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India cruise into finals
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‘Loss due to bad batting, Murali flopshow’
Sledging
Martyn, Kasprowicz, Elliott join ICL
Goel shines for Punjab
Rastogi willing to play under Paes
World TT
Johnnie Walker Classic Golf
Sutil 9th in testing
Delhi win
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India cruise into finals
Hobart, February 26 Australia will, therefore, meet Mahendra Dhoni’s men in a best-of-three finals commencing Sunday. In 29 years of the triangular limited overs competition Down Under - and this is the last - the India have entered the concluding stage for the fourth time in six participations. But they are yet to lift the trophy. It was a must-win for the Sri Lankans, who over and above needed to win Friday’s match against Australia to progress. By defeating their southern neighbours, the Indians spared their supporters - and there were a sprinkling even at this remote island venue off the Australian mainland - the agony of the round robin going to the wire. For once, Mahendra Dhoni won the toss; and inserted Sri Lanka on what he perceived to be a damp pitch. It was quite the contrary, but his bowlers saved him blushes by knocking over the opposition for a paltry 179 runs in 47.1 overs. Praveen Kumar, making only his third ODI appearance, fully justified his selection this time by grabbing three wickets in quick succession, which sank the Sri Lankans from 72 for one to 81 for four. He broke a blossoming second wicket association of 57 between Kumar Sangakkara and Sanath Jayasuriya en route to analysis of four for 31 in his allotted 10 overs. Praveen was aided by Sangakkara, who walked out to him only to timidly snick ball to Dhoni for the first of his three catches. Next, Sri Lanka’s other quality batsman, skipper Mahela Jayawardene was capably caught by Rohit Sharma at point, following which Chamara Silva was beaten up by a ball seaming away from him just enough to take the outside edge. While the Uttar Pradesh medium pacer fully deserved his haul, it was the pressure exerted by Irfan Pathan at the other end that contributed to his windfall, as both Sangakkara and Jayawardene perished taking liberties with the newcomer. Pathan, who conceded a miserly 23 runs in his 10 overs, was rewarded with Jayasuriya’s wicket, when this left-handed power-hitter was in no position to hook a well directed bouncer. Dhoni now went for the kill - something he had failed pursue a couple of occasions earlier in the competition - recalling his principal strike bowler, Ishant Sharma. This 19-year-old find of the tour has become a touch expensive in the last three matches - an indication of tiredness. But he responded by trapping Tillakaratne Dilshan leg before wicket and then forcing a false pull from Chaminda Vaas. He finished with his second four wicket scoop in the tournament. A 46-run partnership for the 8th wicket and 40 more for the 9th - assisted by some lethargic bowling by Munaf Patel - elevated Sri Lanka from the embarrassment of 93 for seven, with Chamara Kapugedera starring in both stands. He was eventually surprised by the extra bounce of a doorsa to be caught and bowled by Harbhajan Singh for 57. Before this, Sachin Tendulkar dropped Lasith Malinga at slip off the Punjab off-spinner. Tendulkar, however, compensated for the lapse with a first half-century in the current tournament and his 9th in ODIs in Australia. While he’s still to register a one-day ton Down Under, his return to form augurs well for the finals. The Mumbai maestro cut loose against young Ishara Amerasinghe square off the wicket on both sides and once magnificently through the covers off the front foot. He, then, toyed with Muttiah Muralitharan until an inside-out drive at his expense was caught at long-off. Yuvraj Singh was sent in at number four to procure some batting practice before the finals. He replied with scintillating on-drives for four and six, pieced extra cover off the backfoot and pulled to midwicket. However, after producing 36 sparkling runs off a mere 35 balls, he was superbly held in the covers. Gautam Gambhir was at times streaky, but blended this with characteristically skilful cuts and square drives. He remained unconquered as India cruised home in 32.2 overs, thus securing a bonus point. Scoreboard Sri Lanka: Perera b Ishant 8 Jayasuriya c Dhoni b Pathan 34 Sangakkara c Dhoni b Kumar 33 Jayawardene c Rohit b Kumar 3 C Silva c Dhoni b Kumar 0 Dilshan lbw b Ishant 8 Kapugedera c & b Harbhajan 57 Vaas c Gambhir b Ishant 0 Malinga c Uthappa b Ishant 12 Muralitharan b Kumar 13 Amerasinghe not out 0 Extras (lb 5, w 6): 11 Total
(all out in 47.1 overs): 179 Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-72, 3-77, 4-81, 5-81, 6-93, 7-93, 8-139, 9-179 Bowling: Munaf Patel 9-0-51-0; Ishant Sharma 10-0-41-4; Irfan Pathan 10-2-23-1; Praveen Kumar 10-2-31-4; Harbhajan Singh 4.1-0-17-1; Yuvraj Singh 4-0-11-0. India: Uthappa c Amerasinghe b Malinga 11 Tendulkar c Silva b Muralitharan 63 Gambhir not out 63 Yuvraj c Dilshan b Perera 36 Rohit not out 3 Extras: (W-4): 4 Total
(for 3 wkts, 32.2 overs): 180 Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-120, 3-171 Bowling: Chaminda Vaas 6-0-29-0, Lasith Malinga 6-0-36-1, Ishara Amerasinghe 7-0-40-0, Muttiah Muralitharan 8.2-0-54-1, Sanath Jayasuriya 1-0-4-0, Dilruwan Perera 4-0-17-1.
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‘Loss due to bad batting, Murali flopshow’
Hobart, February 26 "We simply were not competitive enough, especially with the bat. It was a wicket on which 270-280 runs were feasible," he said in the post-match press conference. "It's not that our batsmen are not good technically. We seem to lack confidence and are not spending time at the crease. "We need to go back to the drawing board and improve in certain areas. We seem to be making the same mistakes," he added. Jayawardene admitted his side's one-day form has taken a dip. "We have been quite good in Tests but haven't been consistent in the last 15-20 one-day internationals," he said. "The conditions in World Cup were different. Slow bowlers were useful and you could delay taking your power-plays. It wasnt the case here where you need to finish your powerplays when the ball is still new," he added. Jayawardene said Muralitharan's failure to pick up regular wickets in the series was noticeable. "Murali didn't get many wickets but that was because batsmen were not taking their chances against him. Jayawardane stressed the need to groom fresh talent back home to keep the Lankans competitive. "Some of the boys are really very talented. But in domestic cricket, you could be successful without pushing too hard. In international cricket, it changes all," he said.
— PTI
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Hayden fires a salvo: Bhajji ‘obnoxious little weed’
Hobart, February 26 The Indian spinner, who was at the centre of a racism row involving Andrew Symonds, has borne the brunt of the Australian sledging during the explosive tour which has been marked by a series of verbal exchanges between rival players. "Its been a bit of a long battle with Harbhajan, the first time I ever met him he was the same little obnoxious weed that he is now", Hayden said on Brisbane radio. "His record speaks for itself in cricket. There is a certain line that you can kind of go to and then you know where you push it and he just pushes it all the time. "That's why he has been charged more than anyone that's ever played in the history of cricket," Hayden said. Hayden's fresh salvo came a day after the Indian team management lodged a written complaint with Match Referee Jeff Crowe regarding Australia players' "provocative" behaviour. Hayden and Harbhajan were involved in an ugly tussle at the SCG on Sunday with the Indians claiming that the Australian opener had termed the Indian a "mad boy." However, Hayden made light of the incident and claimed India was complaining because "they are losing every game they are playing." "I called him a bad boy," Hayden insisted. "He took offence to that, I thought that was quite funny. I said mate you should be flattered, it's a clothing range," Hayden said. Meanwhile, former Australian fast bowler Rodney Hogg also lashed out at the Indians. "I’ve really had a gutful of their whinging, this is international sport, obviously people are going to say things to try to unsettle you," Hogg said. "It's not tiddlywinks. So long as it's not racial they shouldn't have a problem. "As far as I am concerned if the heat is too hot in the kitchen then that's too bad. "I reckon they should appoint an Asian referee for Indian games because when it's a non-Asian referee nothing against Jeff Crowe they never feel as if they are being listened to." Hayden said he had told Ishant Sharma to settle down and yesterday quipped he would like to meet the stringbean paceman in a boxing ring. "He is just young. I have said to him many times, you are 19, take it easy, Hayden said. "At the end of the day you are 19, why dont you just worry about your bowling for a while," he added.
— PTI
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Sledging
Hobart, February 26 He criticised the Aussies for their "provocative behaviour" during Sunday's Sydney ODI, which prompted the Indians to lodge a formal complaint with referee. "We believe it was the Australians who have been provoking us. It's been going on for a while. In due course I am sure youngsters will learn from it," he said. "Ishant only reacted to what Symonds said to him," he added when asked about the young pacer showing the "send-off finger" to Andrew Symonds in that game, for which Ishant was docked 15 per cent of his match fee. "It's never friendly in international cricket and aggression is okay if you don't cross the line," Dhoni said. "Ishant will learn this art in due course. I call it an art because it happens in international cricket all the time," he added. In the Sydney match, Dhoni had to part with his gloves after the match referee was concerned about their legality. However, Dhoni chose to sidestep the issue. "I thought the gloves were quite okay but I don't want to start a controversy. Out of my 100 catches, only a few have been held with those gloves," he said. India went into today's game against Sri Lanka with five bowlers and Dhoni said it was a strategy he preferred to adopt against the
islanders.— PTI
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Martyn, Kasprowicz, Elliott join ICL
New Delhi, February 26 The three players - middle-order batsman Damien
Martyn, fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz and opening batsman Mathew Elliott - were the latest recruits by the ICL which boasts of several international players with former West Indies captain Brian Lara and Pakistan's batting great Inzamam-ul Haq being the star
attractions. Kapil Dev, Chairman of the Indian Cricket League, said these high stature Australian cricketers will definitely boost the quality of cricket. "They will strengthen the teams, making the league showcase competitive cricket. It will provide our young domestic players, the challenge to test their skills with some of the best exponents of the game, thus fulfilling one of the key objectives of
ICL," Kapil was quoted as saying by an ICL release. — PTI
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Goel shines for Punjab
New Delhi, February 26 Punjab captain Pankaj Dharmani was well supported by his batsmen as Punjab posted a total of 297 after winning the toss and electing to bat
first. Karan Goel was involved in two important partnerships with Ravinder Singh (31) and captain Pankaj Dharmani (40) for the second (95 runs) and third wicket (98 runs) stands to guide their team to a challenging
total. Haryana's run-chase was later restricted by Punjab's tight spell of bowling as the former lost wickets at quick intervals to be bowled out for 174 in 44.3
overs. For Punjab, pacer Gagandeep Singh claimed three wickets. Himachal win
A well crafted 81 by Manninder Bisla and his 154-run stand with Paras Dogra guided Himachal to a five-wicket win over Services in their opening Ranji trophy one-day championship match at Palam ground here today. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Services posted 243 for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 50
overs. For Himachal the stage for victory was set by the 154-run partnership between Manindar Bisla and Paras Dogra for the fifth wicket.
— UNI
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Dubai, February 26 The winners next play the winners of the match between top seeded pair of Zimbawean Cara Black and American Liezel Huber and Chinese duo of Shuai Peng and Tiantian Sun. Sania would open her singles campaign, where she has been given a wild card entry, against Russian qualifier Vera Dushevina. If the India number one clears the first hurdle, she would be up against fourth seed Serbian sensation Jelena Jancovic.
— PTI
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Rastogi willing to play under Paes
New Delhi, February 26 "It's about time. After looking at personal things and speaking to the Federation, I have sorted out all the issues with Leander," said Rastogi. "Basically I am willing to play under any captain. Playing for the country is a matter of pride and that comes before any personal ambition," he added. Rastogi - along with Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and Prakash Amritraj - raised a furore by writing a letter to the All India Tennis Association (AITA) refusing to play under Paes. The quartet had demanded a non-playing captain for the upcoming Davis Cup tie against Japan in April. Rastogi refused to elaborate on why he first chose to be a part of the revolt and said he was pulling out of it as it was affecting his game. "I am out of it. I discussed it with my parents this is the end of the story but I am not going to get into details ... how, when and why it happened," he said. "Obviously there were some issues otherwise I would not have signed the letter but I am the smallest guy in this issue. Everyone has his own ways ... it was affecting my game and I don't want to get my game affected and that's my stand," he asserted. Rastogi said his decision was not influenced by AITA. "This is my own decision and nobody else's. I want to focus on my practice and matches. Unnecessarily it became big. But my career is more important than these controversies," he said. Meanwhile, the All India Tennis Association has welcomed Rastogi's decision to get out of the controversy. "AITA welcomes Karan's decision. I am happy. Karan is conscious and plays serious tennis. He has to play a pivotal role in Indian tennis and it's good that he is out of this," said AITA Secretary General Anil Khanna.
— PTI
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World TT
Guangzhou, February 26 Although India started their tie against Norway on a scratchy note with Soumyadeep Roy losing the first match against Jiangfeng Wang in straight sets 8-11, 6-11, 8-11, Sharath Kamal levelled the scores demolishing Geir Erlandsen 11-9, 11-6, 11-7. Subhajit Saha then gave India lead defeating Espen Ronneberg 11-2, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9 and Sharath, later, squared the tie in India's favour beating Wang 11-7, 2-11-2, 8-11, 11-6. Meanwhile, it turned out to be disappointing outing for the women's team as they lost their fourth round tie 2-3 against Australia. In the first match, Neha Aggarwal battled past Miao Miao 11-4, 4-11, 4-11, 7-11, 11-5, but Poulomi Ghatak was no match for Fang Jian Lay 5-11, 11-13, 9-11 in the next. Mouma Das then put India ahead with a 12-10, 11-7, 12-10 victory over May Cho. However, Poulomi and Neha failed to capitalise on the advantage losing both their remaining matches. Poulomi went down straight sets to Miao 11-7, 11-6, 11-5, while Neha fought hard to go down 9-11, 11-7, 6-11, 15-13, 2-11 in the deciding encounter.
— IANS
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Johnnie Walker Classic Golf
Gurgaon, February 26 That proximity excites Randhawa, a seven-time winner on the Asian Tour, and he relishes the prospect of sleeping in his own bed every day. "It's something we golfers look forward to going home. To stay home and playing near your house can't be better than that. I'm glad that I'm here this week." Add to that his local knowledge of the course. He is attached to the DLF and said: "I'm looking forward to playing here. It's kind of windy for a normal day as the last two days have been really windy. I have the local knowledge for sure and I'm looking forward to it." On the Johnnie Walker Classic being the third international event within the space of one month, Randhawa adds: "It shows the kind of popularity that Indian golf is getting. Indian golfers are doing well and golf is getting into a boom. It's the second most famous sport after cricket”.
— IANS
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Sutil 9th in testing
Barcelona, February 26 The VJM01, named in tribute to the team's owners - Indian liquor-baron Vijay Mallya and Jan and Michiel Mol - is an evolution of the B-spec F8-VII that Force India's predecessor Spyker launched at the 2007 Italian Grand Prix. Sutil clocked 1:23.091 to complete 62 laps in the testing in which British sensation Lewis Hamilton was fastest clocking 1:22.276 for his 78 laps yesterday. "I think the car ran without any major problems and the balance we got in the end was quite OK. We had some small issues ... but for the first day with a new car I am confident as I can feel there is something more to come," Sutil said. Force India's Test driver Vitantonio Liuzzi finished 12th with a timing of 1:23.239 for his 43 laps. "We have carried the chassis over from 2007 to 2008, but the car we run at the Australian Grand Prix will have numerous aerodynamic and mechanical updates ," Force India's chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne said.
— PTI
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Delhi win
New Delhi, February 26 This win was a great consolation for Delhi who were held to a 1-1 draw by Karnataka in their inaugural match, after leading by a goal scored by Michael Chongthu, till the 55th minute of the second half.
— TNS
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