The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

‘We will be aggressive but not silly‘

Melbourne, December 22
All-rounder Andrew Symonds today said Australia will not hesitate in giving it back to the Indians if they continue to show their new-found aggression in the upcoming Test series but assured that the hosts would guard against being "silly and arrogant".

"We want to turn up and respond to the challenge, puff out chess and get gung-ho about the entire thing but you need to be careful as well," Symonds told reporters here ahead of the four-Test series starting next week.

"We want to be aggressive and competitive but at the same time don't want to cross the line and be perceived as silly and arrogant," he said.

Symonds was the marked man when Australia toured India a couple of months ago, having a series of altercations against different Indian players, none more than against pacer S Sreesanth who is missing out on the present tour because of a shoulder injury.

The hard-hitting right hander quipped that Sreesanth would be missing the opportunity of having a go at the Aussies in their own backyard.

"He is more likely to miss it (than me). I have no problem in playing against him, it's not some sort of gladiatorial contest. He chose a very aggressive line, a vocal line but that's fine," said Symonds.

Australia's coach Tim Nielsen, meanwhile, felt the new-found aggression reflected the growing confidence among the Indians.

"They were more aggressive and positive when they toured Australia four years ago. I guess the presence of younger players has assisted the process like the way Sreesanth stood up. They are developing a culture of confidence with which comes aggression," Nielson said.

Nielson expects India to field both their spinners in the first Test starting December 26 here and revealed that his own side could go with three medium-pacers and a spinner for the game.

"I have a feeling it could be three and one. This wicket could go on to be a bit slow and favouring spin in the latter part of the match. India could also be two and two (two medium-pacers and two spinners)," he said.

The Aussie coach rubbished suggestions that ageing stars in the Indian ranks would affect the visiting side's performance.

"It's a perception thing. Sometimes when you are ageing you are perhaps more aware of what it needs to take to survive such a long tour. At other times, you could feel the strain. So it could work either way," he said.

Nielson felt the Indians would need the experienced batsmen to tackle the bouncy tracks here as youngsters may take time to adjust.

"They need good foundation for strokeplayers in the side to come on to their own. They would be under pressure if the wicket is bouncing and there are a few early wickets."

"Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik were able to give them a good start when they toured England this summer," he said.

Nielsen, however, was not very sure if the wicket at the MCG would provide the necessary bounce which his bowlers are looking for against the Indians.

"Lot of time when the bounce is nice and hard it is because of the sun. Now it could be moist, could favour quick bowlers first morning and then becomes slow for the rest of the week," he explained. — PTI

‘You won’t get me again, Hoggy’

Melbourne, December 22
Sachin Tendulkar has given it in writing that Brad Hogg would never get his wicket again, the Australia chinaman bowler revealed today.

The spinner himself is not awe-struck and oozed confidence of troubling the batsman again.

Hogg had scalped Tendulkar's wicket in the October 5 one-day international in Hyderabad after which he gave a photograph of the dismissal to be signed by the batsman.

"I got him out in one of the games, and there was a photo of it. I asked him to sign it for me. He did it and wrote me a message. Underneath his signature, he wrote, 'This will never happen again, Hoggy,'" Hogg told 'The Sunday Age'.

"It's a bit of a prized possession. It's an honour to be on the field with a player of the calibre of Sachin Tendulkar.

“To bowl at him is a great experience. It's not overawing, just a great experience. If I'm out there, I'm out there to compete against him and make life as hard as possible for him."

In spite of India's enviable reputation against spin, Hogg said there were no butterflies in his stomach.

"A Boxing Day Test is something that I've always dreamt of. I've watched it on TV every year with the massive crowds.”

“It's such a huge game. It's one of those things where you have a dream of doing it, you've worked hard to get there. But you can't worry about it. You've just got to enjoy the moment.”

"I know I'll be right. Longer spells doesn't really affect me. I'm fit. I quite like longer spells, to be honest. I grew up working long, hard days in the bush, so it's not going to bother me. But it is a different approach. Batsmen are really coming hard at me in one-dayers and that can help.”

“In Tests, you've just (got to) starve them of easy runs and keep them under pressure. That's my job."

Shot selection crucial

Shot selection will be the most important aspect in Australia, according to Sachin Tendulkar who has advised his fellow batsmen to be wise with their shot selections if India wished to record a rare series triumph Down Under.

"I guess the shot selection is the most important issue in Australia. Technique is fine but it is more of a mental thing," Tendulkar said today.

"We have some fine batsmen and once they have settled in and their nerves have calmed, they would be able to cope with it," the former captain said during an interaction with the media at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Tendulkar, for whom this is the fourth tour Down Under, cited an example from his own vast experience.

"When I toured here first in 1991-92 series, I didn't make any adjustment initially. I chose the same weight of bat, the same swing but as the tour went on, I realised I should not attempt a few strokes at least in the initial part of my innings." — PTI

Nielsen backs Johnson

Melbourne, December 22
Australian coach Tim Nielsen feels left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson's impressive one-day record against India would stand him in good stead for the four-Test series starting next week.

Johnson has troubled Indian batsmen in the shorter form of the game and was the highest wicket-taker in the recent seven-match one-day series with 14 scalps.

The tall Queenslander has 19 wickets from nine ODIs against India, which includes hauls of 4-11 in Kuala Lumpur last year and 5-26 in Vadodara in October, when he took 14 wickets in Australia's 4-2 series win.

"He's knocked over their (India's) top order consistently over the last couple of years, which is something when you sit down and look at the mix of how it all works out, we'll be taking it into account for certain, I believe," Nielsen said.

Strong performances by speedster Shaun Tait in the Twenty20 game and ODI series against New Zealand, when Johnson did not find a place in the team, had given rise to speculation that the two could be fighting for one spot in the Melbourne Test.

However, Nielsen said Johnson's good start in Test cricket against Sri Lanka and a strong record against India would work in his favour.

"When the selectors sit down and have a look at the best mix for a team against India, I'm sure the fact that Mitchell's knocked over the likes of (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Sourav) Ganguly and (Rahul) Dravid consistently over the last couple of years will be a big tick in his box."

The coach indicated that as both fast bowlers were in prime form, the situation provided a happy problem for selectors.

"It's one of the difficult things having such a successful side and good depth," Nielsen said in deciding the make-up of the bowling attack.

"Mitchell's biggest challenge now is not worrying about what he has to do to get back in (the team) but turning up on December 26 as organised and as ready as he can be to take his opportunity," he added. — PTI

Third day’s play also washed out

Melbourne, December 22
Torrential downpour frustrated India's quest for valuable practice as the sole three-day warm up game before the Boxing Day Test was called off without a ball being bowled on the third and final day here today.

The visiting Indian batsmen could face only 48 overs-38 on the first day and ten on the second-as persistant rain made the outfield soggy and unplayable on the last day.

The visitors were at 133 for 4 with Rahul Dravid on 38 and Yuvraj Singh on 6 when the match was called off.

Two-and-a-half hours were played on the first day and 50 minutes on the second day during which Sourav Ganguly scored 59, after India had lost three quick wickets for 38 runs.

The Indians, however, managed to utilise the downtime to train at the MCG indoor facilities and had little option but to keep their preparations under cover with more rain expected over the next couple of days.

Scoreboard

India (1st innings):

Jaffer c Finch b Wise 0

Dravid batting 38

Laxman c Wade b Wise 1

Tendulkar b Wise 19

Ganguly c Blizzard b Wise 59

Yuvraj not out 6

Extras: (lb 1, nb 9): 10

Total: (For four in 48 overs): 133

Fall of wickets: 1/3 2/10 3/38 4/121

Bowling: PM Siddle 15-1-43-0, AB Wise 15-4-37-4, AB McDonald 6-1-11-0, JW Hastings 6-2-17-0, BE McGain 6-2-24-0. — UNI

Cook, rain save England

Galle, December 22
A determined 118 from Alastair Cook and a tropical downpour rescued England for a draw in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka today. The fifth day was abandoned 31 overs before the scheduled close.

Scoreboard

Sri Lanka (1st innings) 499-8 dec

England (1st innings) 81

England (2nd innings)

Cook c P.Jayawardene

b Welegedera 118

Vaughan c M.Jayawardene b Welegedera 24

Bell b Murali 34

Pietersen c M.Jayawardene

b Murali 30

Collingwood st P.Jayawardene

b Murali 0

Bopara run out 0

Prior not out 19

Sidebottom not out 0

Extras (b-6, lb-5, w-1, nb-14) 26

Total (6 wkts, 95 overs) 251

Fall of wickets: 1-67, 2-128, 3-200, 4-200, 5-200, 6-250

Bowling: Muralitharan 38-8-91-3, Vaas 18-7-37-0, Malinga 20-3-42-0, Welegedera 14-1-59-2, Dilshan 3-1-8-0, Silva 2-1-3-0.— Reuters

PCA: It is sheer frustration

Chandigarh, December 22
The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) today termed as "sheer frustration" the allegations levelled by its Orissa counterpart about the Ranji Trophy tie played at Mohali earlier this week and said it was ready to get the video recording of the match verified by the BCCI.

"It is sheer frustration which is coming out. It happens in cricket. However, we will also request the BCCI to examine the video recordings of the penultimate day of the match," PCA secretary M.P. Pandove told PTI.

Orissa Cricket Association yesterday urged the board to go through the video recording of the penultimate day of the Ranji Trophy Super League Group 'B' match.

Asked about OCA expressing surprise over Punjab pacer V.R.V. Singh's spell, which included a hat-trick, Pandove said, "They should not be getting so desperate. VRV has put up this performance in the past also and we saw this against Uttar Pradesh as well. He can go flat out when he is fully fit. What's wrong with that?" — PTI

Hyderabad Sultans outclass Shers 3-0
Akash Ghai
Tribune News Service

Today’s matches
Bangalore Hi-Fliers v
Maratha Warriors
12 noon
Chennai Veerans v
Sher-e-Jallandhar
2.30 pm

Chandigarh, December 22
Putting up brilliant show of coordination and skills, Hyderabad Sultans outclassed Sher-e-Jalandhar by 3-0 in the fourth edition of Premier Hockey League being held at Hockey Stadium, Sector 42 here today. Pawal Lakra stole the show by netting two superb field goals while the third one was converted by Diwakar to lock victory.

The first quarter of the match started on a speedy note as three penalty corners (two by Sulatns and one by Shers) were forced by both of the teams which went waste. For
the Sultans, the first two penalty corners came in fifth and sixth minutes, whereas Shers earned it in the 10th minute.

After squandering two more penalty corners (28 th and 32 nd minutes), Lakra opened the account for Sultans in the 43rd minute. On a brilliant move initiated by Nitin Kumar, Bikas Toppo and Pawal Lakra combined well to dodge the defence line. After collecting a short pass off Toppo, Pawal sounded the board to get lead.

The next goal was scored in the 59th minute. The brother duo Sardar Singh and Didar Singh charged in tandem from the right flank. In the striking circle, Didar aimed the post but his hit was stopped in middle by the goalkeeper. The agile Lakra swooped on the ball to finish the move successfully.

In the dyeing minutes, Diwakar Ram converted the penalty corner, earned in the 65th minute.

For his brilliant game, Lakra was declared man of the match.

The win brought three points for the Sultans, who lost their first match against Chandigarh Dynamos earlier.

Dynamos record 2-0 win

Buoyed with two goals by star performer Prabhjot Singh, local favourites Chandigarh Dynamos beat Orissa Steelers by 2-0.

This is the second continuous win of the local team, which accumulated six points on the table tally.

Prabhjot drew the first blood in the third minute of the game. Ace striker Rajpal after collecting an accurate pass off Deepak Thakur, shot a hit into the circle. Making no mistake, Prabhjot gave the ball right direction to see it home.

Despite their best efforts, Orissa could not produce the equalizer. The team was also unlucky enough as umpire Raghu Prasad disallowed a goal by Prabodh Tirkey on the grounds that the ball rose dangerously.

In the 52nd minute, Prabjot doubled the margin. Getting pass from Deepak Thakur, Jaswinder Singh hit it the striking circle. When Orissa custodian Gurpreet Singh came out of the post to clear the ball, speedy Prabhjot stretched his stick to net the ball.

Prabhjot Singh was declared man of the match.

Bagan scrape past Salgaocar in thriller

Margao, December 22
Felix Chimaokwu's hat-trick went in vain as Mohun Bagan beat Salgaocar 5-4 in a game of fluctuating fortunes to register their second win in the ONGC I-league at Nehru Stadium here today.

Bagan, who dominated the first half, scored through Bhaichung Bhutia (3rd), Jose Marcio Barreto (32nd, 35th), Jenathan Himezie (47th) and substitute James Singh (70th).

Salgaocar fought back in the second half and reduced the margin through Boniface Ambani (13th) and Chimaokwu's strikes in the 20th, 52th and 65th minutes.

Salgaocar got some consolation after Chimaokwu was declared the Man of the Match.

The win takes Bagan to eight points from seven matches, while Salgaocar remained on three from as many outings.

Bagan exposed Salgaocar's fragile defence to take an early lead in the third minute. Baretto, who combined well with Bhaichung, accepted a pass inside the box, dodged a defender and took a crack at the goal which keeper Milagrio Medeira blocked. The ball travelled to an unmarked Bhaichung who tapped it into the net.

Salgaocar, however, regrouped and found the equaliser in the 13th minute. Chimaokwu send a long lob into the box for Ambani who took defender Peter Edafe in his stride, drew keeper Sangram Mukherjee out and placed the ball into the empty net.

Chimaokwu then put Salgaocar in the lead in the 20th minute after he earned a penalty when defender Rauf Khan tripped him from behind inside the box.

Bagan, who found the going tough, brought in P.C. Lalanmpuia in place of Lalkamal Bhoumick and things changed dramatically as the speedy winger set up Barreto twice and the Brazilian scored a brace to put Bagan on top.

A move from the right saw Jonathan Chimezie sending a cross to Lalanmpuia who set up Baretto inside the box with a diagonal pass and the latter shot home from close. — PTI

Hindustan, Garhwal Heroes win

New Delhi, December 22
Hindustan Club edged past City 2-1 to strengthen their position for a Super League slot in the Delhi Soccer Association Senior Division Football Championship at the Ambedkar Stadium here today.

In a Group B match, Hindustan forged ahead in the 15th minute when Nathan placed the ball home while City drew parity through medio Joy Pandit seven minutes later.

Hindustan's Manipuri recruit Obed slotted home the match winner a few minutes after resumption. Hindustan have logged 12 points from five matches with one more match remaining.

In a Group A match, Garhwal Heroes shocked former champions Simla Youngs 3-1. Heroes' Nigerian striker Imanual Anie opened the account in the 16th minute while inside-right Abhishek struck a brace to enhance their lead.

Simla Youngs pulled one back when they converted a penalty kick in the 53rd minute through Nigerian Johnaad Han Kingseley. — TNS