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Coaches believe spin can play big role
Balaji out of SA, Australia series
England-Lanka tie hit by rain
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Today’s match
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ICC turns down BCCI request
Shoaib Malik pain in neck for India
Wrestler on hunger strike
Amritsar in Katoch Shield semifinal
WFI names 28 probables
Ajeetesh, Fatehbir triumph
Patiala in
semifinal
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Coaches believe spin can play big role
Birmingham, September 17 “Obviously, we have to win the match and we will exercise all options available, including playing two spinners,” Wright said. “Nothing is certain at the moment. We have had a 3-1 policy (three seamers and one spinner) but we may have a second look at it. The pitch here has helped the spinners.” For his part, the Pakistan coach, Woolmer said, “I know Harbhajan (Singh) and Anil (Kumble) are very experienced bowlers but (Shahid) Afridi and Shoaib (Malik) are very good too. In my opinion, they are top quality spinners. The weather and pitch conditions will influence the playing XI.” The coaches were talking to reporters after the teams completed training indoors at the Edgbaston Cricket Centre. The teams had nets on adjacent strips inside the same facility. Rain forced the sides to have their nets indoors but they drew consolation from the fact that Met office believed that Sunday would not see rain. Wright conceded that India would have to play better than they did in the last two matches against Pakistan at the Asia Cup in Colombo and the Videocon Cup in Amsterdam. “Everyone realises that and it is a healthy sign. We all know we have to raise our game because Pakistan is a dangerous side. They are well-balanced and may have a slight edge. We have to win and do something special,” he said. Wright also said beleaguered opener Virender Sehwag needed to be encouraged. “He is natural and we have faith in his abilities. I think he is just two or three shots away from finding his form,” he said. Woolmer said he had asked his players not to worry about the pressure of playing India. “Most games in cricket are won by teams that stay cool. I tell my players not to worry about the pressure. This match is just another game. I find this Pakistan team very disciplined and is captained by a very terrific leader.” Woolmer said it was staggering that India and Pakistan drew full houses wherever they played but he wanted the players and the crowd to enjoy the match on Sunday. “No one knows what will happen. You can’t predict in cricket. It’s like reading a good novel where players write the story. Don’t try to reach the end. Wait till you get to it,” he said. “I’ve a plan but why should I tell you?” Woolmer responded when asked if he had a strategy for the match. “You’ll tell the world.” —UNI
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Balaji out of SA, Australia series
Birmingham, September 17 Team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus said the injury he suffered early this month was complicated enough to keep the right arm pacer out of action for at least the next two months. "Balaji has a growth in spurs in the pelvic region and the experts feel nature should be allowed to lead the recovery process rather than attempt to rush it," Leipus said here. The Tamil Nadu seamer, who was replaced by Amit Bhandari in the Champions Trophy squad, was due to return home in the next 48 hours. His return to the team though could take longer. Australia are to play four Tests with the first beginning in Bangalore on October 6 while South Africa are scheduled to play two Tests in November. Balaji's injury was another big blow for India as they were already without ace batsman Sachin Tendulkar whose tennis elbow injury on the left arm seems to take longer time to heal than expected. For the 22-year old Balaji, who has formed a lethal new ball combination with Irfan Pathan in recent times, the news was absolutely shattering. "I will try my best to do what I can but you can't fight with injury," said a philosophical Balaji who has played 24 one-day internationals and taken 30 wickets at 40.23 besides 13 Test scalps in five matches. Bruce Reid, who has been coaching the Indian bowlers in England, was certain Balaji would be badly missed by his team. "He was shaping up pretty well and his absence would be badly felt," he said. But Balaji's absence could give Bhandari, who held his own well in the couple of matches he played in a triseries on the Australian tour last season, a second look in. The Delhi seamer was very impressive in the practice game for his three-wicket haul yesterday. He almost immediately adjusted to English wickets and it would not have gone unnoticed by the team's think tank.
—PTI |
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England-Lanka tie hit by rain
Southampton, England, September 17 The winners will take on world champions Australia in the semi-finals next week. If the persistent rain fails to stop, the two sides will return tomorrow to complete the match. Sri Lanka could have restricted England further in the 32 overs bowled if they had taken their catches, Mahela Jayawardene spilling an easy chance at slip when Andrew Flintoff, 21 not out at the break, was on one. Nuwan Zoysa and Sanath Jayasuriya also dropped catches in the deep off Trescothick and Andrew Strauss. Strauss was run out for seven soon after his escape, attempting to run two after tickling the ball to third man. Opener Vikram Solanki edged Farveez Maharoof behind for 18 after Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu chose to field first with menacing clouds overhead. Captain Michael Vaughan was bowled middle stump by Zoysa for five when he wandered across his stumps to leave England on 52 for two after 15 overs. — Reuters |
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ICC turns down BCCI request
London, September 17 BCCI is finding it hard to get rid of the legal tangle over the telecasting rights that has two broadcasters ESPN-STAR Sports and Zee Telefilms at the loggerheads. ‘’While the ICC is aware of the litigation that is taking place concerning BCCI’s television rights, it is unable to waive the minimum requirement for television coverage for third umpires’’, an ICC release said here today. It also confirmed today that the provision of television coverage for third umpire decisions is a pre-requisite for the staging of international cricket matches. Responding to the BCCI request, ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed said that it was the ICC’s policy that adequate television facilities for the third umpire were mandatory for all Test and one-day international matches. “ICC is not able to agree to BCCI’s proposal. It is ICC policy that all international matches must have third umpire television coverage in place. ICC has revisited this policy recently and confirmed that it is one of the requirements for international cricket,’’ Mr Speed said.
— UNI |
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Shoaib Malik pain in neck for India
After a series of low key and one-sided matches, the India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Champions Trophy on Sunday would be the focal point of the tournament. Although the tournament is still in the first round, the following of the championships would reach a crescendo on that day. An Indian progress would not only warm the billions of Asian hearts but will also immensely please the Indian business houses, which almost run the world cricket these days. For all practical purposes, the India-Pakistan game would be the real final for the followers of the game in the subcontinent. The Indians, I am sure, must be preparing in the right earnest for the big match with the team management trying to decide the final eleven. The real problem starts when the think-tank finds it difficult to choose the final combination. But skipper Ganguly, perhaps, has more or less made up his mind about 10 players. It leaves us with one spot, which could go to either Anil Kumble or Ajit Agarkar. The team management, I presume, is convinced to a great extent about playing Dinesh Karthick as a regular wicketkeeper. In recent times keepers like Adam Gilchrist, Mark Boucher and Kumar Sangakkara have redefined the roles of one-day wicketkeeping. They are more recognised because of their ability to bat than their actions behind the stumps. That is what is expected from Karthick too. I am sure that the youngster is well aware of the needs at the international level. Another wicketkeeper-batsman knocking at the doors of the Indian team is Ranchi lad Mahendra Singh Dhoni. A great talent, Dhoni has powered his batting with good technique and matured aggression. Since Bob Woolmer has taken over from Javed Miandad, there has been a change in the Pakistan players' approach. India now will have to plan out for a highly progressive Pakistan side. The Pakistanis have a psychological edge after having beaten India in the last two encounters. Shoiab Malik has been the real pain in the neck for the Indians. His unusual appetite to do well against the Indians has to be negated. In his last two innings against India, Malik hardly scored runs on the on-side. Batsmen, who are strong on the off-side, always prove effective as the line and length of international bowlers is mostly on and around off-stump. It would be effective if the Indian bowlers bowl within the stumps and encourage him to play on the onside. All-rounder Abdul Razzaq would be another batsman to watch out. The gritty cricketer has always played well in the slog overs to accelerate the run rate. The weakness of Shahid Afridi and Moin Khan in playing short-pitched balls has to be exploited. Otherwise, if bowled to their strengths, these two experienced players can snatch the game away. Bowling, I think, will be the key to India's success in this all-important match. Pakistan bowling, of late, has not been really threatening. Shoaib Akthar is just fast and does not worry the Indian batsmen too much. Pakistani speedsters, led by Shoaib, have failed to match the skills and devastating effects of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. The Pakistan spin department stands nowhere near the Indians when compared to the guile of Harbhajan and Anil Kumble. On the whole, Indians have a chance to win only if they play to a proper plan. — PTI
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Yashpal Sharma in ICC panel
New Delhi, September 17 |
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Anand fancies India’s chances in Olympiad
New Delhi, September 17 Anand said the women’s team, comprising players like highly talented Konery Humpy, who has been selected for the Arjuna Award this year, were very good and they had a better chance of striking a medal, even a gold, in the Olympiad, than the men. While the men’s squad, headed by Anand, face a strong challenge from formidables like Russia, Ukraine and Armenia, the women have rather easy opponents. The maestro, who has been having an amazing streak of success for the past two and half years, dispelled the notion that he was a soft player, and lacked the killer instinct. “I have shown time and again that I can win the big matches across the board with much aggression”, Anand said at a felicitation function organised by his sponsors NIIT to “celebrate the World Rapid Chess Champion’s home coming”. Anand was accompanied by his wife, and the couple projected the image of perfect role models. Star struck fans posed many a poser at the couple, and besieged them for autographs. “It is a fantastic feeling to know that people follow my results back home”, Anand noted. He said he was satisfied with his consistent performance over the last two and a half years. “This is something I am very proud of”, Anand said. “The nice thing is that I have been able to maintain my motivation levels. Otherwise, your performance dips”, he observed. Anand, who won the Chess Oscar for the third time in 2003 (he had earlier won the title in 1997 and 1998), has bagged four international titles since January 2004, including the Corus Super Grandmasters Tournament in Wijk Aan Zee, Sparkassen Super Grandmasters Tournament in Dortmund (Germany), the Chess Classic at Mainz in Germany for the fifth time, the Sao Paolo Challenge in Brazil, and the Rapid section of the Melody Amber Tournament in Monaco. He said in chess, confidence was everything. “The game is too complex. Attitude and success matters. When you have the passion, it gets much easier (of winning matches)”, Anand explained. The chess maestro, who will turn 35 on December 11 this year, has now set his sight on yet another Chess Oscar next year. In April this year, he officially became the World No 2 once again, behind Garry Kasparov, but ahead of Vladimir Kramnik. Anand is now marching towards his next goal—a target of 2800 elo points. Currently, only one other player, Garry Kasparov, has a rating of over 2800 points. “Vishy’s success and victories are a source of inspiration for thousands of NIITians who have created the same kind of magic in the field of IT. We are as proud of Vishy’s achievements as we are of our students’ success”, explained Rajendra Pawar, chairman of NIIT.
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Wrestler on hunger strike
New Delhi, September 17 Anuj, winner of the silver medal in the Manchester Commonwealth Games, believes that he is the most deserving candidate for the award this year. “I am not doing anything wrong but asking for my right. If I do not express my resentment now I will keep being victimised,” Anuj said. “I was the first choice recommended by the Wrestling Federation of India, but do not know where things went wrong. I do not know politics and can ask for my right only through such protest,” said the grappler, who had recently represented the country at the Athens Olympics. “I have represented the country 30 times in my seven-year career and have excelled almost every time. I have also been the national title holder since 1997,” he argued. Athlete Bobby Aloysius, discuss thrower Anil Kumar and shotputter Bahadur Singh have already expressed their resentment over the award committee’s decision. Olympian Sujit Mann, Sanjay Kumar, who had also staged a similar protest in 1995 and was awarded the following year and Hind-Kesri Rajiv Tomar were among the over 500 people who came to support Anuj. Captain Chandrut was also staging a sit-on protest to seek the Dronacharya award, he said.
— PTI |
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Amritsar in Katoch Shield semifinal
Amritsar, September 17 Amritsar topped the group B with five points in its kitty. Hosts beat Jalandhar on the basis of first-innings lead. In response to paltry 78 runs of Jalandhar, hosts scored 228 runs in 56 overs. Chandan Madan (68) and Munish Sharma (50) contributed significantly. For the visitors, Vineet Sharma scalped four wickets while Ishan Malhotra and Vikramjit claimed two wickets each. Batting in the second innings Jalandhar were 196 for four at the close of today’s match. Opener Ishan Malhotra’s 112 failed to lift his side. |
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WFI names 28 probables
Hisar, September 17 The probables: 48kg: Sumel (MTNL), Nirmal (Haryana), Kamini Yadav (Delhi), Reeta (Nidani) 51kg: Neha (Haryana), Meema (MTNL), Sunita (Nidani), Renu Bala (Punjab) 55kg: Sunita, Rachna (Haryana), Poonam (Nidani), Binu (MTNL) 59kg: Alka Tomar (UP), Anita (Haryana), Neelam (Delhi), Krishna (Nidani) 63kg: Geetika Jakhar (Haryana), Poonam (Nidani), Babita (UP), Manjit (Punjab) 67kg: Manju, Praveen (Haryana), Jyoti (Delhi), Roshni (MTNL) 72kg: Sonika Kaliraman (MTNL), Neeru (Haryana), Pooja (Delhi), Gursharanpreet Kaur (Punjab). Coaches: Gian Singh (Railway), Anjali (Maharashtra), Anita (Manipur) and Usha (Haryana).
— PTI |
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Ajeetesh, Fatehbir triumph
Chandigarh, September 17 Ajeetesh hit birdies on the first, second, 12th, 13th and 14 holes. But then he faltered with three bogies in the fourth, seventh and 11th holes on the lush course of the Chandigarh Golf Club. The 15-year-old Anjeetesh left his nearest rival, Fatehbir Singh Dhaliwal 15 strokes behind. The final scores after the four rounds in Category A were, Ajeetesh Sandhu 281, Fatehbir Dhaliwal 296, Gaganjeet S Bhullar 299, Karan Vasudeva 308, Amanjot Singh 310, Raj Randhawa 310. Fatehbir Dhaliwal clinched the Category B title with an overall score of 296. Second-placed Amanjot Singh finished 14 strokes behind at 310 followed by Rahul Bakshi with 313. Akash Vats (252), K. Raghav Bhandari (355) and Anish Gupta (361) finished in that order in Category C. Virat Badhwar clinched the Category D title with a score of 252. He was followed by Ankur Chadha (265) and Anesh Ahluwalia (268). At a ceremony later UT Home Secretary R.S. Gujral gave away the prizes. Air Marshal M.M. Singh was a guest of honour at the function.
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Patiala in
semifinal Patiala, September 17 Both Hardavinder and Bhardwaj bowled an impeccable
line on a moist wicket to restrict the visitors at 15 for 5 at one stage
before skipper Amit Unniyal bailed Chandigarh out with a quick fire
40. The host Patiala bagged a solitary point from this match and is now
topping the table in their pool with 6 points and has bagged a semifinal
slot. Brief scores: Chandigarh: 1st innings: 100 for 7: Hardavinder
Singh 3 for 15, Maninder Bhardwaj 3 for 24, A. Unniyal 40 n.o. |
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In video: Legal wrangle over
TV rights puts a question mark on the telecast of India-Australia Test series. (
