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Jayawardene powers Lankan win
Oz look for flying start against Zimbabwe
34th national Games Kohli has matured, says Sehwag
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Electing to bat first, the Kenyans were sent packing for their lowest World Cup total of 69 in just 23.5 overs before the Kiwis overhauled the paltry target in eight overs. With just 31.5 overs played, it was less than a third of what a full cricket one-dayer would be. Kiwi opener Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum scored quick-fire knocks of 39 and 26 respectively to take their team home within three hours. Earlier, Bennett was the wrecker-in-chief for New Zealand, who came into the mega-event rather low on confidence after losing successive ODI series to Bangladesh and India a few months ago. His four wickets were instrumental in reducing the Kenyans to their lowest score after the 104 against the West Indies in the 2003 World Cup. This was also the fifth lowest by any team in the World Cup history. Playing only his ninth ODI for New Zealand after taking 11 wickets from six matches against Pakistan at home recently, Bennett ripped through the clueless Kenyan batting line-up by claiming four wickets in the space of 10 balls as his dream first spell read 5-0-16-4. Bennett's earlier best came a fortnight ago against Pakistan in Auckland when he took 4 for 46. Bennett's pace partners, Tim Southee (3/13) and Jacob Oram (3/2) shared the other six Kenyan wickets. For Kenya, only three batsmen — opener Seren Waters (16), Collins Obuya (14) and Indian-origin Rakep Patel (16 not out) — got into double figures. Such was the capitulation that the last three Kenyan players — Nejhemiah Odhiam, Shem Ngoche and Elijah Otieno — departed without even disturbing the scorecard. The Kenyans, opting to bat first on a grass-less wicket, were totally exposed and they lacked technical prowess mostly going across to get rapped on their pads. — PTI Scoreboard Kenya Obanda lbw b Southee 6 Waters lbw b Bennett 16 Obuya lbw b Bennett 14 Tikolo b Bennett 2 Ouma lbw b Bennett 1 Patel not out 16 Kamande c Brendon b Oram 2 Odoyo c Ryder b Oram 2 Odhiambo b Southee 0 Ngoche lbw b Southee 0 Otieno c Styris b Oram 0 Extras (b-4, lb-3, w-2, nb-1) 10 Bowling: Southee 6-0-13-3, N McCullum 4-0-15-0, Bennett 5-0-16-4, Vettori 6-1-16-0, Oram 2.5-1-2-3. New Zealand Guptill not out 39 B McCullum not out 26 Extras (b2, lb1, w3, nb1) 7 Bowling: Odoyo 3-0-25-0, Otieno 2-0-18-0, Kamande 2-0-21-0, Odhiambo 1-0-5-0.
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Hambantota, February 20 Earlier, Mahela Jayawardene’s agressive century and an equally impressive knock from skipper Kumar Sangakkara propelled Sri Lanka to a formidable 332 for seven. Batting first after winning the toss, Jayawardene plundered 100 runs off just 81 deliveries, his second World Cup ton, while Sangakkara struck an 87-ball 92 after Tillakaratne Dilshan (50) kick-started Sri Lanka’s campaign in the tournament with a solid half-century at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium. The experienced left-right duo of Jayawardene-Sangakkara scored runs briskly and added 179 runs in just 22 overs for a third-wicket stand that put the hosts — who surprisingly left out express bowler Lasith Malinga from the eleven — in the driving seat. Jayawardene, who had 671 runs from 25 World Cup matches before today, got out after reaching his 12th ODI hundred, but Sangakkara was a little unlucky to have missed the landmark by just eight runs. While Jayawardene hit nine boundaries and a six, Sangakkara found the fence seven times and cleared it once during their 179-run association, a commendable effort considering the sluggish pitch and the long boundaries. A swept boundary off Rizwan Cheema signalled Jayawardene’s intentions, who looked all at ease during his stay at the crease. The elegant right-hander then hit Jimmy Hansra for a four in the 26th over, before Sangakkara whipped one off the same bowler over wide mid-on for a boundary. The Sri Lankan skipper reached his fifty in style, pulling Harvir Baidwan over the infield for a four. Earlier Dilshan launched Sri Lanka's innings in a style so typical of him. The dashing Sri Lankan opener began with an awkward boundary off Henry Osinde and then thumped Khurram Chohan's innocous half-volley through extra cover for a similar result. Chohan was again at the wrong end of Dilshan's onslaught when the opener, after a brief interruption due to sightscreen problems, smashed a length ball through the covers. — PTI Scoreboard Sri Lanka Tharanga run out 19 Dilshan c Davison b Cheema 50 Sangakkara c&b Davison 92 Jay’rdene c Rao b Davison 100 Perera run out 11 Mathews c&b Baidwan 21 Kapugedera c N Kumar b Baidwan 2 Samaraweera not out 18 Kulasekara not out 7 Extras (lb-3, w-8, nb-1) 12 Bowling: Chohan 8-0-62-0, Osinde 2.1-0-10-0, Baidwan 8.5-0-59-2, Hansra 9-0-47-0, Cheema 7-0-47-1, Rao 7-0-48-0, Davison 8-0-56-2. Canada G’sekera c Dilshan b K’sekara 1 Davison b Perera 0 Surkari lbw b Perera 6 Hansra st S’kkara b S’raweera 9 Bagai c S’kkara b Perera 22 Cheema c Jay’rdene b Murali 37 Gordon c S’kkara b K’sekara 4 Chohan c S’kkara b K’sekara 4 Baidwan not out 16 Rao c Tharanga b Murali 6 Osinde b Mendis 4 Extras (lb 8, w 4, nb 1) 13 Bowling: Kulasekara 6-2-16-3, Perera 7-0-24-3, Mendis 7.5-3-18-1, Murali 9-0-38-2, Dilshan 5-0-14-0, Samaraweera 2-0-4-1.
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Oz look for flying start against Zimbabwe
Australia have been unbeaten in 22 matches in the last two tournaments played in South Africa (2003) and West Indies (2007), under Ricky Ponting.
They have won 23 back to back matches stretching to 1999 and have been unconquered in 29 ties, which includes the unforgettable tied match against South Africa in the semifinal 12 years ago. On paper, Ponting's men hold a clear edge over the African nation led by Elton Chigumbara, but would be eager not to be tripped by the one-time minnows of the 50-over game as was the case 28 years ago in England. The Aussies, fresh from a 6-1 rout of their Ashes nemesis England in the following ODI series at home, landed in India only to be rudely awakened by successive defeats in their two practice games against India and South Africa at
Bangalore.
The Aussies have a line-up in which Shane Watson, who opens the batting, and Ponting are crucial in the top order to lay the platform for others to build upon. But a question mark remains over the ability of the middle order batsmen in playing spin bowling on Indian pitches. Watson has performed brilliantly with the bat in ODIs in the last year, having scored 832 runs and Zimbabwe's think tank would have talked about ways of stopping the Queenslander from taking the game away. "It's much different and bigger responsibility in opening the innings than batting at number seven in the last World Cup, a role Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden did so beautifully throughout their career. It's a great responsibility and I'm looking forward to that challenge," said the beefy 29-year-old yesterday. — PTI
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fast
track
The way he normally bats, if he stays around for 15-20 overs, India are usually guaranteed a fast start. Sehwag hasn’t always batted long periods in one-day cricket (in fact, just twice has he batted 100 deliveries or more) but I don’t think that’s an area where you can criticize him. India have always had a lot of depth in batting and it hasn’t always been necessary for him to bat out to 40 overs. They have Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni to name a few and so if Sehwag doesn’t click there are others to carry the weight. It would also depend on the team’s requirements. If they need someone to go out and blast 50 in 20-odd deliveries, Sehwag is the man. If they want a century in 94 balls, Sehwag is capable. He can fill either role. But I think the fact that he has stated his intention to bat to the 40th over during this World Cup is a sure sign that opposition attacks need to be very careful. I was very impressed by young Kohli. I think he is a proper batsman. To score a century in your first World Cup match, and one that flawless, is very impressive. There are others in the team who have been around for a few years more than Kohli but the way he has forced his way into the XI speaks of his temperament. I know he’s been branded something of an ODI specialist but I see him as a proper Test-match player. In another couple years when the big players retire, he is sure to play a role for India in Test cricket. However, I have to say that India can falter in the bowling stakes. They don’t have express pace bowlers to trouble strong top-orders, and the way Sreesanth bowled against Bangladesh was worrisome. Sreesanth is a swinger of the ball but he was wayward; perhaps because he was bowling to so many left-handers he had some trouble, but he just didn’t contribute yesterday. India will need to look at their options during the World Cup, they may have to chop and change until they find the right combination. Pitches will be a factor here. India will have to think about playing a second specialist spinner in case the situation calls for it. India know their strengths and will play for it: bat, and bat big. A big total will put pressure on opposing teams, that’s India’s plan. But they need to work on the bowling. Rotating the bowlers and using them in short spells is one way to go about it. —
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Chowrasia wins Avantha Masters
New Delhi, February 20 The USD 2.3 million showpiece seemed destined for a play-off between Coles and Chowrasia until Coles' costly bogey on the 18th hole gave the Indian his first win since 2008. The Indian closed with a five-under 67 for a winning total of 15-under 273, while Coles took second place after rounds of 70, 67, 67 and 70 at the DLF Golf and Country Club. France's Gregory Havret is in third place on 275, while Netherland's Robert-Jan Derksen, who had taken the first round lead, signed off in fourth place on 276. India's Sujjan Singh got his rookie year on the Asian Tour off to the best of starts with a tied-fifth place alongside Spain's Pablo Larrazabal on 277. Chowrasia showed that he is the man for the big occasion after winning the battle of fairway supremacy against an elite field once again. His last victory came at the Indian Masters in 2008 and he was determined to end his three-year title drought at the Avantha Masters which is tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). Chowrasia signalled his title intent by opening with a birdie on the par-four first. He continued his charge with birdies on holes four, seven, eight, 10, 11 and 14. The 32-year-old seemed to be cruising towards a grandstand finish until a disastrous double-bogey on the par-three 16th set him back to 15-under with just two holes remaining. "It was a tight lie on the 16th with one of my chips, I duffed it and ran my second shot by. I made a weak putt and I paid the price for it," said Chowrasia. He could only par his closing two holes and had to endure an agonising hour-long wait before being declared the champion as Coles was still on the course with four holes to play. After making those four birdies on the front-nine, I felt like I was on a roll. I thought that I could win the title already," said Chowrasia. "At 15-under, I was mentally prepared for the play-off already but luckily for me, Cole failed to take advantage and I'm glad I'm the winner," added Chowrasia. — PTI
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34th national Games
Ranchi, February 20 After taking the all round individual title yesterday, Karmakar clinched the girls' table vault, uneven bars, floor exercises and balanced beam during the day to emerge top in the individual medal list followed by Maharashtra's Aksheta Shate who took four gold medals in the Rhythmic gymnasitics on Thursday. "This is the first time that I have participated in a national games, and am very happy to have won five gold medals. The credit goes to my father and coach for grooming me as a gymnast," an elated Dipa told PTI soon after winning her fifth gold medal. Commonwealth silver and Asian Games bronze medallist Ashish Kumar today won the gold in the ring while Jharkhand's Partho Mandal snapped the yellow metal in the Pommel Horse to give the host the lone medal in the gymnastic competitions. This was Kumar's second gold medal after he won the all round individual gold yesterday. SSCB's Pawan Bhambore picked the gold medal in floor exercises while fellow teammate Zia-ur-Rahman took the gold in floor exercises. Uttar Pradesh's Iqrar Hassan and SSCB's Raja Roy won gold medals in horizontal bar and parallel bars respectively. A total of ten out of twenty gold medals, in both men and women, were decided on the last day of the last three-day competition. Following is today's medal standings in gymnastic competitions; Tripura — Four gold medals, UP — Two gold medals, three silvers and three bronze medals. SSCB — Three gold, two silvers and two bronze medals, Jharkhand — One gold only, West Bengal — Two silver medals and one bronze medal, Maharashtra — One silver medal only, Punjab —One silver and one bronze medal. Following is the overall medal table of the 3-day gymnastics competitions: Maharashtra — Seven gold, three silver and four bronze medals, Tripura — Five gold medals only, SSCB — Four gold, three silver and two bronze medals, UP — Three gold, four silver and three bronze medals, Jharkhand —One gold only, Punjab — Four silver and three bronze medals, West Bengal — Three silver and one bronze medal, J&K — Two silver and one bronze medal, Andhra Pradesh - One silver and six bronze medals. Punjab win in basketball
Punjab, Services and Uttarakhand registered wins in their men's group matches of the basketball competition in the 34th National Games here today. Punjab defeated hosts Jharkhand 80-47 while Services overcame Andhra Pradesh by 93-69 points in group A matches. Uttarakhand defied Chandigarh's challenge, eking out a narrow 67-62 win, with Mohit Bhandari scoring 22 points for the winner. —
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Chennai, February 20
Hambantota, February 20
Four World Cup titles under the belt but defending champions Australia are not exactly the favourites this time as they start their campaign for a fifth trophy with a tricky opener against Zimbabwe at the Sardar Patel Motera Stadium here tomorrow.Australia have been unbeaten in 22 matches in the last two tournaments played in South Africa (2003) and West Indies (2007), under Ricky
Ponting.They have won 23 back to back matches stretching to 1999 and have been unconquered in 29 ties, which includes the unforgettable tied match against South Africa in the semifinal 12 years ago.
Virender Sehwag. He’s always been a dangerous player and he picked a big occasion to make a statement going into the World Cup. It was practically effortless batting; the way he picked off runs against the seamers and spinners was so precise. Opposition attacks should be worried about the way he applied himself against Bangladesh.The way he normally bats, if he stays around for 15-20 overs, India are usually guaranteed a fast start. 
Chennai, February 20
Ahmedabad, February 20
What a fantastic inning from Virender Sehwag. He’s always been a dangerous player and he picked a big occasion to make a statement going into the World Cup. It was practically effortless batting; the way he picked off runs against the seamers and spinners was so precise. Opposition attacks should be worried about the way he applied himself against Bangladesh.