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India face test of
character, resilience New-ball attack
India’s worry Ganguly to undergo fitness test
Sourav Ganguly determined to play |
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Kiwis to decide on Pakistan tour today Mongia, Ricky hit centuries
Indira ground pavilion
inaugurated Rlys, Namdhari XI, EME qualify
Police search for missing coaches Indoor stadium inaugurated
DAVC, SGGS College in final Sangrur dominate in schools handball Amritsar overall champs in TT Inter-district
TT championship begins
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India
face test of character, resilience
Kolkata, November 17 But the Indians are aware that nothing but an extraordinary display is the need of the hour to stop the Australian juggernaut from rolling to another title triumph in what promises to be a classic contest of nerves and skills. Sourav Ganguly and his men, desperate to bury the ghost of the World Cup final, will turn to the nearly one lakh spectators who are expected to throng the majestic Eden Gardens for inspiration in their quest to conquer the world champions who look quite unstoppable at the moment. Barring the defeat against the Indians in their opening match in Gwalior, the reigning monarchs of world cricket have hardly been tested in the series with five consecutive wins and will be determined to cap their impressive sequence by clinching the title at the floodlit Eden Gardens tomorrow. With both teams boasting of quality batsmen in their ranks, the tussle for supremacy could well turn out to be a batting war as bowling has been the weak link for both the sides. While the Indians will be hoping that the law of average catches up with their famed opponents, Ganguly knows that his team’s character and resilience will face its biggest test in the series. “If we can play as well as we did at Hyderabad, then we stand a good chance of winning,” Ganguly said. For the Aussies, the venue is steeped in nostalgia. It was at the Eden that the men from Down Under edged out England in the final to lift the coveted World Cup for the first time in 1987, and Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting would be hoping to win yet another final. India have fond memories of hosting Australia in the longer version of the game the last time around in 2001. VVS Laxman scripted an Indian record of 281, as the home side caused a fascinating turnaround culminating in a historic win to level the series. However, with the dew likely to make batting difficult in the evening session, the toss may play a vital role in determining the course of the match. Ganguly said as much. “Yes, I think the toss will be crucial.” History shows that six out of the eight day-night international matches at the Eden have been won by the side batting first. The Indian batting has been built around little master Sachin Tendulkar, who has been in awesome form. He leads the run scorers chart notching up 421 at a highly impressive average of 84.2, inclusive of two strokeful hundreds. The dashing Virender Sehwag, who had disappointed his fans with a dismal show from his blade in the earlier stages of the tourney now seems to have at last found his rhythm. On a high after scoring a career best 130 at Hyderabad, he would surely want to continue the good work with another substantial contribution with the bat. The Australian batting, known for its lethal ability to tear apart any bowling, is spearheaded by the swashbuckling Adam Gilchrist, regarded by many as the best ever wicketkeeper-batsman of the game. Gilchrist has been in mesmerising form in this tournament giving Australia flying starts match after match. Gilchrist’s opening partner Matthew Hayden, who has not been at his shining best so far, will also be keen to come out with something spectacular on the ‘big day’ to do justice to his reputation. Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting, the nemesis of the Indian bowlers in the World Cup final, gave the hosts a taste of the same medicine in the Bangalore match last week, when he launched an audacious assault to score 108 runs of only 102 balls, hitting seven sixes on the way. Crisis man Michael Bevan, who pulled Australia out of the dumps against the Kiwis at Guwahati, Damien Martyn and Andrew Symonds are all capable of murdering any bowling attack on their day. The Aussie bowling, believed to have been weakened in the absence of their battery of frontline pacers, have got a new lease of life, thanks to the new ball pair of Nathan Bracken and Brad Williams. While the former has picked up 13 wickets, the latter has got three less in the tournament so far. The Indian team, on the other hand, needs to ponder over the bowling combination they would use against their mighty opponents. None of the Indian bowlers have so far been able to show consistency, and this is one area likely to cause worries to the team think-tank. However, considering the nature of the wicket, which seems likely to take turn, the Indians may opt for two regular spinners, with Sachin Tendulkar also likely to bowl his off-spin stuff for some overs. All tickets for the match have been sold, but still there seems to be a never-ending scramble near the venue round-the-clock for the elusive passports to the ground. Teams (from):
India: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Murali Kartik, Hemang Badani, Avishkar Salvi, Parthiv Patel. Australia:
Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Michael Bevan, Ian Harvey, Brad Hogg, Andy Bichel, Brad Williams, Nathan Bracken, Jimmy Maher, Michael Kasprowicz and Michael Clarke. Hours of play :
2.30 pm to 6 pm, 6.45 pm to 10.15 pm. — PTI |
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New-ball
attack India’s worry Harbhajan Singh and V.V.S. Laxman must have felt
adrenaline pumping the moment they stepped on the grass at Eden
Gardens. For, it has been just a little over two years when both
scripted something dramatic against Australia at this majestic
stadium. Dramatic enough to forever reserve their places in the annals
of world cricket. India would need some more of these nostalgic moments to propel them as they prepare to take on the Australians in the final. Needless to say, there will be one lakh voices taking the decibel levels to deafening limits, all rooting for India. All these factors definitely add in here and there but what matters is the performance on field. This is where the Australians count more. The world champions have been consistent in their performances with the bat as well as the ball. Their so called second-string seam attack had the best of batsmen in soup, while their sturdy batting line-up reached new dimensions of attacking cricket. Right through the series, except for a minor aberration at Gwalior, Australia called the shots in the tournament and logically speaking, it would be unfair if the TVS Cup goes to anyone else. But having said that, how much I fervently wish to see Sourav Ganguly go up and receive the trophy. I know it’s possible. All India needs is a few good hours under lights on Tuesday. Once again, the onus is on Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag to put the Indian innings on the right track but there will have to be substantial contributions coming from the middle order as well to work things our way. Sourav Ganguly would be eager to hit some runs on his home ground and give some extra reason to the fans to cheer. Our main worry is the new ball attack. Zaheer have suffered several bouts of self-doubt during series and is proving costly for India. The fast bowlers are guilty of bowling all over the place and proving to be easy fodder for the opponents. I believe the team management is contemplating playing three seamers. I will not call it a bad ploy but priority is to bowl wicket-to-wicket and not give too much room for the batsmen to free their arms. The spinners haven’t really been the talking point of the series, Kartik being the only exception, but it’s unfortunate to note that selectors chose to ignore his performance. It’s been a couple of games since Harbhajan warmed the benches but I expect him to play and rework that magic which earned him the label of Turbanator. It might sound extremely rude to abruptly end my piece here but I thought from various angles before deciding this is the best conclusion note: May the best team win!
— Dronacharya Sports Promoters Association.
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Ganguly to undergo
fitness test
Kolkata, November 17 “Ganguly will have to appear for a fitness test before the game,” cricket board president Jagmohan Dalmiya said. Ganguly also admitted that he would have to assess his fitness although there was “not any chance” of him sitting out of the final. “I am improving everyday. There are still 24 hours to go (for the final). So let us wait and see,” said Ganguly who had batting practice in the nets today. But the Indian skipper said he was not sure whether he would be able to bowl tomorrow. “I still don’t know (if I can bowl as well). Tomorrow morning I will see...” Ganguly had to opt for a runner in the match against the Kiwis in Hyderabad after pulling a groin muscle while taking a run. He also did not come out to field. The doctors attending on the Indian skipper, however, declared that Ganguly was match-fit. “His injury is healing fast. From the medical point of view he is fit to play,” Dr Mrinmoy Nandy told PTI. Nandy, who had earlier treated the abscess on the Indian skipper’s left thigh, said Ganguly was undergoing physiotherapy as suggested by team physio Andrew Leipus. He has also been prescribed some analgesics and given an exercise regime. The doctor said the muscle pull had nothing to do with the abscess which had healed completely now. — PTI
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Sourav Ganguly determined to play Kolkata, November 17 *** Sachin Tendulkar is a believer. Despite his busy schedule he found time to visit the famous Kali temple at Kalighat to offer puja last night. He also expressed a desire to visit the Dhakeswar temple and the Belur Muth. *** Adam Gilchrist kept himself busy in the nets talking to the team-mates and discussing strategy to adopt in the Eden Gardens against India, while Mathew Hayden was busy with a fashion show. He is least worried about the result, which he is confident will go in the Australia’s favour. |
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Kiwis to decide on Pakistan tour today
Wellington, November 17 The New Zealand Cricket said in a short statement it was still assessing the seriousness of the threat to the team, which is due to play five one-day matches from November 22. The New Zealand team, currently touring India, is due to fly to Pakistan on Thursday. Four players have already pulled out of the Pakistan leg of the trip due to safety fears and captain Stephen Fleming is returning home with a stomach muscle injury. The one-day series was scheduled partly to replace a similar series in May last year, abandoned after a bomb blast outside the New Zealand team’s Karachi Hotel. The New Zealand team fled Pakistan after the blast, which killed 14 people, including 12 foreign workers. The New Zealand Cricket today said its assessment of the security risk implicit in the Pakistan tour was ongoing. "The process may be completed tomorrow afternoon and there will be no further comment from the New Zealand Cricket until the process is completed,” the association said. Batsmen Craig McMillan and Lou Vincent, fast bowler Ian Butler and all-rounder Scott Styris have elected to return to New Zealand at the end of the Indian tour on Wednesday. Team video analyst Zach Hitchcock is also returning home.
— AP |
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Meerut, November 17 Resuming at the overnight score of 1 for 1, Punjab lost Reetinder Sodhi on the same score early morning giving the host the much needed confidence. But UP’s dreams of running through the Punjab batting line-up was nullified by the pair of Ravneet Ricky (102 n.o.) and skipper Dinesh Mongia (185) as the duo put on a 284 run partnership for the third wicket. At close, Pankaj Dharmani was accompanying Ricky at the crease on 10. Punjab need 160 runs more on the final day tomorrow to overcome UP’s total of 471 to take the first innings lead. Mongia, who lost his place in the Indian one-day squad after a bad World Cup performance, hit 23 boundaries and three sixes in his 269-ball innings before falling to left arm spinner Praveen Gupta. Mumbai take lead NEW DELHI:
Opener Gautam Ghambir played a lone ranger hitting a defiant 105, as Delhi were tottering at 223 for nine in their second essay after conceding a crucial 40-run first innings lead to Mumbai on the penultimate day of the elite group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match here today. It was again Mumbai’s spining duo of Nilesh Kuklarni and Sairaj Bahutule, who damaged the hosts taking four and three wickets respectively. Resuming at their overnight score of 183 for eight, Mumbai’s last two wickets added 56 runs to their team’s total before getting all out for 239. Delhi in their first innings had made 199. Delhi (1st innings):
199 Mumbai (1st innings) Mane c Gambhir b Sanghvi 52, Jaffer c Manhas b Sarandeep 24, Morris c sub b Sanghvi 2, Muzumdar c lbw Sarandeep 12,Kambli b Sarandeep 9, Thakker not out 71, Bahutule c sub b Sarandeep 1, Powar c Manhas b Sanghvi 9, Samant lbw Nehra 29, Kulkarni c Manhas b Sarandeep 7, Patel c Manhas b Sanghvi 11. Extras
(lb-4, nb-8) 12 Total (all out in 106.4 overs) 239 Fall of wickets:
1-49, 2-56, 3-79, 4-93, 5-110, 6-115, 7-128, 8-182, 9-221. Bowling:
Ashish Nehra 22-8-41-1, Sarandeep Singh 47-8-107-5, Rajat Bhatia 3-1-6-0, Rahul Sanghvi 31.4-4-72-4, Mithun Manhas 2-1-5-0, Gautam Gambhir 1-0-4-0. Delhi (2nd innings): Chopra b Kulkarni 28, Gambhir c Kambli b Kulkarni 105, Oberoi run out 12, Manhas c Jaffer b Bahutule 13, Jadeja run out 31, Bhatia b Bahutule 0, Dahiya c Powar b Bahutule 9, Sarandeep st Samant b Kulkarni 4, Sanghvi b Kulkarni 3, Nehra batting 1, Bhandari batting 0. Extras
(b-2, lb-7, nb-8) 17 Total ( 9 wkts in 67.4 overs) 223. Fall of wickets: 1-59, 2-85, 3-127, 4-194, 5-195, 6-206, 7-217, 8-222, 9-223. Bowling:
Munaf Patel 6-2-24-0, Robin Morris 4-1-6-0, Nilesh Kulkarni 23.4-3-76-4, Sairaj Bahutule 24-3-76-3, Ramesh Powar 10-1-32-0. Hemant cracks ton for Kerala PALAKKAD: Hemant Kumar cracked a strokeful century to help Kerala take crucial first innings lead of 26 runs against Railways on the penultimate day of the four-day Ranj Trophy Elite Group A cricket match at Fort Maidan here today. In reply, Railways in their second essay were 181 for three when stumps were drawn with Sanjay Bangar (69) and J.P. Yadav (20) at the crease. Earlier, resuming at 195 for 7, Kerala added 126 runs before being all out for 321 replying to Railways’ 295. Medium pacer J.P. Yadav claimed all three Kerala wickets that fell today. Kumar made 131 (302b, 427m) with 14 hits to the fence before he was dismissed by Yadav. Sree Kumar Nair (69) and Suresh Kumar (56) also made valuable contributions. Railways (1st innings) 295 Kerala (1st innings) Somasundar b Harvinder 9, Nathani lbw J.P. Yadav 5, Vipin Lal b Harvinder 0, Hemant c Sharma b J.P. Yadav 131, Oasis lbw Harvinder 0, Sreekumar c Sharma b Harvinder 69, Kuduva b Harvinder 0, Cheruvathur c Sharma b J.P. Yadav 0, Ananthapadmanabhan c Sharma b J.P. Yadav 1, Suresh not out 56, Yohannan b Yadav 3. Extras
(b-22, lb-20, nb 5) 47 Total (all out in 112.2 overs) 321. FoW:
1-19, 2-19, 3-19, 4-32, 5-193, 6-193, 7-194, 8-196, 9-299. Bowling:
Harvinder Singh 34-14-57-5; J.P. Yadav 38.2-9-101-5; Sanjay Bangar 9-3-35-0; Parida 15-2-39-0; Madan Yadav 8-0-29-0; S. Khamolar 8-2-18-0. Andhra score 7-wicket
win over Baroda VADODARA:
Speedsters did the trick for Andhra who scored an impressive seven-wicket win over Baroda on the penultimate day of the Ranji Trophy Elite ‘A’ cricket match here today. Their three speedsters Shabuddin, Kalyan Krishna and MSK Prasad captured nine of the 10 second innings Baroda wickets that fell today as the hosts were bundled out for 105 in their second innings in 40.1 overs. The three pacemen claimed three wickets apiece.
— PTI, UNI
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Indira ground
pavilion inaugurated Una, November 17 Mr Parmar said that there was no cause for mixing sports with politics and wondered why the Congress government was doing so and not allowing H.P. Cricket Association to conduct Ranji Trophy matches and inter-district matches at Indira Stadium at Una. He said that he had paid Rs 10 lakh from MP Development Fund and Rs 12 lakh was spent for construction of this pavilion by H.P. Cricket Association. Besides, the Indira ground was being maintained by the cricket association. |
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Rlys, Namdhari XI,
EME qualify New Delhi, November 17 In the last match of the day, Namdhari XI piped Corps of Signals by a solitary goal to complete the super league line-up. A brace by Savinder Singh,who scored a goal in each half powered Railways to a 2-0 win over the SRC. Railways were given a tough fight by the SRC but the armymen could not make use of the chances that they got. Savinder put Railways ahead in the 16th minute and then added the second goal in the 59th minute to seal the match in his team’s favoure. E.M.E, Jalandhar recorded an easy 3-0 win over Air Force. The winners led 1-0 at breather. Soloman gave the army men lead in the 22nd minute and then A.K. Bhatti and Avtar Singh chipped in a goal each in the 40th and 56th minute, respectively, to complete the tally. Luck continued to favour Namdhari XI as they put it across Corps of Signals by the first half goal. The signal men have themselves to blame as they failed to translate the chances that came in their way into goals. Gurcharan Singh scored the all-important goal for the Namdharis two minutes before the lemon break and the winners held on to the slender lead for rest of the 37 minutes. Eight teams-Punjab Police, Indian Airlines, B.S.F, Punjab and Sind Bank, Air India, Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil and Tamil Nadu Xi- have been directly seeded to the super league.
—UNI
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New Delhi, November 17 Nandini lifted a total of 200kg (90 in snatch and 110 in clean and jerk) to finish sixth while Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sanamacha Chanu finished seventh clearing 190kg in a field of 30 lifters, according to information received here today. The 27-year-old Nandini began the snatch clearing 85kg and progressed to 90 after her third and last attempt. Chanu cleared a modest 77.5kg in her first snatch before improving it by another five kilos over her next two attempts. In clean and jerk she began with 102.5kg before ending at 107.5kg. The gold went to Thailand’s Polsak Udomporn who finished with 222.5kg (110+122.5). She pipped defending champion Hui Song Ri of North Korea on lesser body weight. Song Ri also recorded a total of 222.5kg (95+127.5) but had to settle for the silver. — PTI
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Police search for missing coaches Shimla, November 17 Balkrishan Verma, a boxing coach and Geeta Chauhan, a volleyball coach, left Shimla in the morning to conduct block-level sports tournaments at Government Senior Secondary School Kumarsain by a car (No HP 03A-0443). They were supposed to reach Sunni after conducting the tournament in Kumarsain but they neither reached Sunni nor returned to Shimla. Their relatives informed the Kumarsain police when they failed to return to Shimla on November 14. According to the police, the two left Kumarsain at around 4.00 pm after conducting the tournaments but disappeared mysteriously thereafter. Mr Yograj Thakur, the Superintendent of Police, said the road from Kumarsain to Sunni passed through precipitous hilly terrain and there were some dangerous curves enroute. He said the possibility of an accident could not be ruled out. The steep slopes along the road were being searched with this possibility in view. He said the information regarding the missing persons had been flashed to all the police stations. |
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Indoor stadium inaugurated Dhuri (Sangrur), November 17 Addressing the gathering, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala asked the Punjab Sports Minister and Punjab Sports Secretary to provide quality infrastructure to the sportspersons so that fruitful results could be achieved at the national and international level. He said Punjabi sportspersons had good stamina and physique and were able to win more medals. Mr Barnala also said that despite having NIS at Patiala, Punjab could not produce very good players in various sports disciplines.
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DAVC, SGGS College in final Amritsar, November 17 In today’s matches in the men’s category, DAV College, Jalandhar, routed Government College, Ropar, 5-1. For Jalandhar, Navpreet Singh scored two goals while Rupinder Singh and Damandeep Singh scored one goal each. Amandeep Singh scored the only goal for Government College, Ropar. In another match, Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Chandigarh, defeated Government College, Ludhiana, 4-1. Gautam of Chandigarh scored two goals in the 9th and 57th minutes. Jaspreet Bajwa and Manjit Singh made one goal each. The solitary goal for Ludhiana was scored by Jaspreet. The single match held in the women’s section was won by Border Hawks Club, Amritsar, after thrashing Sports Wing, Kairon 2-1. |
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Sangrur dominate
in schools handball Sangrur, November 17 Results: Girls under-19-Mukatsar Bathinda 10-4, Ropar b Nawanshahr 20-13, Jalandhar b Fatehgarh Sahib 12-5, Sangrur b Faridkot 17-2, Kapurthala b Mansa 8-6, Ropar b Ferozepore 12-4, Bathinda b Ferozepore 6-3. Boys: Under-14 Muktsar b Patiala 12-4, Faridkot b Ropar, Ferozepore b Gurdaspur 20-11, Jalandhar b Mansa 13-7, Nawanshahr b Amritsar 13-8, Sangrur b Kapurthala 16-4.Boys Under-19: Muktsar b Gurdaspur 17-10, Bathinda b Ropar 15-7, Mansa b Patiala 17-5, Ludhiana b Jalandhar 17-15, Faridkot b Ferozepore 11-0, Sangrur b Kapurthala 29-1, Nawanshahr b Moga 19-16, Amritsar b Gurdaspur 24-11. |
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Amritsar overall champs in TT Batala, November 17 About 15 teams from all Punjab districts and two teams of State Bank of Patiala & Punjab State Electricity Board participated in the championship. Men: 1 Amritsar, 2 Punjab State Electricity Board, 3 State Bank of Patiala. Boy: 1 Amritsar, 2 Jalandhar, 3 Ludhiana. Sub Junior Boys: 1 Patiala, 2 Ludhiana, 3 Amritsar. Women: 1 Jalandhar, 2 Amritsar, 3 Ropar. Girls: 1 Ropar, 2 Patiala, 3 Jalandhar. Sub Junior Girls: 1 Ropar, 2 Ludhiana, 3 Fatehgarh Sahib. |
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Inter-district
TT championship begins Ambala,
November 17 Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gautam said the new sports policy of the Haryana Government was showing positive results. He said talented sportspersons of Haryana had got an opportunity to prove their merit in various national and international competitions and they had done well. He said the sportspersons were being given complete facilities so that they could further improve themselves. Mr Dass announced a grant of Rs 21,000 to the District Table Tennis Association. Table tennis players from various districts of Haryana have arrived to participate in the championship.
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Canada apologises for conduct Kasparov wins Philippoussis to lead Dokic to play
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