Ahmedabad, November 5
Having clinched the series in convincing fashion with four consecutive wins, India will be looking to improve their world rankings by maintaining a clean slate in the remaining three games of the one-day series against Sri Lanka.

Motivation should not be a problem for Rahul Dravid’s men when they take on the Sri Lankans in the fifth match, a day-night tie, at the Sardar Patel stadium here tomorrow.

The hosts went into the series as the seventh-ranked team on the ICC ODI table and a series whitewash could catapult them to number four.

The Lankans have been anything but lions and have lost their status as challengers to the throne, the 4-0 lead taken by the Indians pushing them from the number two position to the fourth rank at the moment. Marvan Atapattu and his men will essentially be playing for pride from now on.

One win in the remaining three matches will see them hold on to the number four spot and that should be a good enough reason for them to push themselves hard in what are going to be otherwise inconsequential matches.

The Indians will be aiming to iron out the wrinkles, if there have been any, in what has otherwise been a sparkling performance so far.

A big score is pending from Virender Sehwag, although he has come up with the starts. He has pitched in with some useful stuff with the ball.

Yuvraj Singh will feel that he has missed out on the feast that the other batsmen have relished in the series. Despite the floodlights factor, the Motera track should help him.

The hosts have stuck to the same 13 in all four matches and it remains to be seen if Gautam Gambhir and Rudra Pratap Singh get a look-in tomorrow.

It is an irony then that the selectors will announce a team for the third time in the series tomorrow, for the sixth and seventh matches, to be played at Rajkot on November 9 and at Vadodara on November 12.

The visitors seem to be getting the batting right, the debate about Kumar Sangakkara opening the innings and Sanath Jayasuriya’s lack of form notwithstanding.

The bowlers are yet to find their rhythm. One reason for their struggle can be that most of them are playing for the first time in India and lack of warm-up matches may be compounding their problem.

Atapattu’s captaincy on the field in Pune has come under the microscope. The return of his deputy Mahela Jayawardene should boost the team’s morale.

Sri Lanka: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Mahela Jayawardene (vice-captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Zoysa, Dilhara Fernando, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Upul Tharanga and Thilan Samaraweera.

India: Rahul Dravid (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice-captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Venugopal Rao, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Ajit Agarkar, Harbhajan Singh, Jai Prakash Yadav, Murali Kartik, S. Sreesanth, Gautam Gambhir and Rudra Pratap Singh. — PTI

New Delhi, November 5
Seeking to give a new twist to the ouster of Sourav Ganguly from the Indian team, former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President I.S. Bindra has accused Jagmohan Dalmiya of masterminding the exit of the former captain for his political survival.

Bindra has said he thinks it necessary to throw more light on the “sinister campaign” leading to the dethroning of Ganguly after it was suggested to him that the Pawar faction was behind the Bengal cricketer’s present predicament.

In a write-up posted on the website of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), Bindra has given a detailed account of the events leading to the ouster of Ganguly while scotching suggestions that the anti-Dalmiya faction had anything to do with the episode.

“Ganguly’s predicament and trauma have nothing to do with the equations in the board. He has unwittingly been dragged into the unsavoury happenings in Kolkata cricket. Dalmiya is prepared to sacrifice his near and dear ones for his political survival,” the PCA chief says.

“Four of the five selectors report to Kolkata for instructions. It is apparent as to who is calling the shots.”

Bindra says the moment Dalmiya realised that Ganguly had “outlived his utility”, he had no hesitation in dumping him for his own political survival.

Bindra thinks Ganguly making public his spat with coach Greg Chappell was pre-planned by Dalmiya. Bindra says Dalmiya’s aim behind the e-mail leak was to deflect public attention, but his move backfired.

Chandigarh, November 5
With the elections to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) scheduled to be held later this month, the battle lines between the group backing Mr Ranbir Singh, the current President of the board who is eligible for re-election as per the rules of the board, and the group backing Mr Sharad Pawar, Union Agriculture Minister and President of the Maharashtra Cricket Association, is again being drawn up since Mr Pawar has indicated to people close to him that he would like to remain in the electoral fray for the top job in the board.

Since it is north zone's turn to select the BCCI President, Mr Sharad Pawar, will have to seek a nomination from a north zone unit. At the adjourned AGM meeting of the BCCI at Kolkata two months ago his name for the post of President was proposed by the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association which this time too will probably back his nomination. Last year, when Mr Pawar had entered the election fray, the Punjab Cricket Association had backed his nomination. However, he had lost to Mr Ranbir Singh.

Persons close to the board are of the opinion that Mr Ranbir Singh should be allowed to continue for this year and when it is west zone's turn next year to elect the President then Mr Pawar can be the automatic choice. This issue came up for informal discussion prior to the Kolkata AGM, insiders say.

The incumbent President of the BCCI, Mr Ranbir Singh, is Secretary of the Haryana Cricket Association, has the requisite backing from the zone to seek a second term as per the BCCI constitution. Since Mr Ranbir Singh has previously served not only as the board secretary for five years but also as joint secretary and Vice-President he has a deeper understanding of the working of the board. In contrast to this, Mr Sharad Pawar has taken interest in board affairs only in recent years.

Also, Mr Pawar's detractors point out to the fact that when Mr Pawar was nominated to the powerful Marketing Committee of the board, which among other things has been entrusted with the job of firming up the sale of telecast rights, at the adjourned Kolkata AGM he did not attend a single meeting and instead opted out of the committee saying he could devote time as he was busy with is official work. Therefore, his detractors say where can he find the time to run the board especially with many important and pressing issues are likely to come up in the coming year.

The last Union Minister who served as BCCI President with distinction was Mr Madhavrao Scindia. But then Mr Scindia had deep interest in the game and not only did he play it well but also took keen interest in organising matches.

The BCCI has taken a decision to bid for the 2011 World Cup and for this the board will have to get down to do its spadework at the earliest. And for this to happen the board must have a President who is well conversant with not only the functioning of the BCCI but also the International Cricket Council with whom he will have to interact to swing the World Cup India's way.

Aurangabad, November 5
The four-day Duleep Trophy match between holders Central Zone and West Zone was poised on a razor's edge at the end of a dramatic second day's play here today.

At stumps, after a see-saw in fortunes on a day that saw 18 wickets falling on a crumbling pitch, West were two for no loss chasing 137 following the collapse of Central for 150 in the second innings.

Zaheer Khan, who grabbed six wickets in the Central first innings yesterday to bowl out last year's champions for 206, was among the thick of wickets for the second day running with a fine effort of 4 for 70.

He got fine support from another seamer Munaf Patel who picked up 3 wickets for 17 runs as Central, trailing West by only 14 on the first innings, were shot out in 36 overs after a 41-run opening partnership between Amit Pagnis (34) and Naman Oza (22).

Jyoti Yadav, who top-scored with 41, helped Central cross the 100-mark after they were left gasping at 77 for 6 by Zaheer, who sent back Pagnis, Oza, Sanjay Bangar and Devendra Bundela.

Earlier, Bangar produced a sensational spell of medium paced swing bowling to take 5 for 37, including the wicket of top scorer Wasim Jaffer (58) as West lost their last eight wickets for 112 runs after commencing their first innings at the overnight 108 for 2. — PTI

Durban, November 5
South Africa’s record run of 12 consecutive wins in one-day internationals ended when their match against New Zealand was washed out yesterday.

The South Africans, who had an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series and were unbeaten in their last 18 one-dayers, were 79 for two in 20 overs when rain put paid hopes of the match.

South African captain Graeme Smith won the toss and chose to bat on the liveliest pitch so far in the series, but had hoped to make better use of it.

Jacques Kallis returned to fitness and showed signs of regaining his form for South Africa before the rain set in.

He selected and timed his strokes well for his unbeaten 24 while Ashwell Prince seemed settled and was 17 not out.

South Africa stumbled to 14 for one in the fourth over when A.B. de Villiers drove expansively at a delivery from Shane Bond and was caught behind for six.

Smith scored 22 in a stand of 38 for the second wicket with Kallis before he was trapped in front by left-arm fast bowler James Franklin.

Nathan Astle became the fourth New Zealander to play 200 one-day internationals, joining Chris Harris, Stephen Fleming and Chris Cairns. — Reuters

Brisbane, November 5
Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden smashed centuries to give Australia a huge lead over the West Indies today and the chance to push for an early victory in the first Test.

When bad light ended play early on the third day at the Gabba, Australia were cruising at 283 for two, leading by 508 runs and contemplating an overnight declaration.

Ponting followed up his brilliant 149 in the first innings with an unbeaten 104 and the rejuvenated Hayden blasted 118 as the Australians rammed home their advantage.

The pair shared a second-wicket partnership of 187 after Test debutant Mike Hussey was dismissed for 29.

Ponting brought up his hundred off 155 balls in 187 minutes to join Doug Walters and Greg Chappell as the only Australians to score two centuries in a single Test against the West Indies.

Scoreboard

Australia (1st innings) 435

West Indies (1st innings)

Gayle c Gilchrist b McGrath 10

Smith b McGrath 88

Sarwan c Gilchrist b McGrath 21

Lara lbw b Lee 30

Chanderpaul c Bracken b Warne 2

Samuels c Gilchrist b McGrath 5

Ramdin not out 37

Powell c Gilchrist b Warne 4

Edwards b Warne 2

Collymore c Clarke b Warne 0

Lawson lbw b Warne 0

Extras (lb-7, w-1, nb-3) 11

Total (all out, 77 overs) 210

Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-74, 3-134, 4-149, 5-161, 6-174, 7-187, 8-204, 9-210, 10-210.

Bowling: McGrath 22-3-72-4, Lee 15-4-59-1, Bracken 10-4-23-0, Warne 28-9-48-5, Clarke 2-1-1-0.

Australia (2nd innings)

Hussey c Collymore b Gayle 29

Hayden c Sarwan b Gayle 118

Ponting not out 104

Clarke not out 14

Extras (b-6, lb-3, w-1, nb-8) 18

Total (2 wkts, 66 overs) 283

Fall of wickets: 1-71, 2-258.

Bowling: Edwards 5-0-27-0, Powell 5-1-24-0, Lawson 6-0-47-0, Collymore 11-0-56-0, Gayle 27-4-74-2, Samuels 12-1-46-0. — Reuters

New Delhi, November 5
Olympians Deepak Thakur and Devesh Chauhan have been omitted from the list of 25 probables named by the Indian Hockey Federation here today for the final phase of the coaching camp in preparation of the Indian team for the 27th Champions Trophy championship, to be held in Chennai from December 10 to 18.

The camp would be held from November 10 to December 9 in Chennai. A notable inclusion was goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh of Indian Airlines, who was in the camp for the Under-18 Asia Cup, which had been postponed due to lack of entries.

Punjab was represented by Gagan Ajit Singh and Harpal Singh while Punjab and Sind Bank was represented by Ravi Pal and Gurvinder Singh Chandi.

The selection committee met in Chennai and the list of probables was later released in New Delhi.

Some players like Dilip Tirkey, Sandeep Singh, V.S. Vinay, Nitin Kumar, Gagan Ajit Singh and V. Raja, playing in foreign leagues, were expected to join the coaching camp in Chennai on November 21.

Probables: goalkeepers: Adrian D’ Souza, Bharat Chetri and P.R. Sreejesh; fullbacks: Kanwal Preet Singh, Harpal Singh, Muthuselvan, William Xalco, Dilip Tirkey and Sandeep Singh; midfielders: Vikram Pillay, Viren Rasquinha, Ignace Tirkey, Prabodh Tirkey, Bimal Lakra, Nitin Kumar and V.S. Vinay; forwards: Ravi Pal, Arjun Halappa, Tushar Khandekar, Prabhjot Singh, Adam Sinclair, Rajpal Singh, V. Raja, Gagan Ajit Singh and Gurvinder Singh Chandi. — OSR

Atlanta (USA), November 5
Defending champion Retief Goosen of South Africa posted a second-round 66 here to grab a share of the lead alongside Bart Bryant at the USPGA Tour Championship. Bryant shot a two-under 68.

They were at 10-under 130, three shots ahead of world number one Tiger Woods, Ben Crane and Scott Verplank. South African Tim Clark was another stroke back.

Woods’ swing struggles continued, the American star finding only three fairways. He showed his usual solid short game in a 67, that kept the leaders within range.

Bastia (France), November 5
Five-time champion Viswanathan Anand is one step away from winning his sixth Corsica Masters title in a row after making it to the final of the rapid knockout chess tournament here.

Anand drew the two games in the rapid format against Briton Michael Adams to take the match into tie-breaker, which the former won with both black and white. Anand would face Vadim Milov of Switzerland in the title clash.

In the first of the two tie-breaker games against Adams, Anand, playing black, won in 53 moves with Sicilian defence. The second game saw Anand, white, win in 55 minutes with Ruy Lopez. In the earlier games, Anand and Adams drews once each in Ruy Lopez and Caro-Kann.

In the other semifinal, Milov and Hungary’s Zoltan Almasi had one win each in the normal mini-match. In the tie-breaker, Milov managed a draw in 49 moves of French defence. — PTI

Sydney, November 5
Team India brought up the rear in qualification for tomorrow’s sprint race in A1 Grand Prix at the Eastern Creek Raceway here today.

Armaan Ebrahim, driving for Team India, finished 24th among as many drivers in the qualifying race, in which France’s Nicolas Lapierre finished first.

Sixteen-year-old Ebrahim clocked 2 minutes, 42.546 seconds in overcast conditions on the 3.93-km track.

Lapierre timed 2 minutes, 37.036 seconds and was joined on the front row of the grid by Portugal’s current Formula 3 champion Alvara Parente, who clocked 2 minutes, 37.526 seconds. Neel Jani continued Switzerland’s strong performance, rounding up the top three for tomorrow’s sprint race with 2 minutes, 37.636 seconds.

Despite a regulation which allowed A1 teams to switch drivers between qualifying and the sprint race, all teams had decided to retain their qualifying selection and there would be no driver changes. — PTI