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Tendulkar puts India in control
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Injured Kaif ruled out
of tri-series Pak hold all aces against Kiwis
India meet Germany in opener Punjab rout HP by 8 wickets
Salgaocar shock Mohun Bagan Signals rout PAP; ITBP lose
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Tendulkar
puts India in control
Sydney, January 2 Tendulkar began the new year with better luck as he notched up his first half century of the series to steer India to a comfortable 284 for three at close on the opening day after Virender Sehwag provided the momentum with a scintillating 72. Electing to bat, the Indian batsmen fought a battle of attrition against a determined Aussie bowling attack and were again well-served by their openers Sehwag and Aakash Chopra (45), who put on a 123-run partnership to steal the limelight in Steve Waugh’s farewell Test. The stylish V.V.S. Laxman was giving Tendulkar company on 29 at stumps on a rewarding day for the visitors, looking to create history by winning their first-ever series on Australian soil. But the Australians would like to take a positive note from the fact that they sent back the in form Rahul Dravid for a relatively low score of 38. More importantly, the hosts managed to pull back the Indians, who were off to a flying start when Chopra and Sehwag added 98 runs in the morning session. Jason Gillespie, after an indifferent new ball spell, returned to bowl an impeccable line and length in the post-lunch session, which saw the tourists score just 53 runs for the loss of the two openers. The Indians were not short of any tactics of their own. Sourav Ganguly pulled a punch or two when he promoted Laxman up the order and the run-a- minute scoring rate in the third session helped his team sustain the momentum. Only their survival instincts against the second new ball towards the end of the day prevented the Indians from reaching the 300-mark for the day. Earlier, Australia almost had a spectacular start, but the Lee delivery off which Chopra was caught behind turned out to be a no ball and Simon Katich at gully dropped a sitter off the next. Chopra was on 8 then. The tide, however, quickly changed in Lee’s sixth over when Sehwag cut him over point boundary off another no ball and then followed it up with two fours to collect 18 runs off the over. India’s 50 came in the 13th over and Sehwag, who hit a swashbuckling 195 on the opening day of the third Test at Melbourne, reached his half century with a lofted drive against leg-spinner Stuart MacGill. Then Waugh’s men ploughed their way back into the match, removing Sehwag and Chopra within five runs. Sehwag was out caught behind off Jason Gillespie after a 115-ball 72, which contained 10 fours and a six. Chopra, after having faced 139 balls in 192 minutes for his 45, fell to Brett Lee with an expansive drive to a full length delivery that took an inside edge before disturbing the timber. Tendulkar began with an on drive to long-on off Lee, but the rival bowlers stuck to their game plan of testing his patience with a steady line outside the off-stump. The master batsman was keen to get some runs under his belt and lived dangerously in the initial stages. Although he flicked the seamers off his pads and swept MacGill, he looked quite unconvincing in his off-side strokes. Tendulkar was living dangerously when he padded up against the leg-spinner and was lucky not to be given out. Then, a thick edge fell short of the slip fielder off the same bowler. Dravid then came to Tendulkar’s rescue and took the pressure off him with some fluent boundaries after the tea break. Unfortunately, the Indian vice-captain had to contend with Gillespie at his best. The South Australian fast bowler, returning to the team from a groin injury, brought one back in sharply to trap Dravid plumb in front to break the third wicket partnership which was worth 66 runs. Tendulkar and Laxman then continued the brisk scoring rate before they were bogged down by the second new ball. Tendulkar began to play his shots with more confidence while Laxman was less troubled at the other end. But the day was not over without some drama when Tendulkar awkwardly ducked into a shorts-pitched delivery from Lee and was hit on the elbow. It brought back the memories of the blows to Waugh and Ganguly at Melbourne, but Tendulkar batted on without any sign of trouble. The Indian batsmen might have shown extra caution towards the end of the day, but the ghosts of two late- order collapses in the second Test could have haunted them. In the end, the unbroken 90-run stand between Tendulkar and Laxman might have made it a more satisfying day for Ganguly than Waugh. India (First innings): Chopra b Lee 45 Sehwag c Gilchrist b Gillespie 72 Dravid lbw b Gillespie 38 Tendulkar batting 73 Laxman batting 29 Extras (b-4, lb-2, w-2, nb-19) 27 Total (3 wkts, 90 overs) 284 Fall of wickets: 1/123, 2/128, 3/194 Bowling: Lee 21-3-80-1, Gillespie 23-7-51-2, Bracken 23-9-60-0, MacGill 18-3-65-0, Waugh 2-0-6-0, Katich 2-0-13-0, Martyn 1-0-3-0.
— PTI |
Sachin joins 9,000-run club Sydney, January 2 Tendulkar achieved the milestone when he took a single off Jason Gillespie during India’s first innings on the opening day of the match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The 30-year-old, a veteran of 111 Tests, is now fourth on the all-time Test scorers’ list, behind Allan Border (11,174), Steve Waugh (10,807) and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122).
— PTI |
Chopra happy to do his bit for team
Sydney, January 2 Chopra has been one of the finds for the Indian team on this tour although he is yet to score a half century in the four-Test series so far. He again missed the bus by stopping short of the elusive 50-run mark by five runs on the opening day of the fourth cricket Test against Australia here. "It is a bit frustrating not getting to 50’s and then carrying on. But definitely if you can do your bit for the team, it is okay," said Chopra whose stand for the opening wicket with Virender Sehwag fetched 123 runs. The duo have braved the hostile new ball attack on most occasions in the series so far and acted as a cushion for the middle order. Chopra said the seniors had been encouraging him in the dressing room although he did feel that a big score was due now. "It is nice to hear seniors telling you that you did a good job but at the end of the day you need to have a big score under your belt." The right-handed batsman, who made his debut against New Zealand in a home series late last year, admitted that batting had been tough in the morning session. "It was previously decided that we would bat first if we won the toss. But there was something in the wicket. They also bowled well. The kookaburra ball also does something more when it is new," Chopra said. "We knew that we had to stick around and let the first hour go by. "Also we decided to rotate the strike by taking singles as boundaries were not easy to come by," said the Delhi player adding that he had a good understanding with Sehwag as both of them had played junior cricket together and knew each other well. Chopra praised Lee for bowling very well in his second spell which could have brought about his dismissal. He was first caught off a no-ball and then dropped by Simon Katich in the very next ball. "He (Lee) was tough. The ball was doing a bit. When I survived (the two chances) and that phase passed out, I realised that perhaps it was my day." Chopra said the tour has been a good learning experience for him. "It is the early stage of my career. I am learning to adapt to the conditions and to cope with the new ball. I am playing against a very good bowling attack and a good fielding team. It has been a good learning experience for me."
— PTI |
Injured Kaif
ruled out of tri-series Mumbai, January 2 Kaif, who was included into the 16-member team announced by the cricket board on December 28 last, has been ruled out due to a thumb injury, a top BCCI source told PTI here today. India ‘A’ coach Sandeep Patil and Dr Vaibhav Daga took Kaif to renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Anant Joshi for his suggestion, who after examining Kaif, declared him unfit to play in the tri-series, the source said. Kaif’s replacement will be named by the selectors within a couple of days, he added. The middle-order batsman suffered the injury during a league match of the recently concluded Kenstar Asian A teams one-day championship at Kolkata. Kaif was included into the Indian team as per orthopaedic report and the opinion of the team physio which said he was expected to be fit within a week.
— PTI |
Pak hold all aces against Kiwis
Auckland, January 2 Not only do the tourists bring enterprising top-order batting and a more than useful lower-order into play, they have a bowling attack with strengths across the board. In the just completed Test series won by Pakistan 1-0, the New Zealand batsmen had no answer to the lethal pace and reverse swing of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami, and the problem will be compounded with the need for instant runs in one-day matches. Pakistan have an impressive recent record against New Zealand in one-day internationals, having won 13 of the past 15 encounters, including a 5-0 whitewash in last month’s series. New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns gave a blunt summation of the problems facing the Black Caps in the five one-day matches: "It is pretty hard trying to hit 150kmh reverse-swinging yorkers all over the park." Cairns, who is expected to play after being struck by a virus that sidelined him from the second Test, said New Zealand would have to produce a healthy run rate right from the start of the innings before the strike power of Akhtar and Sami return at the death.
— AFP |
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Rudolph hits ton but Windies hit back Cape Town, January 2 Rudolph's second Test hundred was his first on home soil and helped the home side close on 308 for six after deciding to make first use of a pristine batting track. The left-hander was dismissed shortly before stumps when he was trapped lbw for 101 by debutant left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed. He received fine support from Neil McKenzie, who was 76 at the close, the pair adding 142 for the fourth wicket. But three wickets in the last four overs of the day brought the West Indies back into the game, Mohammed also bowling McKenzie off the inside edge. South Africa's other concern was the retirement of all-rounder Jacques Kallis after he was struck on the right elbow by a bouncer from Fidel Edwards. X-rays revealed only bruising and swelling. Kallis will return to the crease if required.
Scoreboard South Africa (Ist innings:)
Smith c Lara b Sanford 42 Gibbs c Jacobs b Sanford 33 Rudolph lbw b Mohammed 101 Kallis retired hurt 23 Kirsten c Sanford b Edwards 16 McKenzie b Mohammed 76 Adams b Edwards 0 Boucher not out 0 Pollock not out 2 Extras
(b-2, lb-3, nb-10) 15 Total (6 wkts, 90 overs) 308 Fall of wickets: 1-70, 2-90, 3-162, 4-304, 5-305, 6-305 Bowling: Drakes 18-5-39-0, Edwards 18-3-69-2, Sanford 21-3-82-2, Smith 2-0-4-0, Mohammed 21-4-70-2, Gayle 10-0-39-0.
— Reuters |
India meet Germany in opener
Hyderabad, January 2 Pakistan, Korea, Germany, Australia, Spain and Malaysia are the other teams in fray in the 11-day tournament. Veteran defender Lazarus Barla is the only notable omission in the 18-member Indian hockey squad. Announcing the team here today, IHF Secretary-General K. Jyothikumaran said the emphasis was on youth, retaining most of the members of the victorious Junior World Cup team. Squad:
goalkeepers: Kamaldeep Singh (IOC), Adrain D’Souza (BPCL); Fullbacks: Harpal Singh (Namdhari), William Xalxo (Air India Academy), Sandeep Singh (CEO, Patiala); midfielders: Vikram Pillai (IA), Ignace Tirkey (Services), Len Aiyappa (BPCL), Prabhdeep Singh (Punjab Police), V S Vinay (IA) and Girish Pimpale (IA); forwards: Dhanraj Pillay (IA), Baljeet Dhillon (Punjab Police), Sandeep Michael (BPCL), Tushar Khandkar (BPCL), Arjun Halappa (IA), Hari Prasad (IA) and Rajpal Singh (IOC). The schedule (Kuala Lumpur timings): Jan 8: Korea vs Pakistan (4:05 pm) India vs Germany (6:05 pm) Malaysia vs Spain (8:05 pm) Jan 9: India vs Pak (4:05 pm) Spain vs Australia (6:05 pm) Germany vs Malaysia (8:05 pm) Jan 10: Australia vs Korea (6:05 pm) Jan 11: Korea vs Germany (4:05 pm) India vs Malaysia (6:05 pm) Pakistan vs Spain (8:05 pm) Jan 12: Malaysia vs Australia (6:05 pm) Pakistan vs Germany (8:05 pm) Jan 13: Korea vs Spain (6:05 pm) India vs Australia (8:05 pm) Jan 14: Spain vs Germany (4:15 pm) Pakistan vs Malaysia (6:05 pm) India v Korea (8:05 pm) Jan 15: Australia vs Pakistan (6:05 pm) Jan 16: India vs Spain (4:05 pm) Germany vs Australia (6:05 pm) Malaysia vs Korea (8:05 pm) Jan 17: Rest day. Jan 18: 5-6 Classification match: (8:05 am ) 3-4 Classification Match: (3:35 pm) Final: 16:05 pm. Reeling under two successive defeats — in the Asia Cup and in the Afro-Asian Games — Pakistan have recalled experienced players and picked three goalkeepers in their 18-member squad. Defending champions Pakistan are desperate to retain the title because victory in this tourney will be a big morale booster for the team before the crucial Olympic qualifier in Madrid in March. According to information received here, the Pakistani selectors have included veteran keeper Ahmad Alam along with Mohamed Qasim and Salman Akbar. Also in the team are penalty corner expert Sohail Abbas and Waseem Ahemed.
— UNI |
Salgaocar shock
Mohun Bagan Margao, January 2 Salgaocar, who controlled the midfield with more ball possession in the first half, scored the all-important goal in the 34th minute when Climax Lawrence from the right gave a long pass to Felix Ibrebru who chested the ball inside the box and unleased a right-footer off the second attempt to find the far post. Bagan pressed hard in the second half and held more of the exchanges but met stiff resistance from the rival defence where Bello Rasaq stood tall to deny them the equaliser. The win will be a morale booster for Salgaocar who had a lean patch losing three successive matches after beating Kolkata’s East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting.
— PTI |
Signals rout PAP; ITBP lose Mandi, January 2 Corps of signals opened their account on the second minute of the match through C. Lakara, the star player of signals. They continued their attacks on rivals’ defence and sounded the board for the second goal in the 17th minute when Jagdave netted the ball. The score was 2-0 at half time. After the break the match remained in Signals’ favour and J.Das consolidated the lead through another goal in the 51st minute. In the second match both Himachal teams were neck-and-neck. Though Himachal Red were awarded two penalty corners in the first half but they couldn’t convert any. Police men also met the same fate for the lone penalty corner they earned in the first half. The teams were locked goal-less at half time. After the breather both the teams played attacking hockey and Ashok of Himachal Police stole the match 1-0 for his team. In the third match ITBP and Himachal Blue XI fought for a goal but none could score. Satwinder of ITBP was shown a green card, the second of the tournament. After the breather Himachal Blue XI boys displayed fine temperament and sealed ITBP’s fate in the 41st minute when Sunil scored an excellent field goal. |
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