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Game, not record, important: Sachin
India A restrict Kiwis
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Chappell predicts Ponting blitzkrieg
IPL a money spinner
Kunal, 4 overseas players join ICL
Uncapped Swann in England squad
Defoe sinks Spurs
Assam, West Bengal split points
Test squad tomorrow
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Game, not record, important: Sachin
Bangalore, September 29 The Mumbai veteran is just 76 runs short of overhauling the highest Test aggregate of 11,953 runs. ''The game is between India and Australia and this is not an individual game. I would rather focus on the play as I represent India and my duty is to see the team comes out with good results. Records would follow,'' he said. He said the coming four-Test series between Australia and India was crucial and he wanted India to emerge superior. This called for determination and concentration and he would focus on this aspect first, he said. On his fitness level, after recovering from an elbow injury he suffered during the previous Sri Lanka tour, he said he had fully recovered and was feeling very good and ready for the tough series against Australia. ''This morning, on the first day of the six-day camp, I have been feeling fine and went through the fitness targeted exercises without any problem,''he said. On emerging brigade of young players who were ready to take over from the seniors, Sachin said, ''There are players who are really talented, but they haven't got proper exposure yet,'' he felt. On the strategy of facing the mighty Australians, he said on the first day of the camp the players never thought of any strategy for the series. This would be discussed in due course of the camp, he said. ''There is no doubt that this series will be very hard and we need to put in our best efforts,'' he said. He refused to comment on former captain Saurav Ganguly's absence in the camp. The Kolkatan was the only senior player who was yet to turn up for the camp for the probables. The squad for the four Test series was yet to be named by the BCCI. It was expected to announce the team for the first two Tests on October one when the newly appointed selection committee headed by Krishnamachari Srikkanth meets in Mumbai.
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Fitness camp begins sans Ganguly The week-long 'fitness targeted' camp for Indian Test cricketers began here today in the absence of former captain Saurav Ganguly. The camp being held ahead of the first test match against visiting Australia from October nine, despite the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) not announcing either the list of probables or the squad for the four Test series. In all 13 senior players reported, but Ganguly's absence raised some questions. It was uncertain whether the 'Bengal Tiger' would join the camp anytime later. His absence comes in the wake of the BCCI not finalising the team and the southpaw's unimpressive performance in the recent past. Ganguly last played against Australia at Adelaide in June this year. Another notable absentee was seamer S Sreesanth, who has not been included in the team for sometime due to injury. Other senior players, including one-day international (ODI) vice-captain Yuvraj Singh, were playing against visitors in the practice match, representing Board President's XI at Hyderabad. Meanwhile, the players who assembled at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) here went through physical training, running and had some catch practice under the watchful eyes of coach Gary Kristen, bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and conditioning coach Paddy Upton. Those who attended the camp, included, Sachin Tendulkar, Captain Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, V V S Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Md Kaif, Harbhajan Singh, Gautam Gambhir, M S Dhoni, Munaf Patel, R P Singh, Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan. — UNI
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Chennai, September 29 Replying to India's 248, New Zealand were bowled out for 230 in 83.1 overs. India, in their second essay, were 27 for the loss of opener Shikhar Dhawan (7) when bad light stopped play with 3.3 overs remaining to be bowled. Sahil Kukreja (15) and M Vijay (4) were at the crease. Powered by half-centuries from Aaron Redmond and Jamesh Marshall, New Zealand were cruising well at one stage at 3/179. But, Indian bowlers triggered a batting collapse in the post-lunch session as the visitors slumped to 9/202. — PTI Scoreboard India A (1st innings): 248 New Zealand (1st innings): (Overnight 36/0) Redmond c Pathan b Mishra 51 Watling run out 10 Fulton b Parmar 37 Hey b Mishra 6 Marshall lbw Dinda 51 Broom c Vijay b Parmar 2 McCullum b Dinda 0 Young c Parmar b Tyagi 10 Arnel lbw Tyagi 2 Mason not out 18 Boult c and b Parmar 10 Extras (B-8, LB-10, NB-14, W-1): 33 Total (all out, 83.1 overs): 230 Fall of wickets: 1-65; 2-71; 3-89; 4-179; 5-179; 6-179; 7-181; 8-189; 9-202; 10-230. Bowling: Ashok Dinda 17-3-44-2 (4nb); Sudeep Tyagi 15-2-49-2 (1nb, 1w); Amit Mishra 22-4-61-2 (9nb); Mohnish Parmar 26.1-7-57-3; Yusuf Pathan 3-2-1-0 India A (2nd innings): Kukreja 15 Dhawan c Redmond b Boult 7 Vijay batting 4 Extras (W-1): 1 Total (for 1 wkt, 14.3 overs): 27 Fall of wickets: 1-12 Bowling: Michael Mason 5-1-9-0; Trent Boult 5-3-6-1; Brett Arnel 2.3-0-4-0 (w1); Nathan McCullum 2-0-8-0.
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Chappell predicts Ponting blitzkrieg
Melbourne, September 29 "I can see a steely glint in his eye and I always worry when I see that in good players because that means there are a few runs around the corner," Chappell, a former India coach, was quoted as saying by 'The Sydney Morning Herald'. "If I was the Indian team and I wanted to worry about something, I would worry about that. The only discussion we have had about it, in fact he (Ponting) was the one that initiated and made the comment that basically what he has to do is trust his method," he added. Ponting has more than 10,000 Test runs under his belt but has always struggled on the turning tracks of India, averaging little over 12 there. Even in the ongoing tour, the feisty right-hander has not made a very good start, scoring just five runs in a practice game in Jaipur against an attack that comprised Ranji-level bowlers. Chappell, however, foresees Ponting doing well in the Test series starting October 9 in Bangalore provided the Aussie skipper continues to believe in himself. "If he trusts his method and applies it here, I have no doubt that he will be successful. “I think there have probably been a few occasions in India where he has got away from that method and that has perhaps been part of the issue when it comes to performance in India," he said. — PTI
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IPL a money spinner
Mumbai, September 29 According to the figures tabled at the Annual General Meeting of the BCCI, the franchisees have recovered nearly 80 per cent of their investment. In all, the Board received Rs 289 crore from the franchisees that included companies like Reliance Industries and Kingfisher apart from individuals like Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta. But as part of the revenue-sharing formula the franchisees entered to with the BCCI, they earned back Rs 224 crore through the IPL tournament played between April 18 and June 1. "It shows that the franchises made much more money than many thought they would," the IPL chairman Lalit Modi said. "It shows that the IPL has become very profitable, and the franchisees can now count themselves lucky. According to my calculation, new franchises will now be valued at anywhere between US$ 250-300 m," Modi said after a meeting of the marketing committee of the BCCI late Saturday evening. According to Modi, the franchisees have a number of revenue streams in addition to the share of central sponsorships. "They also earn revenues from direct team sponsorships that amount to US $ 7 to US $ 10 million annually," Modi said. The franchisees also get to keep the gate fees during the tournaments held at home venues which amount to as much as six million dollars, he said. Even the state associations would be earning more than Rs 200 crores, Modi said. As per the agreement between the franchisees and the BCCI, the team owners are entitled to 80 per cent of the television rights revenue which amounted to Rs 236 crore last year and 60 per cent of the sponsorship revenues, which amounted to Rs 117 crore. The revenues earned by the franchisees are likely to go up substantially in the coming years as IPL matches become popular. The IPL's gross income amounted to Rs 645 crore with a profit of Rs 51 crore at the end of profit sharing with franchisees and state associations. The IPL and BCCI are now looking at various new methods in the forthcoming Twenty20 matches. There would be new franchisees in addition to the existing eight, Modi said. "New franchisees would now be valued at anywhere between US$250-300m," Modi said. A number of bidders like Anil Ambani who failed in their bids to own one of the eight franchisees last time around are lobbying for longer matches with more franchises. At least three more franchises are likely to be announced in the next year or two. However a few franchisees like Shah Rukh Khan said they had incurred huge expenses which would take them several years to recover. Apart from the huge media advertisements to promote their teams, the franchisees spent crores of rupees bidding for players of their choice. Some like Vijay Mallya of Kingfisher who couldn't make past the elimination rounds say they have overpaid for mediocre players and are asking the IPL to allow trading of players. So far no decision has been taken on Mallya's demands.
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Kunal, 4 overseas players join ICL
New Delhi, September 29 All-rounder Tahir Mughal, Shahid Yousuf and Hafeez Khaleel were the Pakistani domestic recruits to have joined the Inzamam-ul Haq-led Lahore Badshahs, while 22-year-old top-order batsman Nazimuddin will turn out for Twenty20 league's new team Dhaka Warriors. The most notable among the new recruits is Kunal who will play for Ahmedabad Rockets. The left arm medium pacer Kunal who has represented Delhi at the first class level marks his debut in the ICL, adding to the list of second generation Indian cricketers choosing the transparent and vibrant ICL platform. Presently debuting at the ICL Twenty-20 domestic tournament, the 24-year-old bowler has given a good account of himself picking up wickets for the Ahmedabad Rockets at an impressive average of 16.83 and an economy rate of 6.51.— UNI |
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Uncapped Swann in England squad
London, September 29 Kevin Pietersen's first full series as Test captain since taking over from Michael Vaughan during this year's home series against South Africa begins with the first Test at Ahmedabad on December 11 with the second at Mumbai starting on December 19. England have already named a separate squad for the seven-match one-day series in India starting on November 14. ''Matt Prior has enjoyed an impressive domestic season with Sussex and, having re-established himself in the England one-day side. ''The inclusion of Graeme Swann as off-spinner provides us with a right-arm/left-arm slow bowling combination which we believe can be effective in India.
— Reuters |
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Defoe sinks Spurs
Portsmouth, September 29 Defoe scored from the penalty spot in the 34th minute yesterday for his 13th goal in 18 games since being sold by
Tottenham. The victory was sealed in the 66th by Crouch, who was let go by Spurs in 2000 without making a competitive appearance. But
Tottenham, which is off to its worst league start in 53 years, departed Fratton Park with a sense of injustice after referee Mike Dean refused to award a penalty when Lassana Diarra blocked Aaron Lennon’s cross with his hand in the 54th - despite Jermaine Jenas being penalised for the same offense in the first half. City felt similarly aggrieved at
Wigan, with manager Mark Hughes branding referee Steve Bennett’s decisions “erratic” and “mystifying”. A shapeless Spurs side lacking confidence and invention is lodged at the bottom of the league with just two points from its first six matches - one more than its previous worst start to a season in 1955. “It’s true we’re in a complicated situation,” manager Juande Ramos said through a translator.“Right now when things are going badly nobody seems to help us. The match was fairly evenly balanced until the penalty decision and then in the same type of incident we were denied a penalty. In critical moments in the game we weren’t getting any kind of help”. Former manager Martin Jol was fired by Spurs last October, but Ramos doesn’t fear for his future despite making a worse start than the Dutchman, whose Hamburg side currently leads the
Bundesliga. “That’s something that doesn’t really depend on me,” Ramos said. “We have board and chairman to decide on that sort of thing. Everyone is aware of the delicate situation we are in and we are working together to try and resolve it. Ramos’ decision to replace Russia striker Roman Pavlyuchenko with Darren Bent in the second half prompted chants of “You don’t know what you’re doing” from the fans. Taunts of “Going down” came from Pompey fans as their side bounced back from last weekend’s 6-0 loss and a 4-0 elimination from the League Cup by Chelsea. - AP |
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Sunday saves the day for Sporting
Barasat, September 29 Former MD Sporting player Surojit, shot in after Michael Tayo did all the good work to crack the defence, which was fumbled by the African’s pace. Stung by the reverse, Md Sporting duo Mike Okoro and Sunday made some forays but their attempts were foiled at the goalmouth due to a firm defence line headed by M Farid. Md Sporting had to wait for next 37 minutes for an equaliser and the opportunity came in the 59th minute when Jotikumar was floored by a simple tackle in the mid-field. His shot from the left flank was deftly controlled by Sunday on his right foot and his left-footer levelled the score amidst cheers from the home supporters. The Liberian was the top scorer with 11 goals in the local league that mainly earned Md Sproting the runners up spot behind champions Mohun Bagan. Air India had got another chance to score as substitute Subash Singh’s header was brilliantly fisted out by Nashim Akhtar in the 72nd minute. Md Sporting’s Adebayo Adewusi, who made his first appearance for the side, was named man-of-the match. Air India coach Bimal Ghosh and his Md Sporting counter part praised their boys. Ghosh was happy that his boys gave him the first point, that too in away match. In the first round Kolkata sides have had mixed results, with East Bengal earning full three points, while Mohun Bagan drew blank after a 1-2 defeat to Mumbai FC. Mahindra Utd look ahead after loss Mumbai: Mahindra United skipper Ajayan is looking to put the past behind and focus on the future after the Durand Cup winners came a cropper against Churchill Brothers in their opening match of the I-League. Mahindra United, who snatched an equaliser in the 85th minute after trailing by a 61st minute goal by Churchill Brothers, looked like earning a draw before a last minute goal by Okolie, gave the Goan side the win. — UNI
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Assam, West Bengal split points
Chandigarh, September 29 In another group A quarter-final league encounter, Goa bagged full points after beating Uttarakhand 2-1. The West Bengal-Assam match was an absorbing affair. West Bengal, who had played a 1-1 against Uttarakhand in their first quarter-final league outing, were lucky as they managed a draw. Assam surged ahead in the 21st minute. West Bengal retaliated soon and mounted pressure. Binod Nayak restored parity in the 26th minute. Goa tasted their first win in the quarter-final phase. But it was a hard-earned 2-1 verdict against Uttarakhand. It was Uttarakhand who fired the first salvo through Satnam Bela in the 24th minute.
— UNI |
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Mumbai, September 29 The opening match for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is scheduled at Bangalore from October 9-13 with the remaining matches to be played at Mohali, Delhi and Nagpur. — PTI
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Melbourne, September 29
Portsmouth strikers Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch inflicted a 2-0 loss on Tottenham to deepen the turmoil at their former side, while newly enriched Manchester City was upset 2-1 at Wigan with both beaten sides unhappy with penalty
decisions.
PCB hands Yousuf T20 lifeline: