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India will look to keep the momentum going
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India to continue experimenting, says Rahul Dravid
Aussies look at new talent to clinch series
Wisden honour for McGrath
Paes-Zimonjic advance
Maharashtra stun West Bengal
Indians disappoint in junior chess
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India will look to keep the momentum going
Hyderabad, November 15 Both teams are high on confidence and will be keen to start the five-match series on a winning note, in what promises to be a thrilling contest of skills and nerves. India go into the series after having routed Sri Lanka with an emphatic 6-1 margin and are fully aware that the Springboks have been enjoying a fine run, having thrashed New Zealand 4-0 in the recent one-day series. The Indian team appears complete at the moment, with the return of Sachin Tendulkar following a long injury layoff and fresh influx of youngsters giving more options to the team management. Tendulkar’s return to form seems to be a worrying factor for the South African team as their coach Mickey Arthur has warned that the batsman holds the key to the series. “Tendulkar is a key member of the team and he has a big role to play. We are aware of what he is capable of doing. But we want to win the one-day series in India and we will go all out,” Arthur said. Arthur, appointed coach around the same time as India’s coach Greg Chappell, with the 2007 World Cup in view, praised the Chappell-Rahul Dravid combination and their inclination for experimentation by sending in Irfan Pathan and Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the number three slot. “The things Dravid and Chappell are doing are good, but we back ourselves and are here to win,” Arthur said. Dhoni, adjudged the man of the series against Sri Lanka, will be the man to watch in the five-match series. The hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman has become a star with his heroics and the team management will be looking for significant contributions from him. The visitors maintain that they have studied his game, played with a good technique, and the analysis has given them something, which they hope to execute to tame him. Virender Sehwag, struggling to hit peak form, and skipper Dravid will be the batting mainstay, with whatever new and surprising aces the Indian coach and captain have up their sleeves. Young blood in the form of R.P. Singh, Suresh Raina and J.P. Yadav is available for the Indian skipper and coach to experiment with in the bowling. The visitors are not new to spin, but Harbhajan Singh is in good nick and likely to excel at
home, while it remains to be seen to what extent Pathan and his new-ball partners can exploit the field restrictions. On the rival front, skipper Graeme Smith, the youngest captain of South Africa, who radiates energy, approval and confidence, will be joined by batsmen A.B. de Villiers, Ashwell Prince and Justine Kemp, who has the record of winning matches from the jaws of defeat. Among bowlers, off-spinner Johan Botha has proved in the practice match against the HCA XI that he can be a utility man when required. After South Africa skipper and coach have indicated that they can retain the same team for the opening ODI, Botha is expected to make his debut tomorrow. Smith said his performance was just the start the team was looking for. “I was satisfied with the spin Johan achieved. Even our opponents’ spinners did not get the same kind of movement. He changes his speed and has good control. We do not want to put too much pressure on him too soon and I think the tour will be valuable experience for him,” he said. Kemp said, “In Indian conditions, we have to see how the ball comes an it will be great to be among the runs.” “It swings more than in South Africa. So your technique needs to be perfect for the first five overs. But once you are set, it is much easier,” said de Villiers. Teams (from): India:
Rahul Dravid (capt), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Murali Kartik, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, S. Sreesanth, Gautam Gambhir, Rudra Pratap Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Jai Prakash Yadav. South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Jacques Kallis, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, A.B. de Villiers, Andrew Hall, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Albie Morkel, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Justin Ontong, Robin Peterson, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince.
— PTI |
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Sale of tickets hit by controversy
Hyderabad, November 15 Alleging that irregularities have taken place in the distribution of complimentary passes and sale of tickets, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) today demanded the government to hold an inquiry into the matter and take stern action against those responsible. Legislators A. Rama Narayana Reddy, E. Pratap Reddy and A. Prabhakara Reddy, addressing mediapersons at the CLP office here, accused the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) of selling complimentary passes and tickets on the black market. The stadium has a capacity of 27,000, out of which the HCA had put 19,000 tickets for sale, 11,000 of which were priced at Rs 150. Almost 8,000 tickets were said to be complimentary passes. The MLAs alleged that some vested interests had hired touts to purchase the tickets in bulk and had been selling each ticket at a minimum of Rs 2,500. They alleged that the complimentary passes had been distributed among IAS and IPS officers, ignoring legislators and Members of Parliament. They demanded the authorities to make public as to whom the 8,000 complimentary passes had been given. |
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India to continue experimenting, says Rahul Dravid
Hyderabad, November 15 Dravid said there were more
surprises in store with regard to the number three slot, which India had used effectively in the recent series against Sri Lanka. But he said it was not necessary that the team would always send pinch-hitters at the one-down position, as they had done during the 6-1 triumph over Sri Lanka. “It depends on the particular situation and the player who we send in to bat at that slot,” Dravid said after the team’s practice session on the eve of the match. “We have sent Irfan Pathan at that place in a particular situation. But we look at him as a player who is shaping into a good allrounder who has been getting runs. “But we have been sending Yuvraj Singh in that position also. Irrespective of the number, what we feel is more flexible will be done and we have a good young side prepared to take risks,” he said. Dravid refused to identify any one player from the opposition who could pose a threat to the Indians. “The current South African side is more experienced than the one that visited last time to play in two Tests. “We are not focusing on individual players, but we look at the team as a whole and focus ourselves to form strategies,” he said. Visiting captain Graeme Smith said the toss could play a crucial role. “The morning dew factor plays a vital role in shaping the innings. But we are prepared to play in such conditions with a positive mind frame,” he said. South Africa had had a feel of the conditions as they warmed up with an eight-wicket victory against Hyderabad Cricket Association XI here yesterday. The tourists bundled out the local side for 127 runs before overhauling the target in just over 25 overs. The South African skipper felt that picking early wickets by making use of the helpful conditions was the only way to stop India. “We are a strong and intimidating side. May be we need some luck. We will like to see the back of Sachin Tendulkar as he cannot be taken for granted. We can mount pressure on India if we take a few early wickets,” Smith said. Dravid predicted a close match. “The pitch looks good and anything above 250 must be a very reasonable total,” he said. His counterpart foresaw a big-scoring game. “If the team batting first have a little luck, they can cross the 300-run mark. We will try to make the most of the field restrictions,” Smith said. — PTI |
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England need 198 to win
Multan, November 15 At close, England were 24 for one. Andrew Strauss was on seven and Ian Bell 12 when play was called off nine overs early due to poor light. Trescothick went cheaply second time round, dragging a ball from outside the off-stump from Shabbir Ahmed on to his wickets. A thick edge from Strauss fell just wide of wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal. Bell hooked Shoaib Akhtar for a six over fine leg. Strauss also survived a close run-out chance. Flintoff (4 for 88), Harmison (3 for 52) and Hoggard (2 for 81) sliced through Pakistan after lunch to bowl them out in 25.5 overs with the second new ball. After opener Salman Butt hit a fine 122 and shared a fourth-wicket stand of 135 with captain Inzamam-ul-Haq (72), the home team subsided. From 266 for three, Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for 75 on a pitch still good for batting and on which Flintoff and company really bent their backs. Scoreboard Pakistan (1st innings) 274 England (1st innings) 418 Pakistan (2nd innings) Malik c Trescothick
b Harmison 18 Butt c Jones b Hoggard 122 Younis c Trescothick b Flintoff 48 Sami c Jones b Flintoff 3 Inzamam lbw b Hoggard 72 Yousuf c Bell b Flintoff 16 Raza c Trescothick b Flintoff 1 Akmal c Pietersen b Harmison 33 Shoaib c Bell b Giles 11 Shabbir c Jones b Harmison 0 Kaneria not out 1 Extras
(lb-6, nb-10) 16 Total (all out, 105.5 overs) 341 Fall of
wickets:1-31, 2-124, 3-131, 4-266, 5-285, 6-291, 7-295, 8-331, 9-332. Bowling:
Hoggard 27-2-81-2, Flintoff 25-3-88-4, Harmison 19.5-3-52-3, Udal 12-1-47-0, Giles 22-2-67-1. England
(2nd innings) Trescothick b Shabbir 5 Strauss not out 7 Bell not out 12 Extras
0 Total (1 wkt, 9 overs) 24 Fall of wicket: 1-7. Bowling:
Shoaib 4-0-15-0, Shabbir 4-0-6-1, Kaneria
1-0-3-0. — Reuters |
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Karachi blast raises security concerns
Lahore, November 15 The visiting team has also confirmed that it will travel to Faisalabad for the second Test, starting on November 20, despite reports of violence against Christians in the area. “The advice from our experts is that the situation in Faisalabad is calm. The prospect of the outbreak of violence spreading is low,” a team spokesman said. In another development, umpire Billy Bowden, known for his unorthodox on-field histrionics, has failed to amuse the Pakistani press, which has charged the New Zealander of a crooked decision — not giving Marcus Trescothick out leg before wicket when Danish Kaneria pitched ‘one very much in line with the stumps’. It looked dead straight, with television commentators agreeing to the fact. Meanwhile, using a mobile phone inside the Pakistani dressing room during the third day of the Test against England may prove expensive for Mohammad Yousuf as his action flouts ICC regulations. He had reportedly used Pakistan team’s liaison officer Mazhar Alam’s mobile phone in the dressing room. PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan was incensed at the incident, that might be a source of great embarrassment for Pakistani cricket. Meanwhile, uncertainty looms large over Abdul Razzaq’s participation in the second Test as the allrounder, out of action due to an elbow injury, is yet to get a go-ahead from doctors. — UNI |
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Aussies look at new talent to clinch series
Sydney, November 15 Hodge looks likely to play in a straight swap for deposed batsman Simon Katich, hoping to prove his mettle at the Test level. Mike Hussey is likely to hold down his opener’s spot in the absence of Justin Langer due to injury and main selection interest centres on whether Stuart MacGill will be recalled to bowl in a leg-spin Selectors also have the option of left-arm seamer Nathan Bracken in the 12-man squad while Andrew Symonds is in for injured allrounder Shane Watson. To preserve the team balance if MacGill plays, selectors may want the added security of Symonds’ superior batting rather than Bracken in a five-prong bowling attack. West Indies’ captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul said he would try to exploit the inexperience of Australia’s revamped Test side, but he might be forced to eat his words. “They are looking to make their names for themselves and they do not have as much experience as the other guys. They are probably a bit shaky at the beginning, so hopefully, we can get it right early come next game and sort these things out early,” Chanderpaul said. But Chanderpaul has enormous problems of his own. His team had massively underachieved in the Gabba Test, collapsing to a 379-run drubbing, one of the West Indies’ worst defeats against Australia. The tourists’ form in their weekend warm-up match was far from encouraging, with Hodge leading the way as Victoria amassed a first innings’ score of 571 to bat the West Indies out of the drawn three-day match. Hodge had been extolling his cricket virtues this week in the lead-up to the Hobart Test, saying he expected to play. “It has been extremely hard work and dedication. It has been a long, hard road and I honestly believe that if there is anyone that deserves to play cricket for Australia, it is
me," Hodge said. In the wake of Australia’s 2-1 Ashes defeat to England, changes have been afoot in the Australian team, with Hussey, Bracken, Watson, MacGill and now, in all likelihood, Hodge getting their chance at the Test level. Selectors are mindful that the West Indies have shown a distaste for facing leg-spin. With that in mind, MacGill is expected to return after being passed over for Bracken in Brisbane despite taking nine wickets in the Super Test against the World XI in Sydney last month. Warne, Test cricket’s leading wicket-taker, has captured 54 wickets in 17 Tests against the West Indies at 30.18 while MacGill has 48 in 12 Tests at 31.89. Overall, MacGill has snared 169 wickets in 34 Tests at 27.78, averaging five wickets a match. At his most recent bowling performance at Bellerive, for New South Wales against Tasmania last season, he had claimed 6 for 85 in the second innings. The West Indies may try to bolster their lower order batting with the addition of either allrounders Dwayne Bravo or Dwayne Smith while Wavell Hinds is close to a return after damaging a finger in the game against Queensland. Chanderpaul has called on his West Indies’ team to curb their batting flamboyance and bat with more patience after a second innings’ collapse of 129 off 44 overs in Brisbane. Teams (from): Australia: Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Brad Hodge, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath, Stuart MacGill. West Indies:
Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul (capt), Wavell Hinds, Marlon Samuels, Dinesh Ramdin, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, Daren Powell, Fidel Edwards, Jermaine Lawson, Corey Collymore.
— AFP |
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Wisden honour for McGrath
Sydney, November 15 McGrath staved off challenge from Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist to bag the honour. The lanky Aussie spearhead had bone spurs in his left foot which kept him out of action for nearly a year and for someone in his mid-30s, it seemed end of all roads for the pacer but he proved all wrong and came back with vengeance. From his comeback match against Sri Lanka in Darwin in July to the final Test against New Zealand in March this year, McGrath took 69 wickets at 18.17 and later claimed his 500th Test victim at Lord’s in
July. — UNI |
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Paes-Zimonjic advance
New Delhi, November 15 In the match, the Paes-Zimonjic pair found going tough against the spirited opponents who made life difficult for them and stretched both the sets to tie-breaker.
— UNI |
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Maharashtra stun West Bengal
Kochi, November 15 Bengal, who have won the trophy 29 times, has one match against Services on hand, which will now be of academic interest. Earlier, in a Group IV encounter, Goa crushed Assam 6-0. Striker Anthony Pereira, who scored four goals, including a hat-trick, played a stellar role for his side. In another Group I match played at FACT, Udyogamandal, Uttar Pradesh, despite losing their opening match against Kerala, boosted their chances to qualify for the semi-finals, when they eked out a 2-0 win over Delhi. In a three-team league, UP has collected three points from one win and one loss, while the other team Kerala has three points and has a match against Delhi on hand. If Delhi succeeds in surprising the hosts, which will be a herculean task, UP will enter the last four on better goal average. It has become a must win situation for Kerala against Delhi.
— PTI |
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Indians disappoint in junior chess
Istanbul, November 15 On a bad day for the Indian contingent, the prospects of Woman Grandmasters Tania Sachdev and D. Harika also took a blow as they went down against Beata Kadziolka of Poland and Turkan Mamedjarova of Azerbaijan, respectively in the girls section. WGM Gu Xiaobing of China maintained her sole lead among girls after settling for a draw with International Master Elisabeth Paehtz of Germany. The draw took Xiaobing to an impressive 5.5 points out of a possible 6 while Kadziolka and Mamedjarova were trailing at 5 points each. The loss proved costly for Tania as she remained on 4 points while Harika has 3.5 points in her bag. In the boys section, top seed and hot favourite Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan gave another impression of his class by outclassing Grandmaster-to-be Erwin L’ami of the Netherlands. The Azerbaijani also moved to 5.5 points and is now a full point ahead of nearest rivals. Apart from Negi, Deep Sengupta was also beaten by GM Tomi Nyback of Finland, Andrey Kvon of Uzbekistan proved stronger than G Rohit while Russian Vasily Papin scored over Akshat Khamparia as most Indian players struggled with only lower places players coming out with victories. Eesha Karavade settled for a draw with compatriot Kruttika Nadig while N. Raghavi won against Karolina Ortiz Nadya of Columbia in the girls section while G.N. Gopal and IM S. Poobesh Anand won against Nurdin Samakov of Kyrgyzstan and Oliver Kurmann of Switzerland respectively among the boys. Negi needed a victory to become an IM but could not quite get the balance he was looking for. The 12-year-old played Grunfeld defense as black but was outplayed due to lack of experience. Now he needs victory in the next round which would earn him more than seven points, his current requirement for the coveted title. Tania, playing the white side of a Dutch defense, failed to find her rhythm right from the opening and lost in a tense middle game against Kadziolka. — PTI |
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Tajikistan win
New Delhi, November 15 The Tajikistan players, who had found it difficult to shake off the fetters put on them by the man-to-man marking and crowded defensive tactics of Pakistan, pulled away in a surprise raid when medio Fatkhuloev Tatkhullo dashed down the left flank before floating a measured pass to Karaev Ulugbek to dash in and score with a powerful shot which bulged the roof of the net. The victory has kept Tajikistan in the reckoning while Pakistan exited from the fray. But the Tajik team will have to beat India to qualify for the final round while India need only a draw to move up. The final round, in which 16 teams will feature, will be held in Singapore in September 2006. |
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