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Sachin hurt on Day 1
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No-confidence motion against ICC
Bloggers attack World Cup telecast
Mission Resurrection
Aussies to stamp WC winning moment
JCT striker Edeh Chidi is about to score the match winner against Mahindra United, Mumbai, in the 11th National Football League at Ludhiana’s Guru Nanak Stadium on Wednesday.
— Tribune photo by Sayeed Ahmed
Athletes have no place to train
Double delight for Welham
Narain tops with 70.04 m javelin
throw
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Kolkata, May 2 The team management, however, said the injury was not serious, but the extent of damage would be known only tomorrow once the ice treatment was over. The Indian team also had to contend with a piece of bad news from Hyderabad with V.V.S Laxman not reporting for the camp during the day after being down with gastroenteritis. Tendulkar twisted his ankle while negotiating a bouncer from S. Sreesanth in the afternoon session at the Eden Gardens. The ageing Mumbaikar got hurt as he ducked awkwardly to the bouncer and lost his balance. Tendulkar was immediately attended to by team physio John Gloster on the field and after some initial treatment he limped out of the ground into the dressing room. Team’s administrative manager Surendra Bhave later told newspersons that Tendulkar was being given ice treatment by Gloster and the therapy would continue till the morning. “He will review the situation in the morning and then we will know the extent of the injury and whether the batsman can take part in the camp tomorrow. But I think it is not that serious,” Bhave said. He said there was no need for an X-ray. There was uncertainty about when and whether Laxman could join the camp after he informed the BCCI and Indian team’s cricket manager Ravi Shastri about his indisposition. The camp, to be held in two sessions daily, is the first assignment for skipper Rahul Dravid’s boys after the World Cup debacle that triggered nationwide protests, a slew of controversies and measures of austerity employed by the board on the players. Under the watchful eyes of physical trainer Gregory Allen King, the Indian team members went through their paces for one and a half hours under the morning sky, in the presence of hordes of mediapersons. However, some of the innovative drills introduced during former coach Greg Chappell’s tenure using tyres, ladders and nets, were not seen during the session, the first under the new think-tank headed by cricket manager Ravi Shastri. The players began with a double lap of the park and were then split up into three groups for fielding practice with bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and fielding coach Robin Singh conducting the show alongside King. Promising medium pacer V Yo Mahesh, who had been asked by the board to join the camp, looked a bit indisposed initially but recovered soon enough to take part in the session. Meanwhile, team sources said V.V.S Laxman had not turned up in the city yet, but could be expected any time. Wicket keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik, who tied the nuptial knot today, is expected to join the camp on the concluding day on May 6. The Indians are scheduled to leave for the 23-day tour of Bangladesh the next day. — Agencies
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No-confidence motion against ICC
New Delhi, May 2 BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah had reportedly told an Australian daily that India would table a no-confidence motion against the game’s governing body but now it seems other members in the board are against the proposed move. A board official denied that BCCI is, at the moment at least, looking at tabling a no-confidence motion. “If he (Shah) made those comments, then they are his individual opinion,” he said. “There has been no discussion among senior members and office bearers of the BCCI about tabling any such motion,” the official added. “There is no question of any individual deciding on an action like this,” another top BCCI official, who returned from the West Indies, told Cricinfo. “A no-confidence motion is a serious issue and before we take any action like this it has to be discussed within the BCCI and also among other nation members to see if there is some sort of consensus,” he added. The buzz that the BCCI would table a no-confidence motion against the ICC has been doing the round since Niranjan Shah made statements to this effect, which he subsequently denied. Shah was quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald as saying, “Some of it (a decision on the no confidence motion) will depend on how other boards are feeling. It is fair to say that there are quite a few things to sort out at the next chief executives’ meeting.” However, it is common knowledge that BCCI is unhappy with ICC on various aspects of the ICC’s functioning. “See, the job which five people used to do, in an honorary capacity, now some hundred people do, as paid professionals. If that is the case then the results should also be different,” said the official who had witnessed first-hand the chaos and confusion that engulfed the dying moments of the World Cup final. The official allegedly said, “Even in domestic cricket you can’t imagine a match being played after the streetlights have come on. How come all those professional people in the ICC could not make the right decision at the time?” The BCCI believes that the ICC has become too “bureaucratic” in its functioning. However, tabling a no-confidence motion might not help their cause in this case as Speed is not an elected office-bearer of the ICC but a paid employee with a fixed term. If the BCCI does go ahead with its proposed move, it is likely to get strong support from Asian bloc, comprising Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. — UNI
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Bloggers attack World Cup telecast
New Delhi, May 2 Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh, who was in India during the World Cup, gave vent to his disgust by stating that the telecast in India was “unwatchable”. “It is annoying, ridiculous and an insult to the game to see an advertisement being squeezed in just because the bowler has not reached the top of his run-up,” the Australian great wrote in a newspaper column, cautioning that “somebody needs to protect the game from becoming devalued in this manner”. Angry cricket fans are going online to flay SET Max for its TV coverage, but the channel appears to be unconcerned. Expressing ignorance about Waugh’s comments, a spokesperson for the channel said, “We showed the whole game. The advertisements were shown at the end of an over”-a statement that insults millions who suffered the telecast. Bloggers have accused the channel of robbing the viewers’ pleasure with its “senseless timing” of ads to make “a little extra money”. “How else do you explain these morons showing an ad when the bowler is setting his field and cutting it halfway through because he is running into bowl. Even a slight delay by the bowler sends these idiots scurrying off to show an ad,” complains a blogger at bangaloreblues.wordpress.com. “How else can you explain these annoying placeholders from Peter England and Monster that come up on screen when there is a six or a four. Someone need to explain to these jerks that people don’t like watching all these cutesy little things floating across the screen when you see a replay”, wrote the blogger. Many irate viewers expressed their disgust with the dancing tiger that often appeared on the screen doing a Punjabi balle-balle dance to the beat of drums. “I too joined the bandwagon of SetMax tiger hitters. It is ridiculous to say the least. What happened to the humble duck who used to appear every time a wicket fell”, asked a blogger using the name ‘greatunknown’. Wrote another, “If I could only get my hands on that tiger-I wonder which marketing idiot (sorry genius) thought about this”. Another blogger Pramodbiligiri was unable to decide who was more unprofessional-SetMax or Indian batsmen. The viewers had a variety of suggestions including making the fans pay to watch a game or a series with no ads although one of them wrote that sometimes the ads are more interesting than games like those India played against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Another suggestion aired: As an over ends, let the ads occupy only half the screen. A continuous, always on ad pane on one side of the screen was another solution offered. — PTI
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Mission Resurrection
The
World Cup lasted so long and it must have prolonged the agony for India’s millions of stunned fans as it gave them more time than they wanted for soul-searching and trying to figure out what must be done with the Indian cricket. I am no expert, but I don’t think all is lost. Nor do I believe that India must blindly adopt what Australia or England does.
I’ve followed all the major developments since the team returned home on the net, and see that the BCCI has moved quickly to act on two areas I often had issues with. The zonal pattern of the selection is finally been changed and long-term administrative and media managers are to be appointed to work with the team. The selection system was my least favourite part of Indian cricket. So it’s good to know that soon seniors and juniors will be picked by selectors who will be paid for their work, and so be answerable for their choices. Let’s hope the right men are chosen and the appointment of the long-term managers takes place quickly, because the season ahead has some major tours. One of the other things India can also do is to pay particular attention to planning tours and itineraries, so that players have enough time for rest, recovery and family. This does not mean less cricket, but smarter use of the calendar with proper breaks between tours. India now has the power to dictate that its own home season is structured like England or Australia’s, so there is a balance between ‘home’ and ‘away’ tours. Again, tightening and toughening the ‘A’ team tour programme will clearly identify players who will adjust better at the highest level. What’s needed is a regular stream of A-tours to New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, played on first-class wickets with good practice facilities against tough opposition. The quality of the opposition is important: if it’s not tough, don’t go. In England for example, I know the counties only put up their second XIs against India ‘A.’ That is meaningless if you’re trying to find your toughest youngsters. India can simply refuse to host those who won’t give its ‘A’ team a good workout. In case the players think I’m being unusually kind to them, one of the other ideas I had on a wish-list was to institute a system of a minimum standard of fitness for India players. All players contracted to the BCCI must reach and maintain that level of fitness. Tests conducted once every two months will give the selectors a fairly good idea about who’s putting in the work and who is not. A few instances of dropping those who fall below the accepted level will send out the right kind of message. At the academy level, whether national or state, it would be a good idea to concentrate most on fitness, fielding and running between the wickets; make the learning fun but keep it tough and you will work out who has the hunger to play. There is often a strong case made in India to reduce the number of its first-class teams, but I don’t know if that’s the answer. In a country as big as India, I don’t know if it is practical. How else will kids from all over the country get a chance to play first-class cricket and be identified as prospects for the national team? Also the zonal competition, the Duleep Trophy, gets plenty of stick because they say players don’t identify with their zonal teams and the event floats around the calendar a little. Maybe you need to think about making the Duleep Trophy important again and have your best players play in it. You could try several things: scheduling the event better, playing it on the main grounds, having the national selectors pick the players they want to see against a better grade of bowling, offering a higher fee to those who can make the zonal level, having the zonal teams mirror the routines that are in use at the national level. That way, the Duleep Trophy is seen as one step up from the Ranji Trophy, a progression up the ladder towards making the Indian team. It all links up: planning the national team’s programme well so they can play a good amount of domestic cricket too and finding a free spot for the Duleep Trophy, so that it remains relevant when it comes to choosing players for a big home series or tour. Despite the shock exit from the World Cup, I don’t think India needs to despair too much. Indian cricket reminds me of one of my most favourite presents received many, many years ago - a jigsaw puzzle of a thousand pieces. In Indian cricket, all the pieces are there. The talent, the knowledge, the finance the passion, the numbers, the competitive structures, the sheer want and hunger of so many young cricketers desperate to play for the country. All that is required is a bit of time, thought and consideration to put all the pieces together. Things can be fixed and in simple ways. One-day form, that started all this discussion off, I must remind you, can turn very quickly.
— PMG
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Aussies to stamp WC winning moment
Sydney, May 2 According to the Cricket Australia (CA) website, this special edition stamp sheet will feature two images of the world champions celebrating with the World Cup trophy on the selvedge around the ten 50-cent stamps. Each stamp tab will also feature an image of the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy along with the match score of the final. “The Australian cricket team has once again done the nation proud and reinforced its position as the greatest cricket team in the world,” exclaimed Mr Noel Leahy, Group Manager Philatelic, Australia Post. “Australia Post is delighted to be able to celebrate this latest achievement with a special edition stamp sheet, which will be available around the country from May 8, a week after the tournament was secured,” he added. The stamp sheet, designed as a unique and affordable memento of Australia’s historic win, will be available in a green presentation envelope at a price of $15.95. Australia Post had earlier this year, released a stamp issue celebrating the Aussies’ historic 3 mobile Ashes Test whitewash over England. — UNI
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NFL
Ludhiana, May 2 After a goal-less first half, JCT’s Nigerian striker Edeh Chidi, in a unique display of opportunism, beat at least four rival defenders before slotting the ball past the hapless goalkeeper midway into the second session. Having inflicted the damage, Edeh rushed towards the flag post with arms raised in a gesture of thanksgiving even as his team-mates mobbed and cheered him for achieving what appeared impossible at the outset. The defending champions mounted tremendous pressure towards the end but JCT hung on to the lead and eventually carried the day through sheer grit and determination. Faced with a must-win situation, Mahindra United under the watchful eyes of coach Derrick Perreira inducted Ghanian striker Andrews Pomeyie Mensah to team up with compatriot Yusif Yakubu in the second session. The duo looked threatening on more than one occasion and had it not been for JCT custodian Karanjit Singh’s heroics under the bar, the story could well have been different. Karanjit’s brilliant anticipation was applauded by the large crowd even as many felt that he deserved the ‘man-of the-match’ award which incidentally went to Chidi. The well-contested encounter saw the two teams matching each other move for move. Mahindra United opted to field foreign recruit Mbaka B. Dady to strengthen the midfield as AIFF’s ‘footballer of the year’ Surkumar Singh, NP Pradeep, and K. Ajayan kept the marauding JCT forwards in check. Ajayan, in particular, proved unbeatable and his overlapping role as wing back also lent strength to the attack spearheaded by former Mohun Bagan star Manjit Singh and Yusif Yakubu. JCT’s attack, spearheaded by Edeh Chidi, Sunil Chhetri and Rennedy Singh also posed constant threat with the hard-working Baldeep Singh playing a key role on the right wing. In the first session, JCT made a couple of close calls with Rennedy Singh testing the Mahindra custodian with well-aimed long rangers. On one occasion, Rennedy’s curling right-footer after Sunil Chhetri was brought down just outside the box, missed the target by inches. Mahindra United inducted Andrews Mensah on commencement of the second session, replacing Surkumar Singh, who earned a yellow card for intentionally handling the ball in the first session. Mensah’s lightning runs down the middle were effectively thwarted by JCT stopper back Anwar, who played a stellar role in the defence. JCT also hit back through Edeh Chidi who sought to capitalise on a pass by Chhetri but the Mahindra goalkeeper effected a timely save. It was in the 70th minute that JCT took the vital lead. Edeh Chidi, who was effectively bottled up in the first half, controlled the ball inside the box and in a swift move, beat at least four defenders before beating the goalie with a deft placement (1-0). Stung by the reverse, Mahindras brought in international Abhishek Yadav in place of S. Venkatesh but the move did not change the complexion of the game. On one occasion, Mensah did race in menacingly but JCT custodian Karanjit Singh thwarted the move at the cost of a flag kick. A long ranger by K. Ajayan was also well anticipated by Karanjit, who again punched the ball away from danger zone. With today’s victory, JCT now have 25 points from seven victories and are only two points behind Mahindra United.
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Athletes have no place to train
New Delhi, May 2 Those who train on synthetic tracks would be hit very hard as only Nehru Stadium has synthetic turfs in Delhi. Former Olympian hurdler and Asian Games medallist Gurbachan Singh
Randhawa, who trains a bunch of promising athletes at the Nehru Stadium, is now a worried man as the stadium would be out of bounds for his wards in a couple of weeks and he does not where to take his trainees for coaching. The Athletics Association of India has even shifted the Federation Cup meet, which were to be held in Delhi from May 11 to 14, to Kolkata while all the sports activity in the stadium is being wound up. The Sports Authority of India offices will also be shifted to the Indira Gandhi indoor stadium, which will be renovated only at the last
phase. Randhawa said his only option now would be to train the athletes on the grassy track of the DDA Sports Complex at Siri Fort though it would mean setting the clock back for the budding athletes.
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Patiala, May 2 But for Mandeep Kaur (400m), who was outstanding in the meet, the other athletes performed below their best. The meet was poorly organized with absolutely no co-ordination amongst the meet officials. Talking to UNI, Suresh Babu, chief coach of the national junior athletics, said that this meet is not so very significant since the athletes are just back from South Africa and are yet to get into the top gear. Results: 100m(men): Sameer Mon 1, Ajay Kumar 2, Lakhvir Singh – 3; 400 m (men): Joseph Abraham 1, Vinay Choudhary 2, Virender Kumar Pankaj 3; 400 m (women): Mandeep Kaur 1, Manjeet Kaur 2, Chitra Soman 3; javelin throw (men): Om Narain 1, Bikramjeet Singh 2, Avtar Singh 3; discus throw (women): Krishna Poonia 1, Seema Antil 2, Harwant Kaur 3; shot put (men): Karanjeet Singh 1, Om Prakash 2, Gurpreet Singh 3; long jump (men): Shamsher Partap Singh 1, Bhartender Singh 2, Rajesh R 3. — UNI
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Double delight for Welham
Chandigarh, May 2 Shubhi and Sonia scored 10 and 6 points, respectively, for Welham girls’ team while Agam Preet scored 9 and Harkiran scored 6 points for the YPS team. The boys’ title was clinched by Welham Boys School. In the final, Welman boys defeated Pinegrove School 39-11. Ravi and Randhir scored 14 and 10 points, respectively, for Welham while Varunjot and Parampal scored 4 points each for Pinegrove. The highest scorer award among the girls went to Agam Preet of YPS while Ravi of Welham was the highest scorer in the boys
category. Sunanina Das of Welham Girls School was adjudged the best player (girls) and Uday Jain of Pinegrove was adjudged the best
player among boys. Diljeet Thakur, SP, Solan, who was the chief guest at the closing ceremony, gave away the prizes to the winners.
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Narain tops with 70.04 m javelin
throw Patiala, May
2 Om Narain of the Railways
clinched the title in javelin with a throw of 70.04 m. The second and
third positions went to Bikramjit Singh of Chandigarh with a throw of
66.62 m and Avatar Singh of Punjab Police with a throw of 66.53 m. In
long jump, Bharat Inder Singh of Haryana jumped 7.54 m attaining the
first position. Second and third positions went to Shamsher Pratap Singh
of Punjab (7.54 m) and Rajesh R. of the Railways (7.49 m). In 400
metres men’s event, Joseph Abraham of the CRPF came first completing
the race in 47.20 seconds. Vinay Chaudhary of Uttar Pradesh came second
with a timing of 47.55 seconds and Varinder Kumar Pankaj of Uttar
Pradesh third with a timing of 47.62 seconds. In 400 metres women’s
event, Mandeep Kaur of the ONGC came first completing the race in 53.34
seconds. Manjeet Kaur of Punjab Police came second with a timing of
53.65 seconds and Chitra Soman of the ONGC third with a timing 54.07
seconds. As many as seven events were held today. Seventy athletes from
different states participated.
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Kolkata, May 2
NFL
