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Conquer Aussies, Kumble to Fab Four
India ready for Oz aggression: Dhoni
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IPL ropes in Ponting, Gilchrist, Kallis
Harmison gives England edge
Punjab in a precarious position
HP reeling at 180/7 against Mumbai
Delhi pile up 538
Bhupathi to pair with Leander in Beijing
Kerala clash with Sporting today
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Conquer Aussies, Kumble to Fab Four
Melbourne, December 18 The ace-leg-spinner, in an apparent reference to players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, urged his senior mates to make a final push to glory. "Most of the senior cricketers are here on their last tour of Australia, so it's very important we go back victorious," Kumble told reporters after arriving here with the Indian squad to play a four-Test series, beginning at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26. Kumble said beating Australia in their den is a major incentive for his team. "It means a lot to all of us in the team and also it means a lot to Indian cricket. We came pretty close to doing that the last time we came here (in 2003-04). "Leading up to the (final) Sydney Test match it was 1-1 and we did extremely well in the last Test series (to draw), so it's going to be very crucial for all of us," he said. "Not many teams have come here and gone home victorious, so it's a great opportunity for all of us." India have never achieved a series victory against Australia on their soil and the last time a team beat them Down Under was West Indies in 1991-1992. What makes the task even more daunting is that the Australians have not lost a Test since August 2005 and are on a 14-Test winning streak at the moment. However, Kumble felt the absence of a quality spinner made the Australians vulnerable and his team was looking forward to take advantage. "They miss Warnie (Shane Warne), somebody like him, so that's something, an area, we can (exploit)." Veteran batsman Sachin Tendulkar, while admitting it may be his last tour to Australia, said the Indian team was confident of a good show. "I think it will be my last tour, I don't know what's in store but I am just going to come and enjoy my cricket. Australia has been a fantastic place, we've come here in good shape and are looking forward to this tour," he said Meanwhile, Australia coach Tim Nielsen said the Indians will have to be at their best to challenge the hosts. "It's all great to talk the talk, the real challenge for both sides is to walk the walk come Boxing Day," he said.
— PTI
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India ready for Oz aggression: Dhoni
New Delhi, December 18 "It will be interesting. They are famous for aggressive cricket and their temperament on the field. We are quite ready for it. We showed them it during the home series as well," Dhoni said. "I think its not about the mind games that you play. I believe in playing good cricket on the ground and giving your 100 per cent and playing good aggressive cricket. And it is not about what you are saying or using media as one of the strategies to put pressure on the opponent", the wicket keeper batsman told NDTV. Dhoni said adapting to the Australian conditions as quickly as possible will be the key to India's performance in the high profile series. "It is about playing good cricket and more about adaptability... You have to adopt quickly to the condition and you have to play according to the situation," he said. "We faced a lot of swing music when we went to England. Every country specialises in something and Australia is famous for bouncy tracks like England is for swing and India for spin bowling. So when you go to any country, the challenges that you face is different. You have to play well over a period of time and adapt quickly," he said. On the personal front, Dhoni said it will be an exciting experience for him because he will be touring the country for the first time. "I have played in most of the countries and now I am going to Australia. I think New Zealand is the only country left. It is very exciting because the cricket played there is very different. "On my first tour I would love to do well. It is a new challenge for me and new responsibility for me and I am looking forward to it," he added.
— PTI
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IPL ropes in Ponting, Gilchrist, Kallis
New Delhi, December 18 The BCCI-backed Indian Premier League had already signed some of the biggest past and present stars including Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Akhtar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan and Stephen Fleming. With the announcement of the confirmation of the players today from Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, South Africa and New Zealand, besides almost all current India players from Test, ODI and Twenty20 squads, almost all the top stars of the world are set to take part in the three million dollar prize money tournament expected to start from April 18 among eight-franchised city teams. Only cricketers from England, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe from among the traditional ODI-playing countries have not represented in the league so far. The IPL also unveiled the franchise prospectus, giving details and structure of the each team to mark the start of global tendering process for official franchises. Each franchisee squad would consist of 16 players, four internationals, four under 21 players and four players from the franchise's catchment area. Each franchise squad would also require services of an executive team, team manager, professional coaching team, physiotherapist and an event manager. The IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi said, ''IPL's Twenty20 championship is poised to become the greatest sporting entertainment extravaganza ever undertaken in India.'' ''I am certain that the IPL will develop into a globally successful star studded Twenty20 league that will help satiate the global cricket fans unending appetite for quality LIVE sports entertainment.'' The inaugural season of the IPL will run for 44 days and will have 59 matches. Each franchise will play each other on a home and away basis with at least seven guaranteed home matches. The top four franchises in the league will contest in the semi-finals and the winners will play in the Grand Final all over one weekend. IPL Players: India: Ajit Agarkar, Subramaniam Badrinath, Piyush Chawla, MS Dhoni, Rahul Dravid, Gautam Gambhir, Sourav Ganguly, Wasim Jaffer, Mohammad Kaif, Dinesh Karthik, Murali Kartik, Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman, Munaf Patel, Parthiv Patel, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Ramesh Powar, Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag, Joginder Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, RP Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Sreesanth, Sachin Tendulkar, Robin Uthappa Australia: Shane Warne, Glen McGrath, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Brett Lee, Matthew Hayden, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Jason Gillespie, Cameron White Pakistan: Shoaib Malik, Mohammed Yousuf, Shoaib Akthar, Younis Khan, Mohammed Asif, Shahid Afridi Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Zoysa, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakara, Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando South Africa: Graeme Smith, Ashwell Prince, Herschelle Gibbs, Albie Morkel, AB de Villiers, Shaun Pollock, Loots Bosman, Jacques Kallis, Makhaya Ntini New Zealand: Stephen Fleming, Brendan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori, Scott Styris West Indies: Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle.
— UNI
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Galle, December 18 Harmison trapped Upul Tharanga (16) in the morning and then bowled England back into the game with a superb five-over spell after tea, dismissing Kumar Sangakkara (46) to break a dangerous stand and then Chamara Silva (1) just before the close. Harmison finished with 3 for 28 from 13 overs as Sri Lanka, well placed at tea on 132 for two, added just 15 runs in 11 overs after the interval. Skipper Mahela Jayawardene finished the day on 51 not out having faced 129 deliveries with six boundaries. Tillakaratne Dilshan was on seven not out. England won the toss and opted to bowl, spilling an early chance to remove Tharanga as Paul Collingwood dropped a straightforward slip catch in the 10th over. Sidebottom made the breakthrough, however, courtesy of a poor decision from umpire Asad Rauf, who ruled Michael Vandort (18) lbw to a delivery going over the top of the stumps. Another dubious lbw decision sent Tharanga back to the pavilion for 16 from a Harmison delivery that pitched marginally outside leg stump. Sri Lanka's innings was left in the balance on 44 for 2 but Jayawardene and Sangakkara showed their experience as they consolidated the innings and laid a useful foundation for a large score. The pair batted through the afternoon session, adding 61 runs in 26 overs. England fortunes changed for the better after the tea interval as Sangakkara was surprised by some extra bounce and top-edged a hook to Monty Panesar at deep square leg. The innings then lost momentum as Harmison and Sidebottom probed away accurately while the light faded fast. Finally, just minutes before the close, Silva edged a lifting delivery to Ian Bell at first slip. Scoreboard
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Kaka named FIFA World Player 2007
Zurich, December 18 The 25-year-old Brazilian international beat Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo in the annual poll of national team coaches and captains. Kaka collected more points in the poll than the combined total of the other two nominees, world soccer's governing body FIFA said after the ceremony here. He won 1,047 votes while Argentine Messi collected 504 and Portuguese Ronaldo picked up 426. “Tonight is really special for me,” said Kaka, who helped Milan to their seventh European Cup title in May and was also inspirational in Sunday's 4-2 Club World Cup final victory over Argentina's Boca Juniors. Kaka was a heavy favourite to win the award after landing France Football magazine's prestigious Ballon d'Or and World Soccer magazine's World Player of the Year award. Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba was fourth in the FIFA poll with 209 points. Barcelona and Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho came fifth. Kaka's compatriot Marta was named women's World Player for the second year running. Three-times World Cup winner Pele completed Brazil's clean sweep at today's gala when he picked up the FIFA presidential award for his lifetime contribution to the sport.
— Reuters
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Punjab in a precarious position
Mohali, December 18 Thanks to the superb bowling from debutant seamer Sidharth Kaul and old warhorse Gagandeep Singh yesterday, Punjab, despite a century from Halhadar Das, were still in with a chance to get a foothold in the match. With Orissa being placed at the modest 279 for 8 at close on day one, one believed Punjab would surely gain ascendancy on the second day. But the hosts dished out a listless display to land the team in the sort of situation, retrieving the ground from where will be a Herculean task. Starting from the overnight score of 273, the Orissa tailenders B Mohanty and Preetamjit Das feasted on the listless Punjab bowling attack. Mohanty notched up a 13-ball 18 studded with four fours, while Das was a bit more adventurous. He gave a late boost to the innings, contributing 20-ball 27 which included four hits to the fence and one over it before becoming Gagandeep Singh’s fourth victim as the innings folded at 323. Debutant seamer Sidharth Kaul, however, had the satisfaction of completing a five-wicket haul on debut, while V.R.V. Singh, who did not bowl today, went wicketless in his 15 overs. The performance of Punjab batsmen was even more disappointing. After the 46-run stand between openers Sunnu Sohal and Karan Goel, proceedings went haywire for the hosts as the wickets started falling at regular intervals. Orissa (1st innings) Punjab (1st innings)
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HP reeling at 180/7 against Mumbai
Dharamsala, December 18 Replying to Mumbai's first innings score of 370, Hussain's four-wicket burst wrecked the Himachal line-up before Paras Dogra and Manvinder Bisla put up some fight. While Paras was run out after scoring 42 runs, Bisla was caught behind off I Abdulla's bowling before stumps were drawn 12 overs early due to poor light. Sarandeep Singh (8) and V Bhatia (4) were holding fort for the hosts at stumps. Brief scores: Mumbai (1st innings): 370 all out
(Amol Muzumdar 90, Vinayak Samant 60, Ashok Thakur 4/116, Vikramjeet Mali 2/54). Himachal Pradesh (1st innings): 180 for 7
(Paras Dogra 42, Manvinder Bisla 37, Murtuza Hussain 4/37, Romesh Powar 1/26).
— PTI
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Delhi pile up 538
Bangalore, December 18 Delhi, just a step away from ensuring their semifinal berth, were 337 for two wickets yesterday with India under-19 captain Virat Kohli slamming 169 and Shikhar Dhawan making 148.
— UNI
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Know
The Skippers
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Bhupathi to pair with Leander in Beijing
New Delhi, December 18 Bhupathi today said pairing with Paes would brighten India's medal chances and hence the duo decided to bury their hatchet. "We are looking forward to it (playing together in Beijing). It was a very logical choice because we are one of the medal contenders for the country," Bhupathi told 'Times Now' channel. Bhupathi and Paes won three Grand Slam titles - twice at Roland Garros and once at the Wimbledon - together before they decided to part ways. Though they often put behind personal difference to play together for the country, their relation further soured in the Asian Games, after which Bhupathi said he would not team up with Paes again.
— PTI
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Kerala clash with Sporting today
Kozhikode, December 18 It will be an uphill task for the visitors to overcome a rejuvenated Viva, who have warmed up well after thrashing Salgaocar 3-1 here on Saturday in their first home game of the campaign. While Viva are in fourth spot with eight points from five outings, Sporting are at the bottom of the table with only two. The visitors will be down on confidence after their 0-3 loss to Mahindra United in the previous round at Margao, where they failed to convert several scoring chances despite a brave show by custodian Felix D'Souza. Though Elijah Obagbemiro and Olushola Ogundare played well, along with Denzil Franco, Joseph Pereira and Rajesh Meetei, in Sporting's 1-1 draw against Salgaocar in the fourth round, their weak defence has let them down so far. On the other hand, Viva, led by African strikers Baba Tunde and Wisdom Abbey, will be keen to register a win to further move up the table as they will have to take on stronger teams thereafter. "We are very confident of maintaining the winning trend and the boys are full of confidence now", Viva coach A.M. Sreedharan said. Salgaocar take on Mahindra Margao: Local outfit Salgaocar Sports Club, who are yet to register a win in the ONGC I-League, will take on Mumbai's Mahindra United at Nehru stadium here tomorrow. With just two points so far, Salgaocar are at the bottom of the points table and will be under immense pressure to come good against Mahindra, who achieved their maiden league win against Sporting Clube de Goa (3-0) in the previous match. Salgaocar's 1-3 defeat at the hands of Viva Kerala in the last game has set alarm bells ringing in the camp. "We need to start winning and for that our strikers need to deliver," coach Savio Medeira said. Salgaocar will be hoping that foreigners Felix and Boniface Ambani will come good against Mahindra, who have so far collected six points from five outings.
— PTI
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Name: Rajpal Singh