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davis cup
Mishra wants end to tussle among players
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Kiwis thrash Pak by 7 wkts
Women’s World Cup: Harmanpreet’s ton in vain, India lose to England by 32 runs
This auction was only meant for filling places: Shukla
second odi
Misbah, Shafiq keep Pak alive in first Test
Hardwork, commitment key to earn respect
Grappler Geeta wins silver
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Korea quells Indian challenge in Davis Cup
Rookies Ranjeet, Vijayant put up spirited fight in reverse singles before losing 1-4 M.S.Unnikrishnan/TNS
New Delhi, February 3 Korea took a winning 3-1 lead when Suk-Young Jeong prevailed over a determined Ranjeet in straight sets at 6-4, 6-4,6-2 in two hours and 23 minutes, reducing the second reverse singles between Vijayant Malik and Cho Min-Hyeok, to best of three sets. And Cho wrapped up the rubber in straight sets at 6-2, 6-4 to give the visitors one of their emphatic Davis Cup wins in India. Though it was a dead rubber, Malik spared no effort to push the Korean to the limit. It was a commendable comeback for Malik, who had conceded the opening day’s singles against Jeong due to muscle cramps. He showed no signs of his first day’s injury, to gain valuable experience from the Cup debut, by giving his best shot. India now take on Indonesia at home in their next Davis Cup tie in March-April. The transformation of Ranjeet, egged on by a large crowd, was indeed amazing, after his tame surrender in the opening singles. Today, he volleyed and sliced the ball to no-man’s land to garner some breath-taking points, though eventually Jeong, who seemed more at home in adjusting to the slow synthetic court, was home through due to better stamina, court craft and technique. His two previous Davis Cup experience stood in good stead, and Ranjeet said he learned much from the second match, and the Cup outing as a whole, which was an altogether new experience for him, despite playing many Challenger and Futures tournaments, besides the German league and the National Championship. He was encouraged to go for his volleys and sliced backhand winners by the vociferous packed stands, and he did come up with an enervating display to erase the memory of the opening day’s flow show, in which he could win only two games. The doubles win of Leander Paes and Purav Raja had rekindled hopes of an Indian revival, and Ranjeet was aware of the burden placed on him. He spared no effort though the Korean was better. Ranjeet held serve in the opening game, and he kept his end up till the score was 4-4, though he survived three break points in the fifth game to hold serve. Though there were many long rallies, Ranjeet realized that keeping Jeong engaged in rallies will be suicidal. Thus, he often charged up to volley, and backhand-slice to get the winners. But in the ninth game, a brilliant passing shot by the Korean, and Ranjeet’s strayed returns cost him the game and eventually the set. In the second set, Ranjeet was broken in the first game, but broke back in the sixth to even the score 3-3, with a sliced volley and backhand winner. He was however broken in the ninth as Jeong tightened his grip, and then served out to wrest the set to take a 2-0 lead. A break of serve in the very first game of the third set did not deter Ranjeet from fighting on. But he was broken again in the seventh game, to trail 2-5, and he struck the last nail on his own coffin when he slammed wide to give Jeong the set point on a platter. Though the last rubber had only academic interest, Malik played as if his life was at stake, but the superior Korean was determined and destined to give the visitors a big win. Later, the two Korean singles champions were pushed into the swimming pool outside the court by their team-mates to celebrate the triumph over the hosts.
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Mishra wants end to tussle among players
New Delhi, February 3 He said though losing any tie “was sad” the Koreans were much more experienced and better, and the Indian boys gained much experience from this outing. “Playing Davis Cup is an altogether different experience, but they will be richer by this outing,” Mishra said. He was referring to Purav Raja, V.M Ranjeet and Vijayant Malik, who made their Davis Cup debut, though the non-playing captain conceded that they will have no place in the team when the top players return. He said the choice of the slow synthetic court in Delhi was keeping mind the game of Somdev Devvarman, who however, joined the rebel camp, leaving the field for the rookie players, who could not live up to the hopes, barring Purav Raja. “They know well that they will have no place in the team when the other players return. I would like this issue (with the rebel players) to be sorted out,” Mishra noted. He said the agreement was almost ready, and it was just a matter of giving it in writing to the players by the AITA.“Nothing much is left as all demands have been met,” Mishra disclosed. He said the venue for the tie against Indonesia would be decided in consultation with the players, though he would love to have the match in Delhi, because of the huge support the players got for this tie. He said he had sympathy for the rebel players and he wanted the AITA and the players to work out a truce. He said he had the six young players who played against New Zealand in Chandigarh were in the team, it would have been better for the country. He said the future was with the young players, and for the good of Indian tennis, their return to the fold was a necessity. AITA forms panel to resolve crisis
The AITA formed a three-member committee, including Justice Deepak Verma and former Davis Cupper Naresh Kumar, to resolve the issues with the rebel players, but its suggestions apparently would not be binding on the federation. Apart from Verma, a former justice of Supreme court, and Kumar, the committee has retired bureaucrat M C Gupta as the third member. The decision was taken at the executive committee meeting. |
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Cuttack, February 3 The 26-year-old Candy (5/16) was the star for White Ferns as they shot out Pakistan for just 104 runs in little over 41 overs and then returned to overhaul the target, reaching 108 for 3 in 29.4 overs. Chasing 104, New Zealand rode on skipper Suzie Bates' unbeaten half-century. Bates' scored 65 runs off 84 balls including 10 fours and stitched a 69-run partnership with Katie Perkins (25 not out) for the fourth wicket to take her side past the finishing line. This is Pakistan's second loss in the tournament, following their 91-run loss to Australia. They were bundled out for just 84 chasing Australia's 176 in that match. Earlier, opting to bat first, Pakistan lost both their openers for just 18 runs. Captain Sana Mir quickly followed them to the pavilion after she was trapped in front of the wicket by Candy for just one. Haynes’s 83 helps Australia beat South Africa by 3 wickets Opener Rachael Haynes cracked a strokeful half century to guide Australia to a three-wicket victory over south Africa in a Group B match of the ICC Women's World Cup. Haynes scored 83 runs off 108 balls, and his knock was studded with 10 boundaries. He anchored the Australian run chase after South Africa, electing to bat first, posted 188 for nine. Haynes batted sensibly and starred in two important partnerships, with Lisa Sthalekar and Jodie Fields for the fourth and five wickets respectively, to take Australia to 150 before losing her wicket. — PTI
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Women’s World Cup: Harmanpreet’s ton in vain, India lose to England by 32 runs Mumbai, February 3 Kaur blasted 107 runs in 109 balls, laced with eight fours and two sixes, to become the second cricketer from India to slam a ton in the World Cup. But the 23-year-old from Punjab didn't get much support at the other end as India made 240 for nine in reply to England's 272 in their stipulated 50 overs. Fast bowler Katherine Helen Brunt was the top wicket-taker for England as she returned with a four-wicket haul in nine overs, while spinner Danielle Wyatt chipped in with a couple of wickets. Chasing a target of 273, India had a dismal start as they lost their top three batters — last match centurion Thirushkamini Murugesan, Punam Raut and skipper Mithali Raj — in a span of 34 minutes and by the eighth over. They managed to recover from 29 for 3 as vice-captain Kaur and wicket-keeper batter Karuna Jain steadied the innings with a partnership of 106 for the fourth wicket in 157 balls. Jain scored 56 in 92 balls and her knock was laced with five fours, though she couldn't capitalise on the 'life' she got, when the English skipper dropped her on 55. The bowler Arran Brindle struck three balls later in the same over to dismiss Jain when Laura Marsh took her catch at backward point. Former India skipper Jhulan Goswami, who came into bat after Jain departed, also got a reprieve when Jennifer Gunn dropped her on two at extra cover off Anya Shrubsole. Goswami made a quick fire 19 in 20 balls, with three fours before Heather Knight took a brilliant flying catch at mid-off to send her back. Kaur then forged a 53-run stand with Reema Malhotra, but it was all over for the hosts when they lost three wickets — Malhotra, Amita Sharma and Niranjana Nagrajan — in three consequtive balls at the team score of 225 runs. Earlier, skipper Charlotte Edwards led from the front with a hundred to help defending champions England overcome a poor start and post a challenging 272 for 8. Edwards hit a captain's knock of 109 to become the highest run-scorer in women's cricket with 4901 runs, surpassing Aussie Belinda Clarke's 4,844. She also became the 4th woman to score over a 1,000 runs in World Cup. During her 107 minutes at the crease, Edwards struck 16 fours, before being run out. For India, Goswami and Nagrajan grabbed two wickets apiece. The hosts, however, lost their way, allowing England off the hooks. Mithali's comments fired us to perform better: Brunt
After notching up a convincing 32-run victory over India, England pacer Katherine Brunt said it was Indian skipper Mithali Raj's comments on their bowling attack that charged them up to perform better. “Mithali's comments fired us up to be honest. We were already up for this game but once those comments were made, we were up even more,” Brunt said. “I think that gave fuel to the fire, and we did a decent job at the start and Holly (Colvin) showed us what spinner can do when they work hard and tie batters down in the middle there. Everybody has made a contribution and if Mithali was wondering I was the only bowler then it is hard to explain the other 4-5 good bowlers out there today,” she added. Yesterday, Indian women's team captain Raj had said, “I don't think they are very strong in their bowling attack other than Katherine Brunt. They heavily depend on her for the breakthroughs.” — PTI SCOREBOARD ENGLAND C Edwards run out 109 INDIA Punam lbw Shrubsole 4 |
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This auction was only meant for filling places: Shukla
Chennai, February 3 “It's not a full-fledged auction, that will be held next year. The franchises this time only wanted to fill the places in the squads. It's not like it has gone down and all,” Shukla said. Rising Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell emerged as the surprise million-dollar buy, fetching a whopping USD one million (Rs 5.3 crore) from Mumbai Indians. Asked about the Pakistani players' absence, coming in the backdrop of the recent tension at the LoC, Shukla said, “We are not against Pakistani players. There are Pakistani coaches, umpires, supports staffs in the IPL. “But as of now the players are not in our mind. We will discuss that with the franchises and see.” And about Luke Pomersbach, who was bought by Kings XI Punjab and who was detained by the Delhi police last year following allegations that he had assaulted a US citizen, Shukla said, “That controversy is over, compromise has taken place. We are only responsible for players' behaviour on the field.” Venky Mysore, Kolkata Knight Riders' chief executive, said the inclusion of spinner Senaka Senanayake will add a new dimension to their attack. “Sunil Narine is available, almost all of our players are. But the success we had with him and our conditions, we thought we could intensify that kind of attack. We are happy with buying Senanayake, who will add a new dimension to our set-up. And Ryan McLaren as well who will add to pace back-up," Mysore said. — PTI MI Will finalise leadership SOON
Mumbai Indians said that the franchise will take a final decision on the appointment of team captain for the IPL-VI over the next few weeks. "Over the next few weeks, Mumbai Indians management including Chief Mentor Anil Kumble and Head Coach John Wright will finalise team's strategy and leadership for the forthcoming season," Mumbai Indians said in a statement. — PTI
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Starc, Bailey shine as Australia beat Windies
Perth, February 3 West Indies put up a better fight than in the nine-wicket defeat in Friday's opener but Bailey's unbeaten 125 pushed Australia to 266 for seven and Starc (5-32) helped dismiss the islanders for 212 to give the hosts a 2-0 series lead. There was controversy too, when the television review system was employed to help Starc claim the wickets of Kieran Powell (83) and Devon Thomas (0) in successive balls, the latter given out caught behind to much disbelief. A promising but ultimately unsuccessful day at the WACA for West Indies was summed up by tailender Sunil Narine, who smashed sixes off the first four balls of one Glenn Maxwell over but was stumped on the sixth. Maxwell finished with figures of four for 63 but Starc was again the pick of the bowlers after skittling the top order with three early wickets and returning later as West Indies lost five men for 20 runs. Australia suffered a collapse early in their innings and Bailey had to put on 100 from 123 balls for the seventh wicket with James Faulkner (39) to rescue them from 98 for six less than half way through their 50 overs. The 30-year-old saved his best until the end of the innings. After reaching his century with a six over long-on in the penultimate over, he hammered 3 sixes.— Reuters SCOREBOARD Australia Finch c Bravo b Holder 11 Khawaja c Powell b Roach 3 Hughes c Bravo b Sammy 21 Clarke b DJ Bravo 16 Bailey not out 125 Wade c Sammy b Narine 16 Maxwell b Sammy 0 Faulkner c Powell b Sammy 39 Johnson not out 16 Extras: 19 Total: (7 wkts, 50 ovs) 266 Fall of wickets: 1-16 2-25 3-56 4-56 5-93 6-98 7-198 Bowling: Roach 10-0-51-1, Holder 10-1-56-1, Sammy 10-0-48-3, DJ Bravo 10-0-67-1, Narine 10-0-34-1 West indies Gayle lbw Starc 4 Powell lbw b Starc 83 Sarwan lbw Starc 0 Bravo lbw Starc 14 DJ Bravo c Wade b Maxwell 45 Pollard c Finch b Maxwell 1 Thomas c Wade b Starc 0 Sammy c Faulkner b Maxwell 8 Holder run out 9 Narine st Wade b Maxwell 24 Roach not out 0 Extras: 24 Total: (all out, 38.1 ov) 212 Fall of wickets: 1-10 2-10 3-33 4-159 5-166 6-166 7-168 8-179 9-209 Bowling: Mckay 6-0-32-0, Starc 8-1-32-5, Faulkner 7-0-40-0, Johnson 9-0-32-0, Maxwell 8.1-1-63-4
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Misbah, Shafiq keep Pak alive in first Test
Johannesburg, February 3 The visitors need 433 runs with nine wickets in hand but it was still a better show compared to their record low test score of 49 in the first innings with the top order showing a greater degree of patience at the crease. The only Pakistani wicket to fall was that of Mohammed Hafeez as he glanced a leg-side ball from Vernon Philander, but succeeded only in providing wicketkeeper AB De Villiers with a catch behind the stumps. Debutant Nasir Jamshed (39 not out) was troubled by a number of balls into his body, one providing a deflection off his gloves that fell just out of reach of Dean Elgar at short leg off Morne Morkel. However, the batsman has also played some classy shots all round the ground. He will resume after lunch with Azhar Ali (five), the pair having added 40 for the second wicket. South Africa made a fast start this morning when they resumed their second innings, scoring 68 runs in just nine overs before declaring on 275 for the loss of three wickets. Resuming on his overnight 63, de Villiers led the charge with a sparkling unbeaten century off 117 balls. He was ably supported by Hashim Amla, who moved from his overnight 50 to 74 not out by the time Graeme Smith called the players in with 50 minutes of the morning session gone. By that time the pair had put on a Wanderers record fourth wicket test partnership of 176, beating the previous mark of 147 they had set against Australia in the 2011/12 season. — Reuters SCOREBOARD SA first inngs: 253 Pak first inngs: 49 SA (overnight 207/3) Petersen c Hafeez b Gul 27 Smith c Ahmed b Gul 52 Amla not out 74 Kallis c Shafiq b Ajmal 7 Villiers not out 103 Extras: 12 Total: (3 wkts d. 62 ovs) 275 Fall of wickets: 1-82, 2-87, 3-99 Bowling: Gul 14-2-58-2, Junaid Khan 13-1-63-0,Rahat Ali 11-1-44-0, Hafeez 5-0-32-0, Ajmal 18-1-74-1, Younis 1-1-0-0 Pak second inngs Punam lbw Shrubsole 4 Hafeez c Villiers b Philander 2 Jamshed c Peterson b Steyn 46 Ali lbw Kallis 18 Younus c Villiers b Morkel 15 Misbah-ul-Haq not out 44 Shafiq not out 53 Extras: 5 Total: (4 wkts, 75 ovs) 183 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-64, 3-70, 4-82 Bowling: Steyn 18-7-26-1,Philander 17-3-39-1,Morkel 18-5-65-1, Kallis 12-3-27-1,Peterson 10-3-24-0
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Hardwork, commitment key to earn respect
New Delhi, February 3 "Competition should not bother you, you should only think about your commitment, effort and contribution. This is what I tell my son — don't worry about what others are doing. When you do the right thing, the team will follow your example. Competition will always there," Tendulkar said. "When you work hard, luck swings your way. There will be challenges in life but when you work hard, you can overcome the challenges. So, don't think about luck, just focus on hard work. Performance will never be consistently upwards but strong people can overcome the lows," he said. On the importance of team work, Tendulkar said, "All the obstacles can be tackled when your are together. Even in the World Cup, we took it as just another tournament. We decided to stick to each other." Tendulkar, a Member of Parliament, said, "Balancing cricket and studies was my biggest challenge in my school days but my parents and my school, cooperated with me. It was challenging. "Once I played against Glenn McGrath and he bowled 6-7 maiden overs to me. I kept leaving the ball to try and be there." He said spending time with children cannot be bought by money and he loved it. — PTI
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New Delhi, February 3 Geeta bagged the silver in the 59-kg category after she failed to compete due to an injury in the final against China's Hui Li, while Bajrang lost to Devin Carter of Hokie Mat Club (1-1,0-2,3-0) in the 60-kg competition of the men's freestyle. Sandeep Tomar (55kg) was the bronze medal winner in free style event, being held at Colorado Springs. — PTI
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