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Ashes-2013
Arthur, Cricket Australia end their dispute
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India have the belief to defend their title: Kapil
Lanka win last ODI to take series 4-1
It was my best show, says Aditya Mehta
Saina to spearhead Indian challenge in World C’ship
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Ashes-2013
Manchester, July 31 The losses come on the back of a 4-0 series loss in India earlier this year, leaving Australia winless in six successive Tests -- their worst run of results since a similarly dire streak against a powerful West Indies side back in 1984. Five games into that run, a tearful Kim Hughes resigned as Australia captain. But Clarke said he had no intention of following suit — or calling time on his Test career any time soon. “I’m not retiring in the near future,” he said in Manchester, where the third Test starts at Old Trafford on Thursday. “I’m like every other player — you get frustrated that you don’t make as many runs as you would like and get frustrated that the team’s not having success but that only makes the challenge more exciting I guess. “I want to help this team have success. I want to make sure I’m leading the way and scoring runs and I’m 32 and not 36, so luckily I’ve got a few years before I have that discussion.” Clarke, who has had to deal with a longstanding back complaint throughout his career, added: “I’m not ready to walk away from cricket. “I love the game as much now as I ever have that’s for sure. I have no intention to walk away from this game right now. “As a captain you probably take it more personally when the team doesn’t have as much success as you would like, which probably just makes me work harder.” Not since an Australia side inspired by batting great Don Bradman has any team come from 2-0 down to win a five-match Ashes series. Australia suffered a 347-run thrashing in the second Test at Lord’s but Clarke believed that all was not lost. “We’ve got to play better cricket but like I said after Lord’s I’m confident we can turn it around I really am, I’m confident we can win these next three Test matches and win the series,” he said. Neither Clarke -- a world-class batsman who averages over 51 in Tests -- nor anyone else in the Australia side have yet made a hundred this series with the tourists’ top-order woes a key cause for concern. “I think you’ve got to give credit to England as well,” said Clarke. “They’re bowling very well with reverse swing and their spinners are doing a very good job at the moment. Their batters are finding a way to get through the very tough periods and make big scores. “That’s the difference at the moment.” England have never won an Ashes series 5-0 but have twice been on the receiving end of a whitewash, most recently in Australia in 2006/7. Current England captain Alastair Cook — on the 2006/7 tour as a 21-year-old — said that was a chastening experience. But he added that more recent Ashes history was a warning against complacency. In 2009, England were 1-0 up with two to play when Australia hammered them by an innings and 80 runs in the fourth Test at Headingley. England recovered to win the fifth Test at The Oval by 197 runs to regain the Ashes but the Headingley experience should be a warning not to get carried away. “We’ve got to concentrate in doing that first hour very well on Thursday, followed by the next hour,” he said. “That’s very boring but if you start thinking about other stuff, we’ve experienced it in the past. “I think Headingley in 2009 was a prime example of that. We didn’t play very well in that game. We knew if we played well in that game, we would have won the Ashes. It’s about making sure we are totally on it for this match.”
— Reuters |
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Arthur, Cricket Australia end their dispute
Melbourne, July 31 The South African was replaced by Darren Lehmann just over two weeks before the Ashes series with England began on July 10 after a string of poor results and ill-discipline in the squad. He launched an unfair dismissal claim, demanding US$3.6 million in compensation or reinstatement, saying he was forced to take legal action because Cricket Australia officials had failed to get in touch with him following his sacking. However, a confidential settlement has now been agreed. “Both Mickey and CA agree that it is unfortunate that the dispute was not settled prior to the issuing of legal proceedings,” they said in Wednesday’s statement. “Both parties agree that a resolution now is in the interests of the Australian cricket team and cricket generally in Australia. “Cricket Australia appreciates the efforts that Mickey applied to his coaching role, and wishes him the very best in his future career.” In a separate statement, Arthur added: “I am very happy with the financial settlement we have reached with Cricket Australia. “It was a real pity I had to launch legal proceedings but I’m glad we came to a
settlement.” — Reuters |
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Confusion in BCCI after High Court’s scathing observations
Mumbai, July 31 There is speculation that BCCI president N Srinivasan, in exile since early June, has taken over. Interim president Jagmohan Dalmiya today said in Kolkata that he too was clueless. “I’m totally in dark about what’s happening at the Board. I’ve not been communicated anything. I’m just hearing all these in news reports,” he said. “Perhaps I’ll find out after going there (on August 2) for the Working Committee Meeting in New Delhi,” Dalmiya Significantly, in its judgement yesterday, the court observed that prima facie, it can be made out that Srinivasan was involved in the formation of the panel that was to investigate charges against his IPL team owners/management, including his son-in-law G Meiyappan. “On this issue the most that can be said in favour of the petitioner at this stage and in this proceeding is that it has made out a prima-facie case that Srinivasan was involved in the formation of the commission,” the bench said. The judgement that left BCCI with no place to hide On BCCI plea that members of the IPL Code of Behavior Committee were not available. There is no reason furnished as to why they (two others who were available, Ravi Shastri and Arun Jaitely) were not appointed on the commission. There is no explanation why BCCI did not appoint them. The Respondent (Cricket Board) did not even ask them to be on the commission. On BCCI reply that Shastri travels a lot in his role as a commentator There is nothing to indicate that he could not have spared a single day… After all, as mentioned by the lawyers, the commission sat on only one day and closed the enquiry on the same day. The most important point is the fact that Ravi Shastri’s name appears on the IPL Code of Behaviour Committee and it must be presumed that he would be in a position to discharge his function as a member of the committee. It was not suggested that there were any special reasons why the other members of the IPL Code of Behaviour committee were not available on this occasion. The burden was on BCCI to aver and prove that no member from the IPL Code of Behaviour Committee was available to be appointed. On BCCI contention that the petition was untenable The petitioner has alleged that the constitution of the commission was contrary to the rules and regulations. That is sufficient in the facts of this case to permit the petitioner to raise this contention. No evidence is required as far as the petitioner is concerned in support of this contention. On N Srinivasan’s role in formation of probe panel On this issue the most that can be said in favour of the petitioner at this stage and in this proceeding is that it has made out a prima-facie case that Srinivasan was involved in the formation of the commission. The least that must be said in favour of the petitioner is that the respondents have not established that Srinivasan had no role to play in the formation of the commission.
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Series won, India look to bring in bench-warmers
Bulawayo, July 31 The convincing seven-wicket win in the third ODI gave India the series title, reducing the remaining two ODIs to academic interest and that could prompt the team management to experiment with the combination. The Indians may look to rest some of the key players and give an opportunity to Cheteshwar Pujara, Parveez Rasool, Mohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane as they have not played a single match in the series. India might look to bring Rahane as one of the openers and give Pujara a chance to lend support to the middle order, while Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder Rasool may get a look-in in place of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja or Amit Mishra. However, it will be difficult for pacer Mohit to make his way to a team which already has youngsters Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Shami doing reasonably well. Whether skipper Virat Kohli hands Mohit his ODI debut by resting R Vinay Kumar, who has been a trifle disappointing, remains to be seen. Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan has been the run-getters in the series, while Ambati Rayudu did well to score 101 runs in the three ODIs that he has played. However, the series has not gone well for Rohit Sharma who could manage only 35 runs in the three matches so far and he will look to get his touch back in the remaining ODIs, if he is persisted with. In the bowling department, Amit Mishra has been the most successful bowler in the series, scalping nine wickets, while young pacers Jaydev and Shami too have contributed well to compliment India’s batting strength.
— PTI TODAY’S Match |
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India have the belief to defend their title: Kapil
Melbourne, July 31 Indian sides have notoriously played like champs at home and chumps overseas, but Kapil thinks the country’s triumph at this year’s Champions Trophy in the United Kingdom could prove to be a pivotal moment on the road to the game’s showpiece event in early 2015. “I think recently it’s happening, they start believing, it’s the self-belief,” Kapil said at the tournament launch on Tuesday. “I think the Champions Trophy, winning it, has given them a very big strength within themselves. “We are just hoping we carry on playing the way we are playing,” he said. Kapil said the influx of international players to India for the annual IPL tournament and the subsequent exchange of thoughts and ideas on the game had helped change the mindset of India’s cricketers. “I think possibly the thought processes have changed and that’s a good thing for the Indian team,” he said. A key reason behind India’s struggles in Australia in particular has been their inability to adapt to different conditions and while Kapil admitted that would be an issue, he felt his country still had the ability to become just the third team in history to achieve back-to-back World Cup titles. “Our team looks quite good, they have the ammunition to win the World Cup so I hope they can play good cricket,” Kapil said. “It’s very tough to win in Australia because the conditions is not exactly the way Indian teams like to have but I think they have the team that can win the World Cup.
— Agencies |
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Lanka win last ODI to take series 4-1 Colombo, July 31 The hosts put up a massive 308-run target after electing to bat and then shot the Proteas out for 179 in 43.5 overs in the day-night match at the Premadasa stadium. AB de Villiers played a captain's knock of 51, but could not prevent South Africa from being condemned to their 13th defeat in 15 one-dayers on Sri Lankan soil. — Agencies Brief scores: Sri Lanka 307-4 in 50 overs (T Dilshan 99, L Thirimanne 68, K Sangakkara 75 not out); South Africa 179 all out in 43.5 overs (AB de Villiers 51; Lakmal 3-24, A Mendis 3-36)
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IBL gives money but takes away their voice
Mumbai, July 31 “It has been decided that only BAI president (Akhilesh Das Gupta) and Ashish Chada (CEO of the league’s commercial partner Sporty Solutionz) will issue statements. Clauses have been inserted into the contracts for officials and players,” a top source said. Controversy erupted after Jwala Gutta and her former doubles partner Ashwini Ponnappa, bronze medalists in the 2011 World Championship and title winners in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, lashed out at the IBL after their base price was slashed to half just before the start of the auction. Jwala and Ponnappa were two of the six icon players who went under the hammer, but just hours before the auction, the IBL decided to reduce their base price from $50,000 (Rs 29,86,264) to $25,000 (14,93,125) after consultation with the six franchises. In the auction, Jwala went to Krrish Delhi Smashers for $31,000 (Rs 18,51,520), while Pune Pistons bagged Ashwini for $ 25,000. “When you sign a contract stating that you are an icon player, who wouldn’t be sad or feel cheated or let down. I have promoted IBL like no other player. I have been to many cities to promote it. I thought icon players will be treated equally,” a miffed Jwala had said soon after the action. A couple of days later she said she was still happy to be a part of IBL and will let her racquet speak for her on the badminton court. “The minimum thing we expected was to be informed. Nevertheless, I am very happy to be part of IBL. I am very much looking forward to it.”
— PTI |
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It was my best show, says Aditya Mehta
New Delhi, July 31 Mehta made the whole country proud when he became the first Indian to win the World Games title after comfortably defeating his higher-ranked Chinese opponent and pre-tournament favourite, Liang Wenbo, in the summit clash of the quadrennial event on Tuesday. “This is my career’s best performance. I am delighted with this win,” said an elated Mehta. “Fantastic day...A long awaited dream come true!!” Mehta later tweeted. This is also India’s first medal since badminton star Prakash Padukone’s bronze in the inaugural edition of the World Games in 1981 and only second for the country in the history of the Games. The Mumbai cueist, who won silver and bronze medals at the 2010 Asian Games, was in top form throughout the five-day tournament and easily defeated his opponent in the final. Mehta, the world ranked 74th, managed to beat World No.64 Dechawat Poomjaeng, who had defeated another Indian and eight-time world champion Pankaj Advani 3-1 in the quarterfinals, and World No.19 Joe Perry en route his title triumph. Mehta proved his class once again and did not give his Chinese opponent a chance to make much of an impact in the final. Mehta made his intentions clear from the opening frame where he cracked a break of 84 points to gain the initial lead.
— PTI |
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Somdev stuns world No. 25
Washington, July 31 The world No. 129 Indian rode on his aces to beat the ninth seed Ukranian Dolgopolov in the second round battle. Somdev, who has a career-best ranking of 62, blasted nine aces, compared to five by world No. 25 Dolgopolov. Somdev double faulted just once, compared to Dolgopolov’s eight. The 28-year-old, who had to make his way through the qualifiers, is likely to take on the eighth seed John Isner on Thursday in the last 16. “I’m very happy. That guy is a tough player, no question. I played really well in the beginning. He fought back in the second set, but my serving kept me in the match,” Somdev said.
— PTI |
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Saina to spearhead Indian challenge in World C’ship
New Delhi, July 31 Thirteenth seed Parupally Kashyap is expected to make the pre-quarterfinal cut where he is likely to meet sixth seed Yun Hu of Hong Kong. Ajay Jayaram will have a tough opener against Wing Ki Wong of Hong Kong. In the women’s doubles, Ashwini Ponnappa would be teaming up with Pradnya Gadre. In the mixed doubles, three pairs have qualified, though the pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju have pulled out of the championship. “I don’t want to think too far ahead,” Saina said. “I had been working very hard for the last few weeks and I hope to be at my best in China.” Chief coach P Gopi Chand said of the team: “In the form they are, I am confident of a good showing in Guangzhou.” |
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