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Yuvi hopes to get even better
BCCI to amend constitution on May 20
Zaheer stars in Worcester win
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Injuries, form can’t be wished away, says Borde
PCB to ask Afridi to change decision
Jeev leads Asian Order of Merit
Mixed fortune for paddlers
Ayush, Deepak win
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India A beat Holland
Abu Dhabi, April 24 Uthappa, who made an impressive India debut against England at Indore, once again proved himself by scoring 116, while Dhawan smashed 127 as India A posted a mammoth 311 for four in 50 overs against the ICC’s Associate-member country team yesterday. The Indian team, virtually the second XI waiting in the wings, bundled out the Netherlands for 109 in 29.2 overs to secure five points and a bonus point. After India A captain Venugopala Rao elected to bat, it rained runs from the blades of Uthappa and Dhawan, who set a new record of 264 run partnership for the opening wicket, keeping the boys in orange engaged in a leather hunt all over the park. The previous record of 209 was credited to Dinesh Mongia and S Sriram against England A in 2003-04. Dhawan also became the highest scorer for India A, surpassing his Delhi team-mate Gautam Gambhir’s record of 122 against Pakistan A in Nairobi two years ago. The 21-year-old hit 17 boundaries in his 142-ball knock before he was run out to a ball that ricocheted off Ernst van Giesen’s own bowling, ending the partnership after 44.2 overs. Uthappa, who hit 13 fours in a 132-ball knock, fell off Van Giesen delivery when he was caught at short fine leg. The Karnataka batsman had survived a run-out when on 94. Uthappa and Dhawan shared the man-of-the-match award for their feat at the Zayed Stadium. For the Dutch, Giesen took all three wickets to fall to a bowler and accounted for the run-out. Atse Buurman was the only batsman to stretched himself to a half century (53) while his side, which has qualified for its third World Cup, had a hard time with six of their players making their debut. RP Singh struck in the very first over to dismiss Tom de Grooth before VRV Singh took over and sent back Maurits van Nierop and Eric Swaeczynski. All three batsmen were out for duck to leave their team struggling 10 for 3. Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, who played a Test against England at Mohali, claimed a wicket off his very first ball and finished with three wickets to share the bowling honours with VRV Singh. — PTI |
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Srinath appointed as match referee
New Delhi, April 24 Srinath, who has been selected for the second tier of part-time match referees, would join former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd and Australian Alan Hurst in the panel. Sri Lankans Ranjan Madugalle and Roshan Mahanama, South African Mike Procter and Jeff Crowe of New Zealand were retained in the Elite panel of full-time match referees after a review conducted by ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed and Chairman of ricket Committee Sunil Gavaskar. England’s Chris Broad, who had twice called Indian offspinner Harbhajan Singh for chucking, was the only one who was excluded from the the panel. Other than Srinath, the Indian Cricket Board had recommended the names of Dilip Vengsarkar, Robin Singh, Kiran More and Shivlal Yadav for the post, BCCI said in a press release. The ICC, however, selected the former fast bowler who took 236 wickets in 67 Tests at an average of 30.49, while claiming 315 scalps at 28.08 in 229 one-day internationals. Srinath welcomed the appointment, saying, “it’s a great honour to be selected in the panel of match referees. “It will definitely give me a chance to see the game from a macro level. I know it is quite a responsible job which will call for a few big decisions if such a situation arises. I will have to concentrate more than I did during my playing days,” he told PTI. His first assignment would be decided by ICC soon. — PTI
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Tendulkar turns 33
Mumbai, April 24 Dressed in a white and black striped T-shirt, Tendulkar obliged the mediapersons who had been waiting patiently since morning with the cake, by sharing a few moments with the local scribes. “The whole day has been a quiet affair, spent with family members and no one else,” he told reporters. “It is very rarely that the whole family sits together and chats peacefully, today we have been able to sit down and talk,” said the Mumbai batsman. Tendulkar revealed that his two kids, daughter Sara and son Arjun, had planned “an early morning surprise” for him. “The kids were very happy. They planned an early morning surprise. They woke me up and took me to their room, they had decorated the room. It was a pleasant surprise.” Asked if any
special delicacy had been prepared by his mother, he said, “mother cooks everyday, there was nothing special today. Homemade food is homemade food. But, yes she probably cooked the food with more love today.” —
PTI |
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Yuvi hopes to get even better
New Delhi, April 24 Talking to reporters after he was gifted a Ford Fiesta by the carmakers, Yuvraj said he was comfortable in his new role as a senior player and was enjoying the responsibility. “It feels good to shoulder the responsibilities and go out every time and perform. Like any other players, I too had ups and downs in my career, but it’s important to concentrate on your game and I’m happy that I’m playing with more responsibilities and I’m seen as a senior member in the side,” he said. Yuvraj also disclosed that he enjoyed leading India in the final one dayer against England in Indore when regular captain Rahul Dravid had left the field for a short while, even though the dashing Punjab bat added he was not pre-occupied with the thought. “I enjoyed leading the side there and it’s every player’s dream to lead the team. But everything has its own time and if it is bound to happen, it will happen,” he added. On his brilliant performance this year so far — he was adjudged Man of the Series in the last three consecutive series against South Africa, Pakistan and England — Yuvraj said he was happy but wants to do even better next year. “Of course, this was a great year for me but I want to improve it further in the next year. I have scored six centuries this year but want to score more.” He also predicted that the forthcoming West Indies tour would boost India’s World Cup hopes in the Caribbeans next year. “This is a good idea and right time to visit West Indies. We will get used to the climate, condition and the wickets there and that would help our preparation for the World Cup,” he explained. Yuvraj said under coach Greg Chappell, the present team is a fitter side. “Of course the fitness level is high now. John (Wright) too stressed on that even though his was a little different approach. But we did well then too and under John, we went to Pakistan and won there,” he added.
— UNI |
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BCCI to amend constitution on May 20
New Delhi, April 24 According to BCCI marketing committee member I.S. Bindra, the board was looking to promote Olympic sports and the modalities would be worked out at the BCCI meet on May 20. “The board has earmarked Rs 50 crore to promote the Olympic sports at the grassroots level. The BCCI constitution will be amended in this regard during the May 20 meet,” Mr Bindra said at a function in the Capital yesterday to fete table tennis medal winners at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Courtesy a slew of marketing deals, the BCCI has seen an astronomical rise in its income which is set to cross the magical $ 1 billion mark. Mr Bindra, who has served as the president of the BCCI as well as the Table Tennis Federation of India, said the
paddlers were performing exceedingly well and it was not going to be long before they got sponsors. Recalling how the game had thrived without the government’s support, he hailed table tennis as the most professionally
run sport in the country. — UNI |
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Zaheer stars in Worcester win
London, April 24 Zaheer Khan kicked off his county stint in style, helping Worcestershire edge out Nottinghamshire by two wickets via the Duckworth-Lewis system at Trent Bridge after a rain-delayed start. Inserting the hosts, Worcestershire bowlers, especially Zaheer, used the gloomy overcast conditions to put them on the backfoot and Nottingham were tottering at 70 for six. Mark Ealham (51) and Chris Cairns (27) then arrested the slide but Zaheer castled Cairns to trigger another batting collapse and then came back to get rid of Graeme Swann (7) and Ryan Sidebottom (5) as Nottinghamshire lost all their wickets to reach 161 in 41.32 overs. Chasing a target of 162 in the match which was reduced to a 43-overs-a-side affair, Worcestershire reached 165 for eight in 42.3 overs. Meanwhile, Mongia’s Leicestershire restricted Lancashire to 194 for eight but were then skittled out for a meagre 125 in the 41st over at Old Trafford. Mongia, with his gentle left-arm spin, ran through the Lancashire middle order, claiming the important wickets of Crook, Law and then removed Glen Chapple and Dominic Cork to emerge as the pick of the Leicestershire bowlers, claiming four wickets, conceding 25 runs in his seven overs. With the bat, Mongia scored 22 from 37 balls with five hits to the fence. But neither Mongia, nor John Maunders (38), could make up for the abject display by other batsmen and ended on the losing side. —
UNI |
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Injuries, form can’t be wished away, says Borde
Mohali, April 24 Terming Sachin as a fitness fanatic, Borde said, “I have seen Sachin working out in a gym and swimming pool during the days when he was suffering from tennis elbow. Only his determination and dedication towards fitness helped him to overcome the injury.” Terming the incident of Sachin being booed by the Mumbai crowd as an unfortunate one, he said, “Instead, we should learn to encourage the underperforming player like spectators in other countries do.” Borde made 3061 runs in 55 Test matches. He also hit five centuries and 18 fifties during his career. Borde, who is presently BCCI’s batting specialist coach for zonal teams, is in the town to hone the batting skills of North Zone (Under 19) players during the month-long ongoing camp here. On the issue of BCCI paying salary to selectors, Borde was of the view that the step would make the job more accountable. “The selection procedure has become a full time job as lot of cricket is being played in the country these days. The money factor will definitely bring more accountability among selectors,” said Borde, who remained the Chairman of BCCI selection panel twice. Borde was full of praise for the BCCI for making good use of the money earned by it. “Introduction of the pension scheme for former players is a fantastic step. It is not only looking after the senior and former cricketers but also developing the infrastructure of the sport in the country. On the whole it is being run by far sighted and large hearted people,” said Borde. |
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PCB to ask Afridi to change decision
Islamabad, April 24 “We think he has taken an emotional decision because he has been playing Test cricket regularly now for the past year. And we are going to speak to him about it and ask him to change his decision,” PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan said. “But if he wants to skip Tests then we’ve to see what sort of contract he should be given,” Shaharyar was quoted as saying by The News. “Because currently all players to whom we’ve given contracts are available for Test and one-day international (ODI) cricket. Afridi is not an automatic choice for Tests but his availability is important for us,” Shaharyar said. |
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Jeev leads Asian Order of Merit
Kuala Lumpur, April 24 The Indian ace followed up on his stylish victory at the Volvo China Open a fortnight ago with a tied 26th finish in the BMW Asian Open and heads the race to become Asia’s number one with winnings of $ 389,391. Compatriot Shiv Kapur is just outside the top 10 at the 11th place with $ 130,407 against his name. Korea’s Charlie Wi consolidated his second position with a tied 13th outing in Shanghai. He earned a cheque of $ 24,975 to raise his season’s tally to $ 311,686 and lies some $ 77,000 behind Jeev. Last year’s number one Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand made his way into 10th place on the list, thanks to his joint 13th finish in the BMW Asian Open, which was won by Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano after a playoff. The other change in the top 10 was the swapping of positions between England’s Simon Dyson and Thai star Thongchai Jaidee at fourth and fifth place, respectively, after the latter missed the halfway cut by one stroke last weekend. New Zealander Mahal Pearce made one of the biggest moves upwards when he jumped from 41st to 15th place after placing fifth at the weekend which came with a cheque of $ 64,440. The Asian Tour moves to Korea for the first time this season with the staging of the GS Caltex Maekyung Open starting at Lakeside Country Club on Thursday, followed by next week’s SK telecom Open at Sky 72 Golf Club. Both events offer $ 600,000 each in total prize money. Mukesh eyes fifth title
New Delhi: Mukesh Kumar, fresh from his win at Chandigarh last week, has set his sights on winning the fifth title of the season when he tries his hand in the Rs 10 lakh prize money ONGC-Noida Open Golf Tournament to be played at the Noida Golf Course here from April 25 to 28. The four-time Order of Merit winner has earned Rs 15,36,950 from 14 events this season. The winner of the ONGC Open will pocket Rs 1,58,200 and Mukesh is eyeing this prize too to fulfil his dream of amassing Rs 20 lakh by the end of the season. Mukesh will be joined by Ashok Kumar, who has four titles to his name at the Noida course, Feroz Ali, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia, Shamim Khan, Jaiveer Virk, Vijay Kumar, Digvijay Singh and Gurbaaz Mann. In the Pro-Am event today, Feroze had a nice warm-up when his team of Simarjeet Singh, Lt. Gen. Satish Nambiar and M P Singh coasted to the title, tallying 121 stableford points. —
UNI, OSR |
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Mixed fortune for paddlers
Bremen (Germany), April 24 Kamal lost the first game against M Hazinshi 9-11, but came back strongly to win the next three 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 to set up 1-0 lead for India. Soumyadeep Roy, however, failed to capitalise on the lead and went down 8-11, 11-8, 6-11, 13-11, 8-11 to Lupulesku. But, Subhajit Saha gave India a 2-1 lead with a 10-12, 13-11, 11-5, 11-4 win against A Hugh and Kamal wrapped up the best-of-five tie beating Lupulesku in straight games 11-9, 11-8, 11-9. India play Turkey tomorrow and Singapore and Finland on Wednesday. Indian eves play the Czech Republic and Serbia tomorrow, while they take on Belarus on Wednesday. — UNI |
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Christina riding high
Chandigarh, April 24 “I feel that India is now my home and I should do my best,” the 29-year-old said. Witnessing a large number of youngsters on horseback, she said the large-scale participation of children and their immense enthusiasm showed that there was a lot of potential for equestrian sports in India. Christina acquired Indian citizenship about a year and a half ago after she got married to a Delhi-based corporate lawyer. In Chandigarh to participate in the Asian Show Jumping Challenge, she is the only “foreign” woman participant at the event. This is for the first time that she is participating in the Asian challenge, though she has taken part in a couple of national events in India. Christina’s foray into equestrian sports began at the tender age of nine, when she joined a riding club and took lessons twice weekly. “I got my first horse, Peppermint Patti, the next year and started riding daily,” she said. Next came Hocus Pocus, astride which she began competing in three-day events. Her ride to international fame came with Secret Weapon, a champion thoroughbred she kept for six years. Her haul of medals, included the best junior rider in show jumping events in 1993 and 1994. Describing riding in India as a “great experience” and competitions being “a lot of fun”, Christina said riding in India is quite different, with the sport generally being the realm of Army guys. “In Canada it is just civilians and most of the riders are females,” she said. “Riding with armymen all around can be a little intimidating with all those uniforms and military ambience all around, But it is fun, too, to give them a run for their money,” she quipped. For her quest for the Asiad, she is putting in strenuous efforts. She rides twice a day at the Army Polo and Riding Club in Delhi and has brought her 12-year old thoroughbred Majestic along for competing in events here. |
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Ayush, Deepak win
Chandigarh, April 24 The winners (in order of merit): Children’s show jumping Gp-I - Prithviraj Singh (Northern Command); Joginder Singh (MNSS Rai). Children’s show jumping Gp-II - Vatandeep Singh (PPS Nabha); Deepak Kumar (MNSS, Rai); Yashdeep Ahlawat (RVC) Children’s pole bending Gp-I - Ayush; Joginder (both MNSS, Rai); Charanpreet (PPS, Nabha) Children’s pole bending Gp-II & III - Deepak (MNSS, Rai); Aman Kumar; Birpal (both AIPS); Mohit Yadav (MNSS Rai). — TNS |
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New Delhi, April 24
