 |
|
|
Dhoni & Co confident
Kiss leaves Ponting red-faced
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
T20 champs to get $1 million from ICC
Cairns, Astle, 16 others join ICL
Pollock dropped for first Test
Shastri appointed NCA chairman
Champions Trophy
Brazil shock USA, enter final
Rijkaard in a fix over picking Ronaldinho
Schuettler stuns Hewitt in Mumbai
Anand close to title victory
Subroto soccer
Shaheed-e-Azam championship
|
|
Dhoni & Co confident
ODI
series opener at 2.30 p.m. today
Bangalore, September 28
After a bout of psychological warfare started by the Australians with their captain Ricky Ponting clearly stating that the Indian Twenty20 World Cup victory was history as far as they were concerned and an equally combative reply by S Sreesanth and Robin Uthappa, it was a day for more careful introspection by both teams. Aussie stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist said the presence of the big three - Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly - could help the Indians deal with their expectations. He said all the three were quality players and one couldn’t say seeing them “thank god it’s not the Twenty20 ones”. Gilchrist said though Indian players were coming up with lots more aggression than earlier, it was the performance on the field that mattered at the end of the day. “The Indians will also have to deal with the expectations of a passionate home crowd”, he added. Today, however, belonged to Indian captain Mahinder Singh Dhoni. Whether it was one of the Aussies like Mathew Hayden who called him “spirited” and said he was good captain material because of his control over emotions, to pats from the seniors, Dhoni hogged the limelight. Speaking at a felicitation, Dravid said the performance of the team led by Dhoni in the Twenty20 tournament would inspire generations to come. “These are images which we will take forward to the next generation”, he said each player had shown tremendous guts by standing up for each other in the World Cup. Sourav Ganguly while reacting to a question later said Dhoni was the leader and the entire team was eager to play under him. Dhoni himself while speaking at a felicitation said it was the determination of the team which had won it the World Cup. He said the team had wanted to win and did not let itself come under pressure, indicating this was the spirit with which the team would face the ODI series with the Australians. Meanwhile, the seniors are apparently not taking things lying down as the Twenty20 team basks in glory after the World Cup win. All three - Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid - have been regulars at the net at the Chinnaswamy stadium since their arrival here indicating the heat is on them to perform after the superlative display by the youngsters. The Aussies will be missing Ponting who has a hamstrung injury and will sit out the match. He will, however, be available for the next match in Cochin, according to team sources. The team management said all rounder Brad Hogg and swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus are likely to get a place in to play tomorrow with all around Shane Watson missing due to injury. Among the Indians, Irfan Pathan has made a comeback into the one day squad after a six month absence. Teams (from): India: MS Dhoni (C), Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar Gautam Gambhir Harbhajan Singh Dinesh Kaarthick, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, Rohit Sharma, Rudra Pratap Singh, S Sreesanth, Ramesh Powar, Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh. Australia: Ricky Ponting (C), Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Nathan Bracken, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg , James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Andrew Symond, Michael Hussey and Adam Voges.
|
|
Kiss leaves Ponting red-faced
Bangalore, September 28 Ricky Ponting could do barely little except grin and bare it after a drunken farmer kissed him on the cheek forcibly. Though the captain tried to take evasive action he was not quite so quick on his feet and could not escape the unwelcome attention. It all happened at a function organized by ING Vysya bank called “Take Home Ricky Ponting”. On auction was a photograph of Ponting with a base price of Rs 10,000 besides a cricket bat autographed by him besides other memorabilia. So when Mandira Bedi asked a select audience to participate in the auction for the black and white canvas photograph of Ponting, one Jayaram Reddy yelled from the back that he did not want the photograph but would pay Rs 10,000 for a photo with Ponting. The organiser’s allowed him onstage but what followed made everyone on the stage see red. Reddy, a farmer turned businessman from near Bangalore, came up on the stage and first shook Ponting’s hand. He then went on the hug Ponting which was also taken sportingly by the Aussie Captain. However, before he withdrew his arms from around Ponting, Reddy took a swipe at the skipper’s face planning a slippery kiss on part of his cheek and neck. To his credit, Ponting showed none of the aggression the Aussies are famous for. He continued smiling but used his arms to control Reddy and make it known that he would not allow Reddy to continue in the same vein. Mandira Bedi also asked Reddy to go downstage saying he was making Ponting uncomfortable. However, the matter did not end there. Mandira was able to sell Ponting’s photograph to a fan but when the Aussie’s autographed bat was put up for sale, Reddy again evinced interest in buying it and did offer the highest bid of Rs 90,000 to secure it. However, this time all he got from Ponting was a firm handshake with Mandira ensuring he did not get up close to the Aussie cricketer. Reddy when asked later why he had resorted to such behaviour, said he was a great fan of Ponting and that he had kissed him as part of an Indian tradition.
|
|
|
T20 champs to get $1 million from ICC
Mumbai, September 28 "The prize money which works out to nearly $1 million is yet to come from the ICC,” BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said after its 78th AGM here today. However, the match fees for the tournament has not yet been fixed by the BCCI. "They will get match fees, but it cannot be compared to what they have already got from the Board," said treasurer N. Srinivasan. The BCCI gave away cheques worth Rs 80 lakh to each player of the triumphant squad at a grand felicitation function, preceded by a motorcade from the airport to the Wankhede Stadium. — PTI
|
|
|
Mahela wants more of Tendulkar
Colombo, September 28 "I think Tendulkar is playing great cricket. I wish he plays for 10 more years," Jayawardene told PTI here. Jayawardane's English counterpart Paul Collingwood echoed his views and said Tendulkar was in great touch despite playing almost non-stop cricket for the past 18 years. "I think he is in great form and will continue for some more years," Collingwood said. Tendulkar had opted out of the recently-concluded Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa. He returns to action in the seven-match ODI series against Australia starting tomorrow. The 34-year-old was described by former Sri Lankan cricket star Duleep Mendis as a "great cricketer". "I think he is still fit to play any version of the game be it one day or the five dayers," Mendis said. A senior Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) official said Tendulkar's consistency put him ahead of former West Indies captain and star batsman Brian Lara. — PTI
|
|
|
Cairns, Astle, 16 others join ICL
New Delhi, September 28 The ICL came out with its second list of players, which included four from New Zealand - Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Nathan Astle, Hamish Marshal - and England's Darren Maddy and Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood. Kapil Dev, chairman of the Executive Board for the ICL said, "We are extremely pleased to welcome these players to the ICL family. These talented and experienced cricketers will definitely be a great source of learning for the youngsters who will play with them," he said while announcing the signings. List of players who signed today: Overseas: Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Nathan Astle, Hamish Marshal, Darren Maddy and Azhar Mahmood. Domestic: Abu Nechim, Amit Uniyal, Aniruddh Singh, Gaurav Gupta, Love Ablish, Mihir Diwakar, Rakesh Patel, Abid Nabi Ahanger, Kiran Powar, S. Sriram, Pritam Das and Nilesh Kulkarni.
— PTI
|
|
|
Pollock dropped for first Test
Karachi, September 28 The former South African captain, 34, is his country's most experienced test player with 416 wickets in 107 Tests and has also made 3781 runs. ''It is first time I have been dropped apart from fitness issues so it is disappointing because I know what I can still do and what my job is,'' he said. ''But obviously no individual is bigger than South African cricket or the team and it is a decision of the captain and coach that I have to respect.'' Inzamam says no
Former captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq has turned down an opportunity to play the first Test against South Africa, chief selector said today. ''I spoke to him and asked him about his availability. But he said not to consider him for personal reasons. He will obviously be considered if wants to play in the second match,'' Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters. Inzamam, 38, stepped down as captain and retired from one-day internationals after his team's first round exit from the 50-overs World Cup in the West Indies in March. But he has said he wants to continue playing Test cricket and needs 21 more runs to overtake former captain Javed Miandad, who totalled 8,832, as his country's highest Test scorer.
— Reuters
|
|
|
Shastri appointed NCA chairman
Mumbai, September 28 However, Shastri, who has agreed in principle to take up the assignment, has sought a day or two to confirm his acceptance to the BCCI and commit himself to the high-profile job, BCCI treasurer N Srinivasan told reporters after the Board's 78th AGM here. "Shastri has agreed in principle to take over as NCA chairman but has said he would get back to the Board after seeing into his commitments," said Srinivasan. Srinivasan also formally announced that the AGM elected Vidarbha's Shashank Manohar as President-elect to take over as its 29th president at next September's AGM. But BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said no interim president had been decided upon to take over from incumbent Sharad Pawar, who chaired today's meeting, when he quits office in June next year to move over to the International Cricket Council as its president next June. — PTI
|
|
|
Champions Trophy
New Delhi, September 28 "We are disappointed not to get the tournament. We regret not being able to hold the meet after the successful conduct of the Asia Cup," IHF secretary K. Jothikumaran said today. "International Hockey Federation observer Bob Davidzson had given a very good report about the Asia Cup. The euphoria was created due to the commendable performance of the Indian team. The potential sponsors are now eager to come. There is total transformation but the advantage could not be taken," he rued. "We lost an opportunity to sustain the momentum created by the Asia Cup. It would have enhanced the game as a whole," the IHF official said. The FIH had asked India and Malaysia to stay prepared for hosting the event after it moved the Champions Trophy from Lahore, Pakistan, on the ground of security. Yesterday, the world body allotted the annual fixture to Malaysia. On the 'discrimination' being meted out to victorious hockey players by state governments and other organisations, Jothikumaran said, "That's true. But I hope all state governments will start recognising the hockey players' efforts." — PTI
|
|
|
Hangzhou (China), September 28 The Americans, at the Hangzhou Dragon Stadium, gifted the South Americans the lead with an own goal after 20 minutes and superstar Marta got the second seven minutes later. Cristiane bagged the third in the 56th minute and in a magical moment 2006 World Player of the Year Marta flicked the ball with the outside of her boot past a defender before drilling home for the fourth with 13 minutes left. Compounding the US misery, experienced midfielder Shannon Boxx was sent off just before half-time, effectively ending American hopes of getting their hands on the trophy for the third time. “For me, nothing is impossible in football and that is what I told the girls tonight,” said Brazilian coach Jorge Barcellos. “It was the perfect win. My players wanted it so much. They were aggressive and determined and that made the difference. It was a team effort.” The Samba Girls have been the surprise of the tournament, winning an army of fans with their attractive football, and now face their maiden final in Shanghai on Sunday against a German side that has yet to concede a goal. — AFP
|
|
|
Rijkaard in a fix over picking Ronaldinho
Madrid, September 28 Rijkaard chose to keep Ronaldinho, recently jeered by the fans that worship him, out of the firing line during the last two league matches with the Brazilian having picked up a calf injury. Without Ronaldinho, Barcelona have flourished winning both their matches with scintillating displays from Argentine international Lionel Messi - who has scored four goals in his last two games - leaving them just one point behind joint leaders Villarreal and Valencia. Rijkaard now has a dilemma and needs to decide whether to change a winning team to accommodate Ronaldinho.
— AFP
|
|
|
Schuettler stuns Hewitt in Mumbai Mumbai, September 28 The 31-year-old German, ranked 143rd in the world, defeated the Australian second seed in humid conditions for a spectacular victory. India’s number one singles player Rohan Bopanna and his partner Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan reached the men’s doubles semi-finals of the $4,16,000 Mumbai Tennis Open here. Meanwhile, top seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and his partner Sabrice Santoro (France) have also pulled out of the doubles event following the Indian doubles specialist’s back injury. In the men’s singles quarterfinals, fifth seed Fabrice Santoro of France beat fourth seed Jarkko Nieminen of Finland 6-3, 6-4 while Richard Gasquet of France beat Stefan Koubek of Austria 6-2, 6-4. Olivier Rochus of Belgium beat Nicolas Kiefer of Germany 4-1 after Kiefer retired from the match. — Agencies
|
|
|
Mexico City, September 28 As many as three out of the four games played today ended decisively. Anand went for the fashionable Marshall and Svidler declined the gambit in the Ruy Lopez. There was not much left to do for either player once a few pieces and pawns changed hands in the middle game and the draw was agreed to in just 22 moves. Anand was content with half a point as it strengthened his chances for the title. In the remaining two games now, the Indian ace has white pieces against Peter Leko of Hungary and black against Russian Alexander Grischuk and it seems there is no stopping Anand even though the gap was bridged a little by Boris Gelfand of Israel. While Gelfand won against Levon Aronian of Armenia, it was the late onslaught by Russian Vladimir Kramnik that caught the eye. With clinical precision, he defeated Leko in a finely crafted game. In the other game of the day, Alexander Morozevich pushed Grischuk to joint last place. — PTI
|
|
|
Subroto soccer
New Delhi, September 28 In the other matches, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Ahmedabad, defeated Government School, Kohima (Nagaland), 2-0 while BKSP School, Dhaka, knocked out Government School, Carnicobar, 4-1. Willington scored both goals for SAI while Shalfuddin (2) Pronab Dey and Gallb Nawal scored for Dhaka. Viresh reduced the margin for
Carnicobar.
|
|
|
Amritsar, September 28 Dr Jai Rup Singh, vice-chancellor said that a committee has been constituted to chalk out the modalities for these trophies. — OC
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
