had not picked up any of the exchanges alleged to have taken place between Harbhajan and Symonds. He also maintained that the two concerned field umpires, Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson had not heard anything either. A commentator on Channel Nine confirmed that a recording of proceedings pertaining to the point when the altercation between Harbhajan and Symonds occurred was sought and has been forwarded to the ICC. It is, however, unclear the ICC asked for this on their own or at the instigation of Cricket Australia. ESPN, who broadcast the match in India, is said to claim that they don’t have any audio of the period in question. Press Trust of India reports quoting an unnamed person in the Board of Control for Cricket in India will oppose admission of the transcript of any recording on the grounds of whether this is authentic or not and it being a clear contradiction of the contention made by Procter. The BCCI and the ICC could, therefore, be heading for a confrontation at the appeal hearing.
Counsel ‘very optimistic’
Mumbai (PTI): Harbhajan Singh's counsel V R Manohar on Monday made it clear that the Indian camp would oppose any "fishy" evidence that might be used against the off-spinner to scuttle his defence during the two-day hearing.
John Hansen said "additional evidence" like transcript available from the stump microphone, could be admissible. The Indians, however, are against the idea. "Anything which is legal and for the purpose of doing justice, we ourselves will co-operate. But if something fishy is done in the guise of doing justice we will object," Manohar said. "I am very optimistic about Harbhajan Singh's innocence. Whatever material is there at present, is innocuous and is in favour of Harbhajan Singh," he said.
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India second best Test side: Ponting
Adelaide, January 28 Ponting said though his team won the Border-Gavaskar trophy after winning the four-match series 2-1, India could return home their head held high. "It was an enjoyable series, a hard-fought contest over the last one month. India played some very good cricket and proved that they are the number two team in the world," Ponting said. Gilchrist, who hung up his gloves after the Test, said though his side had surrendered the Ashes to an England team in 2005, the Indian side under Kumble was second only to Australia. "This team is right up there. Maybe we lost the Ashes in 2005 to an England side that was a terrific combination but this Indian side is even better," Gilchrist said. According to him, new crop of fast bowlers had lent balance to the Indian side, which looked formidable even when playing abroad. "I think India's fast bowlers make them a very competitive outfit. Ishant (Sharma) has been lethal in the series, while RP Singh is rising fast. Though Zaheer (Khan) returned home with an injury, Irfan (Pathan) is back. It's an encouraging sight," Gilchrist said. "India have wonderful spinners and very talented batting line-up but it's their fast bowlers which make them more formidable even abroad," he added. Kumble too felt his side had done enough to own the number two tag. "If you look back at the two Tests foreign teams have won in Australia, it's us on both occasion. I think we can naturally claim the number two tag," he said. "It is always a challenge to come to Australia and do well. We showed that Indian cricket is here, competing with the best and I'm proud of the effort of my team, Kumble said. And the team has the potential to move up even further, said the veteran spinner. "Yes, we have the potential to be the number one as well, especially with the kind of bowlers and batsmen we have. "We all return from Australia as better players and the team also should play well in the forthcoming series," Kumble said. — PTI
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‘Dropping VVS was deciding moment’
Adelaide, January 28 "When I dropped that Laxman edge off Lee, I realised that I hadn't moved as well, I was slow and after 10-15 minutes and I realised, that's it," said Gilchrist in his first press conference since announcing retirement on the third day of the fourth and final Test against India. "The missed catches of the series were bugging me. I was working hard, and training well but there was absolutely no desperation for me to continue to maintain those standards. “That night I spoke to Mel (his wife) and decided that's it." Gilchrist believed the proudest moment of his career was the 2004 tour to India when he captained for most part of the tour in the absence of Ricky Ponting. "It was my greatest moment. When Ponting hurt his thumb in Edgbaston in the Champions Trophy and went off the field, I realised I could be the captain on that tour. "There was an amazing build-up to it, I had self-doubts and considered not taking up the job... I personally consider it definitely the highest point of my career," he said. The swashbuckling cricketer agreed that his reputation was largely earned as a batsman and even though he was good as a wicketkeeper, that wasn't his calling card. "That's fine, I don't grumble on it. I've always had to defend my wicketkeeping a bit, may be I was technically as perfect or graceful as a few amazing wicketkeepers were prior to me. Still I thought I was effective and value added in that department," he said. Gilchrist said the immediate memory he carries is the "camaraderie, passion and pride" playing for the Australian team. "It's a legacy which has passed generation after generation, it's the strength in Australian cricket. "I can see it happening in other countries. Not that they didn't have the pride before but the way India played in this series, and England in 2005, conveys it happening elsewhere also," he added. The affable cricketer had no doubt that his passion for the forthcoming one-day cricket would not be dimmed by his retirement. "I really am looking forward to it. One-day cricket gave me an opportunity to make a mark in Test cricket. "It's the last part of my ODI career and I am excited about it. I knew how Glenn McGrath was excited about going to the Caribbean in his last series. He was very relaxed and finished player of the tournament. I am not predicting so but I really look forward to it." Gilchrist believed that Australia would have a replacement ready to fill his shoes and he also made a passing mention of Indian Premier League (IPL) where he is contracted to play a part. — PTI
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Duleep Trophy
Ahmedabad, January 28 Chasing a target of 70 runs in the second innings, North Zone achieved it in 18.3 overs for the loss of two wickets. The low-scoring four-day game was over on the third day itself with North Zone bagging five points. As many 17 extras given by the South Zone bowlers helped North reach the target. Earlier, North Zone bowled out South Zone for 211 runs in the second innings. North Zone had taken a lead of 142 runs after the first innings. South Zone batsmen, starting from their overnight score of 95 for two wickets, could not hold the ground against the North bowlers as they failed to make substantial partnerships. AS Asnodkar was the top scorer for South with (37) while D Kalyankrishna remained unbeaten on 31. South Zone’s VST Naidu, who had hurt his arm yesterday, did not come to bat and was declared retired hurt. Scoreboard South Zone (1st innings) 157 North Zone (1st innings) 299 South Zone (2nd innings) Ravi Teja c S Rana b V Malik 15 S Asnodkar c A Thakur b S Rana 37 M Vijay c and b O Kaul b M Mishra 39 Badrinath lbw V Malik 22 Arjun Yadav c and b O Kaul b R Bhatia 0 R Ashwin c O Kaul b A Mishra 16 Vinay Kumar c&b A Mishra 6 K Krishna not out 31 P Ojha c M Manhas b A Mishra 6 NC Aiyappa c A Chopra b R Bhatia 24 T Naidu not out 0 Extras (lb-3, w-1, nb-11) 15 Total (all out) 211 Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-78, 3-121, 4-123, 5-123, 6-143, 7-150, 8-156, 9-211. Bowling: VM Malik 20-4-67-2, A Thakur 7-2-10-0, R Bhatia 16-5-39-2, S Rana 9-0-37-1, A Mishra 14-2-51-4, M Manhas 1-0-4-0. North Zone (2nd innings) A Chopra lbw NC Aiyappa 11 K Goyal not out 23 S Rana c A Yadav b K Krishna 8 Yashpal Singh not out 13 Extras (b-13, lb-3, w-1) 17 Total (two wickets) 72 Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-47. Bowling: Vinay Kumar 5-0-12-0, NC Aiyappa 7-4-14-1, K Krishna 4.3-0-11-1, P Ojha 2-0-19-0. West Zone extend lead to 126
Rajkot: Mumbai openers Sahil Kukreja and Ajinkya Rahene put on 99 runs for no loss in their second essay at close of play on the penultimate day of the four-day Duleep Trophy match against Central Zone at the Madhav Rao Scindia Ground here on Monday. Earlier, West Zone secured a vital 27-run first-innings lead after Central Zone were bowled out for 384 runs in reply to West’s score of 411. Central Zone captain Mohd Kaif made a defiant 160. At stumps, Kukreja was batting on 40 and Rahane on 53, with West Zone leading by 126 runs with just a day remaining. They made 72 and 50 runs, respectively, in the first essay. Brief scores: West Zone (1st innings): 411 Central Zone (1st innings): 384 (Mohd Kaif 160, Rakesh Dhurv 4-84) West Zone (2nd innings): 99 for no loss (Ajinkya Rahane 53 n.o., Sahil Kukreja 43 n.o.). —
Agencies
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After her third-round appearance at the Australian Open, Sania gained three spots to rise to the 29th position with 931 points to become Asia’s new numero uno player in the latest WTA rankings, overtaking Chinese ace Na Li, who dropped to the 32nd position. Sania, who lost to Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the third round, however, slipped in the doubles rankings, losing five places to drop out of the top 20 and be placed 23rd on the latest list. She had teamed up with Australian Alicia Molik in the Australian Open and the duo had been knocked out in the third round. Becoming the Asian number one is yet another remarkable achievement for the 21-year-old Hyderabadi, who has been India’s lone flag-bearer in women’s tennis after a breakthrough season in 2005. “I am very happy, I think this is the first time I have become Asian number one, so it’s an honour,” Sania said. She became the first Indian to break into the top 50 of WTA rankings and has notched up some memorable wins over Grand Slam champions like Martina Hingis and top-20 players like Patty Schnyder and Dinara Safina. However, the glamorous star has had to deal with heightened expectations and one controversy after another ever since her rise to prominence. “I’m 21 and I’m trying to be the best I can be,” a bit upset but resolute Sania had said after off-court furores forced her to think of quitting the game altogether a few weeks ago. — PTI
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India defeat Belgium 3-2
Chennai, January 28
Trailing by a sixth-minute goal by Charles Vandewghe, India equalised through Raghunath (33nd minute). Dilip Tirkey converted a penalty corner in the 47th minute for a 2-1 lead.
With Belgian defender Jerome Dekeyser capitalising on Prabodh Tirkey’s lapse to restore parity in the 63nd minute, Rajpal Singh scored the winner with three minutes for the hooter (3-2). The Indians’ performance was a shade below that put up by them yesterday. As in the first two matches, the first-half honours were shared by the rivals. It was a matter of cashing in on the chances and the Belgians showed it in greater measure in the sixth minute itself. Patrice Houssein went in menacingly and shot towards the Indian goal. Goalkeeper Bharat Chetri tried to swing his stick to deflect the ball but missed it totally. Vandeweghe trapped the ball and slammed it home. —
PTI
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Kalmadi fumes as Aiyer skips meeting
New Delhi, January 28 “We are very disappointed that Aiyer was not there,” Kalmadi said, particularly in view of the fact that it was the first interaction among the ministry top brass, the IOA and the other stake holders concerned of Indian sports to iron out the rough edges in the policy. In the absence of Aiyer, secretary in the department of sports S.K. Arora headed the government delegation, but Kalmadi declared after the nearly three-hour-long deliberations that “we have rejected the revised National Sports Policy in totality but have kept our doors open for further discussion.” Kalmadi said today’s meeting materialised after the cancellation of two earlier meetings due to various reasons and the minister should have been present since all his correspondence on the policy and other related issues, including the hosting of the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune in October this year and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, were with the minister. He said the presidents of most of the 40 national sports federations and other senior sports officials were present, with the notable exception of Archery Association of India president Vijay Kumar Malhotra and former sports minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. He said the meeting began only after the house “registered our protest at the minister’s absence”. He said the IOA and others totally objected to the mention of the Sports Regulatory Body disguised in five places even in the revised draft of the policy and the minister’s determination to include sports in the concurrent list.
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Chd, Jalandhar boys win
Chandigarh, January 28 On the inaugural day, three college category matches were played. Sanjay Academy, Chandigarh, (under 19) defeated Sports Wing Kharar, Achharwal, by 3-1. In the second match, DAV College, Jalandhar, defeated BAM Khalsa College, Garhshankar, by 3-1. In the third match, GNNB College, Narur Panchhat, (Kapurthala) and Lyallpur Khalsa college played at their best, but none of the teams succeeded in scoring a goal within the stipulated time. The tie-braker resulted in a 5-4 victory for Lyallpur Khalsa College. Lyallpur Khalsa College will clash with the SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur, in the quarterfinal. — TNS
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Adelaide, January 28
Adelaide, January 28
New Delhi, January 28
