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Waugh lashes out at Ponting
Waugh to be inducted into Hall of Fame
In-form India take on Germany
I hope we can rise to the occasion: Muller
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Sri Lanka in must-win situation
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men have been on target in the first two matches but the Indian captain would be taking no chance under floodlights after India just about managed a close 15-run win in a nail-biting day-night affair at the Premadasa Stadium on Saturday. Dhoni, who has led the team to seven successive ODI wins, has warned his teammates against dropping their guards before the series was claimed. A few chinks were seen in the Indian armour in the second match when bowlers looked confused in the powerplay overs and Dhoni wants a more disciplined show by his bowlers. The batting has also not fired but to be fair, the Indians have been hit hard by a few dubious umpiring decisions. But the top order batsmen have to get into the act quickly if they hope to clinch the series tomorrow itself. Sachin Tendulkar has been a victim of poor umpiring decisions in both the matches and the maestro will be hoping that he gets the chance to make amends tomorrow. In bowling dapertment, pace spearhead Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma have a big role to play since India do not have any experienced spinners in their ranks. Dhoni, who is known for his calm composure in anxious moments, lost his cool when he saw bowlers clueless in the powerplay overs. "It was tough and we did not have such a game for a long time," Dhoni said. Although Indian batsmen did not fall prey to Sri Lankan spin wizards Muttiah Muralidharan and Ajantha Mendis, they struggled to hit boundaries against the duo. "We have to be careful as such wins often make us relaxed a bit. We should remember that the series is yet to be won. We want to win the series and for that each of us have to give 100 per cent," Dhoni said. For a jaded looking Sri Lanka, it is a must-win situation and they would be desparate to keep the series alive by clinching a win tomorrow. The hosts are struggling to find a steady opening pair even as an unimpressive middle order and blunted striking weapons leave them in a desparate position. Muralitharan and Mendis are not as dangerous as their captain Mahela Jayawardene would want them to be. The home team's fielding is also looking dispirited. "I would be lying if I say that we are not tired," Jayawardene said. "During India innings we gave away too many runs when we were in control. We have to minimise mistakes and raise our game in the remaining matches," he added.
— PTI |
Balaji to replace injured Munaf
New Delhi: Medium pacer Munaf Patel, who is nursing a groin injury, will leave the tour of Sri Lanka mid-way to return home for rehabilitation and Tamil Nadu paceman Laxmipathy Balaji will replace him in Colombo.
"Patel will take at least 7-10 days to be fully fit. The members of the National Selection Committee decided to send L Balaji to Sri Lanka, following a teleconference (with the team management)," BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan said in a statement issue today. "Balaji will fly to Sri Lanka tonight," he said. Munaf's injury was first noticed after the first ODI in Dambulla, where he bowled five overs and conceded 32 runs without taking any wicket. He missed the second match.
— PTI |
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Waugh lashes out at Ponting
Melbourne, February 2 "There's never an easy time for a captain to rest," said Waugh, who is Ponting's predecessor. "In these days, with so much cricket happening and the players choosing to play IPL and choosing all these other opportunities, I guess there's got to be question-marks thrown up when people say they want to rest because they're committing to playing more cricket and you are playing for your country," he was quoted as saying by 'Cricinfo'. Ponting, who has not taken a break since Australia's tour of India in October last year, has been rested by the Cricket Australia to rejuvenate him for the tour of South Africa. South Africa recently defeated Australia in their own backyard in Tests as well as ODIs to topple them from the number one position. "It's a tough one to answer and really Ricky's the only one who can answer that. Is he mentally and physically fatigued? Is he better off having a couple of games (off)? Will he come back fresher and stronger for the team? They're the questions that people in and around the side have got to answer," Waugh said. Waugh also felt it would be a gamble to take controversial all rounder Andrew Symonds, who is also out-of-form following his knee surgery, to South Africa where the team will play three Tests immediately after the Chappell-Hadlee Series. "He gives that side that x-factor and that's something special that can win a match. "But he's got to be very clear in his head and he's got to be concise in his thinking and right now he doesn't seem to be playing his best cricket," he added.
— PTI |
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Waugh to be inducted into Hall of Fame
Melbourne, February 2 The Australian Cricket Hall of Fame was first proposed by the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) in 1995, with the support of Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria and since then 30 players have been inducted in it, including 10 in 1996 itself. The Selection philosophy for the Hall of Fame focuses on the players' status as sporting legends in addition to their outstanding statistical records. All inductees must have been retired from international cricket for a minimum of five years to be eligible for selection. The selection panel comprises former South Australian batsman and MCC vice-president Bob Lloyd (chairman), former Test captains Bill Lawry and Richie Benaud, Australian Cricketers' Association chief executive Paul Marsh, Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland, MCC assistant to CEO Peter French (secretary), and media representatives Tim Lane, Gideon Haigh and Mike Coward.
— UNI |
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In-form India take on Germany
But the display dished out by the young Indian squad must have gladdened the hearts of the die-hard hockey fans. If the Indians were impressive in the tour opener against New Zealand notching up a 2-0 win, their performance against European champions Holland yesterday whom they held 4-4 in a fast-paced contest was worth going miles to see. But quite unexpectedly, the Indian riposte was stunning as well as forceful, which left their rivals a bit rattled. Shivender Singh, Prabhjot Singh and Tushar Khandekar scored a goal apiece to seize the momentum decisively in India’s favour. Then attacks and counter-attacks by both teams made the match
truly memorable. A lot will be expected from the hosts now after twin superlative shows as they take on Olympic champions Germany in their last match of the first leg tomorrow. The young German team that they have fielded keeping an eye on the World Cup next year in India has failed to inspire much confidence. They are yet to record a win in the tournament having played two matches. Germany went down to Holland by 0-2 in the first match. Against New Zealand in the second match yesterday, they were trailing by 0-2 before Lietz Tobias’ twin strikes helped them claw their way back into the contest. India and Holland with one win and one draw each head the points table with a score of four each. Germany and New Zealand share the second spot having one draw and one loss each for a tally of one point each. Given the performance of the two teams, Germany will be required to come to the field with all cylinders firing and try to register their first win before the first leg concludes. The task seems onerous as the hosts have proved through their performance so far that they are determined to prove a point or two in the tournament. Both the teams had a practice session at the hockey stadium today — a rest day for the
competition. |
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I hope we can rise to the occasion: Muller
Chandigarh, February 2 Muller knows that his team’s match against India tomorrow holds the key to a chance of making progress in the tournament. “Tomorrow is a big game and we are trying to work out something different. We know that it will be very difficult with the crowd right behind the hosts, but at the international level, you have to be prepared for it. The Indians play a fluid game. They showed their mettle against New Zealand and also by scoring four goals against the Netherlands. I hope we can rise to the occasion,” Muller adds. Still in the nascent stages of his captaincy stint Muller fully understands what adapting to a new environment means. “Captaincy makes you look at the game very differently. You always analyse your performance, but as the captain you study every move and every player as well. The youngsters are talented, no doubt, but on the field, in a match situation you need experience to translate it in accordance with the team’s need. “The reason we are finding it hard to control the play is because for the past three to four months we had played only indoor hockey.” Speaking about the tag of being the Olympic champions Muller says, “This young team has to fill in some big shoes, rather too big at this stage. People say ‘Oh they are the Olympic champs, they have to win’. There is too much expectation and that adds to the pressure.” Talking about the tournament and the exposure at this young side’s disposal Muller says, “It is a fabulous opportunity. We are playing teams from three different continents and with very different playing styles. We will try our best to do well in the tournament, but looking at the larger picture, this is a tremendous opportunity to get to know India before we are back for the World Cup next year. Then we will see about performance and am confident you will have a lot less probing to do,” he adds with a smile. |
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Yuki gets rousing welcome
New Delhi, February 2 A large throng of well-wishers, family members, media persons and officials from the All-India Tennis Association (AITA), jostled to receive the junior tennis champ, as he walked out of the Indira Gandhi international airport before noon, holding his trophy, and craining his neck to receive many a garland, as the drummers beat away loudly to create a cacophony of sounds. “I did not expect so many people to turn up to receive me here”, Yuki said with a surprised smile. The 16-year-old, having gained the World Junior No 1 ranking as well, has now set his sights on the men’s circuit, though he admitted that it would be a long and tough journey, as the junior and senior events were a world far apart. “I was confident. I played better in the final”, he reflected on his 6-3, 6-1 win over German Alexandros-Ferdinandos Georgoudas in the title clash. But he admitted that he was “nervous” in the first round, which was a tough hurdle to cross, but once he did that, his confidence was in place to do the slaying act to reach the summit. Yuki is the first Indian to lift the Australian Open. The Bhambri family and his coach Aditya Sachdeva were pleasantly surprised too at “such an overwhelming reception”. “The feeling is just sinking in”, remarked Sachdeva, who was the one who spotted the spark in Yuki, and worked on his talent at the Siri Fort courts in South Delhi. He used to “play” as the ball boy for his sisters Ankita and Saana, when they honed their tennis skills at the Pancheel Club courts near their home in Gulmohar Park. Yuki said playing against better players in the senior circuit for two months before the Australian Open gave him the confidence to do well. He said he was ready to face the hard grind in the senior circuit for the next couple of years or more before he gains the necessary experience to get a firm foothold. “I will keep working on my game. I’m not in a hurry”, he added. |
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Colombo, February 2
Chandigarh, February 2
It were the Indians who were left to do all the chasing as Holland gained an early stranglehold. The hosts almost looked down and out when the rivals gained a 2-0 cushion and their marauding strikers threatening the Indian citadel repeatedly.
