The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Vintage Sehwag slams 113
Kaarthick notches up 97 as match ends in a draw

Canberra, January 12
Virender Sehwag slammed a 78-ball 113 against Australia Capital Territory XI to stake his claim for a berth in the Indian team for the Perth Test against Australia but Yuvraj Singh continued to struggle with the bat.

Dinesh Kaarthick celebrates after scoring a half century during the three-day cricket match against Australian Capital Territory (ACT) XI in Canberra. Kaarthick was unlucky to miss a century, losing wicket on 97. — Reuters photo

Sehwag smashed a rousing century and Dinesh Kaarthick (97) came near one as India's three-day practice match against the ACT XI ended in a draw
at the Manuka Oval.

In contrast, Yuvraj came a cropper again, managing just three in the second innings.

After India declared at the tea time score of 281 for four, the hosts, chasing an improbable target of 314 runs from 33 overs, were greeted by some early blows before they slumped to 60 for three at stumps.

The final 15 mandatory overs were not bowled as the Indians, presumably, wanted to be in time for the evening function at the Indian High Commissioner's residence.

India had declared their first innings at 325 for 9, in reply to which the hosts had made 292 for eight before declaring their essay.

In contrast to the strong impression which Sehwag and Kaarthik created, the two batsmen under the pump, Wasim Jaffer (21) and Yuvraj again disappointed in their second outing.

Jaffer fell to the leg-spinner Ryan Bulger while Yuvraj drove a low full toss from medium-pacer Adam Perera into the hands of short extra cover.

Sehwag had reprieves at 16 and 92 but it was a vintage stuff from the Delhi dasher who peppered the offside region with brutal strokes in a knock of 113 off just 78 deliveries with 18 fours and two sixes in it.

Sehwag chose to leave all niceties behind in the dressing room and came out with a brutalising intent. He began by smashing three fours off left-arm paceman Perera.

He was lucky on 16 when he was let off at square leg but thereafter proved a scourge to the home bowling.

Sehwag was particularly harsh on Perera whose line outside the off-stump was to the batsman's liking. He wasn't soft on right-hander's either, squeezing out 10 runs in Adam Ritchard's first over.

Leg-spinner Ryan Bulger wilted under the assault after he was hit for 10 runs in his first over.

Sehwag completed his half century from 38 balls, lofting Bulger for a six over extra cover but was lucky on 92 when a mid-on fielder let him off.

Sehwag's three-figure knock was finally raised when he flicked Ritchard for four, celebrating the moment with one through point and a massive six.

Kaarthick opened out after Sehwag had left the stage and in contrast to the latter, played several cultured stroke through the off-side.

However, he was dismissed just three short of his century when tried to flick spinner Mark Higg on the onside and missed the line of the delivery.

Scoreboard

Indian (Ist Innings): 325 for 9 decl

ACT XI (Ist Innings): 292 for 8 decl

India (2nd Innings):

Kaarthcik lbw b Bulger 97

Sehwag c Crhoshwaite b Higgs 113

Jaffer c Crhosthwaite b Bulger 21

Yuvraj c Dean b Perera 3

Dravid not out 16

Pathan not out 18

Extras (Bb3, lb-2, nb-8): 13

Total (for 4 wickets decl in 58 overs): 281

Fall of wickets: 1-158, 2-238, 3-241, 4-248

Bowling: Adam Perera 12-3-46-1, Luke Swards 13-3-35-0, Ritchard Sherlock 2-0-23-0, Ryan Bulger 24-2-120-2, Adam Ritchard 5-0-47-0, Mark Higgs 2-0-5-1.

ACT XI (2nd innings):

E Cowan c Sehwag b Pankaj 7

C Rogers c Kaarthick b Pathan 17

J Dean lbw b Pankaj 0

M Higgs not out 14

J Rogers not out 9

Extras (lb-6, w-6, nb-1): 13

Total (for three wickets in 17 overs): 60

Fall of wkts: 1-18, 2-35, 3-35.

Bowling: Pankaj Singh 5-1-21-2, I Pathan 4-1-16-1, VRV Singh 4-1-10-0, I Sharama 4-1-7-0. — PTI

	‘Hopefully, I'll be back’ Canberra, January 12 Opener Virender Sehwag reckons that his blistering 78-ball 113 in the three-day drawn game against ACT XI has earned him a recall into India's Test squad. "Hopefully, I have won back my place. It doesn't matter if I bat as an opener or a middle order, I just want to be back", a relaxed Sehwag said. Sehwag played a swashbuckling knock of 113 off 78 balls with 18 fours and two sixes and promises to carry on the good work in Perth which has the reputation of a fiery track helpful to fast bowlers. "Perth may have a reputation to help fast bowlers but it is also good for batsmen. You can play your shots and I had got some runs in the two one-day internationals I have played there," he said. The Delhi dasher, the only triple centurion in Indian cricket annals, is also determined to carry the attack to the Australians, something the other two openers could not do so well in the first two Tests. "I would like to attack (the Australian fast bowlers), go there with a positive mindset and play my shots." In many ways, his century against the ACT XI could play a vital role in Sehwag's revival as the right-hander admitted he approached the innings with a different mindset. "I tried to be positive in the middle. In the first innings I was trying to leave the ball but today I decided to stick to my game," he added. "In recent past, I had a negative mindset. I wanted to spend time in the middle, not playing too many shots. Today I decided to play as I normally do," Sehwag said. "I didn't worry about spending time in the middle, the wicket was slow, the ball wasn't coming on to the bat and I decided to play like I used to in the past," he said. Sehwag admitted the past few months have been a real test on his nerves when he lost his Test space. Indeed, the dasher has not played a Test for over a year. He last played against South Africa in Cape Town in January last. "Yes it was disappointing sitting out. Both Yuvraj and (Wasim) Jaffer were playing well and it was really challenging sitting out. "But I am happy that there is competition in the team and now I am waiting for my chance," he said His century in Test cricket too has been long in coming. He last scored a three-figure ton in St. Lucia in the West Indies. The stocky right-hander is happy to be making a comeback in Tests rather than a one-dayer. "I am happy playing Test rather than one-day cricket. In Tests, you have plenty of time to spend to get your form back. In one-dayers, you are worrying about overs, fielding restrictions and other things." "I always had self-belief that I can do well in Australia. The last tour was good for me. (Anil) Kumble had also backed me. I thank him and the selectors for posing faith in me and picking me for the tour," Sehwag said. Sehwag, who was not part of the team in the Sydney Test, said thought of defeat never crossed the Indians' mind. "We never thought we will lose the match even when wickets fell in quick succession. We knew Kumble and Harbhajan can bat down the order. Sehwag said the second Test would be remembered for controversies and not performance. "It is bad for cricket that Sydney Test will be remembered for all controversies despite some good performances like that of Hayden, Kumble and Harbhajan," he said. Sehwag has so far played in 52 Tests and hit 4155 runs with 12 hundreds and an average of 49.46. His record against Australia is impressive too. He has scored 846 runs against Australia from nine Tests, with two centuries and an average of 49.76. — PTI
	Nothing wrong in tit-for-tat: Sehwag Virender Sehwag vouched Harbhajan Singh did not racially abuse Andrew Symonds in the acrimonious Sydney Test but said India would not shy away from any tit-for-tat riposte to the abuses hurled at his teammates by the Australians. Throwing his weight behind Harbhajan, who is fighting a three-match ban for allegedly racially abusing Symonds, Sehwag said the off-spinner did not say anything which could amount to racially abusing in Sydney. "When two players have an argument they are bound to say something annoying but Harbhajan knows what to say and what not. I am sure he did not say anything racial," Sehwag said after India's practice match against ACT XI here today. The belligerent opener said it was heartening to see some of the players giving it back to the abrasive Australians. "It is good that we have some youngsters who can give back what is hurled on them. They have the attitude and the confidence. I mean why should we take it lying down? We should pay them back and that's how it should be," he said. "The world now knows that Indians would not keep mum, if somebody is going to attack them," he said. Sehwag said Harbhajan had the backing of the entire team. "In situation like this, we have always sticked together. All are backing him and the entire team is behind him as a unit. Everyone, including the board, is backing Harbhajan." Sehwag said such an episode could have eroded the confidence of any other player but Harbhajan was a tough cricketer. "Naturally you confidence level goes down as the whole world thinks what you have said, what you have done. You find yourself in the limelight but for all wrong reasons. "But Harbhajan looks happy that the team is behind him. He is mentally very strong and I am sure he will come out of this," Sehwag said. — PTI
	Roebuck on who should lead Oz Look beyond current line-up Melbourne, January 12 Australian cricketers have fallen from grace after the ill-tempered Sydney Test and appointing Simon Katich as the next captain would be a step in the right direction to salvage some pride, according to noted columnist Peter Roebuck. "Simon Katich is the man to captain the Australian team in the event of any further calamities befalling the national side," Roebuck said in his column for the 'Sydney Morning Herald'. Roebuck, the former Somerset captain and arguably the best cricket writer of his generation, had earlier demanded incumbent Ricky Ponting's sacking, for the team's unsporting behaviour and ugly celebration after winning the Sydney Test. Though Michael Clarke has been tipped as Australia's next captain and both Adam Gilchrist and Mike Hussey are fancying their chances, Roebuck said the selectors needed to look beyond the current line-up. "It is not that they need to placate a single cranky reporter. They need to reassure the Australian public that they mean to represent the country not only with skill and dedication, but also with grace. It has been missing," he said. "It is not so long ago that a distinguished politician was unceremoniously pushed off a podium," Roebuck said. He was referring to how Ponting and his teammates had shoved BCCI President Sharad Pawar from the podium during the 2006 Champions Trophy award presentation programme. "Katich is a capable cricketer in superb form and a respected leader with a strong outlook...Doubtless he has learnt, as all sportsmen eventually learn, that it is futile and sometimes downright dangerous to use sporting performances as a measure of self-esteem," he wrote. And Brett Lee could be the right-hand man for Katich, said Roebuck. "Lee has enacted in his own career precisely the sort of transformation Australian supporters seem to seek from their national representatives...Lee is not merely an outstanding figure in the Australian team. He is respected everywhere. It is a worthy enough aim for every teammate," he said. He, meanwhile, criticised Harbhajan Singh for his celebration after getting Ricky Ponting out yet again. "The main objection to Harbhajan concerns not his loose mouth but his insulting behaviour on claiming the wicket of the home captain. India cannot expect to be treated with dignity when one of their players is carrying on in such a manner. Anil Kumble needs to take him in hand," he said. Having declared Ponting as his bunny, Harbhajan's joy knew no bound after he scalped the Australian skipper. The offie then set off on a prolonged celebration, that ended with him rolling over the Sydney Cricket Ground. — PTI
	Jaques, Hayden bat for team Sydney, January 12 Australian opening pair of Phil Jaques and Matthew Hayden have strongly defended their side amidst widespread criticism of unsporting attitude against their team, saying they have been fair on the field and do not need to change their approach. The aggressive approach of the world champion side, who capped a world-record equalling 16-Test win in Sydney, has been condemned by the cricketing world with even their own countrymen spewing venom against the Baggy Green led by Ricky Ponting. "If I thought there was something that was untoward in the way we play the game or if anything was said that crossed the line, I for one would have said something," Jaques said. "I'm sure the other guys would have said something as well. I think we play the game in the right spirit. We play the game hard, but we play the game fair." Indian captain Anil Kumble questioned the attitude of the Australian team after the heated Sydney Test saying "only one team played in the game's spirit". "I don't think there's been too much wrong with the way we play cricket. Ponting had said the team would watch the video of the ill-tempered Sydney Test and find out whether they have been over-aggressive on the field and would try to change it. "I don't think the recent events warrant us drastically changing the way we play the game. They are entitled to their opinion, but we know the way we play and in our hearts we play as fairly as we can." He said the two sides are capable of moving on and play the third Test in Perth. "Obviously a few things have happened over the last couple of weeks but we're still two very good cricket teams out to win the series and I'm sure it'll be played in the right spirit," he said. Hayden said that cricket would turn into a robots game, if emotions are not displayed on the field. "When I finish cricket I don't want to have to be in a game where everything is robots and robotic," he said. "I want to see Ricky Ponting going like that when he wins and plays for Australia. "That's the heat of the battle, that's Test cricket, that's the enormous passion and enthusiasm... you see it even in backyard cricket." — PTI
	We all come from monkeys: Holding Melbourne, January 12 Even if Harbhajan Singh called Andrew Symonds a monkey, there was no need for the burly Australian all-rounder to take offence, former West Indian paceman Michael Holding said today. “I do not understand how this is a racist term. The scientists say we all came from monkeys, so how can this be deemed racist?” he said. Holding also blasted ICC Match Referee Mike Procter for banning Harbhajan for three Tests on charges of racial abuse. “This is absolute rubbish,” he was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph. The Indian off-spinner and the whole touring squad are adamant that no racial slur was made during the altercation in the recent controversy-marred Sydney Test and have lodged an appeal against Procter’s verdict. New Zealand High Court Judge Justice John Hansen has been appointed Appeals Commissioner in the matter, but the date for the fearing has not been fixed yet. ‘It’s OK, but only from friends’ Andrew Symonds does not mind the odd racist comment at his expense, but only from people he is friendly with, the Australian all-rounder said today. Symonds labelled Harbhajan Singh's alleged racial taunt as "unacceptable" and vowed not to cop remarks from rival players with whom he has no friendship. Ahead of the Perth Test against India, Symonds declared he could tolerate racism — but only from those he knew. "I'm not a sensitive person about it," he said. — PTI
	Lee feels his reputation is intact in India Melbourne, January 12 Australian pacer Brett Lee today rubbished suggestions that the Sydney Test furore has damaged his image in India, asserting a lone bitter instance would not wipe away years of his hard-earned adulation. "The respect I have for their players and the love I have for their country means that it's definitely not going to have an impact on us going over there and touring, whether it's to play cricket or to do work with sponsors or whatever," Lee told 'The Age'. "For me, I'm treated so well over there and I'm very thankful for that. I don't think anything will change. I try to do everything in my power to keep a good relationship with people in India," he added. The tearaway pacer, who is a popular figure in India having sung a hit duet with legendary Asha Bhonsle besides recently shooting for a Hindi film, said he was confident that the controversies in Sydney will not affect the two teams' relations. "The drama is not between the players. There's issues, for sure. But, when you're playing at the top level there are always going to be things that pop up. As far as the feeling between most of the players, there is no issue," he said. Known for his love for all things Indian, the affable bowler advised every Australian to take a trip to the country. "It's a great place and I've always thought that we should be encouraging every Australian, at one stage in their life if they can, to go to India. "I can't praise the place enough. I truly think that the Indian public respect what we do and they enjoy the style of cricket we play," Lee said. The 31-year-old, who is spearheading the Australian attack after retirement by Glenn McGrath, said his off-field commitments do make life hectic for him but he would never allow them to adversely affect his on-field show. — PTI
	Steyn wraps up series win for SA Durban, January 12 Paceman Dale Steyn bowled South Africa to a series victory over West Indies in the third Test today. Steyn claimed 6-72 as South Africa won by an innings and 100 runs with two days to spare to wrap up a 2-1 series win. West Indies, who needed 417 to make South Africa bat again, were dismissed for 317 with Marlon Samuels on 105 as their top scorer. West Indies, who resumed on 23 without loss, lost their first wicket in the fourth over of the day when Steyn trapped debutant Brenton Parchment in front for 20. Daren Ganga’s patient 11(58 balls) was ended when he steered a delivery from fast bowler Makhaya Ntini into the hands of Jacques Kallis at second slip. Scoreboard West Indies (1st innings) 139 SA (1st innings) 556-decl West Indies (2nd innings) Ganga c Kallis b Ntini 11 Parchment lbw b Steyn 20 Morton lbw b Pollock 37 Samuels b Steyn 105 Bravo lbw b Steyn 75 Ramdin c Boucher b Nel 25 Sammy c&b Steyn 17 Powell b Steyn 0 Edwards b Steyn 0 Chanderpaul absent ill Extras (lb-8, nb-1, w-1) 10 Total (all out, 86.5 overs) 317 Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-49, 3-88, 4-232, 5-273, 6-292, 7-305, 8-305, 9-317. Bowling: Steyn 21.5-6-72-6, Ntini 20-4-95-1, Pollock 17-4-50-1, Nel 17-2-67-1, Kallis 8-2-14-0, Amla 3-0-11-0. Result: South Africa won by an innings and 100 runs to win series 2-1.— Reuters
	Martin wrecks B’desh Wellington, January 12 New Zealand were closing in on a first innings lead after dominating the opening day of the second Test against Bangladesh today. The Kiwis reached the close on 134 for three, just nine runs behind Bangladesh's total of 143 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming was unbeaten on 39 with Mathew Sinclair not out nine and the home team perfectly placed to build a big lead and push for a quick victory. Chris Martin took five for 65 as New Zealand's bowlers made light work of Bangladesh's fragile batting line-up, dismissing the tourists in less than three and a half hours. Iain O'Brien captured three wickets while fellow paceman Kyle Mills and spinner Daniel Vettori collected one each as the Kiwis wrapped up the innings in less than 46 overs. Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful top-scored with 35 and Aftab Ahmed made an unbeaten 25 but no other player made more than 15, leaving the tourists facing the prospect of another heavy defeat. Bangladesh lost the first Test in Dunedin by nine wickets. — Reuters
	Australian Open January 14-27 ‘My best yet to come’ Melbourne, January 12 Maria Sharapova has two grand slam titles in the bag and has attained world number one status, but the Russian still believes her best is yet to come. The world number five, a favourite for the January 14 to 27 Australian Open, won Wimbledon as a 17-year-old in 2004 and believes she is still getting better. ''I love the work that I put in on the court and I know that some day it will pay off,'' Sharapova, runner-up in Melbourne 12 months ago, told reporters today. ''Saying that, I'm still 20 years old. I've said it many times, I don't think this is the peak of my career. I believe that there are many more years to go, and I'm going to learn from all those experiences within those years.'' Sharapova said world number one Justine Henin was the ''big favourite'' and that defending champion Serena Williams and her sister Venus were also big threats for the title. But the Russian said her never-say-die attitude would stand her in good stead over the next fortnight. ''I've proven it before and I've done it before, so I don't think you can ever count me out,'' she said. ''No matter how confident or not, no matter where my ranking is, I'm one of the toughest competitors out there.”— Reuters
	B’ball winner teams, players honoured Tribune News Service Phillaur, January 12 The Punjab Basketball Association (PBA) at a special function organised at Golf Club, Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, honoured its winner teams and players. The teams, which were honoured on the occasion, included Punjab senior men team that won bronze medal at Jaipur and bronze medal in National Games at Guwahati and silver at Pondicherry. Youth team which won silver medal in National Championship at Jaipur, sub-junior team for gold in National Championship at Rahon and Everest Public School, for gold in School National League at Khanna. The players include Arjuna Awardees Hardeep Singh (kabaddi) and Geeta Rani (weight lifting), Olympian Banta Singh (wrestling), Gurbax Singh (volleyball), Gurmit Singh (swimming), Charanjit Singh Bawa (football), Jaswant Singh (handball), Sham Lal (basketball), Darshan (basketball), Lakhvir Singh (pole vault).