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BCCI tells Pathan to prove fitness
Lee ruled out of World Cup
We need to focus on fielding: Yuvraj
Bowl-outs to break tie in semis, final
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Windies to honour its WC legends
Shoaib, Asif to be dope-tested today
Jaya fashions India’s win
Anand slips after Aronian shock
National Football League
Gill re-elected
basketball body chief
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BCCI tells Pathan to prove fitness
Mumbai, February 23 The Baroda speedster, who missed the entire series against Sri Lanka because of a sore shoulder, will now have to wait till Sunday’s Deodhar Trophy tie to know his fate. The warning to Pathan came from chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar who made it clear that the paceman would be dropped from the World Cup squad unless he proved his match fitness in Sunday’s Deodhar Trophy game in Ahmedabad. The left-arm bowler had declared himself fit from his sore shoulder injury, but Vengsarkar said Pathan’s performance for West Zone against Central Zone two days from now would be watched with keen interest by the selectors. “I would be there with other selectors to watch Irfan’s overall performance and if we are not convinced of his fitness he will not go to the World Cup. We have not yet thought of any replacement, but it will be done in consultation with the captain (Rahul Dravid) and coach (Greg Chappell),” the former India captain said. “Irfan has not played for almost a month after picking up a freak shoulder injury. He has played only one match (against the West Indies at his hometown Vadodara on January 31). He then missed the entire series against Sri Lanka”, he said. “The Deodhar tie offers the best chance for him to get back among the wickets and prove his fitness,” Vengsarkar said at a World Cup promotional function by tournament sponsors Johnnie Walker here. Vengsarkar also said only the selectors will be there to judge the youngster’s fitness and not team physio John Gloster. The chief selector’s warning comes five days before the team’s departure to the West Indies and the tie against Central is also Pathan’s only match to convince the selectors that he’s match-fit. The team members would assemble in Mumbai on February 26 before departing for the Caribbean on February 28 night. Vengsarkar said there would be no instructions from the selectors to West captain Amol Muzumdar on how to use Pathan as “West have a match to win.” Vengsarkar also said that any of the teams, which make it to the Super Eight stage of the World Cup, could win the mega event. He also felt that the retirement of Shane Warne, who did not play one-day cricket since testing positive for a banned drug in the run-up to the 2003 edition in South Africa, the ageing of Glenn McGrath and the fitness problems to Andrew Symonds have made holders Australia vulnerable.
— PTI
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It’s a big blow for the Australians, who recently have been chased by a string of loses and injury to key players. Cricket Australia said that Stuart Clark, who was omitted from the Aussie squad for World Cup despite some impressive performances in the Ashes tour, would replace Lee. Lee was ruled out after a review of his injury, which he sustained while training in New Zealand 10 days ago. Orthopaedic surgeon Kim Slater told Cricket Australia that Lee had damaged the ligaments in his ankle and the injury had not improved over the past week. CA’s chairman of the National Selection Committee Andrew Hilditch said he had been advised that Lee’s ankle injury was more serious than first expected. “It is a great disappointment for Brett Lee that he is unable to take a place in the Cricket World Cup and is a significant blow for the planning and preparation in place for the tournament,” Hilditch said in a statement. “However it does give a tremendous opportunity for Stuart Clark to join the 15-man squad,” he said. General Manager Cricket Operations, Michael Brown, said Cricket Australia’s thoughts were with Lee as he continues his rehabilitation from injury. “I have written to the ICC requesting a replacement player for Lee under schedule 7, clause 4 of the ICC’s Participating Nation’s Agreement,” he said. “Clark is our nominated replacement in the squad of 15. I have today advised him that subject to the ICC approval, I would expect him to be on the plane to the West Indies on Wednesday. Apart from Lee, who is third highest wicket-taker for Australia after Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne in one-dayers with 267 wickets in 150 matches, injuries to several other players like Andrew Symonds, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke have hampered Australia’s preparation for the World Cup.
— PTI
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We need to focus on fielding: Yuvraj
Kolkata, February 23 Asked if the absence of athletic fielders like Suresh Raina and Mohammed Kaif would be felt in the Caribbean, where the quadrennial mega event kicks off next month, Yuvraj said, “It is unfortunate that we do not have them. But at the same time, we have outstanding and wonderful fielders like Robin Uthappa and Dinesh Karthik.” Yuvraj, who returned to the Indian team in the last two matches of the home series against Sri Lanka after recovering from back problem, said he felt confident ahead of the big tournament. Yuvraj scored 21 at Margao and followed it up with an unbeaten 95 in Visakhapatnam. He had earlier been sidelined following a knee injury sustained while playing kho-kho during a warm-up session before the Champions Trophy match against Australia in late October.
— PTI
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Bowl-outs to break tie in semis, final
Mumbai, February 23 Among other interesting regulations for the March 13-April 28 event in the West Indies is the provision for moving the matches in case of a dangerous pitch, to continue a match even under a drizzle in certain situations, bowl-outs to break a tie in semifinals and the final, and vesting the match referee with powers to suggest suspension of play citing security concerns. The relevant portion about the clause over clean catches states: “The third umpire has to determine whether the batsman has been caught. However, when reviewing TV replay(s) if it is clear to the third umpire that the batsman did not hit the ball, he shall indicate that the batsman is not out.” So far, the third umpire has been called in only to indicate if the catch had been taken cleanly. Similarly, under earlier rules, umpires could only abandon a match if the wicket became dangerous for play. The ICC has introduced a five-stage system to break a tie on points between two or more teams in the preliminary and Super 8 stages, and a two-stage system for the semifinals and final, including bowl-outs.— PTI
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Windies to honour its WC legends
Kingston, February 23 The greats are excited and pleased about the joint decision by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Inc. Reacting to the news, ex-captain Clive Lloyd, who lifted the coveted trophy twice, said, “I am very elated that they’ve recognised what we’ve done and I’m sure all the (former) players are happy about this honour.” Sir Vivian Richards, who won the man-of-the-match award in the 1979 World Cup final, said he was thrilled that he and his ex-colleagues will be honoured in front of their home fans.
— UNI
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Shoaib, Asif to be dope-tested today
Karachi, February 23 “The tests we had on 11 selected members of the team and seven reserves have all come negative for any sort of banned substance,” a senior PCB official said. The official said the two bowlers, who had tested positive for a banned substance, nandrolone last year, reported for the training camp which started today at the Gaddafi stadium and would be dope-tested tomorrow. The results of the tests conducted on captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi were also awaited still. The official reiterated PCB’s policy of not sending any player to the World Cup who did not clear the dope tests or was not passed fit by a medical panel of the Board. The World Cup squad players who cleared the tests include Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Danish Kaneria, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Rao Iftikhar, Umar Gul, Rana Naved, Imran Nazir and Mohammad Hafeez. Shoaib and Asif remain the main worry for Pakistan after they were banned last year in November for their positive tests and were than cleared by an appeals committee constituted by the Board. Shoaib, Asif and Umar Gul face a fitness test next week before they become certain to play in the World Cup. Shoaib has a knee problem while Asif is nursing an elbow injury. Gul is recuperating from an ankle fracture. PCB director, Cricket Operations, Saleem Altaf said Pakistan wanted to ensure they were no doping issues in the World Cup and would hopefully have results on Shoaib and Asif by next week. “We are paying extra to get the results of the test from the accredited laboratory in Malaysia within 48 working hours,” he said.
— PTI
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Jaya fashions India’s win
Chennai, February 23 Chasing Australia’s 213, India were tottering at 63 for three before woman-of-the-match Jaya (104 not out) guided the team home with one over to spare. Jaya played some attacking shots to reach her century and helped India gain four points. This was India’s second successive win in as many matches and they will meet New Zealand in the last league match on Sunday. Earlier, Lisa Sthalekar, the Australian vice-captain, had made a disciplined 87 to help Aussies overcome a top-order collapse and post 213 for eight in 50 overs. Medium-pacer Rumeli Dhar (2 for 23) and left-arm spinner Preeti Dimri (3 for 46) were the main wicket-takers.
— UNI
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Shers hit Veerans for a six
Chandigarh, February 23 Shers’ star striker Gagan Ajit Singh scored three goals. Two other players who contributed to this splendid win were Tejbir Singh and Spanish import Santi Freixa. Tejbir struck twice, while Santi was instrumental in providing superb passes to other forwards. The Shers opened their account in the 20th minute when Gagan’s shot was deflected into the goal through a Veerans’ defender’s stick. In the 41st minute, Gagan, ably supported by Gurvinder, scored another goal to make it 2-0. Thereafter, Tejbir struck twice in 10 minutes. In the 47th minute, Gagan sent a long pass from the defence and Santi managed to intercept the ball just outside the striking circle. He darted into the circle and quickly sent a short pass to an unmarked Tejbir, who had no problem in tapping the ball past goalie Sreejesh (3-0). The fourth goal was the result of a defensive lapse which saw Shers’ Pakistani import Imran Khan dispossessing a Chennai defender and giving a pass to Santi outside the circle. The Spaniard again found Tejbir in the right place at the right time. Unlike some of his team-mates, Santi released the ball quickly and Tejbir hit home (4-0). The fifth goal came from the Shers’ fourth penalty corner, which they earned in the 62nd minute. Santi fooled the defenders with a dummy shot and Kanwalpreet Singh unleashed a direct hit that beat the goalkeeper. Gagan rounded off the tally three minutes before the hooter with a brilliant goal. Jarnail Singh and Yudhvir Singh did the spadework in the midfield. Gagan did the rest to make it 6-0. Having established a comfortable 6-0 lead, Shers substituted Gagan, Baljit Singh Dhillon, Tejbir, Santi and goalkeeper Kamaldeep Singh. The Veerans also substituted goalkeeper Sreejesh with Shanmugham. The Veerans put up a poor show, failing to get any penalty corner, while their rivals earned four. Shers’ Tejbir was adjudged the Lion of the Day. Receiving the award, an elated Tejbir said, “It was our coordination which fetched us this wonderful win. Our skipper Kanwalpreet, Harpal Singh and Santi, in particular, played superbly.”
Skipper Dilip Tirkey converted three penalty corners to fashion Orissa Steelers’ 4-1 victory over Maratha Warriors and book their berth in the best-of-three final of the PHL. Tirkey struck in the 19th, 27th and 38th minutes. The Steelers’ Argentine import Mario Alamada struck a field goal in the 25th minute. The Warriors reduced the margin with three minutes to go for the hooter off a penalty corner when Kuldeep’s hit rose off goalie Salman Akbar’s pads and went in the net. Tirkey was adjudged the Lion of the Match.
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Anand slips after Aronian shock
Morelia (Mexico), February 23 Aronian moved into shared second spot with Anand after this creditable victory while the Indian’s loss allowed Norwegian prodigy Magnus Carlsen to shoot into lead after his upset win over former world champion Veselin Topalov. The 16-year-old Norwegian, the youngest participant in the field, leads the table with 3.5 points out of five games, half-a-point ahead of Anand and Aronian. The game began quietly with Anand adopting the Slav defence and the players reached an endgame after the exchange of queens on the 15th move. The position was dynamically balanced as Anand had the better pawn structure to compensate Aronian’s bishop pair. Anand began to manoeuvre his pieces cleverly to slowly exploit the pawn weakness in his opponent’s position. Aronian countered this attempt and suddenly changed the pace of the game with a sharp combination, sacrificing material to create two dangerous passed pawns. The resulting position was full of tactical prospects and Anand found himself an exchange down when the dust had settled after baffling complications. He accepted defeat on the 48th move when he was faced with the loss of a knight. Carlsen won his second game on the trot when he scored over Topalov. The game had a sensational end as Topalov surprised Carlsen by resigning in a drawn position. Topalov could in fact have forced Carlsen to draw the game with perpetual check but failed to spot this resource. He resigned on the 64th move under the false impression that he was forced to lose a piece. Ivanchuk and Leko continued their solid play by drawing their games against Morozevich and Svidler respectively. Both Ivanchuk and Leko have drawn all their games in the tournament so far. The Svidler-Leko game featured the Marshhal Gambit in the Spanish opening and Leko got good attacking prospects for the pawn. Svidler defended adroitly and the players split the point after repetition of moves. Ivanchuk played the solid Berlin defence against Morozevich and did not permit his Russian opponent to gain the upper hand.
— PTI
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Sporting Clube down JCT
Duler, February 23 Sporting Clube today registered their second win out of six outings and took their tally to seven points with two wins, one draw and three losses. JCT remained on five points with one win, two draws and three defeats in equal number of matches. In an evenly contested first half, Sporting Clube had the slight edge over JCT and utilised the couple of chances before them into the goals and were leading by 2-0 at the breather. Sporting shot into lead in the 17th minute through Wilton Gomes, who after collecting a loose ball in the middle, unleashed a volley which found the net giving no chance to rival goalkeeper to make it 1-0. Sporting consolidated their lead in the injury time of the first half through their ace striker Dudu Omaghbhemi, whose perfect header found the net off a well-measured pass sent by Denzil Franco. The second half did not witness much of action. However, JCT made some desperate attempts to reduce the margin but without much of luck. Sporting Medio Wilton Gomes was adjudged the man of the match. Mahindras post victory
Mumbai: A superb goal by N.P. Pradeep in the 61st minute saw Mahindra United beat their city rivals Air-India 1-0 in the sixth round of the NFL at the Cooperage stadium here today. With this win, Mahindra moved to the top of the league standings with 11 points, while Air-India slipped to third in the tally with10 points. Both the teams started off cautiously not wanting to give the other the upper hand as play was restricted to the midfield. However, soon Mahindra asserted their authority over the match, rendering Air-India midfield redundant as they launched several attacks on the rival citadel. Mahindras were then finally rewarded in the 61st minute when a corner taken by substitute Steven Dias went to Pradeep, who with a superb angular header, found the net to put his side in front. Two players from Air-India received yellow cards, Suley Musah and Nirmal Chetri, while for Mahindra Pomeyie Mensah got a warning. Biswas keeps Bagan afloat
Kolkata: Dippendu Biswas shot home a late goal to give Mohun Bagan a much-needed victory against Mohammedan Sporting to remain afloat in the NFL here. The otherwise dull match suddenly sprung to life right in the dying minutes when Mohun Bagan, managed by their new coach Cheema Okorie, started doing something that they didn’t do earlier — attack from the flanks. Lalkamal Bhowmik chased the ball and managed an acrobatic cross, which was volleyed brilliantly by substitute Dippendu Biswas in the 89th minute. The win could not have come at a better time for Mohun Bagan when they are languishing in the relegation zone. Also, this will provide them with the confidence they need when they take on archrivals East Bengal on Tuesday.
— UNI
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Gill re-elected
basketball body chief
Ludhiana, February 23 Addressing mediapersons after the meeting, Gill announced the calendar for the current year. The next edition of the Senior National Basketball Championship will be held from December 21 to 28 at Puducherry, while the junior basketball tournament will be organised at Anantpuram (Andhra Pradesh) from June 12 to 19. The National Sub-Junior Championship is slated to be held at Rahon from May 6 to 13, while the national youth championship will be conducted at Lucknow from May 21 to 28. He said the BFI had resolved to engage a foreign coach. “We shortlised the names of three coaches which have been already sent to the Union Ministry for Sports for its approval. It had also been decided to begin a national league at the school level which would commence later this year,” Gill added. Other office-bearers of the BFI for the next four-year term include: honorary life presidents — Col AS Judge and BJM Sharma; senior vice president — Mr K Govindraj; vic-presidents — Nandani Basappa, KP Changoiwala, Mukul Medhi, Vikram Singh Shekhawat, Alok Sharma and Rakesh Yadav; treasurer — Prem Pal Singh; associate secretaries — V Ragothaman, Shafiq Sheikh, Ashok Kumar Sahu, M Venkatesh and Rajesh Patel; chairman, technical commission — GM Sampath Kumar. |
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Melbourne, February 23
