 |
|
|
Gilly, Oz media bat for Hayden
Aussies keen
to maintain momentum
ICL players barred from county cricket
Paes retained captain
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
C’wealth Games to cost over Rs 4500 cr
Coach accuses Malleswari of doping
Delhi whip Punjab by 10 wickets
Johnnie Walker Classic Golf
GND varsity, PU in semis
|
|
Gilly, Oz media bat for Hayden
Melbourne, February 28 Hayden had added fuel to an already explosive tour when he described Harbhajan as an "obnoxious little weed" and challenged young Indian paceman Ishant Sharma to a boxing bout in an interview to Brisbane Radio. The Indian off-spinner replied by claiming Hayden was one of the most disliked players on the international cricket circuit. "Who is Matthew Hayden? You only need to speak to international cricketers... to know in what opinion they hold Hayden," Harbhajan had said. Speaking ahead of tomorrow's inconsequential tri-series match against Sri Lanka here, Gilchrist, however, sprung to the defence of his team-mate. "I've not ever cared to think what other teams think of Matthew Hayden. He's one of the most well-respected people in our team, so that's all that interests me." Harbhajan had also alleged Australian skipper Ricky Ponting abused him during the one-dayer in Adelaide, but Gilchrist dismissed the claims. But he admitted the controversies during his farewell international season were taking a toll and it was important for the hosts to concentrate on playing good cricket. Gilchrist felt Dhoni wearing faulty gloves was just an unintentional minor mistake. "Well, they're illegal - the match referee said that. Not for a moment am I insinuating Dhoni intentionally wore them out there... it could happen that easily. The retiring Australian, respected by his peers and former cricketers for his honesty and playing the game in right spirits, rather praised Dhoni for the catch the Indian captain effected to dismiss him at the SCG. Meanwhile, Australian media today projected Hayden's remark as nothing more than a "foolish" comment which could aggravate the already tense relationship between the two teams. The local media defended the remark, saying that it was neither rude nor racist. "Hayden was charged for simply saying what most Australians feel about Harbhajan Singh. What is wrong with calling Harby an obnoxious little weed? It's not racist, it's not all that rude and it's certainly not bad for the game," The Daily Telegraph wrote. The Australian newspaper only described Hayden's comments as "foolish" for openly expressing "what many in the (Australian) team think about Harbhajan. "While it was meant to be a light-hearted radio interview, Hayden's lack of diplomacy has poured petrol on a bushfire and has given the Indians something substantial to complain about." Melbourne's Herald Sun made a scathing attack on Harbhajan, though it also made the point that Hayden was no angel. "It's no surprise Harbhajan Singh is right in the middle of the latest storm. He is a despised character in the Australian dressing room, but it doesn't bother the fiery spinner. "He thrives in this combustible atmosphere. While it's not always clear whose side of the story to believe, Harbhajan is always entertaining listening," it wrote. "It's also no surprise to find Matthew Hayden in the mix as well. Hayden is a notorious sledger, and has never backed away from airing his views on the field," the paper said. Another article in the paper seemed to agree to the Indians' view that the world champions were angry that they have been paid in the same coin by the visitors. "What India has shown this summer is that it is not afraid to expose any so-called on-field secrets. Many touring teams have come and left with their tails between their legs. India certainly hasn't, and, in some ways, Australia is not used to this. "That's why the world champions sometimes react in anger when things don't go their way. The fuse has been lit. Bring on Sunday," the newspaper said urging the fans not to miss the potentially-explosive finals. The newspaper counselled captain Ricky Ponting to play the role of statesman to prevent the situation going out of hand in the best-of-three title clash. "If there is a fight on hand, he won't shy away from it. To a certain extent, that's what leadership is all about. Leadership, too, is about remaining calm and letting your actions tell the story.”
|
|
Aussies keen
to maintain momentum
Melbourne, February 28 While the hosts will be keen to use the game as a preparation for the tougher battles ahead, the Sri Lankans have only pride at stake in the game as they have already been eliminated from the title race. The first final will be held in Sydney on Sunday and it will be interesting to see whether the Aussies decide to rest some of their key players for the day-night contest tomorrow. Australia have won their last four matches in the tri-series and would look to iron out some of their weaknesses in an encounter which is only of academic interest. They will also look to put the controversies about poor player behaviour behind them after another acrimonious week which saw opener Matthew Hayden launching a scathing verbal attack against Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma. Sri Lanka have not been able to compete with the Aussies in the three previous games and it remains to be seen if Mahela Jayawardene can marshall his demoralised troops in order to finish the tour on a winning note.
— PTI Start of play: 8.45 am |
||
|
ICL players barred from county cricket
London, February 28
The ECB decision will also hit the ICL hard as it struggles to keep pace with the International Cricket Council (ICC)-authorised Indian Premier League (IPL). The ECB in a statement said it was “determined to disassociate and distance itself from any promoter, agent or individual involved in such events”. The move will affect Pakistani fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, who was to turn out for Yorkshire, and New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond, who was to join Hampshire. Even Mushtaq Ahmed, virtually a Sussex citizen after five years with the club, may find himself in the cold unless he can wriggle out of his ICL contract. The ECB, after taking legal advice, seems to be on a firm wicket and can reject these players on the grounds that they need a “no-objection certificate” from their respective boards to qualify to play county cricket. The boards are highly unlikely to entertain any such requests from the players signing with the ICL because every Test-playing country has accepted the BCCI’s fiat that the ICL is an unauthorised venture. The BCCI, which has earned $1 million from selling IPL franchises and broadcasting rights, is out to stub out rivals from the Twenty20 business. British media reports suggested that teams having ICL players are threatened with exclusion from the domestic Champions Twenty20 League in October, and it has also been rumoured that India’s national team could refuse to play any country that refuses to fall in line. According to a report in the The Telegraph, at a meeting of the county chief executives on Tuesday, it was suggested that if England did not comply, the IPL - whose season extends this year from April 18 to June 1 - might come along in future with irresistible offers for the likes of Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen. In other words, this is a quid-pro-quo arrangement in which opposition to the rebel league is the price of immunity from the IPL. “It seems bizarre that county cricket should be affected by a political row in India,” said Kent chief executive Paul Millman. Four English players - Paul Nixon, Chris Read, Vikram Solanki and Darren Maddy - participated in last October’s inaugural ICL tournament. The four should all be exempt from the ban as long as they do not return this autumn. The same dilemma may be particularly acute for Stuart Law, Lancashire’s new captain. — IANS
|
|
New Delhi, February 28 The AITA officials, who met for an emergency meeting to discuss the revolt which has rocked Indian tennis, decided to retain the same Davis Cup team for the tie against Japan starting April 11, which means that Paes will continue to remain the captain. The game's governing body promised to talk to the revolting players and hear out their grievances before taking a final decision, expected only after the Beijing Olympics in August. Top Davis Cuppers - Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, Prakash Amritraj and Karan Rastogi - recently wrote a letter to the AITA refusing to play under Paes as they had lost confidence in his leadership. Rastogi, however, backed out of the revolt a few days back. "The Japan tie is coming up on April 11 and the committee felt we should not be talking this till the Challengers in May, when all the players will be here," AITA Secretary General Anil Khanna told a press conference after the meeting. "The letter has been put into abeyance, but not ignored. The demands will be considered, the players will be spoken to," Khanna said. The AITA also decided to form a two-member committee, comprising Bharat Ojha and Hiranmoy Chatterjee, to look into the issue. The panel will make its recommendations to the AITA's Executive Committee and a final decision will be taken only after the Olympics. The AITA decided to appoint S. P. Mishra as the manager of the Davis Cup team for the tie against Japan so there was no lack of communication among the team members. The manager will be assisted by Col Randhir Chauhan, who has been appointed media manager. The AITA also requested Bhupathi and Paes to play together in the Olympics. — PTI
|
|
C’wealth Games to cost over Rs 4500 cr
New Delhi, February 28 According to Aiyar, the Centre has approved the project proposals of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for Rs 1000 crore, with provision for a 10 per cent appreciation, for the upgradation/creation of sports infrastructure, Rs 30 crore (with a 15 per cent appreciation) for the upgradation of the infrastructure at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association complex by the All India Tennis Association, an expenditure budget for the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, on a revenue neutral basis, of Rs 767 crore for the "conduct of the games" and Rs 802 crore for the training and foreign exposure of the elite sportspersons who would represent the country in the CWG. The Expenditure Finance Committee has considered the proposal of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for about Rs 765 crore for the "International Zone" in the games village on the banks of the Yamuna river (the residential part of which is being developed in the "public-private partnership mode"), and sports infrastructure at the village and other venues belonging to the DDA. This will be in addition to the Rs 257.41 crore sanctioned to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for upgradation/creation of competition/training venues for the Commonwealth Games at the Delhi University, the Jamia Millia Islamia University and the Delhi Public School. Besides, the Planning Commission has approved the proposal of the Delhi Government for an amount of Rs 770 and Rs 210 crore to the Maharashtra Government for the conduct of the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, which is a "sub event" of the CWG. No wonder, Mr Aiyar had recently remarked at a function in Delhi that whenever Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi, who is also the chairman of the CWG Organising Committee, "opens his mouth, he adds one more zero" to the expenditure of the 2010 Commonwealth Games!
|
|
Coach accuses Malleswari of doping
Patiala, February 28 “When a team of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) came to the camp, Malleswari became an official of the Indian Weightlifting Federation and soon after the officials left she became a camper,” said Salama, who had a very brief stint with the Indian team. Before leaving the NIS complex, he told reporters that the Commonwealth Games gold winner was also “not fit for the game” and “the IWF was a group of manipulators and they have been protecting dope offender.” “The International Weightlifting Federation has asked for the list of women weightlifters and the Indian federation has not supplied the list yet to them,” he said. Salama had submitted his resignation to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on January 23, alleging doping practices among top Indian lifters. The Egyptian coach, who was recommended to India by the game’s world governing body, had proposed to select the team for the Asian Championships in Kanazawa City, Japan, based on his assessment and independent of in-house trials.
— PTI |
|
Delhi whip Punjab by 10 wickets
New Delhi, February 28 Akash Chopra, who scored an unbeaten century in the last match against Jammu and Kashmir, started from where he left on Tuesday and crafted a 140-ball 130 runs which contained 18 hits to the fence. Dhawan too looked to be in full flow as he slammed 139 runs off just 121 balls. Earlier in the morning, Delhi captain Mithun Manhas won the toss and asked Punjab to bat first. Manhas's decision to field first yielded immediate results as Punjab were reduced 16 for two in the fourth over. But then, Ravinder Singh(64) and captain Pankaj Dharmani (33) started the repair work with an 80-run stand between them. Later, Uday Kaul scored a patient 64 off 81 balls and posted a 104-run stand with Ankur Kakkar (59 off 56 balls) to set a competitive target for the hosts. For Delhi, Amit Bhandari was the pick of the bowlers claiming two wickets in 10 overs. HP crush Haryana Vishal Bhatia grabbed four wickets for 32 runs as Himachal Pradesh thrashed Haryana by eight wickets in their one-day match here today. Batting first, Haryana were all out for 193 in 49.5 overs, with Sachin Rana (73) being the top scorer. Himachal replied with 197 for 2 in 44 overs, with Hemant Dogra (74) and Sandeep Sharma (59) putting on 144 for the opening wicket.
— UNI |
|
Shamim takes joint lead
Gurgaon, February 28 He was joined atop the leaderboard by Argentinian Daniel Vancsik, who carded six birdies against a lone bogey in the $2.5 million tournament. Jeev Mlkha Singh looked set to emerge the leader as he led the field with six-under till the 15th hole but hit two successive bogeys on the 16th and 17th dented his round and he ended with a score of 68. Rahul Gangjee also had a four-under-par 68 with the help of five birdies and a bogey. The two Indians along with nine others - Australians Greg Chalmers, Adam Scott, Unho Park, Paul Sheehan, South African James Kamte, Robert Jan Derksen of the Netherlands, England’s Mark Foster, Japan’s Trichiro Kiyoto and USA’s Jason Khutzon - were tied at joint third place. The Indian trio of Arjun Atwal, Shiv Kapur and Arjun Singh enjoyed strong opening rounds with 69 and were tied 13th with six others. Fijian world number 11 Vijay Singh opened his campaign with a 70. Gaurav Ghei, who finished tied sixth at the Emaar-MGF Indian Masters last month, ended the day at two-under-par 70. Title contender Jyoti Randhawa had a two-under-par 70. Vijay Singh, Ghei and Jyoti were tied at the 22nd spot along with six others. Indian Masters champion SSP Chowrasia had a modest par 72 round, which included three birdies and an equal number of bogeys. He, along with Kapurthala-based 20-year-old Gaganjeet Bhullar, who also shot 72, was at the joint 50th slot. — UNI
|
|
GND varsity, PU in semis
Amritsar, February 28 PU defeated Kurukshetra University by seven wickets in the first quarterfinal played at the local Khalsa College cricket ground. KU were all out 96 runs in 26.4 overs. PU reached the target in 27.3 overs for the loss of three wickets. Guru Nanak Dev University thrashed Ranchi University by 167 runs. The hosts scored 233 runs for three wickets, thanks mainly to Sudha (89 not out) and Richa (78). Ranchi University were shot out for 66. Kuldeep grabbed 4-13. |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Harbhajan Singh may consider Matthew Hayden one of the most disliked cricketers around, but retiring wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist disagrees, calling his one-day opening partner "one of the most well-respected people in our team."
Videos
