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Davis Cup tie vs Romania
Watson offers flexibility: Ponting
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Sachin ruled out of Irani tie
I have 4 more years: Akhtar
India-A take on Kiwis today
‘Lucky to partner Kumble’
Gill salvo
Krishnamurthy Report
Sub-Jr National Soccer C’ship
Scolari says he wants Ronaldo
Baba Farid Hockey Tourney
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Lee-Hesh save the day
Bucharest, September 20 The ace Indian pair had to toil hard to defeat the Romanian duo, who tested their opponents with an all round game but could not stop the visitors from reducing the margin to 1-2 in the five-match tie. The reverse singles will be played tomorrow and Prakash Amritraj and Somdev Devvarman have a daunting task ahead as they seek to steer India to the World Group stage for the first time since 1998. The Indians were a trifle patchy right through the contest but were still good enough to get the better of the Romanians in a contest which lasted close to three hours. The ‘Indian Express’ saved a breakpoint in the very first game of the match and squandered two on their opponents’ serve in the fourth game, letting the scoreline to be 2-2. Down 30-40 when Cruciat made a volley error, Tecau came up with brilliant serve and Bhupathi’s return could not cross the net as Romanians saved the first breakpoint. A double fault gave the Indian pair another breakpoint but Cruciat warded off the threat, exploiting the gap between Paes and Bhupathi. The Romanians broke the Indians in the fifth game only to be broken back in the next, giving Paes and Bhupathi the chance to claw their way back into the match. In the fifth game, when backhands of both the Indians were buried to net in first two points, making it 0-30 for the Romanians, Cruciat hit a stunning return winner on the serve of Bhupathi to earn three breakpoints and converted to go up 3-2. The Indians raised their game and fought back brilliantly in the next game to neutralise the lead. Bhupathi was brilliant with his reflexes on the net and India won the sixth game in which Paes was hit on the eye by a Tecau volley. Next three games went with serve, and a superb lob by Bhupathi in the 10th game gave India first set point which they converted through Bhupathi’s winner. One set up, Indians were broken in the first game of the second set though they saved four breakpoints in the game as Romanians wrested the early initiative. The Indians got their first chance to break back in the fourth game but the hosts played well to negotiate the Indian attack and did not let them make a comeback. However, the Indians continued their attack and earned three breakpoints but Tecau once again served brilliantly to save all three. The Indians missed one more breakpoint but converted their fifth chance when Cruciat hit Paes’ overhead volley to net, making it 3-3. Bhupathi, Cruciat and Paes easily held their serves in the next three games, without losing a single point, and India led the set at 5-4. The Indian pair had a chance to wrap up the second set as they had triple set points in the 12th game but backhand errors by Bhupathi and Paes and then an ace by Cruciat brought the game to deuce and eventually Romanians won the game and issue was stretched to the tie-breaker. The experienced Indian duo dominated the tie-breaker as they won it by 7-0 and consolidated their lead in the match. Once the Indians got the break in the fifth game of the third set, Romanians dropped the intensity and Indians easily won the set. They saved two breakpoints in the eighth game, denying Romanians any chance to come back but wasted two match points in the ninth game. Bhupathi served for match in the 10th game and the Indian after wasting another three match points, converted the fourth chance to seal the issue. — PTI
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Watson offers flexibility: Ponting
Sydney, September 20 Speaking ahead of the team's departure for India on Sunday, Ponting told news.com.au that having Watson in the squad would make it possible for the Australians to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ponting believes Watson's all-round ability as a technically correct batsman and lively change bowler may well have won him a place in the four-Test series even if Symonds had been part of the squad. "I think he might have played anyway if Symonds was around just for that flexibility and what his bowling can offer," Ponting said. "I would be surprised if he didn't play in the opening game. He's been pretty harshly viewed in recent years but you don't average almost 50 in first-class cricket, particularly batting at the Gabba, if you haven't got the right game. He could get himself picked in the side as a batter alone, but what he can give us with the ball is a bonus. Him for Symonds is probably the absolutely likely swap at the moment." Watson has played just three Tests, the last in November 2005 against the West Indies. Australia is likely to base its attack around pace given its uncredentialled spinners, Bryce McGain and Jason Krejza, have not played a Test between them. Ponting said there may be times when conditions dictate that both spinners must play, making Watson's bowling even more valuable. Despite India being synonymous with spin, Australia is likely to try to employ the same tactics which led to the success of 2004, Australia's first series victory in India for 35 years. It was based on the disciplined pace bowling of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz. This time Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson, who between them have not played a Test in India, will be expected to do the same job. "The tactics last time worked very well for us," said Ponting, who was a spectator for all but the last Test because of injury when Adam Gilchrist led the side. "We were able to strangle them. We were able to take their boundaries away and make it difficult for them. "A lot of the time we bowled at their strengths with strong fields in those areas. "We did things differently last time and we'll look at doing that again if conditions suit." Jacques all geared up
Australian opener Phil Jacques has exuded confidence ahead of the four-match Test series against India starting next month and said he was all geared up to take the challenge. Jacques, who recently returned from a holiday in New York with his family, said the break has recharged his batteries to have a go at the Indians. ''I was keen to blow the cobwebs out and get some match practice, which is what I've been able to do. My wife and I went to New York after the West Indies tour, which was great. It's a city that never stops,'' Jacques was quoted as saying by 'The Daily Telegraph'. ''And I've been able to enjoy my time at home the past few months, which I haven't been able to do the past few years. I feel like the batteries have really been recharged,'' he said. Jacques had a quick practice match yesterday at Albion Park in the State Cup for his side New South Wales and though he managed only 19 runs, he said it was important for him to get back to the crease.
— Agencies |
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Sachin ruled out of Irani tie
Mumbai, September 20 "Badrinath is to replace Tendulkar," said cricket board secretary Niranjan Shah when queried on the issue. Earlier chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar told PTI that Tendulkar was still experiencing some slight stiffness in his injured elbow and has been advised by National Cricket Academy physio Paul Close to skip the match which is touted as selection trials for the upcoming series against Australia. Vengsarkar said the choice of selectors was Badrinath who led India 'A' team in the two-match series of four-day ties against Australia A and the subsequent limited overs series against the same opponents. Tendulkar suffered the elbow injury while fielding for India during the third and final Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo in August and has not played any competitive cricket since then. He was selected to represent the Rest outfit, to be led by Anil Kumble, in the September 24-28 Irani tie which is to be played at the Reliance Stadium (formerly IPCL) on the outskirts of Vadodara. Tendulkar will work with Close in Mumbai from September 20 to get fit in time to join the national camp in Bangalore. Earlier, Tendulkar declared himself fit to play in the Irani Trophy match between Ranji Trophy champions Delhi and the Rest of India side that begins from September 24 at Baroda. — Agencies
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I have 4 more years: Akhtar
Karachi, September 20 "I am going to bowl again and I am going to play again for four years and show everyone how good I am," the 33-year-old stated. The mercurial speedster, who is embroiled in a legal battle over the disciplinary ban and fine imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board, says he is hoping for better relations with the new set-up that takes over from the one led by Dr Nasim Ashraf. "You know how things work in our cricket system. But now there is going to be a new cricket leadership and we will have better cricket brains running cricket in Pakistan that will look after our interests," Shoaib told 'Sky Sports'. "We have been assured that we can just go and play and they will look after matters off the field. That is important for the Pakistan cricket side so that they can play the best they can," he added. Shoaib was banned for five years in March for several violations of the players' code of conduct while on a two-year probation for good behaviour imposed in 2007.
— PTI |
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Chennai, September 20 The second half of the league phase heading to the final of the Tri-nation series involving Australia-A, New Zealand and India-A is well-balanced with each team bagging six points each from three encounters. India A defeated the New Zealanders by five wickets on Wednesday and with the home advantage, the hosts would hold an edge over their rivals in their third of the four match league phase tomorrow. The final match is scheduled for next Thursday. India commenced their campaign in the series with a 86-run loss after electing to bat against the Australians on Monday last but scored an emphatic win the next day chasing a New Zealand target of 167, where the Indian showed better cohesion. However, form of the seniors remains a concern as batsmen like Robin Uthappa, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik are yet to find their usual rhythm having been dismissed cheaply in their matches. India won their last match against the Australians as skipper Badrinath stuck to his wicket to steer the country to a resounding win. Apart from Badrinath, Yusuf Pathan has made valuable 54 and not out 31 in his two matches and has also proved to be economical in bowling (15-1-73-2). — PTI
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Mumbai, September 20 Emphasising the importance of bowling in pairs, the 'Turbanator' said, ''You have to bowl well in pairs to create pressure. If he (Kumble) is keeping the other end tight, I attack. Or vice-versa.'' — UNI
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‘IOA an entirely fake body’
New Delhi, September 20 Gill, whose 14-year-tenure as president came to an end when the Indian Hockey Federation was dissolved in April this year, said the IOA was not working towards the development of hockey since taking over control and was instead wasting it's energy on "unimportant" events like Commonwealth Games. "IOA is an entirely fake organisation and has nothing to do with the development of sports in India. It should have been superceded long time back and non-political personalities should have been inducted into the organisation. That way the national sports federation would not have come under undue pressure," Gill told PTI-Bhasha. Gill alleged that the IOA has done nothing concrete for the betterment of hockey despite promising various steps and was instead focusing only on the 2010 Commonwealth Games. "In the last six months it has made various announcements for hockey but has not taken any concrete step. The organisation is giving undue importance to the Commonwealth (Games)," Gill, the former Director General of Punjab Police, said. — PTI
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Ministry guidelines for camps, coaches
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 20 Murthy was appointed by sports minister Dr M.S. Gill to probe the Monika Devi issue, but the former election commissioner gave his observations about the manner in which sports, as a whole, was being run in the country, and the Ministry has taken cognizance of it, and is taking corrective measures. Thus, in future, all the national coaching camps should be planned in advance, including the venues, selection of the athletes and the support staff without adopting ad hoc measures. The venue of the coaching camp should not be changed, except under exceptional circumstances, and the national coach shall evaluate the progress and performance of the athletes. And the national coach will be selected by a selection committee consisting of the director-general of the Sports Authority of India, one ex-international player to be nominated by the Government and a nominee of the Indian Olympic Association. The selection of the athletes, however, would be the responsibility of the concerned national sports federations.
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Punjab toy with Pondicherry
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 20 It was a game in which Punjab enjoyed total domination as their rivals had no clue out their in the field. Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab, who was to inaugurate the tournament, failed to turn up because of inclement weather. He was represented by Harcharan Bains, media advisor to the Chief Minister. He also conveyed the approval of the Chief Minister to make Mahilpur a National Football Centre which will have an international standard stadium. A total of four matches were played. The results: Punjab beat Pondicherry 24-0; West Bengal beat Orissa 4-0; Meghalaya beat Maharashtra 4-1; Uttar Pradesh drew with Madhya Pradesh 1-1.
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Scolari says he wants Ronaldo
London, September 20 Both have been at loggerheads all week after Ferguson claimed that the FA favoured the Londoners by overturning John Terry’s red card at Manchester City.
— ANI |
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Signals, CRPF win
Faridkot, September 20
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Badrinath to replace injured batting maestro
LAHORE: