Vadodara, September 25
The dead-as-dodo track suddenly sprang to life as Munaf Patel knocked the daylights out of Delhi with a singeing four-wicket haul to help Rest of India seize the upper hand on day two of the Irani Cup here today.

Munaf and fellow leather-flingers breathed enough hostility on IPCL Stadium's seemingly docile track to skittle out the entire Delhi side for a paltry 177 in two sessions, halting them 75 runs behind Rest of India's first innings total of 252.

At close, Rahul Dravid (34) and S Badrinath (33) were in the middle, having guided Rest of India to 99 for one, stretching the overall lead to a healthy 174.

In their second essay too, Rest of India got off to a sedate start but opener Wasim Jaffer (21) once again failed to convert the start and fell to Pradeep Sangwan.

Fellow India hopeful Badrinath, however, decided to make most of the opportunity and once he survived couple of strong LBW appeals, the youngster got into groove with some attracting drives. Dravid, on the other hand, was content grafting.

Earlier, resuming on overnight score of 21 for no loss, Delhi was in for an early setback when Gautam Gambhir (5) poked at a Zaheer Khan delivery and perished in the slip on what was the seventh ball of the day.

But with Aakash Chopra (42) and Virender Sehwag (43) on song, it looked like a mere glitch which Delhi would easily put behind.

Chopra, who somehow never manages to convince the national selectors despite his tonnes of runs, looked good for a big knock and he scored at a healthy rate too, matching Sehwag shot for shot no mean achievement in itself.

A breathtaking straight drive and an immaculate square drive off a Zaheer over and then a pull off RP Singh raced to the ropes but the half-century that seemed imminent for Chopra never really came as he nibbled at a Munaf delivery and Mohammad Kaif took a spectacular one-handed catch at second slip.

Having tasted success, Munaf started breathing fire and got rid of Virat Kohli (4) with a rising delivery which the youngster could only glide to Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind the stumps.

Sehwag decided offence is the best defence and stepped out to hit Anil Kumble over the sightscreen for the first six of the match.

He then uppishly pierced the mid-wicket and mid-on for a four but, like Chopra, fell before the 50 mark.

He reached out to glide a Kumble delivery and Dravid took a brilliant catch at the lone slip to return Sehwag just when he was looking dangerous.

What followed was a sad procession of Delhi batsmen sauntering their way back
to the pavilion.

Mithun Manhas (4) became Munaf's third victim and though Puneet Bisht (28) and Rajat Bhatia (17) continued their resistance in the post-lunch session, it was beyond them to do what their top order colleagues could not.

Down the order, Pradeep Sangwan tried his best with an unbeaten 40-ball 23 which included a towering six off Harbhajan Singh, but the 200-mark remained elusive.

Scoreboard

Rest of India (1st innings) 252

Delhi (1st innings)

Chopra c Kaif b Munaf 42

Gambhir c Dravid b Zaheer 5

Sehwag c Dravid b Kumble 43

Kohli c Dhoni b Munaf 4

R Bhatia lbw Zaheer 17

M Manhas c Dhoni b Munaf 4

P Bisht c Badrinath b Harbhajan 28

C Nanda c Jaffer b Harbhajan 0

Sangwan not out 23

Nehra b Munaf 0

Ishant lbw Kumble 3

Extras (b-1, lb-3, nb-4) 8

Total (all out, 57 overs) 177

Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-80, 3-96, 4-96, 5-102, 6-138, 7-139, 8-160, 9-161, 10-177

Bowling: Zaheer 15-3-45-2, RP Singh 9-0-31-0, Kumble 11-2-34-2, Munaf 9-0-31-4, Harbhajan 13-2-32-2.

Rest of India (2nd innings)

Jaffer c Chopra b Sangwan 21

Dravid not out 34

Badrinath not out 33

Extras (b-4, lb-5, nb-2) 11

Total (1 wkt, 36 overs) 99

Fall of wicket: 1-44

Bowling: Nehra 8-1-28-0, Ishant 9-1-29-0, C Nanda 10-2-15-0, Sangwan 5-0-11-1, Sehwag 2-1-4-0, R Bhatia 2-0-3-0. — PTI

Chennai, September 25
After their morale-boosting three-wicket win over Australia A, India A will have the edge when the two cricket teams clash in the final of the triangular series at the M A Chidambaram Stadium here tomorrow.

The win, third in a row, in yesterday’s inconsequential last league match helped Indians to settle scores for their 17-run loss against the Australians in the rain-marred first match in Hyderabad.

India, who scored 277 for seven to wrap up the league phase with 13 points, would also have the home advantage.

But weather might play spoilsport as the pre-monsoon rains lashed the city since
last evening, to be precise minutes after the covers were put on after the stumps
were drawn.

Met officials have forecast cloudy skies with chances of showers till tomorrow morning. Because of the overnight rains, players did not have net practice.

India had earlier scored back-to-back victories against New Zealand, which crashed out of the tournament managing just one win against Australia in their first tie.

Suresh Raina, leading the side in the absence of S. Badrinath, doing duty for the Rest of India as a last minute replacement to injured Sachin Tendulkar, did a creditable job by not only notching up the victory but also finding his touch with the bat at the right time.

Captaining a side at this level for the first time, Raina scored 46 quick runs and stitched up a vital 83-ball 85-run fourth-wicket partnership with Rohit Sharma (51).

But the performance of the top three batsmen has been the cause of worry
to the Indians.

Though hosts went in for a change yesterday, bringing in Jayadev Shah in place of Swapnil Asnodkar, who failed in all three previous league games, other opener Robin Uthappa continued with his miserable run, having tallied only 33 runs in four outings.

Shah made a useful 26 off just 28 ball and added 40 runs with debutant Ravi Teja (33) for the second wicket.

Yusuf Pathan, in good nick with a 148 and a half-century so far, provides solid support in the middle. Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, who came in for Dinesh Karthik, also did well with an unbeaten 25.

With the flat Chepauk wicket playing true, a run feast could be in store tomorrow if the batsmen apply themselves.

The bowling attack is spearheaded by Praveen Kumar, who has been consistent
in taking wickets, besides being largely economical, Irfan Pathan, D Kulkarni and
Piyush Chawla.

As for Australia, their batting has revolved around David Hussey, Phillip Hughes and Luke Ronchi, who sparkled with a 108 against India in the first match.

In bowling, Shaun Tait, rested yesterday, has been the spearhead after Doug
Bollinger and Peter Siddle were selected in the Test squad for the current Indian
tour. — PTI

Jaipur, September 25
India-Australian cricket encounters have assumed a bigger status than the Ashes, all-rounder Shane Watson stated here today.

"The contest is bigger than Ashes. It is becoming bigger with each contest," he said adding the hard-fought contests in the recent past between the two teams provide a worldwide interest to the matches.

He agreed to suggestions that the home advantage of the Indian team would be negated due to the early arrival of his team, practice at spin-friendly wickets at the RCA grounds and the two practice matches before the first Test.

The BCCI is upset at the RCA for allowing the Australian team to acclimatize easily with Indian conditions.

The Indian team was given just one practice match by Cricket Australia in their last Test series Down Under.

India lost the series 2-1 with their performance being far better in the last three matches when they had adjusted to the conditions.

Watson, who seemed at ease on the low bounce and turning practice pitches at the RCA grounds and hit massive sixes to pacers and spinners much to the delight of mediapersons said though playing against England was a completely different cup of tea nothing was bigger back home than India-Australian showdown.

Watson stressed he won’t be under any pressure on his job to take over the position of Andrew Symonds in the team.

"I don't feel any kind of pressure. In fact, it is a challenge and I am hopeful of being up to it."

On his injury prone career, Shane conceded he suffered due to excessive training. "I was doing it too much. Now, I have understood my body and know when to stop. The support staff has played a vital role in keeping me fit. I have never felt so happy at my physical and mental health."

Watson said he was concentrating on batting a lot with his role as a bowler likely to be limited to bowling in short bursts only, "I would be bowling in short bursts. There would be other major bowlers."

Jaipur, September 25
Greg Chappell is not bothered about the ongoing talk about his ‘betraying’ the Indian cricket team by choosing to accompany the Australian team and giving them vital "inside information" about the players and the conditions.

In an exclusive chat with The Tribune on the sidelines of a dinner party in RCA premises last night, Chappell said, "I am not bothered about all the talk. I don't see much TV or read newspapers. I did a job earlier with Indian team following all ethics and am associated with Australian team. It is just another assignment in my life."

Chappell also disclosed that he would be penning a book on the evolution of cricket over the years.

To a query on the progress of his proposed book on his experiences as Indian cricket team coach, Chappell said he would be writing about the bigger picture than just one stint of his life.

"It would begin from my life as a player to experiences as a coach. I have learnt so much in India and I am still learning. That would be an important part of the book," he said.

At this morning’s net practice of the Kangaroos, Chappell give personal sessions to the batsmen on adapting to slow, low bounce and turning tracks in the country.

Michael Clarke was the one who got most of the time, as he was not finding his feet to young spinners of the Rajasthan Cricket Association.

New Delhi, September 25
The BCCI has objected to top-class facilities being provided to the Australian team by the Rajasthan Cricket Academy in Jaipur, where Ricky Ponting and Co. are camping for a week before the start of Test series.

BCCI chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty told a private television channel said the RCA was obliging the Australians more than expected.

"We won't get this kind of facilities if India went abroad, we would have got the bare minimum. RCA is being a little too obliging to the Australian team, they have done more than what a host country will do," Shetty told CNN-IBN.

Former India coach Greg Chappell, who is the chief coach at RCA Centre of Excellence and is presently touring with Australian team as the assistant coach, has arranged all facilities using his influential association with the RCA.

Chief curator of RCA admitted that specialised practice pitches, each of a different character had been offered to the Australians.

"Looking into the conditions of India, we have given Australia everything they
wanted for practice. We have prepared 10 wickets for Australia," said chief
curator Taposh Chatterjee.

But the RCA officials refused to agree that there was anything suspicious about
their hospitality.

"Well, this is the first time a team has come a week before. So, why not if we are fair players?" said RCA president Bimal Soni.

Ponting's men, who arrived on Monday will practice in Jaipur till Sunday. They will fly to Hyderabad for a four-day practice match against the BCCI President's XI starting October 2. The series opener starts in Bangalore from October 9. — PTI

Sports minister Dr M.S. Gill had directed the steering committee to complete the process of identification of the core group of sportspersons and support staff in respect of all disciplines in consultation with the national federations at the earliest.

New Delhi, September 25
Buoyed by their progress to the AFC Cup semifinals, Dempo once again look the team to beat when the second edition of the I-League gets underway tomorrow.

Armando Colaco’s boys have won the title twice in the last two seasons and
would be now looking for a hat-trick when they start their campaign against JCT
in Goa on Sunday.

East Bengal coach Subhas Bhowmick had also dreamt of a similar feat they could never achieve it.

They finished a disappointing sixth last season and at one point had fetched just eight points from the first 12 matches before Manoranjan Bhattacharya turned the tide. Bhattacharya has been replaced by India’s assistant coach Stanley Rozario.

It is the red-and-gold brigade who set the ball rolling when they take on debutantes Chirag United in the opener at the Barasat Stadium.

The same day, Sporting Clube de Goa take on Vasco at Goa’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. JCT are the sole representative from the North.

But things are not going well for the Phagwara side with the AIFF’s commercial entity criteria putting the team in a spot of bother.

The club has not been able to pay the players’ wages and has only made part payments to tone down the growing concern.

Churchill Brothers, under Karim Bencherifa, had made life difficult for Dempo and others and the league went down to the wire.

Mohun Bagan, under Bencherifa, have retained the Kolkata league and are now awaiting the big test.

Mohammedan Sporting, the other team to make a re-entry to the elite league, would be boosted by their strong second-place showing in the IFA league.

Done in by the AIFF’s transfer deadline which got over before the second division I-League finished, Mohammedan Sporting along with debutantes Mumbai FC, Vasco and Chirag United were left struggling.

Durand Cup champions Mahindra United look the best bet to challenge Dempo’s authority. Edeh Chidi’s inclusion have done them a world of good and apart from retaining Steven Dias and NP Pradeep.

Air India, though have a tough job to stay afloat. Once again, Churchill Brothers, Mahindra United and JCT along with the Kolkata duo of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal would be looking to wrest the crown away from Dempo. — PTI

Chandigarh, September 25
Assam pipped Manipur and Karnataka on better goal difference in a three-way tie and qualified for Group A quarterfinal league of the 31st Sub-Junior National Football Championship-2008 for Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy in Mahilpur here today.

These teams have two victories and one defeat each and secured six points apiece. After calculations, Assam had scored 13 goals and conceded five (+8) while Manipur with 10 goals in favour and six against had +4. Karnataka scored 11 goals and conceded eight (+3) to finish third.

Manipur defeated Karnataka by 7-2 in the last Cluster VI match and Assam blasted Chandigarh by 9-1 to improve their goal difference. In a one-sided match, Assam went all out against Chandigarh.

The Assam trio of Hitler Borgoyary, Holi Charan and Rabi Rani teased and tormented the Chandigarh defence to score goals at will. Hitler pumped in goals in the 47th, 48th, 55th and 78 minutes, including hat-trick.

Holi Charan netted in the 76th, 83rd and 90th minutes. Rabi Rani’s brace came in the 81st and 88th minute. L. Lamba Loumbang scored the consolation goal for Chandigarh who lost all their three matches in the cluster competitions.

Manipur outplayed Karnataka by 7-2. Striker Bony Singh spearheaded their attack and fired four goals.

Stephen (43rd), Tyson Maibom (48) and Imran Khan (75) contributed one goal each for the winners.

Deepak (26th) and Darvin (77th) reduced the margin for Karnataka. Uttrakhand also qualified for Group A quarterfinal league from cluster V. — UNI

Ramesh Gupta and G.T. Matyal are vice-president and treasurer, respectively, while Sham Lal Tyagi and Raghbir Sandhu have been included in the executive. Mehtab Singh is the joint secretary.

Talking to The Tribune, Rathi said, “We will hold state games in the first week
of November at Sonepat”. Interestingly, no observer from the IOA was present
at the venue.

BRIEFLY

ICC prez agrees to meet ICL representatives
DUBAI: In what could be termed as a major breakthrough for the ‘rebel’ Indian Cricket League, the president of the ICC David Morgan on Thursday agreed to meet ICL representatives and hear their case. The meeting, scheduled in London, could be held in the first week of October following which Morgan will report back to the ICC’s board of directors. Subhash Chandra, owner of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, had sought a meeting with the ICC president regarding the ICL. “The ICL had previously written to the ICC requesting its approval and now it has asked for this meeting, to which we have agreed,” the ICC said in a statement. — PTI

Champions League venues announced
Mumbai: The first edition of the T20 Champions Trophy will be played from December 3 to 10 with Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai being the venues, Lalit Modi, Chairman of the Champions League Twenty20, said here today. The Champions League, which will be played between 8 teams, has a total prize money of $6 million with the winner getting $3 million. The final will be held at Mumbai, Modi further stated at a media gathering. Earlier, the Champions League was supposed to be held in the month of September at Jaipur, Mohali and Delhi. However, with the change in dates it was decided to change the venues also as in north India in the winter there is a lot of dew in the evenings and the weather also gets quite cold. — UNI

Saina in Chinese Masters quarters
NEW DELHI: Saina Nehwal shrugged off the disappointment of last week’s Japan Open debacle and spanked Japanese Ai Goto in straight sets to cruise into the quaterfinals of the China Master Super Series at Changzhou in China on Thursday. The 18-year-old national champion thrashed Goto 21-12, 21-10 in a lop-sided contest that lasted just 21 minutes. Seventh seed Saina, who got a bye in the first round, will now cross swords with third seed Lin Zhu of China in the quarterfinal match on Friday. — PTI

Ghosal outclassed by Lincou
PARIS: Saurav Ghosal went down 11-2, 11-5, 11-9 to third seed Thierry Lincou of France in the pre-quaterfinals to crash out of the $62,000 Internationaux de France Squash tournament here. Ghosal was simply outclassed by his rival in the first two games. The National champion put up a much better fight in the third game but failed to keep up the momentum. “He played really well in the first two games, cutting everything off and his volley drops were so good, and he made so few errors,” Ghosal said after the tie. — UNI

Man City ousted from League Cup
LONDON: Manchester City was dumped out of the League Cup by third-tier club Brighton, a day after the newly enriched English Premier League outfit was bought by a member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family. Chelsea had no such trouble at Portsmouth, cruising into the fourth round with a 4-0 win yesterday, while Tottenham began its title defence with a 2-1 victory at Newcastle. Queens Park Rangers ousted five-time champion Aston Villa 1-0 after Damion Stewart headed past goalkeeper Brad Guzan in the 58th minute. Everton, a semifinalist last season, went down 1-0 at Blackburn, and Wigan won 4-1 at Ipswich. — AP