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India beat Lanka, level series
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Aussies cry foul over sacking of SMAM
Pak to participate in CWG: Envoy
Bhanaut: Games will be best ever conducted in any country
OC restricts entry of press
Champions League gets a big boost!
Pak advocates win friendly match
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India beat Lanka, level series
Laxman was adjudged the Man of the Match and Sehwag Man of the Series. Raina clobbered Chanaka Welegedara for a six to hand Sri Lanka there first at P Sara Oval Stadium since August 1994, triggering scenes of celebration in the Indian dressing room. Chasing 257 on a rather difficult fifth day track, the Indians recovered from early blows suffered yesterday with a 109-run partnership between Laxman and Tendulkar that laid the foundation of the win. But on the flipside, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men could not break the 17-year-old jinx of not winning a series in the island nation. Resuming the chase from yesterday's 53 for three, India lost night-watchman Ishant Sharma (4) early in the morning.
Ishant was caught at short mid-wicket by Kumar Sangakkara off Suraj Randiv in the morning. Randiv ripped in a flighted loopy delivery around off and middle stump, leaving Ishant bemused who looked shaky right from the start. Tendulkar and Laxman then took it upon themseleves to steady the ship and steer a successful chase. He didn't celebrate much on reaching the milestone but the Indian dressing room was up in applause for another of the iconic batsman's match-winning contributions. Tendulkar had his share of luck in the early in the innings when he was dropped by Tillakaratne Dilshan at short leg while trying to push a Randiv turner. The Indian right-hander attacked Randiv thereafter by charging down the track and driving a shot past the bowler for a boundary. Laxman, on his part, leaned forward to an Ajantha Mendis delivery from the middle stump and turned it on to the boundary, marking the 50-run partnership between the two which came in 92 balls. — PTI Brief scores India: 436 and 258/5 in 68.3 overs (Laxman 103 not out, Raina 41 not out; S Randiv 5/82).
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We were better side: Sangakkara
Colombo, August 7 India has won the third Test by five wickets to deny Sri Lanka a series-win but Sangakkara drew satisfaction from their dominating performance. "It is one all. It is neither here nor there. But I thought right through the Test series we took more wickets. We scored more runs and we definitely created a lot more opportunities. Of course we did not convert those opportunities in these two tests. It was the only window India had to come back to the series," Sangakkara said. The Lankan skipper said the third Test could have taken a different turn had they grabbed chances against Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina today. "I think we had a couple of chances this morning with Sachin and then with Raina. I think that would have made it lot more interesting. But the way they batted was excellent. They batted very positively, they kept scoring runs. And apart from Suraj Randiv and Malinga we could not exert pressure from the other end either to take wickets or to cut down runs." — PTI
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Laxman proved why he is called very very special: Dhoni
Colombo, August 7 Laxman cracked a fighting unbeaten 103 and anchored the innings brilliantly while Sachin Tendulkar (54) and Suresh Raina (41 not out) gave him the perfect support from the other end as India defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets to level the three-match Test series 1-1. Dhoni said Laxman, who was struggling for runs in the series, always had the habit of coming up with something special when it mattered most for the team. “Laxman proved today why he is called very very special. He always comes up with innings that have a huge bearing on the game. It was very important for him to score runs, as the team needed it most to level the series. I think it is a very special innings. Hopefully, he plays plenty more innings like this for us,” the jubilant Indian skipper said. “I think the way he batted he paced his innings really well. He was struggling a bit with back spasm but still he wanted to go on without a runner. But after lunch there was a time when he had to go for a runner. I think there was pain and there was pressure at the same time,” he said. Dhoni was also full of praise for Tendulkar and Raina, who played a vital role in the victory along with VVS Laxman. — PTI
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Aussies cry foul over sacking of SMAM
New Delhi, August 7 The Aussies feel that they have been targeted by a panicking OC of the Delhi Games, who are battling their own internal demons. The consulting firms of Mike Bushell of SMAM (Sports Marketing and Management) and Craig McLatchey (Event Knowledge Services), have worked on the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2006 Melbourne CWG. They also have contract for the 2016 Olympic Games. The Australian media quoted Australian CWG Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite as saying that “I know both individuals and both companies, and they have always done a good job for us. I have full confidence in both of them.” Australian OC president John Coates is quoted as saying that the OC of the Delhi Games were seeking to lay blame on outsiders for an event that has been dogged by cost overruns and poor organisation. The OC had terminated the services of SMAM for “non performance and their inability to deliver sponsorship targets”. The OC said SMAM had failed to collect sponsorships worth $122 million by June 30, and out of the 48 sponsorship possibilities identified, only 11 sponsors had come forward to help the event.
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Pak to participate in CWG: Envoy
New Delhi, August 7 “We are looking forward to participating in the games…all our athletes are excited about the upcoming games,’’ he said last night inaugurating the “Gosha-e-Ibn-Insha” corner at the historic Shibli Memorial Library of Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu here. Pakistan is expected to send a 75-member contingent to represent the country in the mega-sporting event. It is likely to take part in athletics, swimming, boxing, hockey, squash, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling. Meanwhile, the Pakistani envoy said Urdu literature could be considerably helpful in repairing relations between India and Pakistan and removing the barriers of distrust. “We can remove animosity through literary and creative writings. Mindsets can be changed and battlefields can be transformed into oasis of peace,’’ he said. Malik said Pakistan favoured regular exchange of poets and artistes between India and Pakistan. Indian wrestlers will have rich medal haul: Sushil
"Wrestlers have always contributed lots of medals to India's tally in the Commonwealth Games, we are excited to get another chance of repeating the show this time," said Sushil, who is currently at a training camp at Sports Authority of India's Sonepat campus. "As wrestling was not among the events at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, India missed a chance to boost their medal tally. Now with wrestling back among the disciplines at Delhi 2010, we are determined to bag a lot of medals for India," Sushil said. Triple jumper Idowu to participate London: Some of his illustrious peers might have decided against travelling to India for the upcoming Commonwealth Games (CWG), but world and European champion British triple jumper Phillips Idowu has confirmed that he will defend his title at the October 3-14 mega event in New Delhi. Idowu, who won the world title in 2009 and captured gold at the European Championships in Barcelona last week, has said he would participate in the games despite some of his teammates had decided against the trip due to security fears. “I'm looking forward to going out and defending my title,” said the 31-year-old. Canada coach says timing is off-season for swimming New Delhi: Canada's 200m breaststroke world record holder Annamay Pierse and coach Pierre Lafontaine feel the timing of the Delhi Commonwealth Games is off-season for swimming and adapting to the conditions would be the key to winning a medal at the October 3-14 event. Pierse said she was nonetheless excited about coming to Delhi. — TNS/PTI
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Bhanaut: Games will be best ever conducted in any country
Patiala, August 7 Talking about the controversy surrounding Commonwealth Games, he said the probe had been ordered and the truth would come out. “A committee has been formed to check every aspect of the game. So we should wait for the report. Everyday predications and unnecessary controversies definitely affect the moral of the working committee. The situation should be reviewed in totality.” He further said: “All allegations, counter-allegations and enquiry should be done after the Games because our first preference right now should be the successful conduct of the games. It is question of our country’s reputation and we would not compromise with it.” On being questioned about the comments of senior players regarding the inefficiency to hold the Games, he said: “The country was fully capable of holding even the Olympics, forget about CWG. “We have got world-class facilities and best infrastructure. It will be one of the most successful games. We will prove our worth,” he added.
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OC restricts entry of press
New Delhi, August 7 The nine-story building, owned by the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), was easily accessible to reporters on production of the media card issued to them for covering the various test events. The card entitled sports reporters access not only to all competitions and training venues, but also to the OC headquarters as well. Those who did not have such accreditation cards could gain entry to the OC headquarters by getting a temporary entry pass made from the reception. But today, some reporters who went to the OC headquarters were in for a rude shock as they were asked to get a temporary gate pass made, despite showing their accreditation cards. The clerk at the reception said he could issue temporary gate pass only if the concerned reporter wanted to see officers of a certain rank and above. The other employees of the OC had to come down to the reception centre to meet the reporter, which the concerned employees obviously refused.
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Pietersen rides on luck against Pak
Birmingham, August 7 In the 38 balls possible in a rain-marred morning session, England advanced from 112 for two to 125 for two, a lead of 53, in reply to Pakistan's meagre first innings 72. Jonathan Trott, dropped once, was 37 not out while Pietersen, who came into this match without a Test century in 22 innings, was unbeaten on 42 after resuming on 36 not out. Pietersen, dropped twice yesterday, was still on his overnight score when he was given yet another reprieve. He got an inside edge onto his pad of Mohammad Aamer and the ball looped gently to Umar Amin in the gully. But Amin, perhaps put off by the bowler's lbw appeal, dropped the simple catch - the seventh chance Pakistan had put down in two Tests. Pietersen was on 41 when, backing away seemingly distracted and believing the ball was dead, he spooned a catch off Mohammad Asif to Pakistan captain Salman Butt at mid-off. However, it appeared South African umpire Marais Erasmus had in fact called dead ball although Pietersen was leaving himself open to the possibility of dismissal by playing a shot. Butt questioned Erasmus, standing in only his third Test, but Pietersen remained not out. — AFP Scoreboard
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Champions League gets a big boost!
Chandigarh, August 7 The sports broadcaster has signed Sourav Ganguly and Andrew Symonds as expert analysts for ACL T20. The tournament will be held from September 10-26, 2010 in South Africa across 4 venues - Johannesburg, Centurion, Durban and Port Elizabeth. All matches will be telecast live and exclusive on STAR Cricket. Amitabh Bachchan, said, “I am delighted to be associated with Airtel Champions League Twenty20. It is an interesting format - an international T20 tournament where only champion teams compete for the top prize. I am a huge cricket fan and always want to see Indian teams win laurels on the international stage. I am confident that the 3 IPL teams from India participating in this tournament will put-up a good show and get us the coveted trophy. I wish the very best to the three Captains - MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar & Anil Kumble for this event and hope that their teams do their best in this prestigious T20 event.”
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Santosh Trophy
Kolkata, August 7 The national title has been eluding Bengal's in the recent past as the record 29-time champions had last won the Santosh Trophy way back in 1998-99. Having come close to a sniffing distance last year, Bengal were done in the penalty shootout to settle for the runners-up position as Goa emerged champions. However, this time around, Bengal have already crossed the Goan hurdle as they are eyeing their 30th title in front of home crowd. In the semifinal yesterday, Bengal rallied from behind to pull off a 5-4 (1-1) win in the tie-breaker to oust their last year's nemesis Goa. But with their striking ammunition in short supply, it will not be easy for Shabbir Ali's boys to cross the final hurdle against a consistent Punjab coached by Jagir Singh. Bengal's star striker Shankar Oraon, who did not play against Goa, has been ruled out for at least three months due to ligament injury. To make matters worse, Bengal's another forward Nilendra Dewan too is doubtful after his seventh minute injury against Goa, a factor that troubled Ali yesterday as Tarif Ahmed and Robin Singh struggled to combine well. The coach will have some taxing time to find a balance in the striking force, even as they are high on confidence after their spectacular win. However, But Ali said the home teams will have to look ahead. "We have one more hurdle to cross and the boys have it in them to make it for Bengal. We are not looking back and basking in the glory of yesterday. We have one more hurdle to cross," Ali said today after the morning practice session. From Punjab's point of view, Gurpreet Singh has picked a double yellow and the in-form striker will miss tomorrow's all-important final as coach Jagir Singh has to motivate their young and energetic side to clinch their ninth title. In the forward line, Praveen Kumar is likely to start with Balwant Singh and the coach said there are no favourites. "Bachcho jaise baat mat karo (Don't ask silly questions)," Jagir said when asked whether they were the favourites. "There are no favourites in a final, whoever plays well on that particular day, will win. Bengal are a good team but we are equally confident," he said on the eve of the match. As a matter of fact, Bengal will have a chance to avenge their defeat in the Santosh Trophy 2006-07 final when they lost to Punjab in the penalty shootout. — PTI
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Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship concludes
Patiala, August 7 Tamil Nadu is second with four gold, four silver and same number of bronze medals, while Kerela is third with four gold, six silver and three bronze medals. In another remarkable achievement, Sidharth T from Maharashtra broke the national record in 110-m hurdle event. He completed the race in 13.81 seconds. Results 110-m hurdles Men’s 20-km walk Men’s pole vault Women’s javelin throw Women’s high jump Men’s long jump Women’s 4x100m relay Men’s 4x100m Relay Men’s 1500-m run
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Pak advocates win friendly match
Chandigarh, August 7 But the cup went to the visitors as the decision was taken through spin of coin and the luck favoured the Pakistani. In the friendly match, aimed at creating harmony between the archrivals, the local bar council also allowed their players to play for the guests from across the border. Earlier, Paksitani team, who decided to bat first after winning the toss, were at 86 for 1 in 11 overs when the sky opened its mouth. Anurag Chopra (52 n o) and Raseed Ahmed (6 n o) were at the crease that time. The heavy rainfall forced the match to stop midway. The only batsman, Nauran Shahi’s wicket was claimed by Pushpinder Pal in the fourth over. Punjab and Haryana HC Justice Rajeev Bhalla distributed the prizes among the winners. |
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