ODI overdose
India, West Indies to play in North America

Port of Spain, May 12
In the midst of concerns about player burnout, the BCCI and the West Indies Cricket Board have decided to play an unscheduled one-day international (ODI) series in the United States and Canada later this year.

The series would be organised after India complete a five-match ODI and a four-Test tour of the Caribbean in early July and would be outside the Future Tours Programme (FTP) unveiled by the ICC earlier this week.

Since India are to tour Sri Lanka in the first half of August, this series, comprising three to five matches, is more likely to be held in September.

The matches would form a part of a bilateral agreement reached between the two boards at the recent ICC meeting in Dubai, a West Indies Cricket Board statement said.

The WICB revealed the deal was signed between its President Ken Gordon and BCCI representative I.S. Bindra on April 29.

Surprisingly, BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah said in Mumbai the series was yet to be finalised. “The two boards are in talks, which are still in preliminary stage, to hold two or three bilateral ODIs in Northern America in September before the Champions Trophy,” he told PTI.

Shah said the tournament would be given the final seal of approval when it meets WICB officials in June. The WICB, on its part, said the project would be funded by the BCCI, which would be repaid later.

“Because of current financial difficulties, India will fund this project on the understanding that it will be repaid out of the West Indies’ share of the profits of the series,” the statement said.

“This is the first of a number of joint projects which include the opening of the multi-complex stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the aggressive expansion of cricket in North America,” it said.

The United States and Canada are home to many experts from the Caribbean and India, many of whom pursue the game in the summer months in several modest leagues that have sprung up around the continent.

“The two boards have agreed to work together, assisting each other wherever possible to develop cricket in their respective countries or in their spheres of special interest — North America,” the release said.

“This relationship will be based on mutual respect and the natural ties which have been developed over many years of competing with each other in the field.”

It was reported recently that the West Indies’ vote proved decisive in helping the Asian bloc — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh — win the right to host the 2011 ICC World Cup. — PTI

Team India signs players’ agreement

Mumbai, May 12
All the 15 members of the Indian squad, which left here for West Indies, have signed the Players Terms for the ICC Champions Trophy later this year and the 2007 World Cup.

“All members in the squad have signed the Players Terms for the Champions Trophy and the World Cup and others who will be selected would also sign these terms,” BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said today.

At his invitation, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, recuperating from a shoulder operation, joined the pre-departure team dinner last night, the board secretary said.

A team meeting was held prior to the dinner, with Shah and the board’s executive secretary in charge, Ratnakar Shetty, also in attendance at the team hotel in suburban Bandra. — PTI

Windies series on Ten Sports

Mumbai, May 12
Ten Sports will have live and exclusive coverage of India’s cricket tour of the West Indies which includes five one-day internationals and four Test matches.

The ODI series, which features only day matches, starts on May 18 and the first two games will be played in Jamaica. The third will take place at St Kitts while the last two would be staged in Trinidad.

The Test series starts on June 2 in Antigua after which the series moves on to St Lucia and St Kitts before concluding in the contest in Jamaica.

In addition to the live coverage, Ten Sports will also telecast its studio show, ‘Straight Drive’, hosted by Sanjay Manjrekar. The other guests in the studio at various times during the tour will be Ian Chappell, Desmond Haynes, Javagal Srinath and Allan Border.

Ian Bishop, Tony Cozier, Jeffrey Dujon, Dean Jones and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan will do on-air commentary during the series.

The first two ODIs start at 8 pm IST, while the remaining three begin at 7 pm IST. The first three Test matches will start at 7.30 pm IST, while the final Test will begin an hour later. — PTI 

SC questions BCCI role in opposing bail to Dalmiya 
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, May 12
The Supreme Court today questioned the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for opposing the grant of bail by the Bombay High Court to its former president Jagmohan Dalmiya in a case pertaining to misappropriation of 1996 World Cup funds when the Maharashtra Government was not opposed to it.

Stating that the BCCI had no “locus standi” in the matter once it had registered a case with the police, a Bench comprising Mr Justice S.B. Sinha and Mr Justice P.K. Balasubramanyan said, “It (opposing the bail) is too much. If you are opposing the bail petition, it is certainly vindictive.”

Sensing the mood of the court, the Maharashtra Government, which had moved a special leave petition (SLP) against the Bombay High Court order granting bail to Dalmiya, told the Bench that it was not opposing the grant of bail to him. But the Maharashtra Government has moved the SLP mainly for expunging certain observations made by the High Court in its order against the state, its counsel Harish Salve said.

Accepting the plea of the state government, the apex court issued notice to Dalmiya, asking him to file his reply.

After the clarification by Maharashtra’s counsel and censuring of the BCCI for trying to intervene in a criminal case after lodging a complaint, board’s counsel Nageshwar Rao sought to change his stance and amended his submission by stating that the BCCI was also not opposed to the grant of bail to Dalmiya as such.

But the change in BCCI stand came only after strong observations were made by the Bench as in the beginning of the hearing, Rao had made strong plea opposed the high court’s last month order granting anticipatory bail to Dalmiya.

The BCCI, through its former secretary S.K. Nair, had lodged a complaint with the Mumbai Police against Dalmiya after his defeat in BCCI president’s election last year, alleging that he misappropriated the funds of 1996 World Cup, organised jointly by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The High Court had observed that the state machinery by the Maharashtra Government was made available at the disposal of complainant (Nair).

Lanka crumble under pressure

London, May 12 
Debutant Sajid Mahmood grabbed three wickets to leave Sri Lanka tottering at 91 for six in reply to England’s total of 551 on the second day of the first Test here today.

Scoreboard 

England (1st innings)

Trescothick c Jayawardene b Muralitharan 106 

Strauss c Jayawardene b Muralitharan 48 

Cook c Sangakkara b Maharoof 89 

Pietersen lbw Vaas 158 Hoggard b Vaas 7

Collingwood b Muralitharan 57

Flintoff not out 33

Jones not out 11

Extras (b-16, lb-7, w4, nb-15) 42 

Total (6 wkts dec, 143 overs) 551

FoW: 1-86, 2-213, 3-312, 4-329, 5-502, 6-502. 

Bowling: Vaas 36-2-124-2, Maharoof 28-4-125-1, Kulasekara 25-3-89-0, Muralitharan 48-10-158-3, Dilshan 6-0-32-0.

Sri Lanka (1st innings)

Mubarak lbw Hoggard 0

Tharanga lbw Hoggard 10

Sangakkara c Trescothick b Mahmood 21

Jeev makes the cut

Gifu (Japan), May 12
Jeev Milkha Singh, the winner of last month’s Volvo China Open, stumbled with back-to-back bogeys on the first two holes but recovered for an even-par show to make the cut in the 110 million yen PGA Championship here today.

After rounds of 71 and 72, Jeev is placed tied 46th at one-under 143 at the Tanigumi Country Club.

A 10th tee starter, the Asian Tour UBS Order of Merit leader had a horrible start, dropping a shot on each of the first two holes but he got birdies on the 13th and 17th to complete his halfway journey.

On his way back, Jeev fired a bogey on the fourth — his 13th — but another bogey on the ninth undid the good work as he completed an average outing.

Meanwhile, Toru Taniguchi carded his second successive round of 68 to join Norihiko Nakata, who returned 70, at the top of the table at eight-under 136.

Good start by Shiv, Jyoti

Birmingham: Shiv Kapur and Jyoti Randhawa made a satisfying start to their campaign at the Quinn Direct British Masters with identical cards of two-under 70 that placed them tied 24th at the end of the first round at the De Vere Belfry.

Kapur is making his first appearance in a European Tour event in Europe, while Randhawa is playing after seven weeks.

Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke shot a six-under 66 to share the lead after the first round with Peter Hanson.

Atwal, Chopra way behind

Irving (USA): Arjun Atwal and Daniel Chopra had a none-too-happy start at the EDS Byron Nelson tournament on the US Tour with cards of three-over 73 and six-over 76, respectively, in the first round.

Atwal was playing on the TPC Four Seasons course, while Chopra played at the Cottonwood.

Adam Scott, who shot a five-under 65 at the TPC, shared the lead with Steve Lowery as the day saw some strong breeze, which changed direction every now and then. Bob Estes and Brett Wetterich both had opening 66s at Cottonwood Valley.

Atwal had just two birdies the whole day with three bogeys and a double bogey. Chopra had two double bogeys, four bogeys and two birdies and will now be hard pressed to make the cut. — UNI, PTI

Fiery Ashok grabs lead

Ashok Kumar, whose role model is none other than Tiger Woods, tries to emulate the master as much as possible. And today at the magnificent Aamby Valley Golf Club, near Mumbai, he did no better than shooting a superb 6-under 66 to grab a four-shot lead after the second round of the inaugural Aamby Valley Asian Masters 2006. The 24-year-old has a tournament total of 11-under 133 for 36 holes.

Simon Hurd of England added a two-under to his overnight five-under to be placed second, four shots behind Ashok, while Feroz Ali dropped a shot in the second round to be tied for the third place with another Englishman Simon Griffith at four-under. Overnight leader Hendrik Buhrmann shot a 3-over 75 to be tied for the fifth spot along with three others – Marcus Both, Bryan Saltus, and Jarrod Moseley.

As many as 67 professionals made it to the weekend rounds after the cut was applied at four-over 148. India’s Harmeet Kahlon, Canadian Rick Gibson, Brad Kennedy and one of the tournament favourites Rick Gibson were the ones to miss the bus.

Ashok Kumar surely looks a changed man in the recent days, not to mention his coloured hair. He was confidence personified as he made a bright start from the par-three 10th, missing an ace by a whisker as his 8-iron tee shot hit the pin and rolled about a foot. Had he made a hole-in-one, he would have been a proud owner of a Chevrolet car, the prize for an ace on that particular hole. All he could manage to win was a birdie!

This followed another birdie on the 11th before dropping a shot on the par-five 12th . Keeping the ball on the fairway is the key to success on this course. Ashok did just that and his crisp iron-play helped him to gain ample birdie opportunities. Only if his putter had clicked, he would have burnt the course. Missing some nearly close ones, consecutive birdies on the 14th and15 th , helped him resurrect his round.

On his back nine, Ashok missed a sitter on the opening hole after such a brilliant approach from the rough. On the par-5 third, Ashok once again hit a brilliant second into the wind but missed the six-footer eagle putt. He made two more birdies on the next two holes and saved a superb par on the difficult par-3 sixth, after being in the right bunker. One more birdie opportunity came on the finishing hole but Ashok hit it to the right.

Top scores after 36 holes: 133 Ashok Kumar (Ind) 67, 66; 137 Simon Hurd (Eng) 67, 70; 140 Simon Griffiths (Eng) 68, 72, Feroz Ali (Ind) 67, 73; 141 Marcus Both (Aus) 70, 71, Bryan Saltus (USA) 71, 70, Jarrod Moseley (Aus) 69, 72, Hendrik Buhrmann (S. Africa) 66, 75; 142 Corey Harris (USA) 69, 73, Rahil Gangjee (Ind) 73, 69, Barry Hume (SCO) 70, 72, Martin Rominger (SUI) 69, 73, Garth Mulroy (S Africa) 74, 68. 

Anand beats Bacrot

Sofia, May 12
Viswanathan Anand cruised to victory over French Grandmaster Etienne Bacrot in the first round of the second edition of M-tel Masters International Chess Tournament that got underway here.

The victory helped Anand emerge as the sole leader in the super tournament as the other two games of this category-20, 6-player double round robin event ended in draws yesterday.

World Champion Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria drew with Russian Peter Svidler while former world champion Ruslan Ponomariov of Ukraine too got the same result against American Gata Kamsky who recently made a comeback to competitive chess at the top after a long hiatus.

Anand dominated Bacrot in all departments of the game in the opening round of the event, which is being played under classical time control.

The fact that the Indian ace won with black pieces must have sent warning signals to world champion Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria who is fighting here to keep his top position in the ELO rating list intact.

Playing the Queen’s Indian defence Anand survived some scare in the middle game before accomplishing his absolute authority over Bacrot who played white.

The middle game was quite intense as Anand had some initial problems to tackle but giving his best under difficult circumstances, the Indian ace took most of the opportunities offered by Bacrot after the latter made a positional error.

Cashing in Anand had his queen against two uninspiring white rooks of Bacrot with not many open files to operate on, and the former knocked down one queenside pawn to turn the tide decisively in his favour. Bacrot’s pieces were saddled with the task of performing a thankless defence here onwards and the Frenchman called it a day after 54 moves.

Anand agreed that he did not have a great position and it was only after Bacrot made some positional errors that he was able to stamp his superiority. — PTI

Indian challenge ends in Rome Masters 

New Delhi, May 12
Leander Paes and his Czech partner Radek Stepanek were spanked by top seeded American duo Bob and Mike Bryan while Mahesh Bhupathi and Wesley Moody were also shown the exit door in the Rome Masters tennis tournament.

Paes/Stepanek were defeated 6-1, 7-5 while Bhupathi and his South African partner were beaten 6-3, 6-2 by Chile’s Olympic gold medal winning team of Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu in the pre-quarterfinals.

Although the Bryan twins were playing their first match in more than four weeks, they were quick to seize the initiative and dropped just one game before clinching the first set.

Paes and Stepanek raised their game in the second set. But they had their serve broken at the crucial juncture. Mike then went on to serve out the match to love. — PTI

Nadal reaches 50 not out

Rome, May 12
Rafael Nadal clinched his 50th successive victory on clay here with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Britain’s Tim Henman to reach the Rome Masters quarterfinals as he closed in on Guillermo Vilas’s all-time record on the surface.

If Nadal successfully defends his title here on Sunday, he will equal the record set by Argentine Vilas who managed 53 straight wins on clay in 1977.

But if the French Open champion is to reach that landmark, it is likely he will have to overcome world No. 1 Roger Federer after the Swiss top seed reached the quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Radek Stepanek.

Federer, who has reached the final of the last five Masters Series events in which he has played and won four of them, took just 56 minutes yesterday to beat the Czech 14th seed.

In the same half of the draw, Argentinian fourth seed David Nalbandian defeated Spanish qualifier Alberto Martin 7-5, 6-4 for a place in the last eight. Nalbandian, whose win at Estoril last week was his first ATP title of the year and elevated him to a career-high third place in the world rankings, next faces Croatian Mario Ancic.

Number five seed Andy Roddick put an end to Greg Rusedski’s run with a 7-6 (7/4) 6-2 win. Roddick will next play Gael Monfils who put out French compatriot Fabrice Santoro. — AFP