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Laxman, Chopra save India the blushes
There was chance for result, says Dravid
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| India outplayed in all areas When sage Valmiki scripted the great Ramayana, Laxman’s absence enabled Ravana to abduct Sita. But on Monday, VVS Laxman stood right in the middle of the PCA stadium to make sure that India end the Test series against New Zealand on an even basis.
More stories on Chandigarh page
Badani replaces Ganguly for Ist
two one-dayers Aussies beat Zimbabwe by 9 wickets
Punjab eves in hockey, handball semifinals
Punjab boys 3rd in youth basketball PU finish 3rd in handball Suraj Lata to lead hockey team
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Laxman, Chopra save India the blushes
Chandigarh, October 20 But as the things turned out at the PCA Stadium at Mohali on the last day of the Test, New Zealand managed to inflict a huge psychological blow on their opponents having made the hosts to follow on in their second innings and then see them struggle to save the Test and the series. V V S Laxman and Akash Chopra hung on for long enough as India managed a draw. Lanky seamer Daryl Tuffy, declared the man of the match, wrecked the Indian innings with twin strikes after Anil Kumble and Harbhajan were run out early in the mornings as India resumed from their overnight score of 390 for six. He sent back Balaji and Zaheer Khan, both of whom edged away-going deliveries to be caught in an identical fashion behind the stumps as India were bundled out for 424 in the first innings, falling short of the follow-on target. Made to bat again in the second innings, India immediately found themselves into a hole. Tuffy, who swung the ball both ways and got it to bounce, immediately jolted the Indian innings, claiming the wickets of Sehwag and Dravid as India went in for lunch break at 12 for two. Bigger disappointment was in store for the hosts as Tuffy struck again, castling Tendulkar, reducing India to 18 for three. The loss of one or two more wickets at this juncture would have spelled doom for the hosts. There was a real danger of India, dubbed “invincible” at home, losing the series to a side which, unlike their counterparts, does not boast of any stars among their ranks but relies on the teamwork. V V S Laxman showed enough resolve and skill when his team needed it the most. Laxman, later adjudged the man of the series, played a priceless innings, displaying exemplary concentration and application. Young Delhi opener Akash Chopra rose to the occasion and complemented his senior partner remarkably well. Chopra, who later drew praise from the stand-in skipper Rahul Dravid for his skills and doggedness, looked unperturbed. Firmly holding on to one end he added 110 runs for the fourth wicket with Laxman, which, in the final analysis proved decisive for the fate of the match. This was Chopra’s second successive half century of the match after fine 60 he made in the first innings. Yuvraj and Laxman saw off the remaining over without further damage as the team was able to salvage a draw. The Black Caps, in fact, maintained their stranglehold over the Test throughout, barring for a short period on the third day when Virender Sehwag was in full flow along with Chopra in the first innings. One wonders what would have been the fate of the series had the rival seam attack been more experienced. Tuffy was playing his 16th Test, while for the other seamer Ian Butler it was only his fifth Test. Or if the Kiwis had declared their innings earlier and not carried it into the third day, allowing a longer time to their bowlers to have a go at the rival batting. Tuffy had a match haul of seven wickets on the track on which the Indian seamers remained wicketless. Scoreboard New Zealand (1st innings): 630 for 6 decl India (1st inngs) Chopra c Astle b Tuffey 60 Sehwag b Styris 130 Dravid c Hart b Butler 13 Tendulkar c Richardson Laxman not out 104 Yuvraj c Hart b Tuffey 20 Patel c Richardson Kumble run out Tuffey 5 Harbhajan run out Butler 8 Balaji c Hart b Tuffey 4 Khan c Hart b Tuffey 0 Extras:
(b-2, lb-1, nb-2, w-2) 7. Total: ( all out, 172 overs) 424. Fall of wicket:
1-164, 2-208, 3-218, 4-330, 5-364, 6-388, 7-396, 8-408, 9-424, 10-424. Bowling:
Tuffey 29-5-80-4, Butler 35-7-116-1, Styris 19-7-40-1, Vettori 56-24-84-2, Wiseman 32-7-95-0, McMillan 1-0-6-0. India (2nd inngs) Chopra c Richardson b Sehwag c Fleming b Tuffey 1 Dravid c Fleming b Tuffey 5 Tendulkar b Tuffey 1 Laxman not out 67 Yuvraj not out 5 Extras:
(lb-4, w-1) 5. Total: (4 wkts, 69 overs) 136 Fall of wickets:
1-6, 2-12, 3-18, 4-128. Bowling: Tuffey 14-4-30-3, Butler 5-1-12-0, Vettori 23-8-40-0, Styris 4-2-4-0, Wiseman 17-6-37-1, McMillan 6-3-9-0. |
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There was chance for result, says Dravid Chandigarh, October 20 Complimenting their batting, Dravid said New Zealand batted very well. The conditions also were good for batting at that time. “The wicket did something on the fourth and fifth days,” he said. Backing his spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, who did not get much against the rival batsmen, Dravid said he would have loved to see how the two bowl on the last two days of the match. Dravid had words for praise for Delhi opener who scored half centuries in both the innings. “Akash showed all qualities as an opener. His both knocks came at a crucial time. Maybe with him ends India’s long search for an opener, “ he stated. Heaping praise on Hyderabad batsman V.V.S Laxman, he said he batted superbly in both the innings. Lamenting that the series ended in draw, he said the series should have minimum three Tests. “I really enjoyed my bowling,” said man of the match Daryl Tuffy. He, however, said he was disappointed with the result. After taking crucial wickets early, there was a chance to force the result, the lanky seamer said conceding, however, that the India had a very formidable middle order. “He is a volcano and can explode any moment. I hope it does no happen against us in the one-day series,” he replied when queried about the form of master batsman Sachin Tendulkar. About the Indian bowlers, he said: “I though (Laxmipati) Balaji bowled very well. The two spinners were consistent but there was nothing much for the bowlers in this series.” He was happy with the way he ran Anil Kumble out today. He dived to his left and with a backhand flick, ran the leg-spinner out. “I had a terrible day yesterday as the ball was not sticking to my hand. I wanted to save some runs for the team.” About the tri-series he said, “Well we are here to play and win.” |
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India outplayed in all areas When sage Valmiki scripted the great Ramayana, Laxman’s absence enabled Ravana to abduct Sita. But on Monday, VVS Laxman stood right in the middle of the PCA stadium to make sure that India end the Test series against New Zealand on an even basis. Like I mentioned yesterday, India were thoroughly outplayed in all departments of the game and this will haunt the home side for some time to come. India had an impeccable record on home but sadly New Zealand left a huge blot on it before leaving for Chennai. More than lifting the man of the series award, Laxman would have breathed a sigh of relief for having proved that he now commands a proper place in the Indian scheme of things. The wristy Hyderabadi performed the duty of a senior batsman with consummate ease, not allowing the follow-on setback to build on him and showed immense character to soak pressure singlehandedly. Akash Chopra proved a faithful lieutenant to Laxman till he was forced to part company after David Sheppard erred in judging a bat pad appeal. Chopra is improving with every outing and looks a good prospect for Aussie conditions. He has plenty of time to work on necessary technical adjustments before the tour Down Under and hopefully he stands on par to the expectations of the team management. My man for Monday is Daryl Tuffey. The big man decided he hasn’t done much for his team on the tour yet and chose to redeem himself by giving the final-day jitters to the opposition and almost clinched the issue. Tuffey bowls much within himself, keeps pegging on the off-stick line for most part of the day and gets that seam to land straight up near the batsmen’s hesitant front foot. He will particularly remember Sachin’s ‘through the gates’ dismissal, as much the master batsman himself for contrasting reason. The run out deserves a special mention too. I haven’t seen many fast bowlers so quick on their feet, agile and fit enough to field at gully but Tuffey is a good exception. On a closing note, the last five days saw some great individual performances but if only the wicket has been a bit more responsive to the bowlers, we could have witnessed a brilliant finale for an engrossing twin Test matches.
— Dronacharya Sports Promoters Association. |
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Chopra’s baptism of fire Chandigarh, October 20 But what must have raised the morale of the Indian team as they prepare for the tough and demanding tour of Australia later this year is the display of two players, opener Akash Chopra, playing in only his second Test, and V.V.S. Laxman, whose unbeaten century in the first innings and half century in the second at Mohali proved once again that in this middle-order batsman there is somebody in the squad who is willing to stand up and be counted. For long India has been in quest of a dependable opening Test batsman and a number of players have been tried for the slot. However, all failed to deliver even somebody like Shiv Sunder Das of Orissa who has had a fairly long stint at that slot. Even Akash Chopra and his Delhi team-mate Gautam Gambhir were in contention for the solitary slot prior to the commencement of this series. Akash got the nod of the selectors and has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. The form shown by the 26-year-old stockily built Akash, who had scores of 42 and 31 in the Ahmedabad match and 60 and 52 at Mohali, should do Indian cricket a lot of good in the long run. Of course he has still to learn a lot but a good beginning is half the task done. His technique and temperament are commendable and if he can pick up tips from his Delhi captain Sehwag then he can serve Indian cricket for quite some time. Today in their second innings, the hosts lost three batsman, all super stars, with just 18 runs on the board. In ordinary circumstances any batsman, specially a novice, on the other end would have been rattled to committing an unforced error as the Kiwis, specially Darryl
Tuffey, were bowling with their tails up. But Chopra kept his cool, put his head down and gave admirable support to Laxman, whose batting today can be compared with his display at the Eden Garden against Australia nearly two years ago. In fact, it were these two who saved India’s blushes. In the first innings Laxman remained unbeaten on 104 as India were all out for 424, still six runs short of avoiding the follow-on, while in the second his 67 not out should be seen in the context of Virendra
Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar losing their wickets in quick succession and where they were forced to committing errors by some unplayable deliveries. If in the Indian first innings Sachin Tendulkar’s shakiness and tentativeness had an effect on Laxman’s batting on Sunday, today it was he who showed Chopra that the Kiwi bowling could be tackled, and tackled effectively. Laxman’s form deserted him only in the tour of New Zealand early this year when he had a pair in the first Test at Wellington and scores of 23 and four at Hamilton but otherwise he has shown remarkable consistency with the bat.In fact, his poor form with the bat in New zealand probably cost him a place in the World Cup squad but now the selectors have made amends as India now take on the Kiwis and Australia in a tri-series beginning on October 23. |
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New Delhi, October 20 “It is a flat track. Even I could go there and score a ton,” said the former left-arm speedster who was here to sign a deal with ESPN-Star Sports and join their commentary team. The second cricket Test between India and New Zealand at Mohali has seen bowlers toil on a track that has little life, while helping the bastmen to the hilt. — PTI
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Badani replaces
Ganguly for Ist two one-dayers Mohali: Hemang Badani will replace skipper Sourav Ganguly in the Indian team for the first two one-day matches of the tri-series tournament beginning on Thursday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Monday. ‘‘Ganguly has been ruled out of the first two matches and Hemang Badani will replace him in the side,” BCCI secretary S.K. Nair said in a note released here. He also said vice-captain Rahul Dravid would lead the side in the absence of Ganguly, who is recovering in Kolkata after undergoing two minor surgeries to cure an abscess in his left thigh. India take on New Zealand in the opening matches at Chennai on Thursday and will meet world champions Australia at Gwalior on October 26.
— TNS |
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Aussies beat Zimbabwe
by 9 wickets Sydney, October 20 Katich, playing only his second cricket Test and the first in over two years since his debut, took a Test-best 6-65. Record-breaking opener Hayden smashed 101 off 85 balls to notch his 16th Test century and shared an unbroken 151-run with Ricky Ponting, 53 not out, as Australia scored 172 for one to win the second Test inside four days. Australia won the series 2-0 after Hayden struck a record 380 runs and set up Australia’s innings and 175-run victory in the first Test in Perth last week. Ponting top scored with 169 in Australia’s first innings 403 all out and won man-of-the-match honours with his half century in the second innings. Zimbabwe scored 308 and 266 in its two innings. Hayden blazed three sixes and 11 fours, including a six off offspinner Gavin Ewing to reach his hundred and boost Australia to 171 for one. Ponting then took a single to complete the win. The lopsided series will be long remembered for the batting heroics of Hayden, who toppled West Indian Brian Lara’s 375 - the highest individual test innings - that had stood for nine years.
Scoreboard Zimbabwe (1st Innings): 308 Australia (1st Innings): 403 Zimbabwe (2nd innings): Ebrahim c Katich b Williams 0 Gripper c Hayden b Katich 47 Vermeulen c Waugh b Williams 48 Carlisle c Williams b Katich 5 Wishart std Gilchrist b Katich 45 Taibu c Ponting b Katich 35 Streak run out 25 Ewing c Gilchrist b Hogg 0 Blignaut c Williams b Katich 44 Price lbw Katich 0 Mahwire not out 1 Extras:
(b-6, lb-5, w-1, nb-4) 16 Total: (all out in 91.5 overs) 266 Fall of wickets:
1-0, 2-93, 3-103, 4-114, 5-176, 6-212, 7-216, 8-230, 9-244. Bowling:
Williams 16-8-56-2, Bichel 19-5-64-0, Hogg 31-9-70-1, Katich 25.5-3-65-6. Australia (2nd Innings): Langer c Taibu b Streak 8 Hayden not out 101 Ponting not out 53 Extras:
(b-3, lb-3, nb-4) 10 Total: (for one wkt, 29.1 overs) 172 Fall of wicket:
1-21. Bowling: Streak 9-1-46-1, Blignaut 4-0-35-0, Price 12.1-0-63-0, Gripper 1-0-2-0, Ewing 3-0-20-0.
— AFP |
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Pakistan eye win against SA Lahore, October 20 Imran Farhat and Taufeeq Umer put on a run-a-minute 134 for the first wicket against a four-pronged Proteas pace attack — led by Shaun Pollock and Makhaya
Ntini. Farhat hit nine fours in his 58 before he gifted his wicket to the gentle off-spin of captain Graeme Smith under fading light. When play was finally called off 4.4 overs due to poor light, Pakistan were 137 for one, just 24 more away from their first-ever victory at home against the Proteas. Umer was batting on 61 with nine fours while Yasir Hameed was not out or 3.
Scoreboard South Africa
(Ist innings): 320 Pakistan (Ist innings): 401 South Africa (2nd innings): (overnight 99-1) Smith c Umer b Akhtar 12 Gibbs c Umer b Akhtar
59 Dippenaar c Youhana
Kallis c Moin b Akhtar 18 McKenzie b Kaneria 14 Kirsten c Youhana b Kaneria 46 Boucher c Farhat b Kaneria 15 Pollock b Kaneria 18 Adams lbw b Kaneria
0 Nel b Ahmed 0 Ntini not out 0 Extras: (b-1, lb-11, nb-20) 32 Total:
(all out in 84.3 overs) 241 Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-104, 3-108, 4-149, 5-149, 6-192, 7-237, 8-238, 9-241. Bowling:
Shoaib 14.3-2-36-4, Sami 19.3-0-77-0, Mushtaq 8-1-18-1, Malik 14-0-52-0, Kaneria 28.3-8-46-5. Pakistan (2nd innings): Umer batting
61 Farhat c Gibbs b Smith 58 Hameed batting 3 Extras: (lb-6, w-5, nb-4) 15 Total:
(1 wkt in 33.2 overs) 137 Fall of wicket: 1-134 Bowling: Shaun Pollock 7-2-21-0, Makhaya Ntini 6-0-24-0, Andre Nel 5-0-13-0, Jacques Kallis 5.2-1-30-0, Paul Adams 8-0-43-0, Graeme Smith 2-2-0-1.
— AFP |
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Punjab eves in hockey, handball semifinals Jalandhar, October 20 The hosts, riding high after yesterday’s thumping 6-0 win against minnows Madhya Pradesh, once again put up a fluent display to knock out West Bengal 7-0. The result of the last league match against Jammu & Kashmir, slated to be played tomorrow has been rendered inconsequential as the hosts have already topped the pecking order in pool B. Punjab had to do without the services of key players Manjinder Kaur and Jyoti Sunita Kulu. The frontline was led adeptly by the experienced Punjab skipper Amandeep Kaur (Sr) who also fell back into the midfield when the occasion demanded. Left-in Vandana scored three goals while centre-half Baljeet Kaur and left-out Sandeep Kaur ended the match with a brace apiece to their names. Haryana, who too have as many as four players in the Afro-Asian Games camp, struggled to get past Chhattisgarh 2-1 in a pool D match. The going may get tough for the title aspirants as the knock-out stage approaches if the disjointed effort they put up today is any indication. In handball, the decks were cleared for the semifinal stage with Punjab, Delhi , Madhya Pradesh and Haryana taking their appointed places as expected. In quarterfinal matches, Punjab downed Andhra Pradesh 16-4, Delhi thrashed Chhattisgarh 28-7, Madhya Pradesh beat Rajasthan 11-5 and Haryana got the better of Chandigarh 21-10. For a place in the final, the hosts cross swords with Madhya Pradesh while Delhi will square off with Haryana. In tennis, underdogs Delhi upset holders Gujarat 2-1 to
entre the semifinals. In the other quarterfinal, Karnataka had a comparatively easy outing as they downed Tamil Nadu 2-1. Delhi’s Parul Goswami managed to tame her much fancied rival Ankita 6-1, 6-4. For the losers, Deepinath scampered past Vishakha 6-2,7-5. However, all this good work was undone in the decider where Parul and Vishakha combined well to beat Ankita and Deepinath 6-2, 7-5. The other semifinal spot was bagged by Karnataka, who as expected, got the better of Tamil Nadu 2-1. For the winners Pooja came up with a good effort to shut out L. Kanimozhi 6-4, 6-1 while Divya, after struggling a bit in the first set, got her momentum right in the second as she beat Mary Diana 7-5, 6-0. Other Results: Handball (all preliminary league matches): Pool A: Chandigarh beat TN 18-6, Punjab b Gujarat 13-1.. Pool B: Delhi b MP 16-5, Kerala b J&K 14-10, Delhi b J&K 14-4. Pool C: UP b Goa 12-10. Pool D: Chhattisgarh b Orrisa 17-9, Rajasthan beat Chattisgarh 17-14. |
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Punjab boys 3rd in youth basketball Kangra, October 20 Andhra Pradesh boys defeated Karnataka 77-62 in a well-contested final. Andhra Pradesh kept the ball under control from the beginning and the half time score was 30-25. Kaushal of Karnataka played game and scored 25 points, the highest of the match but could not take his team to victory. Champions Andhra Pradesh played a coordinated game as Arvind and Venkatah scored 24 and 16, points respectively. In the girls section Chhattisgarh lead Maharashtra 33-20 at half time. Rohini of Chhattisgarh has the highest score with 27 points to her credit. Pushpa of the same team scored 13 points while Meghna scored 18 points for the losers. For third position today Punjab boys thrashed Kerala by 82-32 with half time scored at 48-18. Yadhwinder of Punjab was the highest scorer with 19 points while Supreet scored 18 points. Parajith of Kerala scored 9 points. In the girls section Karnataka defeated Tamil Nadu 70-52. The half time score was 41-37. Sonam of the winning team scored 27 points and Pushpa of the same team scored 13 points. Vijiyia of Tamil Nadu scored 23 points. |
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PU finish 3rd in handball Chandigarh, October 20 As many as eight teams took part in the championship. While hosts Annamalai University were declared winners, Poona University finished runners up. Among the eight teams who participated were Punjabi University, Ravi Shankar University, Kerala University and Rajasthan University. Earlier in the North-East Zone Inter-University Championship held at Raipur, Guru Nanak Dev University, Ravi Shankar University, Panjab University and Punjabi University finished first, second, third and fourth respectively. |
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Suraj Lata to lead hockey team New Delhi, October 20 The team: Helen Mary and Deepika Murthy (goalkeepers), Suman Bala, Kanti Baa, Pushpa Pradhan, Suraj Lata Devi, Subhadra Pradhan, Masira Surin, Gurpreet Kaur, Sumrai Tete, Shanggai Themhal Chanu, Adline Kerketta, Jasjeet Kaur, Annarita Kerketta, Surinder Kaur and Jyoti Sunita Kullu. |
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