Mumbai, September 18
Champion batsman Sachin Tendulkar today rated the current rivalry between India and Australia as bigger than that of the traditional one between India and Pakistan because of the "competitiveness" exhibited by the two teams over the last eight years.

"I think it (India v Australia) has become bigger largely because of the competitiveness. All the series between us from 2001 onwards have been very keenly fought and have been very close ones," said Tendulkar at a function here to unveil him as the global brand ambassador of Royal Scottish Bank Group.

The ace batsman, who is at handshaking distance of overtaking West Indian great Brian Lara as Test cricket's highest run-getter, pointed out that India have been the only team in the world to have run world champions Australia close of late in the latter's backyard.

"We have gone to Australia and beaten them. We have been able to surprise the Australian team and that's what the Australian public likes: competition and high standards of play. They love to see challenges and competitiveness.”

"The fan following for the India-Australia series has definitely increased as compared to say 15 years ago. The coming series would also be very closely fought. Talking on behalf of the Indian team I can say we will play hard but fair and I feel the Australians also will do so," said Tendulkar.

Asked whether the absence of Andrew Symonds from the Australian side would lessen the tension in the upcoming rubber starting on October 9, Tendulkar said such things had happened even before the unsavoury spat between the Aussie all-rounder and Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh during the ill-tempered Sydney Test in January.

"Such things happen but don't happen every week. They have happened in the past (before the Sydney Test)," Tendulkar said and indicated the incidents grabbed more attention nowadays because of media coverage and the presence of ICC match referees.

Tendulkar did not lay too much emphasis on the fact that the Australian team, led by Ricky Ponting, was lacking in experience, saying the team looked to be a good blend of experienced players and new comers with lots of first class experience.

"They (Australian squad) have a lot of experienced players and some of them have been playing for a long time now. They are the number one team in the world and we are prepared to face all challenges,” said the scorer of 81 Test and ODI hundreds.

Asked about his impending landmark (of highest Test runs), Tendulkar said he never played with an eye on creating records but if and when they come they were welcome additions to his well-adorned cricket cap.

"I don't think much about records. I want to enjoy my game. If players focus on their performance, records automatically fall into place. I focus on playing the game well. If it (new landmark) comes in doing so I will be happy," said the ace batsman who is only 76 runs short of overtaking Lara's world benchmark.

Tendulkar has 11,877 Test runs to his credit as compared to the retired West Indian champion's 11,953.

The champion batsman did not agree with the general view that he had the habit of singling out Australia for special punishment.

"I look at it differently. Whenever I play, whether for India or not, and against any opposition, I try and put my best foot forward. Whenever I lift my bat I do so. I respect cricket and enjoy playing it," he countered.

He also dismissed a scribe's inappropriate query about his retirement plans by shooting back, "I think you are at the wrong press conference." — PTI

Lahore, September 18
In spite of a row over unpaid fine that is threatening to end Shoaib Akhtar's international career, the Pakistani selectors have picked a preliminary squad for next month's Twenty20 quadrangular in Canada, including the controversial pacer in it.

“The national selection committee has chosen 20 odd players for the Canadian assignment, out of which 15 will be playing in the October 10-13 quadrangular,” the sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told ‘The News’ yesterday.

The list includes Shoaib Akhtar, who was recently axed from next month's National Twenty20 Cup over his failure to pay up a fine of Rs 7 million imposed on him by a court over repeated breaches of discipline.

But Shoaib has managed to find a place in the provisional squad for the four-nation event as the selectors have given the names of all leading cricketers so that they can be issued Canadian visas ahead of the Pakistan team's departure for Toronto on October 8.

Sources said Shoaib's name will be included in the final squad provided he resolved the fine issue with the PCB ahead of the team announcement.

The PCB has already made it clear that the Rawalpindi Express cannot return to national duty till he clears the fine.

Karachi, September 18
Pakistan will not hesitate to impose a life ban on its premier batsman Mohammad Yousuf if he joined the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL), a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official warned Thursday. The PCB official told IANS on the condition of anonymity that Yousuf will be treated like the rest of the ‘rebel’ cricketers if he plays in ICL.

“We have banned all our cricketers, who joined the ICL and if Yousuf will also play for the unauthorized league then he will have to face the same punishment,” the official said.

Yousuf, who is regarded among the world’s best batsmen, is considering joining the ICL after it became clear that he doesn’t feature in Pakistan’s one-day and Twenty20 plans. Pakistan selectors consider Yousuf as a specialist Test batsman and are unlikely to consider him for national duty in next month's four-nation Twenty20 tournament in Canada.

Yousuf, however, believes that he can be equally useful in the shorter version of the game and feels insulted for being overlooked for Pakistan duty. The Lahore-based player almost defected from the Pakistan ranks after being axed from the national team for the inaugural World Twenty20 Championship in South Africa last September. Then, he decided to join the ICL. But even after signing a deal with the ICL, Yousuf made a u-turn and tried to sign up for the official Indian Premier League (IPL) with the help of the PCB. — IANS

Karachi, September 18
Former Pakistan captains Ramiz Raja and Intikhab Alam have urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to review its rules to make sure countries do not pick and choose tours.

Their demand came after Australia decided to tour India despite last week's bomb blasts in New Delhi that killed over 20 people, having repeatedly refused to travel to Pakistan over security concerns.

“For Pakistani cricket administrators, players and fans the situation is very frustrating and it is wrong and I think the fault lies with the ICC,” Raja said today. Australia postponed a test tour of Pakistan earlier this year for security reasons and were among the four nations who refused to send teams for this month's ICC Champions Trophy, forcing its postponement until October next year.

Bucharest, September 18
India will challenge a formidable Romania for a place in the Davis Cup World Group with in-form teenager Somdev Devvarman as their trump card in the crucial World Group play-off tie starting here tomorrow.

It will be a tough test for the four-member Indian team on the red clay with Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi once again holding the key in doubles rubber.

Somdev, who has shown an exceptionally good form in the last three months, and Prakash Amritraj will play singles matches.

Amritraj, struggling with his form at present, being the weak link in the team, it is imperative for Somdev to win both singles and reverse singles matches while Lee-Hesh have to live up to their reputation if India has to enter the elite group.

India had defeated Japan in the Asia/Oceania Group semifinals to earn the right to contest in the World Group play-off while Romania lost to France in first round of World Group to drop to play-offs.

India last played in the World Group in 1998 when it lost to Italy 1-4 on clay in the away tie.

The visitors dropped Rohan Bopanna from the team to include Somdev and have a non-playing captain in S.P. Mishra as Paes decided to step down as the skipper after the Beijing Olympics.

This was a fall out of his teammates' - Bhupathi, Amritraj, Bopanna - revolt against him, who questioned his leadership qualities ahead of the Japan tie in April.

Indians have a dominating game on grass courts but this crucial tie is being played on clay court and Romanians, led by world number 67 Victor Hanescu, surely hold advantage.

The hosts have made two changes in their side, bringing in Adrian Cruciat (ranked 170) and Victor Crivoi (158) in place of Andrei Pavel and Florin Mergea.

Horia Tecau makes the fourth member of the team with Florin Segarceanu as non-playing captain.

Prakash is yet to play a clay court match in the Davis Cup and his current form could be a worry for the team though he did well earlier.

Somdev will play only his second Davis Cup tie but showed prime form as he won an ATP Challenger tournament in Lexington and reached quarterfinals of Vanvouver Challenger in July.

He also reached the last-eight stage of the Washington ATP event last month and toppled top-100 players like American Bobby Reynolds. — PTI

Gurgaon, September 18
Gaganjeet Bhullar powered his way to the top of the leaderboard on day one of the DLF Masters Golf with a five under 67 here today.

Harmeet Kahlon's 68 placed him second, while Himmat Singh Rai was third at three under 69. Jyoti Randhawa shot even par 72 to be tied seventh and Shiv Kapur's four over 76 helped him end the day in tied 39th.

Bhullar's clinical five under 67 on day one was punctuated by seven birdies and two bogeys. He sank birdies on the 3rd, 6th, 9th and dropped a bogey on the fifth to make the turn at two under.

He made it three birdies in a row when he followed up his birdie on the ninth with two more on the 10th and 11th. He then bogeyed the 12th but came back well as he picked up a couple of birdies on the 16th and 18th.

Kahlon (68) began his campaign at the DLF Masters on a solid note as he made seven consecutive pars and then followed that up with three back-to-back birdies on the eighth, ninth and 10th.

Thereafter, he dropped his first bogey on the 11th. This was followed by another birdie on the 12th and a bogey on the 16th.

He signed off his first round with an eagle on the par five 18th.

Himmat Rai was third at three under 69. He sank five birdies and made a couple of bogeys. Ajeetesh Sandhu (70) was a further stroke in fourth place.

Harendra Gupta and Arjun Singh shot matching scores of one under 71 to be tied fifth.

Defending champion Jyoti Randhawa, Ashok Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Feroz Ali Mollah, Naman Dawar, C Muniyappa, Shamim Khan and Sandeep Syal are all tied seventh at even par 72.

Randhawa made an eagle on the 15th, birdied the 18th and bogeyed the first, fifth and 12th. Rahul Ganapathy and Digvijay Singh are both tied 15th at one over 73.

Gaurav Ghei fired 75 to be tied 31st while Shiv Kapur ended the day at tied 39th after shooting a 76. — UNI

Chandigarh, September 18
Pinegrove School today defeated YPS, Patiala, in their last league match by nine wickets to advance into the semifinals of the All-India IPSC Cricket Tournament for Girls being played at Pinegrove School, Dharampur.

Mayo College, Ajmer, and hosts Pinegrove School have won all their league matches and topped their respective pools to secure berths in the semifinals. The other two teams are still to be decided.

In the match between Pinegrove and YPS, Patiala, YPS girls were scuttled out for a meagre 44 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Nupur stood her ground and put up some resistance by scoring 17 runs. Pinegrovian wicketkeeper Surgeet Kaur did a commendable job by effecting three run-outs. Chasing the target, Pinegrove scored the required runs in just 5.4 overs.

Kavya scored 16 while Gurmehak contributed 12 not out for Pinegrove. Urvashi Shekhawat of Pinegrove was declared Player of the Match for her excellent bowling as she just gave just 1 run in the 4 overs she bowled.

In the next match played between the Lawrence School, Lovedale, and Modi School, Laxmangarh, Modi girls made 130 runs for three wickets in a rain-affected match that was reduced to 15 overs. Kirti was the highest scorer for Modi School as she scored 40 runs. In reply, The Lawrence School girls made 16 runs for the loss of two wickets before rain stopped play. Modi School was declared the winner on the basis of a better run-rate. Kirti of Modi School was declared Player of the Match.

In a late night match played, MGD, Jaipur, outplayed YPS, Patiala. MGD scored 165 runs for the loss of four wickets. Sonali was the highest scorer with 49 runs while Shreya made 43. Nikita took two wickets for YPS while Mukta and Nupur took one each.

YPS, Patiala could only make 67 for the loss of six wickets at the end of their stipulated overs with Nupur chipping in with 21 runs. For MGD girls, Shreya scored 43 and took two wickets and was presented the Player of the Match award.

BRIEFLY

Baba Farid hockey tourney from today
MOGA: The 17th All India Baba Farid Gold Cup Hockey Tournament will begin on Friday at Faridkot, in which 14 teams, including one from Pakistan, would participate. A 21-member team from Multan, Pakistan and defending Champion Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala are among the major participants in the tournament, Parampal Singh, Vice President of Baba Farid Hockey club, said here today. The team from Multan was granted the visa late Thursday afternoon by the Indian High Commission at Islamabad and would arrive here tomorrow, Singh said quoting a Pakistani team official, who had earlier conveyed that the team would be unable to participate as the visa had been denied to it. — UNI

10-member contingent for Women’s Wrestling meet
PATIALA: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has named a 10-member contingent-seven wrestlers and three coaches-to represent India in the senior Women’s World Wrestling Championship (freestyle) to be held in Tokyo from October 10 to 13. The grapplers are Priyanka Singh (48 kg) of Uttar Pradesh, Neha Rathi (51 kg), Anita (59 kg), Geetika Jhakkar (63 kg) Suman Kundu (69 kg) and Anmol (72 kg) all from Haryana and Kamlesh (55 kg) of Delhi. The coaches are Sohan Singh, Monika and foreign expert Rein Dobo from Georgia. The grapplers were selected after trials held here at the NIS yesterday before the selection committee members comprising GS Mander, Kartar Singh, Raj Singh and Sohan Singh. Government observer, Naresh Kumar, was also present during the trials. — UNI

Monika dope case: SAI official transferred
New Delhi: Less than a week after T.S. Krishnamurthy submitted his report on the Monika Devi doping saga, a top Sports Authority of India official was on Thursday removed from his post at the SAI headquarters here and sent packing to Bhopal. R.K. Naidu, who was the SAI director (team division), has been transferred to Bhopal and would be replaced by S.S. Roy, who is the director of SAI Northern Centre in Sonepat, ministry sources said. — PTI

Support Oly sports, Kalmadi to corporates
BHOPAL: Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi on Thursday urged the corporate sector to promote and support Olympic sports and open academies to train budding sportspersons across the country. Talking to mediapersons here, Kalmadi said, “Industrialists should take initiatives and back sportspersons of other fields too. They should catch them young and impart training from a very tender age.” He said the IOA was envisaged to marketing the Olympic sports on the line of cricket. “At present, marketing plays an important role and we are also planning to marketing other sports on the line of cricket,” he stated. — UNI

Umpire Robinson retires, takes up ICC role
DUBAI: Zimbabwe’s Ian Robinson has announced retirement from top-level umpiring to concentrate full-time on his new role as ICC Regional Umpires’ Performance Manager (RUPM) for the Africa region. Robinson, who was in the Emirates International Panel, began umpiring in 1975 after a recurring back injury had prematurely ended his playing career. He was appointed to the first international panel, which was established in 1994, and is a veteran with 28 Tests and 90 ODIs. He stood in three consecutive ICC Cricket World Cups (1992, 1996 and 1999) as well as a number of other international tournaments and bilateral series all over the world. — UNI

Boxing academy to help coaches too: Hooda
CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday said the Boxing Academy of International Level to be set up in Haryana would not only train players but also lay emphasis on training of coaches so as to enable the boxers to keep pace with the trends at international level. The Chief Minister was interacting with representatives of electronic media shortly after giving away a cheque for Rs 11 lakh to the Boxing Coach of Sport Authority of India G.S. Sandhu here on Thursday. Hooda said this reward was being given to Sandhu in recognition of coaching provided to the boxers of India at the Beijing Olympics. — TNS