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Dhoni’s bat does the Talking
Few can score 200 with this strike-rate: Kohli
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Ashwin fined for wearing batting pad with more logos
‘Indians showed how to bat on this pitch’
SA beat Pakistan by an innings
India’s refusal to use DRS cost them dearly in 1st innings, says Chappel
The boy from Valley
Messi completes Barcelona comeback against Sevilla
Erakovic wins Memphis title after ailing Lisicki retires
New Zealand’s Marina Erakovic poses with her guitar-shaped trophy after winning the U.S. National Indoor Championships on Saturday. — Reuters
Indian girls’ win gold; boys settle for silver
WINNING STREAK
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Dhoni’s bat does the Talking
Chennai, February 24 Dhoni has played a game-altering innings, blasting an unbeaten 206 off 243 balls, putting India ahead by 135 runs at the close of the third day’s play in the first Test. Virat Kohli completed his fourth Test century, too, and Sachin Tendulkar walked back with a brilliant 81 which shouldn’t be, can’t be worth any less than a century just because it was 19 runs short of 100. But it was Dhoni who changed the nature of the contest, almost in a flash. Consider this: when Dhoni walked in at the fall of Sachin Tendulkar’s wicket, India were under immense pressure. In the morning, Tendulkar and Kohli, guarding their wickets against James Pattinson, had added just 14 runs in 11 overs. Tendulkar’s dismissal — in the second over by off-spinner Nathan Lyon, dangerous only for a two overs in the morning — left India 184 runs behind Australia’s 380. At that stage, India desperately sought a match-saving innings. Dhoni responded with a match-winning one. Dhoni started with caution before taking charge. The greatest value of the defiance of Tendulkar and Kohli in the first hour lay in the shutting-out of Pattinson without damage. Lyon spun the ball dangerously, made a few rear and spit up, when he pitched it in the rough. That danger was banished when, after the exit of Tendulkar, Kohli and Dhoni began to use their feet to reach the ball and attack him. In Lyon’s fourth over of the day, Kohli swung a short one high over midwicket for a six; in his sixth of the day, Dhoni lofted one over mid-on and swept another for fours to instigate a stirring counterattack. Dhoni and Kohli began to hammer the bowling, even the below-his-quickest Pattinson, and captain Michael Clarke’s hopes now lay in the new ball; in 18.1 overs before it was taken, Dhoni and Kohli racked up 74 runs. But when Australia did take the new ball, the stream of runs became a torrent. In seven overs, the batsmen added 54 runs. Kohli hit the with grace and timing, Dhoni hit it with power manufactured as if out of thin air, employing his steely wrists and hand speed. Dhoni flowed with a rougher current, but all the more stronger for it. Kohli, in this frenetic passage of play that chipped away at Australian hopes, reached his century with a four off Pattinson; but he hit only one more four in his innings as he fell trying to hit Lyon for another four. Mitchell Starc at mid-on timed his lunge up and too his right perfectly; Kohli threw back his head, his mouth screwed up in a pained grimace. He knew he’d played a possibly match-saving innings; but with India still 56 runs behind, it was not a match-winning one on its own. To be termed match-winning, Kohli’s effort had to be aligned with an even greater one, which Dhoni proceeded to put up. Dhoni had partnerships of 128 with Kohli, 41 with Ravindra Jadeja (16), 34 with Harbhajan Singh (11) and an undefeated 106 with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (batting on 16). With his five partners until stumps, Dhoni had added 319 runs -- and the captain scored 206 of them. He was in supreme control today — in what’s called the ‘zone’ by sportspersons. When he went back to the dressing room at tea, he didn’t want to talk cricket; he knows his limited game perfectly, he didn’t want to discuss variables like the pitch, ball, bowling — it was bat against the ball. In his own conditions, he knew he was the master of the situation. At the other end, the struggles of No. 7 Jadeja, who could barely get the ball in front of square off the pacers, were sad and comical in equal measure; they cruelly exposed the worth of his two triple centuries in the just-ended Ranji Trophy season. Jadeja, the rockstar of the Twenty20 format, proud king at the flatbeds of his home ground, must raise his game several notches; to that, he must add Dhoni’s grit to be a success in Test cricket. Dhoni, once derided as a show pony, yet again has showed the strength of his character; criticism has fallen off him like water of a duck’s back. Failure, failed tactics, loss of great teammates hasn’t daunted him. In adversity — but in familiar playing conditions and a less potent attack than, say, England — he’s shown he’s second to none. That, despite batting second on this turning track, has given India a very real shot at victory against the world No. 3. twitter says WOW, M S Dhoni is going off here in Chennai, amazing batting — Shane Warne Great innings by MS Dhoni 206*. India in a strong position against the Aussies — Glenn McGrath Congratulations ! To IMVkohli and msdhoni on there spectacular knocks specially ms a double ton in test cricket is a memory — Yuvraj Singh What an innings msdhoni truly inspirational stuff. One of the best innings i have seen — Ajinkya Rahane Magnificent accomplishment. Proven the critics wrong. Clearly one of India's finest captains and wicket keeper-batsmen. —Darren Ganga
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Few can score 200 with this strike-rate: Kohli Chennai, February 24 After his first century, the 116, he lasted only 14 balls; after the first 103, only six; and another six after the second 103. Today, he lasted just seven balls after reaching his 100. Overall, in these four innings, after reaching his 100, he’s batted only 33 balls and scored 29 runs off them. Kohli is a tough player, but is it possible that after reaching his centuries, he tends to relax a bit? There seems to be evidence to this effect in One-day International cricket too. He’s got 13 centuries in ODIs, and seven of them are less than 110 runs; only three have gone beyond 120 runs, the pride of place going to the 183 against Pakistan in Dhaka last year. Statistics can lie — for instance, several of his ODI centuries have been curtailed by India’s wins — but he’s aware of the “block” he faces, at least in Test cricket. He’s a young man extremely conscious of his great abilities, and of the need to mark them in cricket with much longer, much more significant innings. “Yes, I was very disappointed on getting out… Usually when you get a hundred you want to make it big,” Kohli said today. “But the sort of block I am facing, when I get a hundred, I get out. I really want to get over that.” Curiously, three of his four century innings have ended with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the other end. After making his first century, Kohli was the last man out; but on the other occasions, he was sixth out with Dhoni batting on 54 at the other end; fifth out with Dhoni on 91; and again fifth out with Dhoni on 72. Today, he said, he knew he should have got more runs; he said he knows the match situation at that stage demanded greater patience. “As a batsman you love to get big runs… When you score a century under tough situations you do not want to throw it away,” he said. “Today I decided to go for that shot, that is why I did not hold myself back. I got too close to the ball and did not get elevation. One can only learn from mistakes and perhaps next time it will be different.” Kohli and Dhoni have got a good thing going — the last five innings they have batted together, they have added 122, 96*, 0, 198 and 128 runs. The last two have been in tough situation — against England in Nagpur, and now here. Kohli said he relishes playing with the captain. “When he bats like that, you do not have much to say,” Kohli chuckled. “It was brilliant batting, especially coming at the fall of Sachin… We needed to capitalise on the partnership between Sachin and me.” “The way he did it was usual to him… When he is in flow, he can hit the ball a mile,” Kohli continued. “During his double century, his scoring rate was 85, which is quite brilliant.” Kohli and Dhoni were helped by the Australian attack, which has proved to be inadequate for the situation. Australia’s management of their key pace bowler, James Pattinson, has also aroused curiosity. Yesterday, he bowled only six of 52 bowlers, despite breathing fire and putting India under great pressure. Today, Pattinson bowled 20 of the 89 overs sent down by his team, with spells lasting up to five overs. His pace was way below yesterday’s, rarely rising over the 145kmph mark. Finally, towards the end of play, Australia's came under severe pressure to complete their overs in time -- they were forced to bowl David Warner, Michael Clarke and the very expensive Nathan Lyon as they struggled to bowl 90 overs for the day. Kohli too thought Australia got their bowling attack wrong, picking up four quick bowlers and just one spinner. “Yes, we were a bit surprised by their decision, we thought Xavier (Doherty) would play this game,” Kohli asid. “We were really surprised to see three seamers in the squad (Apart from the allrounder Moises Henriques). It was a sort of good thing for us on such a wicket.” This could prove even more detrimental to Australia over the last two days, hinted Kohli. “If they had more slow bowlers, you could have seen the difference,” he said. live
on star cricket ( 9.30 am)
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Ashwin fined for wearing batting pad with more logos
Ashwin, who was the star Indian bowler in the Australian innings yesterday when he grabbed a career-best 7/103, was imposed the sanction for wearing a batting pad, which had more manufacturers' logos than permitted under ICC rules, when he batted on the third day. He was found to have breached Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel which relates to "breach of the ICC's Clothing and Equipment Regulations during an International Match". "The player exceeded the permitted number of manufacturers' logos when he walked onto the field with four logos on the straps of his batting pads," a statement from the ICC said. Ashwin accepted the Level 1 charge and the sanction proposed by Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. The charge against Ashwin was brought by on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Kumar Dharmasena and third umpire Vineet Kulkarni. Virat faced pacers from 20 yards for Oz Test: Coach
Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma is a happy man as the effort that his favourite student Virat Kohli put in at the nets prior to the Australia series has worked wonders for the player. “I had a specific strategy in mind for Virat so that he could counter the Australian quick bowlers. Since, it is very difficult to find quicks, who can consistently hit 140 kmph at the nets, I decided to shorten the length of the pitch from 22 yards to 20 yards," Sharma said. “The idea was to prepare for Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson, who would bowl in the 140 plus range. Shortening the pitch by two yards would mean that reaction time for the batsman would be less,” he said. — PTI |
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‘Indians showed how to bat on this pitch’
Chennai, February 24 "Dhoni played brilliantly and it was unbelievable. Most of the younger players are in the sub-continent for the first time and we can learn a lot from the way the Indian batsmen played today. It is a learning curve," Wade told reporters after day's play. "If we can take anything about the day today the last part of the innings and the partnership, there are runs in the pitch. I know that for sure. Of course the pitch will deteriorate and we expected it. We came here ten days before the Test and the pitch looked to be getting final finishes and we knew what is there for us," he added. Wade said their performance tomorrow will have bearing on the outcome of the series-opener. "If there is anything for us in this Test, it is coming tomorrow and getting those two wickets. If we take some quick wickets and bat on as long as we can, is important for us in the whole series. It is about how we back ourselves tomorrow as a team," he said. Wade said they never though that they will have easy time in India and such a fight was anticipated by them. "It is tough to play in the subcontinent. We were lucky to get Sachin wicket. MS played beautifully. I know we have some tough days. Hopefully we do not have more tough ones. "Individually we got to be ready for the remaining two days, especially the bowlers. We are fully soaked on the series and we know it is tough." Wade said they were not troubled by heat and the rotating the fast bowlers quickly was captain's decision. "Not at all. We are going to back our quick bowlers and Nathan. They have proven performances for Australia in the past in Test cricket. I think there is enough there for the quicks and for spinners as well. Reverse swing is hard to face in any condition and swing. That is the reason they are selected and hundred per cent we back our bowlers. We can bounce back when we come back in the innings," he asserted. Wade also downplayed the argument he had with Harbhajan when the Indian spinner was batting. "No, there was no row. I think he got hit on the pads and he said he was outside the line. There was nothing much and we moved on. There was definitely not a spite or anything like that. It was couple of ways of cricketing matter," he said. — PTI |
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SA beat Pakistan by an innings
Centurion, February 24 The Proteas bowled out the tourists for 235 in their second innings late on the third day of the final test. South Africa had made 409 batting first at Supersport Park and then blew Pakistan out for 156 in its first innings, with debutant seam bowler Kyle Abbott taking 7-29. Dale Steyn took 4-80 in the second innings and was backed up by Abbott (2-39) and Rory Kleinveldt (2-33), ensuring the South Africans didn’t have to bat again. Azhar Ali was run out for 27 to begin the afternoon slide as Pakistan went from 87-2 at the lunch break to 114-6 before Ahmed and Ajmal combined for an innings-steadying and unbeaten 62-run stand for the seventh wicket. Pakistan was still facing an uphill task to save the match and avoid losing the series against the top-ranked test team 3-0. South Africa made 409 batting first in the final test and bowled the Pakistanis out for 156 in their first innings to power toward a whitewash. South Africa also won the tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Dale Steyn ran out Ali and had 2-43 on Sunday, while Rory Kleinveldt had 2-33 to push South Africa toward another victory in its red-hot streak of form. Imran Farhat made 43, hitting five fours before he fell to a catch behind by wicketkeeper AB de Villiers off debutant fast bowler Kyle Abbott. Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq went in the next over to Kleinveldt as Pakistan lost those two wickets without adding a run. Asad Shafiq gave Kleinveldt his second wicket when he scooped a catch to Vernon Philander at mid-off to expose Pakistan’s long tail to the Proteas’ potent quick bowling attack. But Ahmed, who was 29 not out, and Ajmal (30 not out), reacted with a flurry of attacking shots for their half-century partnership as Pakistan held back the tide. Ahmed hit five fours, while spin bowler Ajmal connected for four fours and a six in his 30 from 48 balls. Pakistan had held off Proteas for most of opening session. — PTI
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India’s refusal to use DRS cost them dearly in 1st innings, says Chappel
Sydney, February 24 “Michael Clarke is a successful leader and he had a stroke of good fortune when he won the toss in the first Test in Chennai,” Chappell wrote in his column for News.com.au. “It was imperative Australia made a good start against a hesitant Indian side seeking to re-establish its reputation at home and batting first was the visitors' best chance on a grassless pitch," he added. “They say bad luck comes in threes but Clarke might believe it's more likely to be the good variety. He received another huge break when an inside edge went to pad but unlike the fieldsman, the umpire missed it and India's refusal to entertain the Decision Review System cost them dearly," he further wrote. Chappell added: "What could've been a perilous position for Australia became a solid one, not so much via a third slice of luck, but rather a cool head. There was always a good chance Clarke would succeed in India with his twinkle-toe footwork and commanding form." Australia scored 380 in the first innings with Clarke top scoring with 130. —ANI |
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The boy from Valley
Chandigarh, February 24 The Chief Minister of his home state can’t resist tweeting himself. And the BCCI officials have to repeat time and again their policy of promoting the game with every state association. Had Parvez Rasool been from any state other than Jammu and Kashmir, he would not have gone through all the hassle. But, when the Valley and the country is going through turbulent times, can he escape? All the 24-year-old promising cricketer from Bijbehara in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir knows is that he has an opportunity at hand to be the first sporting icon from the state. And he will not let it go.
Excerpts from the interview: Your
recent string of success has catapulted you in reckoning for Team India.
How do you see the last one year? It’s a tremendous feeling looking back at the season gone by. There is a sense of achievement, a sense of fulfillment and lots of enthusiasm, motivation to do well further. Especially, after you have worked hard and the results start to show. It’s an unparalleled feeling for a cricketer. But the next one year is going to be crucial for me, I have to be totally focused to play for India. What have you learned in past one year? To work harder, stay focused, prepare methodically and stay in positive frame of mind no matter how things are going for you. Seeing the international players during net sessions, I realized they are much, much more zealous to succeed. And then they prepare accordingly. How was the whole experience like? I was overwhelmed, the best time of my cricketing career. I couldn’t imagine myself with international players. Taking breakfast, lunch and dinner with them, I felt as one among them. Star players coming and congratulating you on domestic performance, it felt like all the hard work was worthwhile. Everyone was so cordial and they made you feel comfortable. The motivation they give before going out to day’s play fills you with pride and enthusiasm. Any specific player who helped you during those two warm-up games? Everyone is encouraging. But yes, Suresh Raina, (has his roots in Srinagar) particularly was very supportive. He motivated me and discussed how I should improve my bowling. If you make it to the Team India, what will your success mean to the state and the youth in general? For me it will be a very big achievement. A cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir making it to the Indian team will sprout further more players from the region to the national scene. A couple of junior cricketers from J&K are doing really well, seeing my success, they too are harbouring hopes. Importantly, their expectations from themselves have risen considerably. They no longer see themselves restricted to J&K only. It’s a very good sign for youth. What are the difficulties that a J&K player has to face if he aims to play for India? Is religion, politics a stumbling block? What has religion, politics to do with cricket. For my generation of cricketers the real problems are that of infrastructure, academies. The facilities are non-existent. There is only one stadium in the whole state. Players have to travel to and fro from Jammu and Srinagar. The weather permits only 4-6 months of active training. Most importantly, the youth have to choose between education and a career in cricket. In school colleges, the exams start just when the Ranji season begins. Either you play or sit in exams. I had to sacrifice two years of study (BA Arts) just to pursue my career. This talk of terrorism and politics hindering the game doesn’t mean much. People are saying that your selection is a well-planned strategy by the Government of India and BCCI to diffuse the tension in the valley. Your selection is a political ploy… Please, please, please, don’t bring in politics in cricket. They are two different things for me. I took seven wickets against Australian top order and scored runs against their top bowlers in the warm-up game. Where is the politics in it? Before that, I was one of the leading wicket-takers and top run scorers this Ranji season. Every player, who did well in the domestic circuit, was given an opportunity by the BCCI gave opportunity to, so did I. My performance and hardwork only will determine whether I deserve to play for India or not. Nothing else. You started as a wicketkeeper-batsman but by and by became an offspinner. Tell us about your early days as a cricketer? I belong to a family of cricketers. My father was district level player, while my elder brother has represented the state in Ranji Trophy. Whatever I am today is because of them and my childhood coaches Rajesh Dhar and Abdul Qayoom. In whatever conditions I have been they bestowed a lot of faith in my abilities. I remember Rajesh Sir telling me after an Under-17 match that one day I will play for India. I thought he was just boosting my morale but now it is very much a possibility and I am desperate to do it as soon as possible. IPL-VI and Deodhar Trophy are my next target. Parvez Ghulam Rasool Zargar |
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Pistorius brother faces trial over fatal car crash
Johannesburg, February 24 "Carl Pistorius, brother of Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, faces charges of culpable homicide after a 2008 road accident in which a woman motorcyclist sadly lost her life," the family said in a statement. His trial had been due to start last Thursday, a day before his Olympic and Paralympic hero brother, was granted bail on a charge of premeditated murder over the Valentine's Day killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. But his case has been adjourned to the end of March, meaning he will likely go on trial before his younger brother. The 28-year-old Carl "deeply regrets" the incident, the family said. "It was a tragic road accident after the deceased collided with Carl's car." He had no alcohol in his blood at the time of the accident, according to tests, the family added. Prosecutors reinstated the charges after they were initially dropped. Attorney Kenny Oldwage, who also represents Oscar Pistorius, had "no doubt" Carl was innocent, the statement added. The eNews Africa TV channel reported the accident happened in Vereeneging 60 kilometres south of Johannesburg. Oscar Pistorius, the 26-year-old double amputee athlete known as "Blade Runner", was released on one million rand ($112,770) bail on Friday. He is due back in court on June 4. He says the shooting of his 29-year-old girlfriend, a law graduate and cover girl who he had been dating since late last year, was an accident and that he mistook her for a burglar. Carl Pistorius, whose last known job was as at an events management company in 2010, was a constant presence in court last week to support his brother during four-day bail hearing in Pretoria, along with his sister Aimee and father Henke. When Oscar broke down crying in the dock, Carl would lean forward and put his hand on his brother's shoulder. Relatives of the slain model have lashed out at the Pistorius family, with her uncle Michael criticising them for failing to contacting the Steenkamp family after the shooting. "They have not offered their condolences, nor made a simple phone call to us," he told the City Press newspaper on Sunday, although the Pistorius family did send a bouquet of flowers and a card. Meanwhile, City Press said a substance found in Pistorius's luxury Pretoria home during a police search was an over-the-counter herbal sexual stimulant. The prosecution had said during Pistorius's bail hearing that police found two boxes of "testosterone" and needles, but the defence countered that it was a legal herbal remedy known as testocompasutium coenzyme. City Press said the remedy was a combination of vitamins, herbal cures partly derived from animal organs. Sports physician Jon Patricios told the paper the product is used to boost sexual energy, but athletes are not advised to use it since it may increase their testosterone levels. "This is not an anabolic steroid and it is unlikely it will lead to irrational anger," he said. The National Prosecuting Authority said it was awaiting results of forensic tests to determine what the product is. The International Paralympic Committee said the athlete – who became a hero as the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics last year – was tested twice during the London Paralympics in 2012 and tested negative. South Africa's Sunday Times newspaper also said a new investigation team had visited Pistorius's house on Friday and would investigate his apparent links with a network that used recreational drugs. City Press also said the Steenkamp family has hired a private eye to follow the probe into her killing, quoting the investigator Lance Epstein. Since the shooting, Pistorius's career has come to a halt and he has lost endorsement contracts with Nike, sunglasses maker Oakley and French cosmetics firm Clarins. Despite his success on the track, he has had a rocky private life with stories of rash behaviour, beautiful women, and a love of guns and fast cars. — AFP |
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Messi completes Barcelona comeback against Sevilla
Madrid, February 24 Barca were stunned 2-0 away in a Champions League last 16 first leg on Wednesday and Sevilla played a similar gameplan to the Italians, denying the hosts space and breaking to take the lead just before halftime. David Villa and World Player of the Year Messi completed the second-half comeback to leave Barca top with 68 points from 25 games, 15 ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who host Espanyol on Sunday. Real Madrid are third with 52 points after also having to come from behind to beat bottom side Deportivo La Coruna 2-1 with late goals from Kaka and Gonzalo Higuain. Both Real and Barca, who meet in a Cup semi-final second leg at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, with the tie level at 1-1, struggled as they fielded weakened sides to rest key players. "We knew we hadn't played a good first half and needed more," Barca's Argentine defender Javier Mascherano told Spanish television. "In the second half, we played with a greater intensity and luckily we got a quick equaliser. "We have a game that is like a final on Tuesday and we have a slight advantage. They are a great rival and we still have to finish the job." Sevilla, who need to overturn a 2-1 deficit in their semi-final at home to Atletico on Wednesday, had also rested players but struck against the run of play when Alberto Botia rose above Dani Alves to nod past Victor Valdes in the 42nd minute. Barca improved in the second period and Alves crossed for Villa to head the equaliser in the 52nd. — Reuters |
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Erakovic wins Memphis title after ailing Lisicki retires
Memphis, February 24 Erakovic confidently raced to a 6-1 first-set victory, and the title was hers when the struggling Lisicki retired. The big-hitting German had been battling an undisclosed illness for several days. In men's action in this combined ATP and WTA event, fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan advanced to Sunday's final after a short day's work. He had won the first set against Marinko Matosevic 6-4 when the Australian retired with a bone bruise on the bottom of his right foot. "He was playing well from the beginning," Nishikori said. "It's lucky for me to play just one set and feel fresh for tomorrow." Nishikori will take on Spain's Feliciano Lopez for the title. Lopez beat Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Erakovic, who was runner-up to Sofia Arvidsson in Memphis last year, fired four aces and converted both of her break point opportunities in racing through the first set in 27 minutes. Her run to the championship match had included a second-round revenge victory over Arvidsson. While she was sorry the match didn't go the distance she still savored her first WTA crown, which she said she planned to celebrate by going sky-diving with her coach. "This is my first title and unfortunately it did go like this," she said. "But Sabine congratulations .... I hope we really do play a lot more finals in the future." Lisicki offered apologies to the fans. "I'm sorry that I wasn't able to finish the match," she said. "I was sick the last few days... I just couldn't do better today. Marina played a great match." The last New Zealander to win a WTA title was Belinda Cordwell in Singapore in 1989. — AFP |
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squash
Seoul, February 24 The Indian girls beat Hong Kong China 2-1 in a close tie. Lakshya Ragavendran, the hero of Indian team in the semifinal, where she won the decider against Malaysia, played the first match. She was out of sorts and failed to match the pace of a relentless attacking player in Ho Tze Lok. Her team trailing, the most consistent Indian player, Anaka Alankamony stamped her authority over Hong Kong number one player Ho Ka Po 3-0 in quick time. The stage was then set for an exciting thriller. Aparajitha Balamurukan, who did not have a good match in the semifinals, was thoroughly charged up for the final. From the word go, Aparajitha played a high-paced attacking game laced with some delicate drops every now and then. Aparajitha never relented as she won the decider 3-0 and got India their second win at the Asian Junior Women's Team Championship after a 10-year wait. The Indian boys faced their Pakistani counterparts immediately after the girls' final match and lost 0-2. Deepak Mishra played the first match and never really got going as he lost in straight games. Mahesh Mangaonkar was then up against Ali Bokhari. It was an extremely physical match with both players testing each other's resolve. It was touch and go with both players sharing the first four games. In the fifth, it was neck and neck upto the halfway point before Ali reeled off winners to take the match and title. — IANS
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WINNING STREAK New Delhi, February 24 In the Round 2 last-round matches, the Indian men blasted Bangaldesh 5-1 while the women got the better of Russia 1-0. Ireland and Japan became the other teams, in the men’s and women’s section respectively, to make the Round 3 cut. Indian men will play their Round 3 matches in Holland while the women’s venue was yet to be decided. The Hockey World League, launched by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) last year, is the qualification round for the 2014 World Cup. The Indian men were given a rude jolt when Md. Rahman Mamunur Chayan cleanly swept home off their first penalty corner in the sixth minute to put Bangladesh ahead. The hosts then launched a furious assault on the rival goal and was rewarded when V.R.Raghunath deflected in a pass from the top of the circle in the 15th minute. Four minutes before half time, Rupinderpal Singh scooped home off the second penalty corner. India maintained pressure on resumption, and struck three more goals to sign off on a gallant note, they could convert only one of the six penalty corners they earned. The Indian girls’ qualification route was cleared by Japan earlier in the day when they blanked Malaysia 4-0. India had suffered their only defeat at the hands of Japan via ie-breaker shootout, after playing a 2-2 draw during regulation time, on Friday. Today, the tall Russian girls proved to be a tough nut to crack, though India, with their agile stick work, eventually managed to fox the visitors when Rani Ramphal hit high into the goal, after trapping a pass relayed from the top of the box by Soundarya Yendala, in the 17th minute. Joydeep Kaur of India was adjudged the player of the tournament, which carried a cash prize of Rs 1
lakh.
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Daytona Beach, Florida, February 24 Joie Chitwood, president of Daytona International Speedway, said 14 injured fans had been transported from the circuit for treatment at local hospitals and 14 more were treated at the track's medical facility. He said he could not confirm reports that at least two people were seriously hurt and that one was taken immediately for surgery. "It's not appropriate for me to comment on that," Chitwood said. The wreck, which occurred almost as Tony Stewart was taking the chequered flag for victory, began when Regan Smith turned sideways and a dozen cars bunched behind him. “My fault," admitted Smith. "I threw a block." Larson, making his first start in NASCAR's second-tier series, was launched into the catch-fencing. Larson's car tore a hole in the fence separating the track from the stands. His engine sheared off with at least one tire and other debris flying into the grandstand. "I looked in the mirror and that's the worst image I've ever seen in a race in my life," Stewart said. A fan who identified himself only as "Tyler" sent amateur video to ESPN and spoke with the sports network about the frightening scene. “I saw a tire about 10 feet from me, just a row above me with a man under it and people yelling for help," he said in a telephone interview. "Our prayers and thoughts are with everybody they are working on," NASCAR President Mike Helton said of those being treated by emergency medical personnel. None of the drivers involved in the crash was injured, but driver Michael Annett was hospitalized with chest bruising after hitting a safety barrier in an earlier crash in the race. "We've always known since racing started this is a dangerous sport," a subdued Stewart said. "As much as we want to celebrate, I'm more concerned about the fans and the drivers right now."— AFP
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Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s power, of mind and body, is a thing of wonder. The physicality of his batting is overpowering; the power of his mind is compelling. The mix is a potent thing that washes away the frailty and, dare we say, the ugliness of his batting technique. The use of the bottom hand in his batting is extreme, ungainly — the end effect, though, is more gripping, more effective than a hundred lazy cover drives that please the eye but don’t alter a match.
Marina Erakovic became the first New Zealander since 1989 to win a WTA title on Saturday, lifting her first career trophy with a truncated triumph over third-seeded German Sabine Lisicki in Memphis.
Erakovic confidently raced to a 6-1 first-set victory, and the title was hers when the struggling Lisicki retired.
Chennai, February 24
