 |
|
|
Williams stars in Aussie victory
Ganguly in search of speedster
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Pakistan overcome Spain 4-2
Anand begins campaign with draw Indo-Pak series for
former cricketers
Tamil Nadu assured of Ranji title Anchery's strike sees JCT through Kabaddi included in World Masters Games
Punjab pip Haryana
in kabaddi final
|
|
Williams stars in Aussie victory
Sydney, January 11 Williams (5-22) claimed his career’s second five-wicket haul as Australia, restricted to 225 for eight, bundled out Zimbabwe for 126 in 37.3 overs to record their second victory in as many matches in the tri-series. The Zimbabwe chase was never on after Williams wrecked the top order with four for 12 from four overs in a devastating new ball spell. Skipper Heath Streak (46) and Tatenda Taibu (29) put on 73 runs for the sixth wicket which lifted Zimbabwe from 17 for five to 90 for six when the latter was caught behind off Symonds. The win gave the world champions maximum six points, pushing them atop the table with 11 points. India, the third team in the fray, have one point after losing to Australia in the opening match on Friday while Zimbabwe have none. Earlier, Sean Ervine picked 3-53 and was well supported by Andy Blignaut (2-21) and Grant Flower (2-42) as Zimbabwe came up with a tidy bowling performance to restrict Australia to a modest total. Australia were at one stage 118 for five but recovered through a 66-run sixth wicket stand between Andrew Symonds (42) and Micheal Clarke (40). Man-of-the-match Williams, who had impressed in the tri-series in India, justified his selection ahead of express fast bowler Brett Lee with his superb control of swing and seam. He first removed Stuart Carlisle when the right hander edged to Matthew Hayden at first slip with only two runs added to the Zimbabwe scoreboard. The Western Australian then took a fine catch at fine leg to send off Vusi Sibanda, Jason Gillespie being the bowler. Williams then struck a double blow, first having Grant Flower (0) plumb in front and then Stewart Matsikenyeri caught by wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist. But he reserved his best for Mark Vermeulen (5) who was beaten all ends up by a sharp incutter to leave Williams with astounding figures of 4-2-12-4. The Africans then needed the calming influence of their captain Streak (46) and diminutive wicketkeeper Taibu (29). The two batsmen survived with some cheeky shots, their runs mainly coming from behind the square through edged hooks and glides. The Aussies, too, allowed things to drift for a while with overthrows and extras. — PTI Scoreboard
Australia: Hayden b Streak 14 Gilchrist c Taibu b Blignaut 34 Ponting c Carlisle b Blignaut 21 Martyn c & b Flower 21 Symonds c Hondo b Ervine 42 Bevan c & b Flower 3 Clarke c Sibanda b Ervine 40 Harvey c & b Ervine 22 Bichel not out 11 Gillespie not out 2 Extras:
(lb-3, w-6, nb-6) 15 Total: (for 8 wkts, 50 overs) 225 Fall of wickets:
1-41, 2-73, 3-77, 4-112, 5-118, 6-184, 7-192, 8-222. Bowling:
Heath Streak 10-2-36-1, Douglas Hondo 5-1-35-0, Sean Ervine 10-0-54-3, Andy Blignaut 5-0-21-2, Grant Flower 10-0-42-2, Ray Price 10-0-34-0. Zimbabwe: Sibanda c Williams b Gillespie 7 Carlisle c Hayden b Williams 1 Vermeulen b Williams 5 Flower LBW b Williams 0 Matsikenyeri c Gilchrist Taibu c Gilchrist b Symonds 29 Streak st Gilchrist b Clarke 46 Ervine c Ponting b Symonds 14 Blignaut c Ponting b Williams 4 Price b Gillespie 0 Hondo not out 1 Extras:
(b-1, lb-6, w-12) 19 Total: (all out in 37.3 overs) 126 Fall of wickets:
1-2, 2-13, 3-13, 4-14, 5-17, 6-90, 7-119, 8-122, 9-124. Bowling: Gillespie 8-0-21-2, Williams 8.3-2-22-5, Bichel 6-2-24-0, Harvey 4-0-14-0, Symonds 6-1-24-2, Clarke 5-0-14-1. |
|
Ponting not happy with team's batting
Sydney, January 11 “Our bowlers did a good job but our batters have bit of a work to do,” Ponting said. “We did not play at our best with the bat,” said the World Cup winning skipper. Australia were in a spot of bother when Zimbabwe bowlers restricted them to 118 for five but in-form batsmen Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke again came good to help them record a respectable total. “There was litlle bit in the wicket as (Brad) Williams showed and the bowlers did some early damage grabbing a few wickets,” he said referring to the Zimbabwe collapse when they lost five wickets with just 17 on the board. Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak was a little surprised with his batsmen’s poor show after a superb effort by the bowlers and fielders. “It was a good allround show by our bowlers and fielders and I thought the total was gettable,” Streak said. “The (Australian) opening bowlers bowled well and the ball seamed around and jagged a bit. Still the target could be reached but unfortunately we kept losing wickets,” he said.
The skipper was nonetheless happy with his spinners’ performance.
— PTI
|
|
|
Ganguly in search of speedster
Hobart, January 11 Balaji and Pathan gave away 57 and 60 runs, respectively, in the day-night triangular series opener and promising though the latter is, it is not everyday that a 19-year-old bowls to world class Australian batsmen in hostile conditions and comes out smiling. Sanjay Bangar is unlikely to be afforded with another chance to win back his captain's confidence whom he ran out at the MCG. Bangar is a quiet and solid cricketer, much like VVS Laxman, who looks out of place in the hustle and bustle of one-day cricket. Ganguly has never quite warmed up to Murali Kartik and now no longer needs to deflect questions on the left-arm spinner after his nightmarish Test in Sydney last week. Consequently, the skipper finds seven frontline bowlers in his squad of 16 but struggles to pick four bowlers who could stand up to the heat of the battle. Thus the SOS to Amit Bhandari which smells of desperation and a hope in the wilderness that the Delhi right-arm medium-pacer could also firm up the spineless tail. India has launched a massive hunt for a couple of broad-shouldered, strong-willed youngsters in recent times but despite spreading the net wide, it has caught little except Zaheer Khan. Zaheer, Nehra, Debashis Mohanty, Bhandari, Laxmiratan Shukla, Rakesh Patel, Harvinder Singh, Doda Ganesh, Tinu Yohannan, T.C. Kumaran, Avishkar Salvi, Pathan and Balaji are a few names, which come readily to mind, who have been afforded chances. Bhandari is not one from the top order and his only one-day game against Pakistan in the 2000 Asia Cup in Dhaka cost him 75 runs from 10 overs but he can swing the ball and is useful with the bat. He has 216 first class wickets at 25 each but at 26 can at best be a short-term arrangement. But Bhandari has put up impressive performances of late, taking seven wickets in the recent triangular tournament in Kolkata at 21 apiece and, before, had an outstanding tour with India 'A' to England where he was the top wicket-taker, including 6 for 38 against Glamorgan. He also promises runs with the bat which is a rarity for an Indian tailender. As well as Agarkar and Kumble have bowled, Ganguly would not mind letting go one or two wickets from them as long as they can contribute in double figures with the bat. — PTI
|
|
|
SILIGURI: Indian cricket captain Saurav Ganguly will receive a rare gift — of 1800 white chrysanthemums blooming on a single stem — from a horticulturist who is a self-confessed admirer of ‘Dada’. Animesh Das will send this floral tribute to Ganguly at his Kolkata residence on January 31 for his “excellent captaincy” during India’s ongoing tour Down Under. “I have decided to gift the flowers to Saurav Ganguly as a mark of respect. He has made the countrymen proud with his individual performance as well as his captaincy,” Mr Das, an eminent horticulturist from Balurghat in West Bengal’s Dakshin Dinajpur district said. A member of Balurghat Floriculture Society, Mr Das said the unique plant was now on display at a flower show in Balurghat. — PTI
|
|
India, Malaysia settle for a draw
Kuala Lumpur, January 11 In one of the better matches of the tournament so far, both sides played with passion before settling for a draw. Len Aiyappa (21st minute) and Arjun Halappa (62nd) scored for India and the Malaysians replied through Gobinathan Krishnamurthy (32nd) and Ismail Abu (64th). India picked up their first point after two defeats, while Malaysia moved to two with two draws and a loss. On their part, the Indian attacks were incisive despite some needless individual play by a couple of their forwards, notably Baljeet Singh Dhillon. However, they had two good openings, first in the 12th minute when Vikram Pillay, after a combined move with Dhanraj Pillay, breached the Malaysian defence down the middle, but could not beat the goalkeeper. Five minutes later, Kuhan Shanmuganathan foiled Len Aiyappa’s penalty corner attempt with a goal-line save before the Indian managed to find the boards with his next try in the 21st. The reverse pumped up the Malaysians and they applied tremendous pressure on the Indian deep defence. Past the 27th minute, the home team wasted two good chances as Tajol Roslie hit into the goalkeeper and moments later, Ismail Abu slammed the ball over the crosspiece from close range. Despite the two lapses, the Malaysians continued to attack and Gobinathan found the boards from the second penalty corner in the 32nd minute to restore parity (1-1). In the Indian midfield, Vikram Pillay caught the eye by his aggressive play if not ball distribution as he frequently joined the attacks, lending it considerable punch. But like the Malaysians, the Indian forwards were error-prone inside the circle. Eventually, the Indians managed to knock one in after many attempts as Halappa deflected a hard centre from the right by Prabhdeep Singh who was set up by Dhillon, back in action with a face mask, in the 62nd minute (2-1). However, the Malaysians equalised two minutes later following a right wing move. Azlan Misron took a hit that came off the upright and Abu was on hand to slam home the rebound in the 64th. — PTI
|
|
Pakistan overcome Spain 4-2
Kuala Lumpur, January 11 The victory, marked by goals from Shabbir Hussain (6th) and Kashif Jawaad (17th, 45th and 66th) took Pakistan to the top of the league table where they displaced Germany on superior goal-difference. Spain, who scored through Pol Amat (43rd) when he converted a rebound after a Xavier Ribas penalty cornerflick came off the post, and Ribas (penalty corner, 62nd) could not contain the mercurial Pakistani forwards who sparkled with their dribbles and dodges. After Hussain put them in front when he found the boards on the second attempt, the Pakistanis repeatedly swept through the Spanish defence which had a difficult time. Soon, Pakistan went 2-0 up when Jawaad capped a Muhammad Nadeem-Rehan Butt move. On change of ends, Spain pulled one back as Pol Amat scored only to concede a goal within minutes when Jawaad flicked home a quickly taken free-hit by Ghazanfar Ali to effectly seal the match. Though Spaniards fought back with a goal by Ribas, the Pakistanis struck a fourth time when Jawaad completed his hat-trick after being put through by Hussain.
World champions Germany rode their luck to beat Korea 2-1 and register their third win on the trot in the seven-nation Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament at the National Stadium here today. The victory perched Germany on the top with nine points while the Koreans remained on one point from their draw with Australia yesterday. A penalty corner conversion by Bjoern Michel (27th) put Germany in the front as they controlled much of the first-half. But uncharacteristically, they grew complacent, allowing Korea back in the game in a replay of the 2002 World Cup semi-finals at the same venue and which the Germans had won 3-2. Seong Seung Tae deflected Ji Seong Hwan’s long-corner to level the scores before Christoph Bechmann scored the match winner from Mattias Wittahus pass in the 68th, a goal that the Koreans hotly disuputed. Bechmann’s goal was not beyond reproach as he apparently shielded the ball after receiving the pass. The Koreans argued in vain with umpire Stewart Dearing (South Africa). The German gamble of fielding their second choice goalkeeper Christian Schulte paid off as he brought off some fine saves to deny Koreans who were also unlucky when in the first-half, Yeo Woon Kon’s attempt came off the crosspiece.
— PTI |
|
Chennai, January 11 The Spanish bull and the Thai tiger fought a ferocious battle in the centre court, but in the end Moya’s scorching serve earned him the win. Srichapan, the defending champion in Chennai, thus failed in his bid to become the first player to regain the singles title. Up 2-1 in the tie-break, Moya fell back 3-5, returning poorly. But on his serve, Moya levelled five-all and led 6-5 as the Thai could not return his serve. He wrapped up the tie-break, taking another point on Srichapan’s serve. Earlier in the match, Moya served and hit his powerful forehand shots with aplomb to break the Thai in the tenth game and win the set 6-4. But, Srichapan found his touch in the second set, which also went on serve until Moya was broken in the third. He also took the ninth game. In the deciding third set also, Moya was under pressure, committing unforced errors. Srichapan was up 5-4, but Moya levelled 5-5 and 6-6 holding serve and forced a tie-break. — UNI
|
|
Anand begins campaign with draw
Wijk Aan Zee, January 11 Playing black, Anand played out a 23-move draw with Grandmaster Peter Leko of Hungary. Kramnik, the Braingames champion, went down to GM Vladimir Akopian of Armenia who emerged as the leader in this 14-player category 19 event on FIDE charts. Most of the players took a peaceful route in the first game of the new year, as a result of which draws dominated the first round. In fact Akopian, who also earned the best game prize of the day with his Houdini act, won the only decisive game of the day. Anand’s game did not have much apart from the theoretical interest in the Sicilian defence where Leko did not get as much as white as he might have liked. The World Rapid Chess champion employed the Taimanov system and had ready answers in a popular system akin to the English attack. The game took a twist in the middle game phase as Anand went for the central breakthrough that might have turned the game in to a sharp battle had Leko not decided to go for simplifications. — PTI
|
|
|
Indo-Pak series for former cricketers
Islamabad, January 11 The short series between the “Star Elevens” would serve as a “curtain raiser” to the eagerly anticipated tour of Pakistan by India in March-April. “The News” daily today quoted sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as saying the groundwork had been completed to hold the games in Sharjah in mid-February. “The matches are being organised as a curtain raiser to the eagerly anticipated Test series in Pakistan — jointly by the Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) in conjunction with Ten Sports who hold the telecast rights of the Indian tour,” sources said. “Basically the idea is to involve players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Rashid Latif, Saeed Anwar, Ijaz Ahmed, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Sanjay Manjrekar, Ravi Shastri, Kapil Dev, Nayan Mongia and Vinod Kambli in the matches to prepare the people for the Test tour,” they said. The PCB, the paper said, had in principle given its consent for the matches. It also said the CBFS was planning to award benefit purses to the former stars and other cash incentives to make the matches more interesting. — PTI
|
|
|
Tamil Nadu assured of Ranji title Chennai, January 11 It turned out to be a wild goose chase as Hyderabad committed hara kiri in the end overs and squandered the match from a winning position. The contest was well within the reach of Hyderabad when Ibrahim Khaleel (78, 80 balls, 7x4) and Shivaji Yadav (19) added a crucial 40 runs for the eighth wicket in 5.4 overs. But a spate of run outs in the end, cost them dearly. Earlier, put in to bat, Tamil Nadu scored 249 for eight in 50 overs, thanks to useful knocks by Skipper S Suresh (39, 59 balls, 4x4), Sadagoppan Ramesh (46, 70 balls, 1x4), who was inducted into the team after his return from the Aussie tour, S Badrinath (57, 66
balls, 1x4, 1x6) and J R Madanagopal (38, 41 balls, 2x4).
— UNI
Jadeja to lead New Delhi, January 11 The squad: Ajay Jadeja (captain), Dinesh Mongia (vice-captain), Gautam Gambhir, Mithun Manhas, Aakash Chopra, Ajay Ratra, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Sarandeep Singh, Amit Uniyal, Rahul Sanghvi, Amit Bhandari, Sanjay Gill, Pankaj Dharmani, Gagandeep Singh and Amit Mishra.
— PTI Khoda
to lead INDORE: Rajasthan’s Gagan Khoda will lead Central zone in the Duleep Trophy and Deodhar Trophy, the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association announced here. The committee which met under BCCI treasurer Jyoti
Bajpai, also the convener of the committee, on Saturday named Khoda as captain for the two teams, MPCA said in a press note.
— PTI
|
|
|
Anchery's strike sees JCT through Kolkata, January 11 Veteran midfielder Jo Paul Anchery scored the all-important goal for the visitors in the 22nd minute as the green and maroon brigade could never rise to the expectations in the Salt Lake stadium encounter, with Barreto, who has threatened to quit, did not turn up. Anchery, who had additional responsibility on his shoulder in the absence of an injured I.M. Vijayan, netted from close after Bagan goalkeeper Arindam Ghosh failed to grip a Dhanesh corner from right. With the win, JCT increased their tally to 15 points from nine matches while Bagan, who tasted their fourth defeat, remained on 11 points from nine outings. The Punjab outfit, in fact, could have increased their margin but for the mistakes committed by Ancheri and Nigerian striker Stephen Abarohi. Barely a minute after the goal, Stephen got a measured centre from the right but failed to utilise his territorial advantage to slot home from inside the rival box. Anchery, on the other hand, saw his push from an angle move away from near the rival goalline in the 70th minute. The city giants, down in their spirit due to the ongoing crisis centering the Brazilian, showed some urgency in the second half and got an easy chance soon after the break. However, young talent Ashim Biswas thwarted the opportunity as he shot wide a minus from Hardeep Gill. Bagan players, playing before a restive home crowd, had greater domination in the second session but failed to deliver the goods upfront. The absence of Barreto, who refused to play for the side after being "humiliated" by some officials, in the upfront was conspicuous as Biswas failed to pose any danger for the rival defence. Leonardo, the only foreigner in the Bagan squad, also failed to cut any mark in the middle. The pressure of playing before the home crowd, who were agitated over the factional feuds in the club and Barreto's "humiliation" in the hands of some officials, also had its impact on the players. Coach Alok Mukherjee, concerned at the out-of-the-field developments, could only blame his luck for the sad state of affairs. — PTI
|
|
Salgaocar beat Tollygunge Margao, January 11 Both the goals were scored in the first half through Dharamjit Singh (4th) and Fredy Mascarenhas (25th) as Salgaocar took their tally to 16 points from nine matches.— PTI |
|
|
Kabaddi included in World Masters Games Chandigarh, January 11 Talking to The Tribune here this morning at the residence of Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, Punjab Animal Husbandry, Youth and Sports, Mr Gene Zwozdesky said that the Alberta government had offered a grant of $ 4 million to the organisers of Masters Games which is being viewed as a great opportunity for promoting tourism besides celebrating 100 years of Alberta as a provine. “During my three days in Punjab, I have met some of the top kabaddi players. I was pleasantly suprised to find women playing kabaddi. Though women kabaddi will not be a part of World Masters Games but soon this will become an international sport,” he said hoping that more than 16000 sportsmen of the age of 25 and above will participate in the 10-day sports extravaganza. Competitions in 28 sports disciplines, including kabaddi, will be conducted during the games. In Alberta, he said, of 3.1 million population, there are about 51,000 Indian-Canadians. The young Indian-Canadians were in all major sports as they have been doing well in sports like ice hockey, baseball, skiing, rugby and golf. He also invited teams and sports delegations from Punjab to participate in the World Masters Games and also visit Canada. |
|
Kabaddi Cup JALANDHAR: DAV Malwa Club, Bathinda lifted second Lachman Singh Bhupal Memorial Khalsa Heritage Kabaddi Cup by defeating Harjit Talwar Club, Moga 49-41 here on Sunday. Sher-e-Punjab Kabaddi Club, California was outclassed by Harjit Talwar Kabaddi Club, Moga during a keenly contested semi-final. Moga team secured a place in the finals by registering victory over California lads 51-46. In another semi-final between DAV Malwa Club and Doaba Club, Nakodar, the former emerged victorious in a nail-biting finish. Later, Punjab Minister Amarjit Singh Samra gave away trophy and a cash prize of Rs 1.51 lakh to DAV Malwa Club while runners-up were given a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.
— OC |
|
Punjab pip Haryana
in kabaddi final Pondicherry, January 11 In the Kho-Kho event, Karnataka boys and Maharashtra girls bagged the titles. While Karnataka boys outplayed Andhra Pradesh 15-7, the Maharashtra girls defeated Karnataka 6-4. Maharashtra boys bagged the third place beating Kerala 15-12, while West Bengal girls defeated Punjab 7-5 for the third place. Pondicherry was adjudged the best contingent in the march past, while Punjab was placed second.
— UNI
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | National Capital | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Wijk Aan Zee, January 11
Video
