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India spank Sri Lanka by 152 runs
SC clears decks for BCCI poll
Bindra accuses BCCI of fraud
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Shoaib threatens legal action
England to keep up momentum
Clarke defends performance at number four
Harikrishna defeats Stefanova
Randhawa picks Atwal as favourite
Vaishavi leads on opening day
Hockey meet from Oct 27
Mankiran wins gold
Chandigarh lose in kabaddi
Volleyball meet from Oct 27
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India spank Sri Lanka by 152 runs
Nagpur, October 25 After rattling up a mammoth 350 for six with a collective onslaught by most of the top-order batsmen, spinners Harbhajan Singh and Murali Kartik shared the spotlight with three wickets each to bundle out the visitors for 198 in 35.4 overs to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the seven-match series. Tendulkar, returning to the international arena after a six-month injury layoff, set the tone with his 96-ball knock while Irfan Pathan (83) and captain Rahul Dravid (85 not out) were the other notable performers on what appeared to be a good batting track. M.S. Dhoni then provided the late sparks to the innings, the highest-ever total recorded in this ground, with a quickfire 28-ball 38 to leave the islanders in a complete daze as even Muttiah Muralitharan failed to make much of in impact. The Sri Lankans lost captain Marvan Atapattu (1) early but kept themselves in the chase with a rollicking 64-run second-wicket partnership between Sanath Jayasuriya (27) and Kumara Sangakkara (43). But Jayasuriya’s dismissal in the 11th over completely changed the complexion of the game as the Lankan middle order collapsed like a pack of cards, falling prey to the guiles of Harbhajan and Kartik. The two teams would now travel to Mohali for the second one-dayer to be held under floodlights on October 28. The tally was India’s second-highest against their southern rivals, the highest being 373 for 6 in the 1999 World Cup at Taunton in England. The visitors’ run chase, after they were set an asking rate of 7.02 by the Indians, whose total surpassed the previous best of 348 for 8 made by New Zealand in 1995-96 at this venue, went haywire once Jayasuriya, who struck six fours, and Sangakkara departed in the space of two overs. Jayasuriya spooned a drive straight to Dravid at short extra cover in the 11th over, Harbhajan’s first, and then in the very next over, Sangakkara was deceived by Virender Sehwag’s extra bounce and turn and gave a tame return catch as Lanka slid to 76 for 3 from 74 for one in very little time. Then Harbhajan struck two blows in four balls to send back the promoted Upul Chandana (3) and Russel Arnold (0) and the tourists were on their knees. Mahela Jayawardene, the vice-captain, departed after being castled, trying an injudicious reverse sweep against super sub Kartik and the Lankans were looking down the barrel. Kartik and Harbhajan ensured that the lower order of the visitors did not prosper, as had happened in their last few encounters in Lanka, though Chaminda Vaas (37 not out) and super sub Dilhara Lokuhettige (29) tried their best to keep their side in the fight till the end with a 63-run ninth-wicket stand. Earlier, everything went in the home team's favour, including the toss, as the Indian batsmen, mainly Tendulkar, Pathan, promoted to number three, and Dravid cut the Lankan attack to ribbons. The platform for India's huge total was laid by the 164-run second-wicket stand in 25.5 overs by Tendulkar, playing his first international tie after six months, and Pathan, who flogged the visitors’ lacklustre attack mercilessly. Tendulkar showed glimpses of his touch despite coming into this tie on the back of only three domestic one-day matches as he drove, flicked and cut in impressive fashion during his 96-ball innings, which included 9 fours and 2 sixes. It was his 70th half century in his 349th ODI and 12th in 55 ties against the islanders. Pathan showed why he might just answer India’s call for a bowling allrounder as he picked the ball cleanly to make it disappear over the ropes. He hit four huge sixes, one of which landed on the second tier of the stands, and eight fours in his 70-ball essay. It was Pathan’s third half century and he batted at number three for the first time. The duo’s massive partnership was broken just after the score moved past the 200-run mark. The two batsmen left in quick succession, in the space of three balls, and then Yuvraj Singh left early. The scoring rate dropped marginally at this period of time but Dravid, in the company of Dhoni, who played a cameo innings of 38 with three fours and two sixes, ensured that the good work done by the earlier pair did not go waste as he waded into the hapless attack with gusto. At the end the Indian skipper, who was adjudged man of the match, remained unconquered after hitting eight fours and a six in only 64 deliveries as India added 100 runs in the last 10 overs, including 61 in the last five when Dravid went on the attacking spree with vigour. The Lankan bowling and fielding wilted under the massive assault of the Indian top order and barring Muralitharan, who conceded less than five an over, others got caned. India capped young Kerala medium-pacer S. Sreesanth, who opened the bowling with Pathan. Sreesanth claimed the last two wickets to return with figures of 5.4-0-39-2 in his debut match.
— PTI India: Sehwag c Sangakkara b Vaas 20 Tendulkar c Sangakkara
b Maharoof 93 Pathan c Jayawardene b Dilshan 83 Yuvraj lbw Dilshan 14 Dravid not out 85 Dhoni c Jayawardene
b Fernando 38 Agarkar run out 1 Yadav not out 3 Extras: (lb-5, nb-4, w-4) 13 Total: (6 wkts, 50 overs) 350 Fall of wickets:
1-41, 2-205, 3-207, 4-247, 5-316, 6-319. Bowling: Vaas 9-0-67-1, Maharoof 10-0-82-1, Fernando 10-0-66-1, Muralitharan 10-0-49-0, Dilshan 6-0-40-2, Chandana 5-0-41-0. Sri Lanka: Jayasuriya c Dravid
b Harbhajan 27 Atapattu b Pathan 1 Sangakkara c&b Sehwag 43 Chandana st Dhoni
b Harbhajan 3 Jayawardene b Kartik 17 Arnold b Harbhajan 0 Dilshan b Kartik 23 Maharoof st Dhoni b Kartik 2 Vaas not out 37 Dilhara b Sreesanth 29 Muralitharan c
Kartik b Sreesanth 6 Extras: (lb-2, nb-2, w-6) 10 Total: (all out, 35.4 overs) 198 Fall of wickets:
1-10, 2-74, 3-76, 4-88, 5-88, 6-118, 7-121, 8-126, 9-189. Bowling:
Pathan 5-0-34-1, Sreesanth 5.4-0-39-2, Agarkar 3-0-20-0, Harbhajan 10-0-34-3, Sehwag 3-1-20-1, Kartik
9-0-49-3. |
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SC clears decks for BCCI poll
New Delhi, October 25 The BCCI and three state cricket bodies, at loggerheads over the proposed AGM to elect the BCCI President and its executive, agreed to give wide powers to the observer to conduct the elections smoothly and in a fair manner at the meeting, to be held in Kolkata. The exact date for the AGM would be fixed by the BCCI in consultation with Mr Krishnamurthy, the apex court said. As per the agreement, submitted to the court by the BCCI and the Jharkhand Cricket Association on one side and the Rajasthan Cricket Association, the Netaji Cricket Club of Chennai and the Bihar Cricket Association on the other, said the observer would have powers to decide any question regarding the validity of the votes and the disqualification or eligibility of any candidate to contest the election for any post, as per BCCI rules. Making a commitment to a Bench of Mr Justice B.P. Singh, Mr Justice S.B. Sinha and Mr Justice P.K. Balasubramanyan that the AGM would not be adjourned after the elections like last year to enable the old executive of the BCCI to deliberate upon other unfinished issues pertaining to cricket, which would be on the agenda, the agreement said entire election process would be recorded on video and audio tapes to ensure complete transparency. Since the new executive would take charge later, the old BCCI executive would be allowed to finish the pending agenda after the completion of the election process by the AGM, which was adjourned abruptly on September 23 following a legal wrangle over the appointment of two former Chief Justices of India and a retired Supreme Court Judge as observers. As per the agreement, the observers’ role would be over after the declaration of the election result, but if there was any dispute over disqualification of a candidate or nominees and any vote was held invalid, he would have to keep such votes in a separate envelope, to be submitted to the court, which would give its final verdict in a resumed hearing on December 12. The court directed the observer to submit his report on the AGM proceedings as well as the video and audio tapes to it within seven days of the conclusion of the meeting, along with his brief reasoning note on his rulings on voting rights, eligibility and disqualification. After an agreement between the litigating parties, the apex court said no other court would entertain any suit or legal proceedings that would arise out of the BCCI elections. It also debarred any other court from interfering in the election process. “The observer shall carry out the mandate of this order and the election shall be held on the date and venue that my be notified by the BCCI, notwithstanding the order of any other court to the contrary,” it said, adding that he would be paid a remuneration of Rs 2 lakh for his services. Though the court wanted to dispose of the matter with these directions, counsel for the BCCI and the other litigating parties requested it to adjourn the hearing till December to examine the report of the observer. |
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Bindra accuses BCCI of fraud
Mohali, October 25 Coming down heavily on the BCCI for its “faulty” marketing strategies regarding the distribution of TV rights, Mr Bindra said today that Doordarshan had clinched the deal after offering Rs 90 crore for telecasting 12 matches. The BCCI had ignored a lucrative offer of Rs 135 crore by another TV channel, he added. Talking to mediapersons here, he claimed that the board was playing a fraud on cricketers and the public. The former BCCI chief said, “International rights for the 12 matches had been awarded to Nimbus for $ 1.75 million against Nimbus’ offer of $ 5 million. This is fraud on cricket associations and players.” “I have approached the high court over the issue and have put forward all the facts,” said Mr Bindra. “Last year, the board lost Rs 350 crore by undervaluing what it could have earned by awarding various rights,” he stated. |
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Shoaib threatens legal action
Karachi, October 25 The host of ESPN-Star Sports, in its Monday bulletin, carrying a story on Shoaib joining the camp, used a phrase in Hindi that annoyed the temperamental fast bowler, who had taken up the case with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The Hindi phrase compared Shoaib with the tail of a dog that never straightens, with reference to the bowler’s indiscipline and lack of commitment. “I have brought the issue to the notice of PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan, who has assured me that the cricket board will fight my case,” Shoaib said. “I demand an unconditional apology from the channel and if they do not, I will be left with no other option but to file a case of defamation in an Indian court,” Shoaib added. Shoaib and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq met Shaharyar Khan this morning and showed the programme footage. “We will not allow any sports channel to use derogatory remarks against any Pakistani cricketer. We will write to the sports channel to express our annoyance,” a spokesman of the PCB said.
— PTI |
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England to keep up momentum
London, October 25 England’s dramatic 2-1 home series defeat of Australia, the world’s number one ranked Test team, gave them the Ashes for the first time in 18 years and inspired a huge surge in cricket’s popularity in the land of its birth. But on the eve of England’s departure for a three-Test and seven one-day match tour, Vaughan told reporters at England’s hotel here yesterday that his side would have to be at their best to win in Pakistan. There are only five survivors from England’s successful 1-0 win in a three Test series on their last tour of Pakistan in 2000-01 — Vaughan, Matthew Hoggard, Ashley Giles, Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Flintoff — in the current squad and Vaughan said his team would have to adapt quickly to the conditions. Test squad:
Michael Vaughan (capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles, Stephen Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Geraint Jones, Alex Loudon, Kevin Pietersen, Liam Plunkett, Matthew Prior, Andrew Strauss, Marcus Trescothick and Shaun Udal. ODI team:
Vaughan, Anderson, Collingwood, Flintoff, Giles, Harmison, Jones Pietersen, Prior, Plunkett, Vikram Solanki, Strauss and Trescothick.
— AFP |
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Clarke defends performance at number four
Sydney, October 25 The 24-year-old has come under fire since he was promoted from number six earlier this month when predecessor Damien Martyn became the scapegoat for Australia’s first Ashes defeat in 16 years. Mark Waugh, Australia’s longest-serving number four, had said Clarke’s technique was too loose after he scored only 40 in two Test innings against World XI this month. Former Test player Kerry O’Keefe and Sheffield Shield veteran Jamie Cox had also questioned Clarke’s credentials in the position ahead of a three-Test series against the West Indies, beginning in Brisbane next week. Clarke, who had been tipped as a future Australian captain, said he would not be changing his style, commenting, “It has got me this far.” He denied that he was better suited to number six, where there was more margin for error, and said his experience playing number four at the state level would stand him in good stead. “That is my ideal position,” he said in remarks published in The Sydney Morning Herald today. “It is where I have batted for New South Wales for a while and hopefully, I can cement my spot there for Australia.” “Through the Ashes, I felt I learnt a lot about my own game. I had to work very hard to make runs over there. I think my batting is definitely improving,” he said. “I hope it continues to improve, I am disappointed that I have not made a big score in Test cricket of late. I feel like I am hitting the ball pretty well and I have just got to try and go on with it when I get a start.” Clarke urged former players to contact him directly with criticism of his style, rather than air their complaints publicly. “They are entitled to their own opinion. I will probably like those guys to give me a call, if they have got any ways of helping me and fixing my technique,” he said. “They get paid to write stories and say what they have to say. So I will just continue working as hard as I can and hopefully, prove a few people wrong.”
— AFP |
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Harikrishna defeats Stefanova
Hoogeveen, October 25 With his first victory in the event, Harikrishna made sure of his joint lead in the tournament even as top seed and local favourite Ivan Sokolov emerged victorious against Aeroflot Open winner Emil Sutovsky of Israel. As things stand after the end of the second round of the category-16 tournament, Harikrishna and Sokolov share the lead with 1.5 points apiece while Stefanova and Sutovsky were in joint third spot on half a point each with four more rounds to go in the Euros 10,000 prize money event. Harikrishna was in his element in a sparkling victory over Stefanova that drew praise from everyone including his opponent in one word — Bravo! The reason was a finely knitted checkmating web that downed Stefanova. Earlier playing the black side of a Slav defense, Harikrishna faced a relatively new idea on the 13th move but as things progressed it was quite clear that Stefanova’s plan was not a real improvement on existing theory.
— PTI |
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Randhawa picks Atwal as favourite
New Delhi, October 25 Jyoti did not discount his prospects of winning the first prize, though he would put his money on Arjun Atwal. The Indian Open, to be held from October 27 to 31, is the 23rd leg of the Asian Golf Tour, with many reputed players from the region competing for the top prize. “I will bet on an Indian winning the title and my favourite is Arjun Atwal,” Jyoti said. He said Vijay Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Shiv Kapur and former two-time champions Ali Sher and Feroze Ali were also capable of winning.
— OSR |
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Vaishavi leads on opening day
Chandigarh, October 25 Vaishavi hit birdies on the second and 10th holes. But then she bogeyed five times to finish with a three over card. Close on her heels was Sharmila Nicolett, just one stroke behind with a four over card of 76. In fact it was a close first day with Neha Majithia, Shruti Khanna and Vandana Agarwal following just one stroke behind. The local challenge Parnita Garewal returned a card of 80. The results: Open (gross): Vaishavi Sinha 75, Sharmila Nicolett 76, Neha Majithia 77. Silver Salver (handicap 0-12): Nett--- Preetinder Kaur 70, Mina Johl 70, Sharmila Nicolett 73, ;Manarit Kochhar 73, Shweta Galande 73. Challenge
Bowl (handicap 13-24): Gross----Apurva Gupta 89, Rohini Majithia 89, Pallavi Jain 89, Sonali Chibber 89; Nett----Pallavi Jain 69, Apourva Gupta 71, Tanya Anand 72. Bronze plate (handicap25-36): Gross----Arshiya Singh 102, Gaitri M.M. Singh 109, Ekam J. Singh 110; Nett----Arshiya Singh 74, Ekam J. Singh 79, Gaitri M.M. Singh 84, Tina Jain 84. Junior Shield (under 18): Gross----Vaishavi Sinha 75, Sharmila Nicolett 76, Preetinder Kaur 81, Divya Kapoor 81; Nett----Preetinder Kaur 70, Apurva Gupta 71, Tanya Anand 72. Subjunior Shield (under 14): Gross----Laverry Kumar 89, Meher Atwal 101, Sherya Ghai 106; Nett----Meher Atwal 79, Ekam J. Singh 79, Sherya Ghai 87, Laverry Kumar 89. Senior Challenge: Gross ----Rashmi Prasad 96, Chandana Dutt 98, Sheena Sekhon 100; Nett----Rashmi Prasad 78, Sheena Sekhon 79, Chandana Dutt 80. |
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Hockey meet from Oct 27
Ludhiana, October 25 Giving this information during a press conference here today, Mr D S Grewal, working president of the MPSG Charitable Trust and Society, said they had invited 16 teams and received confirmation from 12 teams. These include the reigning champions Northern Railway, Delhi, last year's losing finalists Central Railway, Mumbai, Western Railway, Mumbai, North Eastern Railway, Gorakhpur, South Eastern Railway, Kolkata, Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, Jharkhand XI, Shanoa XI, Punjab, SAI Chandigarh, Delhi XI, Western Central Railway, Jabalpur and Ludhiana XI. The tournament will be played on knock-out basis. Mr Grewal said the society had decided to honour Baldev Singh, former India coach and Deputy Director, Sports, Haryana, during the tournament. |
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Mankiran wins gold
Sangrur, October 25 In 100m backstroke, Tamil Nadu’s Aishwarya won the gold. Ritu of Delhi was second and Gurbinder Kaur of Punjab was third. Punjab and Chandigarh continued their winning spree in basketball. Punjab trounced Gujarat 58-8. Aashna scored 19 points for Punjab. In another match, Punjab got a walkover from West Bengal. Chandigarh defeated Meghalaya 53-26. Shweta Dutta scored 18 points for Chandigarh. Brigid Kharbani was the top-scorer for Meghalaya with 10 points. In an interesting match, Uttar Pradesh scraped past Tamil Nadu 64-57. Renu Maurya scored 32 points for the winners. Jaymala scored 18 points for the losers. |
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Chandigarh lose in kabaddi
Jalandhar, October 25 In the handball matches, Uttaranchal beat MP 32-20, CISF beat AP 48-27, Gujarat beat Tamil Nadu 33-32, Haryana beat Manipur 25-21, UP beat HP 23-7 and Karnataka beat Orissa 43-36. In the kabaddi matches, Haryana beat Goa 54-4, UP beat Chandigarh 47-15, Maharashtra beat Karnataka 25-24, HP beat Orissa 29-28, Punjab beat Chattisgarh 77-12, ITBP beat Delhi 34-27, CISF beat Manipur 53-17, Uttaranchal beat Rajasthan 60-21. — TNS |
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Volleyball meet from Oct 27
Ropar, October 25 He said eight teams from various polytechnic, including
Ludhiana, Patiala, Amritsar, will be taking part in the tournament.
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