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India close in on big win
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No action against PCA yet
Unchanged squad for last two Tests
Warriors beat Giants for maiden win
ICL second leg from October 24
Speaker hails Abhinav,
Sachin, Sourav
Redmond gives Kiwis glimmer of hope
Butt hints at Pak matches in England
Atletico, Juve seek European solace
Bhupathi-Knowles lose in Madrid final
Surjit Hockey
All-India police games from today
Collegians record big win
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India close in on big win
While Gambhir (104) and Sehwag (90) help India set 516-run victory target, Harbhajan & Ishant leave Aussies gasping at 141 for 5 Mohali, October 20 The ace off-spinner jolted Australians thrice in quick succession and then lanky Ishant came up with a two-wicket burst when Australians started their chase. They were left tottering at miserly 141 for five in pursuit of an improbable victory target of 515 runs at close on the penultimate day in the second Test in the four-Test series at the PCA Stadium today. In stark contrast to the Australian batting, the Indian batsmen continued to impress. Gautam Gambhir came up with a superb century, while Virender Sehwag missed the coveted mark by 10 runs. Stand-in skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who promoted himself up the order, ensured that the batting dominance continues, notching up a half century as India declared their innings closed at 314 for three, nearly one hour after the lunch break. With 201 ahead in the first innings, Australians were left to scale Mt Everest if they are to came out triumphant in the the Test. Australians started their second essay on an ominous note with Matthew Hayden determined to prove that poor outings in the first Test and the first innings failure here were a thing of the past. The mighty whack over mid-off, though he failed to connect properly, the burly opener attempted off his nemesis Zaheer Khan revealed his aggressive state of mind. Katich was not content to defend either. Hayden and Katich attempted to unsettle the India seamers playing power-packed strokes.Hayden was more domineering of the two as the Australians were off to a flier. A brutal straight-driven four by Hayden which rocketed to the fence piercing the field between the bowler’s end and the mid-off was a treat to watch as the first seven overs produced 49 runs. But the belligerence proved short-lived. Introduction of Harbhajan Singh with just over left for the tea break put the skids in the Australian gameplan. Harbhajan first scalped Hayden trapping the batsman on the pads. Hayden struck 20-ball 29 with four fours. Sachin Tendulkar then proved that despite advancing years his reflexes were absolutely intact when he lunged forward athletically to latch on to a catch in the point area as Katich was deceived by Harbhajan in the same over. Harbhajan struck just after the tea break again to dismiss Hussey, trapping him lbw to heap further misery on the Aussies. After an ordinary first spell, Ishant returned to bowl a torrid second spell. Troubling the batsmen with his nippy pace and bounce, first he castled skipper Ricky Ponting with a gem of a delivery. A big in-swinger crashed through the slight space in between bat and pad. Shane Watson, first innings highest scorer from Australia, fell next to the identical delivery failing to negotiate an in-dipper by the lanky speedster to fall lbw as Australians, from 49 without loss to 58 for five. Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin were able to keep the Indian bowling attack at bay without further damage. Indian batsmen earlier made merry on the same track. It, in fact, was this resolute batting which shut the Australians firmly out of the match. Sehwag and Gambhir put 180 on the board before Sehwag fell to Siddle, missing his century by narrow margin. Gambhir fared better completing the three-figure mark (104). While Sehwag faced 122 balls and hit eight fours, Gambhir was equally enterprising slamming seven fours and a six. With the last recongnised batting pair on the crease, the focus on the last day of the match tomorrow will be the margin of defeat. Scoreboard Australia second innings
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Ishant’s twin strikes special: Nielsen
Mohali, October 20 “Hayden tried hard. It did come off for a while. But unfortunately, we could not do it for an extended period of time. The way was to attack. That’s what we have been doing over a period of time,” he said. “But Harbhajan came in and got early wickets. First, belligerent Hayden was done in and next Katich was deceived by the bowler to unsettle our plans,” he observed. Set an improbable target of 516 runs for win and openers Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich played attacking cricket. Hayden scored 20-ball 29 while Katich departed after making 20 off 26 balls as the Australians were 49 after first seven overs. “Though Zaheer has bowled good, particularly with his ability to reverse the ball, Ishant Sharma was very impressive. Duo to his extraordinary height, he got the ball to bounce at a tough angle. The deliveries which claimed Ponting and Watson were special.” Nielsen agreed that the Indian pacers made better use of the wicket than their counterparts. Nielsen admitted the Australians have been outplayed in the Mohali Tests and said there was need for introspection. Australia went into the match without key seamer, Stuart Clark on account of injury. With his unerring line and the ability to extract bounce even from placid tracks, the lanky Klark would surely have tested the Indian batsmen besides being a fine back-up bowler for Brett Lee, who had an ordinary outing in the match. Other seamer Michell Johnson, who bowled so well in the first innings, was totally off-colour in the second, compounding the problems for skipper Ricky Ponting. Nielsen also rued the fact that the spinners like Shane Warne or even McGill were not easy to replace. “But the rookie leg-spinner deserves credit for the way he bowled and did the job assigned to him very well,” he stated. About tomorrow’s plan Nielsen said, “We will try to stretch the game as far as possible. That is what Test cricket is all about. I think it will be a keenly contested series.” Opener Phil Jacques has returned to Australia. Asked whether there was any chance of Andrew Symonds replacing the opener, Nielsen replied that the all rounder was still going through the rehabilitation process. Quizzed whether Greg Chappell had served any purpose after being with the team for two Tests and two side games or whether he deserved some blame as the Australians were set for a crushing defeat here, Nielsen replied, “Chappell made a great impact. He was the source knowledge about the Indian conditions. He understands the game well. It was unfair to blame one person for team performance.”
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No action against PCA yet
Chandigarh, October 20 The Tribune in its issue today had highlighted the violations of rules by the PCA in this regard. The Association has allowed a couple of liquor companies to display their hoardings inside the Stadium at Mohali where the second Test match between India and Australia is in progress. While the district police is struggling to find out if officials of the PCA are liable for action as per the rules, excise officials of the district visited the stadium this morning, but only to remove a few banners put up by these liquor companies at the liquor stalls in the lounge area of the stadium. The large display advertisements in the ground, which are being shown on television as the match is being relayed, continue to remain as such. “Punjab’s excise policy is silent on display advertisements in sports arenas. We can remove advertisements only in approved areas. Though PCA has a liquor license, the area under our jurisdiction includes only the club area where no advertisements can be put up. Also there is nothing in our policy that empowers us to act against display of surrogate advertisements for liquor,” said L.A. Khan, deputy excise and taxations commissioner, Punjab. The SSP SAS Nagar, Jatinder Aulakh added that they would take action only if the excise officials point out a violation. “Prima facie no criminal liability is made out but we are trying to find out more,” he said. Showing of liquor and smoking ads on television is banned under the Cable Television Networks Rules (CTNR), 1994 and in March this year, surrogate advertisements have also been included in the CTNR. As per the March 2008 notification, “no advertisement shall be permitted which promotes directly or indirectly production, sale or consumption of cigarettes, tobacco products, wine, alcohol, liquor or other intoxicants.” The match being relayed on a TV channel is being shown through the cable network and DTH companies across the country. Hoardings with brands “Fosters” and “Royal Stag” are clearly visible on TV. The state government ignoring the whole issue comes as no surprise as politicians, IAS and IPS officers of the state, heading the various departments of the government, are a part of the PCA’s decision making committees. The PCA has been violating excise rules of the state for many years now. “Till this match the PCA would routinely undertake illegal sale of liquor to spectators during matches. This time, however, PCA has taken a proper license for sale of liquor within the stadium area for five days,” said another excise official of the district. This is not all. For years, excise inspectors of the state have been “on duty” during the PCA matches on “ushering” duty. “A former head of the excise department is a senior member of the organising committee, what more can you expect,” said a source. G.S. Walia, joint secretary of the PCA told The Tribune that the ads displayed at the stadium were procured through a private company, which should be held responsible in case there are any violations. He further added that the ads displayed at the stadium were in any case being shown on TV.
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Wait for century worth it: Gambhir
Mohali, October 20 “I am feeling a lot better after reaching the coveted mark. Coming as it did against Australia makes it special,” stated Gambhir. “Both of us have played a lot together. So co-ordination between two of us is very good. Not only on the field, but off it also we enjoy a very good relationship,” the flamboyant let-handed batsman said when quizzed about the special chemistry he had with the dashing opener and the statemate Virender Sehwag. “The first session today very important in which we put them (Australia) on to the back foot. Then the way our bowlers bowled was outstanding,” he said, adding that, “Ishant, Mishra and Harbhajan deserve credit for putting the team in an impregnable situation. To bowl Australia out for 269 was very creditable,” he remarked. Gambhir looked comfortable in the first innings also facing Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson well. Again, when looking good for a hundred, he was dismissed after scoring 140-ball 67. After being dropped repeatedly from the Indian squad, the attacking southpaw finally made his mark in Twenty20 world championship in South Africa last year, where he emerged the Man of the Match in the final against Pakistan. Gambhir has enjoyed excellent run since then and has scored heavily in the one-day matches. About Sehwag missing the three-figure mark, Gambhir said it was the result which mattered more and not the individual landmarks. Quizzed about the fitness of Sourav Ganguly, he replied, “He had a minor swelling on the elbow. There is nothing serious. He was rested as a precautionary measure today and he will be fit the next Test.” “We have two quality spinners going against whom would not be easy for the Australian batsmen. We hope to wrap up the match comfortably.”
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Unchanged squad for last two Tests
Mohali, October 20 Haryana leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who was included in the side in place of injured skipper Anil Kumble, and claimed his five-wicket haul on the debut at Mohali, will remain with the team. Delhi’s lanky leg spinner Chitanya Nanda will replace him in the Challenger series slated to be played in Cuttack later this week. Nada did well in the Irani Trophy match last month. Playing for Delhi against the Rest of India and taking a five-wicket haul. The squad:
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Warriors beat Giants for maiden win
Ahmedabad, October 20 Opener Avishka Gunawardene was run out in the very next over after scoring 22 in 19 balls. Poor performance by skipper Marvan Atapattu (10) followed by Abbas Ali (8) and Paul Nixon (3) put Giants in trouble as they were down six wickets in the 11th over with just 51 runs on board. A mature unbeaten innings by Abhinav Bali 33 in 25 ball was the saving grace for the Giants who were all out for 112 in 18.4 overs. For the Warriors, Mohammad Sharif, Mohammad Rafique and Mosharraf Hossain claimed two wickets each while Aftab Ahmed and Alok Kapali grabbed one each. The match saw some good fielding by the Warriors who won the match by 62 runs. Earlier, Giants won the toss and put Warriors to bat. The Warriors opened their account with their left right combination of Shahriar Nafees and Nazimuddin. The openers got off to a flying start with the Nazimuddin hitting a sparkling half century to put up a 91-run partnership for the first wicket with Nafees. He was the first to go, caught off the ball of Jai Yadav in the ninth over after scoring 54 off 29 ball which included five fours and as many sixes. Brief Scores |
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ICL second leg from October 24
Gurgaon, October 20 This was announced by Abhishek Agarwal, AVP- Corporate Communications today. Seven teams - Delhi Giants, Chennai Superstars, Kolkota Tigers, Dhaka Warriors, Chandigarh Lions, Hyderabad Heroes and Mumbai Champs, will participate in the same. The inaugural day will witness film actor Mithun Chakarborty with his team Kolkata Tigers along with other officials. Rakhi Sawant will give live performance on one of the days but the cheerleaders named ‘ICL Zeebras’, specially selected by her out of 2,000 girls, will be performing on all the days. Agarwal stated that many other celebrities will also be performing during the matches which will be decided later on. |
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Speaker hails Abhinav,
Sachin, Sourav
New Delhi, October 20 “The Beijing Olympics thus bore testimony to the best Indian performance till date, at the mega sports event”, the Speaker noted. Referring to the world record run-gathering of the Little Master, Chatterjee said, “Sachin Tendulkar has made the country proud by becoming the highest run-getter in Test cricket”. He also complimented Sourav Ganguly and spinner Amit Mishra for their fine performances in the on-going second Test at Mohali. “Sourav Ganguly has also achieved a great distinction of being the fourth Indian to score over 7,000 runs in Test cricket. Our young player Amit Mishra has also achieved great distinction in getting five wickets in his debut Test match at Mohali. I am sure the honourable members will join me in felicitating them and wishing them many more years of service to the game of
cricket”. The Speaker also praised the performance of the Indian contingent in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune where the hosts topped the medals tally with 75 medals, including 33 golds, “Due to the high sporting abilities and all-round spirited performance by the Indian contingent. I believe along with the sportspersons, Mr Kalmadi (IOA president) deserves some congratulation”, the Speaker added. |
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Redmond gives Kiwis glimmer of hope
Chittagong, October 20 Earlier Bangladesh were dismissed for 242 in their second innings after they had established a 74-run lead when New Zealand could only manage 171 in reply to the home side’s 245. Redmond and nightwatchman captain Daniel Vettori (0) were unbeaten at stumps, after Jesse Ryder (38) was run out when Mashrafe Mortaza threw a direct hit from the third-man boundary. The Kiwis lost Jamie How for 36 when the opener was bowled by left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, before Redmond and Ryder saw the tourists safely through to the tea break. “I think we were a bit more patient today and we took the better options for the shots, hitting the right areas and giving the full face of the bat,” Redmond told reporters. “The game is evenly poised. The first session is going to be crucial. The wicket is not that bad and it hasn’t deteriorated as much as we thought it would.” Scoreboard New Zealand (second innings)
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Butt hints at Pak matches in England
Karachi, October 20 Pakistan were due to host an Australia test tour and the Champions Trophy this year but both were cancelled over security fears. Butt said the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) could find slots in the summer to host Pakistan’s matches against any team. “They are offering us good terms and conditions. They are willing to share 50 percent of revenues from ticket sales and media sales. He feels the large Asian community in the United Kingdom will welcome Pakistan’s matches in places like Manchester, Leeds,” Butt added. He said the PCB would give serious consideration to the ECB proposal as the national team needed to play more international cricket to generate revenues for the board. Butt also said the ECB had proposed Pakistan play a series of three Tests, five one-day internationals and T20 games against them in 2010 and 2011 in England. “These matches are outside the future tour programme and not on a reciprocal basis and we will negotiate them,” he said. He said no formal agreement had been signed with the Dubai sports city. It was reported in September that Pakistan signed a three-year, $9 million agreement to play one-day internationals and Twenty/20 matches in Dubai from next year. “I don’t know what my predecessors have been saying in the media but all this is a verbal agreement. I have held fresh talks with the Dubai sports city whose stadiums would be inaugurated soon,” Butt said. “We are interested in this deal but we have to look at the amount. India is also interested in playing there. They feel if both of us play at the same time the amount paid to us should be doubled,” Butt said. — Reuters
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Atletico, Juve seek European solace
Belgrade, October 20 Real travel to Turin to face Juventus tomorrow buoyed by the last-gasp win in the Madrid derby while the Italian giants are reeling after two successive Serie A defeats and a 2-2 draw away to Belarus newcomers BATE Borisov. Chelsea will fancy their chances against AS Roma in an eagerly awaited Group A clash at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday after demonstrating the full depth of their squad in Saturday's 5-0 Premier League rout of Middlesbrough. Holders Manchester United are at home to familiar rivals Celtic in Group E tomorrow with manager Alex Ferguson facing a dilemma over whether to rotate his strikers after a 4-0 league win against West Bromwich Albion.aBarcelona will be favourites on their visit to Basel while Arsenal face a tricky trip to Turkey to play Fenerbahce and Bayern Munich play Fiorentina. — Reuters
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Bhupathi-Knowles lose in Madrid final
Madrid, October 20 After triumphing at Memphis and Dubai, fourth-seeded Bhupathi and Knowles were chasing their third ATP title of the season but ran out of steam in the finals. The seventh-seeded Matkowski and Fyrstenberg got one break in the ninth game, which was sufficient to seal the opening set. They quickly built on their advantage, to take a 2-0 lead in the second set. Bhupathi and Knowles fought back to level 2-2, but their opponents went on to break serve twice more in the fifth and seventh games to secure victory after one hour. — UNI
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Surjit Hockey
Jalandhar, October 20 The game began on a slow note as both teams failed to capitalise on some good opportunities. It was in the 27th minute that the Air India boys managed to open their account with a penalty corner conversion when Sumeet Singh scored to put his side into the lead (1-0). In the 33rd minute the South Central Railways, Secunderbad, earned an equaliser when Amit Kumar posted a field goal and sounded the board from a cracking hit to make it (1-1). Till half time the score was (1-1). In the second session once again Air India picked up their game when Joga Singh scored a field goal in 50th minute (2-1). Though the Air India boys displayed good skill with the hockey stick, but their players, Gaurav Tokhi, was shown a yellow card in the later half of the match. The Secunderabad boys earned another field goal through a lovely pass by Vipin Thimmiah in the 64th minute (2-2). In another match of the day Indian Oil, Mumbai dashed the hopes of star studded Namdhari-XI by (2-1).
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All-India police games from today
Chandigarh, October 20 This was stated by IG, Administration, K.K. Sharma, at a press conference, here today. He said the Haryana government and the Police Department were committed to promoting sports, which was evident from the fact that there was a three percent reservation for inducting constables to DSPs. He added that six inspectors, 20 SIs and five DSPs had been taken in this quota. He added that under the leadership of boxing coach Hitesh Kumar, an 11-member boxing team led by head constable Tanej Pal will participate in the games. Similarly, the Haryana Police are fielding eight gymnasts under the guidance of coach Ram Sharan Dutt. The captain of the gymnastic squad will be head constable Akash Deep. Under the leadership of coach Jagat Singh an eight-member judo squad, comprising of Krishan Kumar (66 kg), Ramesh Kumar (73 kg), Jasbir Singh (captain, 81 kg), Subhash (81 kg), Jasbir Singh (90 kg), Lalit Kumar (100 kg), Sanjay Kumar (open weight) will show their potential.
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Collegians record big win
New Delhi, October 20 |
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Ahmedabad, October 20
Belgrade, October 20
