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Gilly inspires Aussie win
Sachin working to counter Clark
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Row solved, Oz free to play in IPL: Modi
BCCI flexes muscles
PCB for Indo-Pak series if Oz pull out
CSA issues apology over quota row
Collingwood shines
Seles retires
Jeev slips to 6th
Fisichella posts 11th quickest time
Shreedharan clinches gold
Sinimol Paulose during the 1500m race at the third Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Doha on Thursday. Paulose won the gold in the event. AFP
photo
DAV College retain
Nehru hockey title
Civil Services Golf from today
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Gilly inspires Aussie win
Perth, February 15 Sri Lanka replied with 173 despite a defiant 80 from their own wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara, handing the hosts a bonus point for their big winning margin. The victory lifted Australia to the top of the table with 12 points from four games. India are second with eight points while Sri Lanka have six at the halfway stage of the competition. Gilchrist, who retires from international cricket after the tri-series, was determined to make an impression in his last match at the WACA. With his family among a full-house in attendance, Gilchrist tore into the bowling to smash nine fours and three sixes. He brought up his 16th one-day international hundred off 117 balls before falling to Lasith Malinga while trying to increase the scoring rate. Gilchrist's departure triggered a collapse as Australia lost their last six wickets for 30 runs. Michael Clarke made 43 and Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey chipped in with 25 apiece. Paceman Malinga took four for 47 while Nuwan Kulasekera claimed two wickets. Sri Lanka made a flying start to their reply, piling up 71 runs in 11 overs but also losing openers Sanath Jayasuriya (12) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (11) and captain Mahela Jayawardene (21). Sangakkara played a lone hand as he steadily ran out of partners before he was the last man out. The teams travel to Adelaide next to play India, with Australia in action on Sunday and Sri Lanka playing two days
later. Scoreboard Australia: Gilchrist c Kapugedera b Malinga 118 Hayden c Maharoof b Malinga 4 Ponting c Jayawardene b Vaas 25 M. Clarke st Sangakkara b Muralitharan 43 Symonds c Sangakkara b Maharoof 4 Hussey c Jayawardene b Kulasekara 25 Hopes c Jayasuriya b Kulasekara 2 Hogg b Malinga 5 Lee b Malinga 2 Johnson run out 0 Bracken not out 1 Extras (b-1 lb-1 w-4 nb-1): 7 Total (all out, 49.4 overs): 236 Fall of wickets: 1-16 2-66 3-171 4-177 5-206 6-217 7-232 8-232 9-233 Bowling: Vaas 10-0-35-1, Malinga 9.4-1-47-4 (w-3), Maharoof 10-0-53-1 (nb-1 w-1), Kulasekara 10-0-52-2, Muralitharan 10-0-47-1 Sri Lanka: Dilshan b Johnson 11 Jayasuriya c Hopes b Bracken 12 Sangakkara b Lee 80 Jayawardene c Ponting b Johnson 21 C.Silva c Symonds b Bracken 0 Kapugedera c Hussey b Hopes 26 Maharoof c sub (Haddin) b Hogg 7 Vaas c Gilchrist b Hogg 0 Kulasekara c Symonds b Bracken 0 Malinga b Johnson 5 Muralitharan not out 0 Extras (lb-7 w-3 nb-1): 11 Total (all out, 45.3 overs): 173 Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-35, 3-71, 4-76, 5-129, 6-159, 7-159, 8-160, 9-173. Bowling: Lee 8.3-0-49-1 (nb-1), Bracken 8-2-21-3 (w-1), Johnson 10-2-29-3 (w-1), Hopes 9-1-26-1, Hogg 10-1-41-2 (w-1). Reuters
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Sachin working to counter Clark
Adelaide, February 15 Tendulkar has scored 10, 35, 44 and 32 in his four innings and at least on three occasions he has let go an opportunity to construct a major innings in the middle. As he chose to skip an indoor session for a change and strode out to the outdoor nets, surrounded by mediamen and fans, his advice to his "net" bowler, fielding coach Robin Singh, was as always specific: "Bowl on and around the off-stump". Tendulkar is aware that the Australians would not be bowling him much on his pads. The home bowlers, as everyone else, are aware of his strength on his onside which could become an overwhelming factor in Adelaide where the square boundaries are noticeably shorter. One Australian bowler who is a master of the off-stump line attack is Stuart Clark. As in the Test series, Tendulkar appeared to have conducted a particular practice session keeping the tall New South Wales fast bowler in mind. Time and again, Tendulkar would leave the balls marginally pitched outside the off-stump as he tried to perfect his judgement on which deliveries to play and which to leave. His instruction to Robin was to bowl him deliveries which gain height on the off-stump. "Height, bowl me deliveries which gain height on the off-stump," said Tendulkar. One-day skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni first waited for his turn to bat at the nets and then became enraptured enough to watch the little genius give a master class. The footwork, the high left elbow at the point of a stroke, were all displays of technical virtuosity. As Tendulkar's session lengthened, young Dinesh Kaarthick ventured to ask how many overs it would have meant in the middle. "Eight or 10," was Tendulkar's gentle dismissal of the youngster's nudge to remind him of his overstay in the nets. History's longest serving one-day player, the one with most runs under his belt, most centuries, most fifties, Tendulkar has had a modest run in the CB series so far. His four innings read 10, 35, 44 and 32 so far and on at least three occasions, he has let go an opportunity to build a major innings in the middle. It wouldn't be long before he leaves the one-day arena but as is his wont, it would only after he reaches a major high. Speculation on Tendulkar's one-day retirement has kept resurfacing since the tour of England last summer. Neither his form nor any signs of dipping interest nor for that matter any fitness issue has warranted such a speculation but the word has kept whirling nevertheless. Since the twin tour of Ireland and England in the summer of 2007, Tendulkar has turned out in 27 matches, scored 1232 runs, got out six times in the 90s and is yet to add a three-figure score to his 41 centuries. He hasn't scored a one-day century for 33 games now, for over a year, a striking aberration in the game's most prolific scorer ever. So the interest -- and whispers -- on the great man continued and it was admitted with high humility by a member of the side, yet to get a game in the series. Suresh Raina, a highly-promising youngster, is still waiting for his first turn in the middle on this tour and one of the things he has done diligently is to watch Tendulkar from close quarters. "It's a lesson to watch him from close quarters. The way he prepares, his shot selection, his technique is all a great lesson for us youngsters," admitted the Uttar Pradesh youngster.
PTI
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Row solved, Oz free to play in IPL: Modi
New Delhi, February 15 Modi, also the Chairman of the IPL Governing Council, told 'Cricinfo' that the contract issue, which has been the bone of contention between CA and the league authorities, has been solved and decks have been cleared to facilitate the participation of top Australian players in the Twenty20 tournament. "The issue has been resolved," Modi said. "Two or three Australian players have already signed up with IPL. Hopefully, in the next 24 hours, this will go down the line. The process has already begun. Now it's just a matter of getting through to the Australian players and their agents," Modi said. CA was initially reluctant to the idea, fearing allowing its players to participate in the cash-rich IPL might lead to a conflict of interests between the team's global sponsors and the league's sponsors. A number of Australian players, including captain Ricky Ponting and all-rounder Andrew Symonds, have publicly expressed their resentment at the board's stance and Neil Maxwell, who manages Brett Lee and Mike Hussey, had warned that the players might shun Test and ODI cricket and take the IPL plunge if the Board did not change its decision.
PTI
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BCCI flexes muscles
Lahore, February 15 ''There will be serious consequences because you can't just pull out a committed tour when the host board is giving you assurances about security and so is the government,'' BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla told 'Geo English'. ''...If the host board and government is willing to give assurances you have to accept that you can't just cancel a confirmed FTP tour,'' he added. ''The hosts know best about the prevailing security situation.'' Shukla, who toured Pakistan with the Indian team as an official in 2004 and 2006, said at that time, the Indian players were apprehensive of playing here. ''But we decided to accept the assurances of the Pakistan board and government and the players supported us. Once the tour was over they were all very happy at making the tour,'' he said. ''Similarly I think the Australians must listen to the arguments of the Pakistan board for whom the tour is important.'' The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) welcomed Shukla's statement saying it would have some bearing on the final decision of the Australians. UNI
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PCB for Indo-Pak series if Oz pull out
Lahore, February 15 ''Yes, there have been some discussions with the Indian board to arrange a three or five match one-day series before they host South Africa at home. But nothing is concrete as yet,'' a PCB source said. According to the PCB, talks had been initiated with some boards whose teams had free time in March-April. The widespread violence in Pakistan following the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had cast doubts on the Australian tour, scheduled to begin next month. Cricket Australia (CA) said independent security advisors have cautioned against playing in Pakistan because of the uncertain security situation. However, a PCB official said efforts were being made to convince the Australians to come to Pakistan and a meeting would be held at Kuala Lumpur this week with CA officials. ''But we are aware that they are finding excuses to back out and we are studying all possible options,'' he added.
UNI
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Shoaib hopeful of PCB contract
New Delhi, February 15 "My absolute priority in my cricket career has always been to take wickets for Pakistan and help my country win matches. I am hopeful of entering a new contract with my Board very soon," he said. Shoaib also dismissed recent speculation surrounding his involvement in the Indian Premier League. "My commitment to the DLF IPL is absolute. There is a lot of talk flying around players at the moment regarding the new Twenty20 competitions, but I have signed with the IPL and I am so excited about the upcoming bid process and finding out which franchisee I will play for," he said in a statement issued by the IPL organisers here. Akhtar's commitment to this is underlined by the fact that he will travel to India in the early part of next week to hold talks with franchises ahead of the player bid process in Mumbai on February 20, which he will also attend.
PTI
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CSA issues apology over quota row
Johannesburg, February 15 Cricket South Africa, the custodians of the sport in the country, must take full responsibility for not handling the issue in a manner that preserves the integrity and reputation of the sport, CSA President Arendse and CEO Majola said in a joint statement. In this regard, the president and the CEO of CSA wish to express their deep and sincere regret at the manner in which the issue leading up to the selection of the team to tour Bangladesh, has been handled, they added. In fact, an apology to the entire nation is warranted. Accordingly, we issue our sincerest apology to the entire nation and all its peoples for the manner in which the matter had been handled. Arendse had a public spat with coach Mickey Arthur over the quota policy and both sides issued counter complaints about their treatment. The squad, which included four coloured players instead of the stipulated seven, was eventually named earlier this week and has reached Bangladesh.
UNI
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Collingwood shines
Auckland, February 15 New Zealand hit 234 for nine in 50 overs but England were set 229 off 47 overs to win after rain interrupted their innings. Ian Bell top-scored with 73 while captain Paul Collingwood finished unbeaten on 70 to complete a fine double after capturing three wickets with the ball.
Reuters
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Seles retires
St Petersburg (Florida), February 15 The announcement ends one of the most glorious careers in the sport as the 34-year-old won 53 singles titles and six doubles tournaments. She first became No 1 in the world in March 1991 and held the top ranking for 178 weeks over the next two years. Seles was born in the former Yugoslavia and became a naturalised United States citizen in 1994. Tragedy struck Seles in April 1993, when she was stabbed in the back during a match in Hamburg, Germany. She was not able to play again for more than two years. When she did return, she posted a dynamic comeback win at the Canadian Open, then reached the US Open final the following month. She then won her ninth Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January 1996.
AFP
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Jeev slips to 6th
Jakarta, February 15 Chile's Felipe Aguilar took the second round lead after recording eight-under par 62 for a 13-under par 127 total. The cut was applied at one under 139 and 80 golfers made it to the money making round. Jeev, who was tied at fourth place at the end of the first round with a score of 65, played well again but dropped two strokes on the 16th and 18th and that cost him two places. He had three birdies on the 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th but on his return two bogies spoiled his day. His two round total of 9 under 131 (65,66) took him to 6th place. Arjun Atwal, shot his second successive three under 67 and with a 6 under 134, he took the joint 14th place. Atwal, who was lying at 23 place yesterday, moved up nine slots with a round which had four birdies- on the 4th, 7th, 8th and 16th and a bogey on the 17th. Delhi based Shiv Kapur shot three under 67 with the help of five birdies, which he had on the 1st, 5th, 6th, 9th and 12th. He dropped two strokes on the 2nd and 14th. His two round total is 4 under 136 (69,67).
UNI
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Fisichella posts 11th quickest time
Jerez (Spain), February 15 After taking over from German teammate Adrian Sutil, the Italian underlined the continuing progress of the team and in better conditions recorded a best of 1min 20.669 as he worked through a programme of gearbox, electronic development and set-up. The Formula One team, part-owned by Vijay Mallya, could not have asked for a better day and the outfit completed just under 400km, bringing the overall test mileage to over 1,200km. "Today was a good day. We were able to put in a lot of laps without any major problems and I felt more comfortable in the car," an elated Fisichella said yesterday. "We worked through a programme of set-up and some development items and even with a reasonable fuel load we were still able to put in some competitive times," he added. The team's next test will be in Barcelona from February 25 - 27 when the VJM01, to race in Melbourne, will hit the track for the first time. "I'm looking forward to the next test when we will have some more new items on the VJM01 and we'll have a more representative indication of where we are," the driver said. Chief race and test engineer Dominic Harlow was equally pleased after the satisfying outing. "A good day to complete the test here in Jerez. Again very nice conditions this morning allowed some progress on set-up to be made," he said.
PTI
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Shreedharan clinches gold
Doha, February 15 Preeja won the yellow metal with a championship record of 9:12.26 seconds and compatriot Kavita Raut made it one-two for India with a timing of 9:26.01s while Bahrain's Yaqoob Sara Bakheet was third with 9:40.47s. Chatholi Hamza clocked 3:41.18s to add a silver in men's 1500m race behind Thamer Ali (3:40.86s) of Qatar. Another athlete of the host country Kamal Abubaker (3:42.50s) won the bronze. Amarjeet Singh came up with a creditable performance to finish second in men's triple jump by leaping 16.26m which he achieved in his last effort. The gold was won Valiyev Roman (16.32m) of Kazakhstan while Philakong Theerayut (16.04m) of Thailand won the bronze. In women's 400m race, Mandeep Kaur ran below her best to clock 54.28s and settle for a bronze. Leelavathi Veerappan added another bronze in women's 60m hurdles with a below par timing of 9.21 sec. India have so far won two gold, five silver and three bronze in the three-day competition which is being participated by more then 300 athletes from 31 countries. Yesterday, Sinimol Paulose had won the first gold for India in women's 1500m race with a championship record of 4:15.42s, erasing her own mark of 4:18.29s set in the last edition in Thailand, besides qualifying for the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Valencia next month. Ace long jumper Anju Bobby George's season got off to a fine start as she clinched a silver medal yesterday.
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DAV College retain
Nehru hockey title
New Delhi, February 15 Contrary to the scoreline, it was not a lop-sided encounter. If the Bhopal College could not emerge victorious, it was due their inability to cash in on open scoring chances and ten penalty corners. DAV College, on the other hand, surprised their better-organised rivals with their quick reflexes and counter attacks to slam in five goals. They earned just one penalty corner at the fag end of the second half, which was scooped over by Lakhwinder Singh. DAV College thus played an encore as last year too, the Bhopal College had to play second fiddle to the Jalandhar boys in the challenge round. Overall, DAV College, who first won the title here in 1996, have emerged champions for a record nine times, winning the title every time they entered the final, save once, in 2006 when they lost to the Faculty of Social Sciences, Jamia Milia Islamia (Delhi). Ajay
Kumar struck home off a long pass from Amrit Pal Singh in the 24th
minute, and ten minutes later, he added the second goal from a crowded
goal-mouth. The other goal scorers for the winners were Jujhar Singh (2)
and Major Singh (1).
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Civil Services Golf from today
Chandigarh, February 15 The defending champion will face a tough challenge from his own team-mates like Rupinder Singh, who plays with a handicap of seven and former Ranji Trophy cricketer Rakesh Jolly, who plays for the Customs with a handicap of 10. The two-day competition will decide the winner on the basis of the best gross score and the top 12 golfers from this competition will form the North Zone team for the All-India Civil Services Golf Tournament to be played at DDA's Qutub Golf course at Lado Sarai in New Delhi on March 15 and 16.
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Adam Gilchrist hit a century in his final hometown app- earance to lead Australia to a 63-run victory over Sri Lanka in today's tri-series match. Gilchrist bowed out at the WACA with 118, scoring half of Australia's all-out total of 236. It was his first one-day hundred since he made a
breath- taking ton against Sri Lanka in last year's World Cup final in Barbados.
St Petersburg (Florida), February 15
Doha, February 15
