Durban, January 12
South Africa defeated India by 135 runs in the first one-dayer at the Kingsmead Satadium here today. Set to score 290 for a win, the Indian batting order collapsed in the face of some tight bowling by the Proteas. Only Virat Kohli scored a half-century as all other Indian batsmen failed to come to terms with the wicket. India were all out for 154 in 35.4 overs only.

Earlier, the Proteas threatened twice to run away to a mammoth total but India pulled them back on both occasions to leave themselves chasing a strong 290. South Africa were 82 for 2 in the 14th over before Munaf Patel removed Hashim Amla to slow the innings down, but the hosts bounced back to reach 213 for 3 in the 36th over, when AB de Villiers fell and India clawed their way back. It's a dry brownish surface, almost Indian in its appearance, but the ball is expected to seam a bit under lights and only time will tell if 290 can be easily defended.

It was a fascinating late afternoon at Durban after Amla's exit. There was an imminent threat of a collapse in the air: South Africa had a long tail, Duminy can be an iffy starter against spin and the ball was starting to stop a touch. de Villiers and Duminy initially batted like men who were aware of these threats. They added 47 runs in a little over 12 overs and the hosts had reached 132 for 3 in 25.4 overs when a single shot turned things around for them. de Villiers charged down the track to Harbhajan and didn't quite seem to connect well, but his sliced golf-shot sent the ball into the screaming fans beyond long-off. When Duminy slog-swept Yuvraj Singh for a six in the next over, it was official: they had broken free of the shackles.

They followed it up with a smart move: they took the batting Powerplay in the 28th over and looted 45 runs. de Villiers made 28 of them, with a hat-trick of fours - a pull, a skilful inside-out hit over cover, and a slice over point - against Ashish Nehra in the final Powerplay over to leave South Africa sitting pretty at 192 for 3. — Agencies

Scoreboard
South Africa
Smith c Rohit b Nehra 11
Amla c Harbhajan b Munaf 50
Ingram c Nehra b Munaf 5
de Villiers c Harbhajan b Rohit 76
Duminy lbw b Rohit 73
Miller b Raina 9
Botha b Harbhajan 23
Parnell not out 21
Steyn c Yuvraj b Zaheer 7
Morkel b Zaheer 0
Tsotsobe not out 1
Extras (b 1, lb 8, w 4) 13
Total (9 wickets; 50 overs) 289
Bowling: Zaheer 10-0-44-2, Nehra 6-0-61-1, Patel 7-1-36-2, Harbhajan 10-0-56-1, Yuvraj 6-0-32-0, Rohit 7-0-30-2, Raina 4-0-21-1.

India
Vijay lbw b Steyn 1
Tendulkar c Steyn b Tsotsobe 7
Kohli c Smith b Steyn 54
Rohit c de Villiers b Morkel 11
Yuvraj c Smith b Morkel 2
Dhoni run out 25
Raina c Ingram b Tsotsobe 32
Harbhajan b Parnell 0
Zaheer c Duminy b Tsotsobe 6
Nehra b Tsotsobe 1
Munaf not out 1
Extras (b 4, w 10) 14
Total (all out; 35.4 overs) 154
Bowling: Steyn 6-0-29-2, Tsotsobe 8.4-0-31-4, Morkel 5-0-12-2, Parnell 7-0-25-1, Botha 7-0-46-0, Duminy 2-0-7-0.

New Delhi, January 12
The top brass of the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI), including President Shashank Manohar, today appeared before a Parliamentary panel to answer queries related to the organisation of the cash-awash Indian Premier League. Apart from Manohar, BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan and IPL Chairman Chirayu Amin were grilled over Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violations during the conduct of the highly popular Twenty20 tournament.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, headed by BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, had also summoned IPL Governing Council member former cricketer Ravi Shastri for a hearing. The issue was with the Committee for long and it had spoken to the Finance Ministry in the recent past. Today it called the bigwigs of BCCI for clarifications. The BCCI was asked about the funding pattern of the IPL and the methods adopted for payment to foreign and Indian players.

The Committee also sought details of the expenses incurred on the conduct of the second edition of the IPL in South Africa in 2009.

The IPL was held in South Africa in 2009 due to a clash of dates with the general elections here. It asked whether BCCI followed FEMA and RBI guidelines for organisation of the second edition and how much money was credited into the Cricket South Africa account.

Making another case of FEMA violation against the BCCI, the Committee said the Board had not taken permission from RBI and Income Tax Department for opening and operating foreign current account in South Africa. It said opening and operating of the account through an explicit agreement with the CSA could be construed as FEMA violation as the operations of the account were controlled by BCCI.

The Committee asked BCCI officials if they were aware about a government report that investments made by IPL franchisees such as Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians were rooted from outside India through entities, located in countries such as Mauritius, Bahamas, British Virgin Island.

They asked why the BCCI did not take approval from RBI, SIPB and other agencies for the above mentioned foreign exchange transactions. It also asked how does the BCCI ensured that FDI received by the franchisees is not tainted money. "Do you agree that large scale FEMA violations have been committed by the IPL Franchisees and their associates? If so what are the reasons thereof? What is the approach of the BCCI in this issue?," was another query. — PTI

Adelaide, January 12
Debutant Chris Woakes guided England to a record eighth successive Twenty20 international win as the tourists inflicted more torment on Australia with a last-gasp one-wicket victory at the Adelaide Oval today. Despite all-rounder Shane Watson's best efforts to single-handedly lift the home side to victory, 21-year-old Woakes (19 not out) was the hero as he hit the winning run from the final ball of the England innings.

After Australia posted 157-4, with Watson top-scoring with 59 from 31 balls, England wobbled in the chase as Watson picked up four wickets, but Woakes' cool head enabled them to reach 158-9 and snatch the win.

England previously shared the record for most successive T20 international wins with South Africa and Pakistan and the result follows hard on the heels of their historic 3-1 Ashes triumph over the embattled Australians. With wickets falling at the other end, Woakes kept his cool when he found himself on strike with his side needing three runs from the last two balls from Watson with only one wicket in hand.

He slashed the next delivery to the cover boundary for two, then drove Watson through the infield for what would have been a boundary had he and number 11 Ajmal Shahzad not completed the winning run first. Woakes' innings came after Eoin Morgan put England on the path to victory with 43, but the match turned when the left-hander holed out to Watson, who then removed Michael Yardy with the next ball to be on a hat-trick.

Watson could scarcely have done more for the home side, with 4-15 from his four overs after his solo effort with the bat. The powerful right-hander hit three sixes from the first three balls England spinner Graeme Swann bowled and took 26 off the over. But he was bowled by Yardy (2-28) and Australia failed to build on the foundation he had provided after being 76-0 after eight overs. None of the other Australian batsman looked comfortable, with new captain Cameron White, taking over from Michael Clarke, making just six. The two teams meet again on Friday at the MCG, before playing a seven-match one-day series. — AFP

Brief Scores:

England 9 for 158 (Morgan 43, Watson 4-15) beat Australia 7 for 157 (Watson 59, Yardy 2-28) by one wicket.

Dehradun, January 12
It was a clean sweep for hosts India in ice skating in the first South Asian Federation (SAF) Winter Games here today. The home team bagged all medals in the men’s and women’s speed skating while figure skating was declared a non-event due to no participation from any other country. Ice hockey was reduced to a demonstration sport for the same reason.

Subodh Patil and Shruti were the stars in the speed skating event as they claimed first place in the 500m, 1000m and 1500m. Patil has been a senior national champion in speed skating for the past four years.

“I have participated six times in the World Cup and have played qualifying matches in the Winter Olympics,” elated Maharashtra skater Patil told The Tribune. He praised the newly prepared ice-skating rink and said, “in foreign countries we have to pay $500 for one hour’s practice but here we can practice for 15 days for the same amount. This rink will be a milestone in bringing players to an international level.”

Shruti said, “I was bit disappointed when, once I won the 500m speed skating, I had to replay as a player had alleged she was pushed during the final. However, with these wins, I am hopeful of selection in the forthcoming Asian Winter Games and am up for the challenge there.”

Patil, Mushtaq Ahmed and Lavish Vaidya won gold, silver and bronze in 1000m speed skating. In the 1500m, Patil won the gold, Harshit Bhosle and Mushtaq Ahmed followed. In the women’s 500m final Shruti Kotwal, Sonam Tismo and Rinchin Dolma got first, second and third place respectively.

Yesterday, Patil, Bhosle and Vaidya won first, second and third positions in the 500m speed skating.

Doha, January 12
Tainted Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif will have to wait for some more days to learn their fate after ICC's anti-corruption tribunal today reached no decision and called for another hearing on the spot-fixing row on February 5 here.

The tribunal was expected to come out with its verdict today after it's three-man independent tribunal led by the code of conduct commissioner Michael Beloff of England, and aided by Justice Albie Sachs from South Africa and Kenyan Sharad Rao heard all the parties behind closed doors at the Qatar Financial Centre since January 6.

However, after the day's proceedings the tribunal said it could not come to any conclusion today and a verdict will be delivered only on February 5 after further hearing, until that time the players remained suspended from all forms of cricket.

"The tribunal have throughout been very conscious of the importance of these proceedings to the three players and the wider world of cricket," said Beloff, commissioner of the three-man independent hearing. "Representations have been made to it to reserve any decision on the charges still before it until it has had sufficient time to give the issues careful consideration and until it is able, at the same time as handing down its decision, to provide written reasons.

"This would not be feasible in the timeframe agreed for this hearing in Doha. The tribunal has, therefore, determined to continue its deliberations and hold a further hearing in Doha on the fifth of February of this year, at which its decisions will be handed down to the parties and any consequential matters will be dealt with," he said.

"Until that date, all three players will remain suspended from all cricketing activities," Beloff added. The tainted trio were charged of spot-fixing during Pakistan's tour of England last year. It is alleged that players conspired in bowling deliberate no-balls during a Test at Lord's, a claim which they all deny. — AP

Vadodara, January 12
Five-wicket haul by leg-spinner Bhargav Bhatt (5 for 103) helped Baroda restrict Rajasthan to 394 before reaching 73 for one at stumps on the second day of the Ranji Trophy Super League final here today.

For Rajasthan, although Robin Bist (77), skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar (61), Rashmi Parida (56) and Ashok Menaria (45) contributed with the bat but none of the batsmen could convert the half-centuries into a big score here at the Moti Bagh Stadium.

Resuming at the overnight total of 198 for three, yesterday's unbeaten batsmen in Rohit Bist on 56 and Vivek Yadav on 4, mixed caution with aggression to give the visitors a good start on the day.

The duo put on a 50-run stand for the fourth wicket with Yadav being the more dominating of the two. But he became the first one to depart after hitting 27 off 56 balls, studded with four hits to the fence, falling to left-handed spinner Bhatt. Bist, on his part could not capitalise on a chance he survived after being put down at a score of 62 by A Karambelkar off Bhatt's delivery but the bowler did not let it prove costly for his team.

Bhatt was quick to add Bist's wicket in his kitty after a few overs, dismissing him for 77 off 228 balls studded with five fours and a six during his 316-minute stay at the crease. However, Parida and Maneria consolidated the innings as the duo shared a valuable 77-run partnership for the sixth wicket to give Rajasthan a much needed boost. Even though the pair managed to keep the host bowlers quiet for sometime but Bhatt struck back to cut short Maneria's fine quickfire innings of 45 from 59 balls, including six fours and a six. Maneria's dismissal triggered Rajasthan's collapse and even as Parida held on to his ground, wickets kept falling at the other end. — PTI

Brief Scores:

Baroda 73 for 1 (Kolsawala 46*) trail Rajasthan 394 (Bist 77, Kanitkar 61, Bhatt 5-103) by 321 runs with 9 wickets remaining.

Doha, January 12
Talismanic captain Bhaichung Bhutia will sit out of India's second Asian Cup match against Bahrain as he is yet to be fully fit and coach Bob Houghton will also rest some players who played in the opener against Australia.

Houghton said Bhutia, who also missed out of the opening match against Australia, may play in India's third and final Group C game against South Korea on January 18. "There is no chance of Bhaichung playing against Bahrain. He may play in the match against South Korea," Houghton said.

Bhutia did not take part in the training session at the Al Wakra facilities at the outskirts of the city today while his team-mates had a one-hour work-out. Houghton said he would rest some players who played against Australia so that they are not tired for the third group match against South Korea. "It is difficult for almost the same set of boys to play in three matches. So we are giving rest to some boys and making changes. If the same boys who played against Australia are fielded against Bahrain, you will not get fresh legs for the South Korea match," he said. "I saw the video (of first match) and the players ran about 10 to 11 km, which is about thrice the distance the players run in an I-League match. It's an awful lot of running and it takes a toll," he said. — PTI

Bhiwani, January 12
A five-day zone football league began at Halwasia Vidya Vihar ground here today. The Haryana Football Federation has organized this league, which was inaugurated by the vice president of Haryana Olympic Association, Sandeep Singh.

Addressing players Sandeep Singh said youth of the state were attracted to sports because of new sports policy of the state. The state government not only honoured medal winners but also recruited them on higher posts. He said the government had formed a committee to sanction medal winners for recruitment on higher posts as per their capabilities and medals.

BRIEFLY

Doctorate for Sachin
Mysore: Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, former Mysore Maharaja, the late Nalwadi Krishna Raja Wodeyar, and Law Minister M Veerappa Moily will be conferring with honorary doctorate degrees by the Mysore University. The University Syndicate, at its meeting held here today, also chose noted cardiologist Dr Devi Shetty, sarod maestro Rajiv Taranath and educationist and founder of PES college Doreswamy for the honour, an university official said here. The University has chosen to confer the doctorate degree posthumous on the ruler of Mysore, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, who founded the princely states's first ever university in 1916, 95 years after its establishment. — PTI

Royals pick Chopra, three others
New Delhi: Rajasthan Royals have signed up four players from the State’s Ranji Trophy side, including Aakash Chopra, who is a former India and Delhi player. According to a Royals’ release, the players selected are medium-pacer Deepak Chahar, who had made a sensational Ranji debut against Hyderabad, promising middle-order batsman Ashok Menaria, Chopra and Dishant Yagnik. Yagnik is a wicket-keeper and a left-hand batsman. They join Pankaj Singh, who was picked up during the auction last weekend. — TNS

Ducati Moto GP rider Valentino Rossi (L) and his teammate Nicky Hayden (R) pose with their bike Ducati GP2011 during the "Wrooom, F1 and MotoGP Press Ski Meeting", Ducati and Ferrari's annual media gathering, in Madonna di Campiglio on Wednesday. — Reuters

Kamran to play for Pune
New Delhi: Shane Warne's discovery in the Indian Premier League, fast bowler Kamran Khan, will play for the Sahara Pune Warriors in the fourth season of the cash-rich Twenty20 league. "I have signed the contract with Pune. I will miss Shane (Warne) but I guess a new team will provide me the opportunity to play more matches," Khan told 'PTI Bhasha' from Mumbai. Having impressed Darren Berry, the Rajasthan Royals director of coaching, in a suburban Twenty20 tournament, Khan was given a contract worth about USD 24,000 with Rajasthan for the second season of the IPL. Captain and Coach Warne called him a 'Tornado' and used him as a front-line bowler. Khan, in fact, made his Twenty20 debut before having played a first-class match. — PTI

Ervine in Zim World Cup squad
Harare: Allrounder Sean Ervine was back in Zimbabwe colours for the first time in seven years when he was named in its 15-man squad today for next month's cricket World Cup. The 28-year-old Ervine this week quit English County Championship side Hampshire to resume his international career with Zimbabwe. Ervine played five tests and 42 one-day internationals from 2001 until 2004, when he was involved in a players' dispute with national cricket administrators and left the country. "It has been a long negotiation process between both parties, but it came to a head after the completion of the recent Bangladesh tour (which Zimbabwe lost 3-1)," head selector Alistair Campbell said today. — PTI

Fixing not a new thing: Jahangir
Karachi: Former world squash champion Jahangir Khan of Pakistan has claimed that fixing of matches is not a new phenomena in any sport and he was also approached several times by the bookies during his career to throw away matches. "Several times I was contacted by the bookmakers when I was at the peak of my career and was winning matches," Jahangir told the media in here. "They offered me huge amounts of money, which could be considered very good at that time because the prize money in squash was not very lucrative in those days. They wanted me to lose matches but every time I told them to get lost," Jahangir added. — PTI

Punjab Police shooters shine
Gurgaon: Avtar Singh of Punjab Police won the Big Bore Free Rifle Prone 300m, at the All-India Police Shooting Championship here on Wednesday. Sanjeet Singh Rawat (CRPF) and Amit Kumar (Punjab Police) followed. Punjab Police also won the team gold. In the womens’ Big Bore Rifle Prone 300m, Veerpal Kaur (Punjab Police) was first, followed by Rajbir Kaur (BSF) and S. Sumanltha (A.P. Police). Ram Swaroop (CRPF) won the .22 Free/Standard Rifle Prone 50m (men’s) event, followed by Mahender Singh (ITBP) and Ram Kumar (BSF). BSF win the team event. — TNS