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We’ll have to be less aggressive early on: Yuvraj
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Tendulkar, Karthik in action today
England 108 without loss
AFC Champions League
Anand suffers defeat, drops to joint 4th
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India look to level series
Wellington, February 26 The seven-wicket defeat at Christchurch in the first match must have taken the reputation of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's young bravehearts as kings of Twenty20 a serious beating which they can only rectify by winning tomorrow. A victory will also boost their morale ahead of the five-match ODI series starting on March 3. However, the visitors will have to do a lot of catching up as the Kiwis have the distinct advantage of having bowling all-rounders in their ranks, in contrast to India who rely on their batsmen to bowl in the middle overs. The lack of a genuine all-rounder is beginning to prove quite costly. Only Ravindra Jadeja seems to fall in this category, but the youngster from Rajkot may not find the team management's favour yet. The defeat at Christchurch could have prompted the Indian think-tank to consider an alternative for Irfan Pathan, who had courageously won India a cliffhanger in his brother's company a fortnight ago in Sri Lanka. Irfan had emerged on the international arena as a bowling all-rounder, but of late he has been more productive with the bat than the ball. In conditions prevalent in New Zealand, a bowler of Praveen Kumar's ability would be more effective than Irfan, who conceded as many as 38 runs from three overs in the first Twenty20. But Dhoni's penchant for a deep batting line-up may yet see Irfan get the nod against the Uttar Pradesh seamer, who has the uncanny ability to frazzle top order batsmen. Though Dhoni blamed the batsmen for the debacle, the Indian captain would do well to analyse that India were outplayed by the more athletic Kiwis, who bowled fast and straight, fielded with the alacrity of a leopard and batted with a calmness and purpose that belied their ability to plunder at will. Only if Virender Sehwag, Yuvarj Singh and Yusuf Pathan produce scores in the excess of 50, can India hope to deprive the Kiwis of a series victory tomorrow. Sehwag and Yusuf cleared the dwarfed boundaries at the AMI stadium at Christchurch consistently while making 26 and 20, respectively, but failed to keep the momentum going. If only they could apply themselves like Suresh Raina, their unbridled belligerence would be of value to India. Having established the lead in the series, the Black Caps would be keen to complete a 2-0 rout, which they are immensely capable of, before the five-match one-day series kick starts at Napier. New Zealand coach Andy Moles believes his boys could achieve their goal. "The boys know they are up against a very, very talented Indian side. We have got our noses in front, and we want to stay there. It is a two-match series and we want to win it. The boys are looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead of them," he said. Considering the all-round potential of the Black Caps, it would take a huge effort from the Indians to redeem their dented pride. If they don't stand up to the challenge, they would be offering New Zealand the psychological advantage in the rest of the tour. The Teams (from): India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Praveen Kumar. New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (Captain), Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Iain O'Brien, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliot.
— PTI |
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We’ll have to be less aggressive early on: Yuvraj
Wellington, February 26 Yuvraj said playing too many shots early in the innings was the reason behind India's downfall in the first game at Christchurch and his batsmen will try to build partnerships to win the second match tomorrow and square the two-match Twenty20 series. "We did some mistakes. It is the start of the new tour and we have to understand the conditions and the wickets. So hopefully we will make less errors in the next game," Yuvraj said. "We actually played too many shots. The moment we got going we got out. We didn't have too many early partnerships. So I guess we need to assess the conditions better in the next game and make a proper plan. The batsmen need to take more responsibility," he said ahead of tomorrow's match. Despite the seven-wicket defeat at Christchurch, Yuvraj said the team spirit was high. "The feeling is good. It is just one game that we lost. It is not a setback. We will come back hard. It is the first game of the series. We have got five one-days, three Test matches and another Twenty20. It is a long tour. So we are all geared up for it," Yuvraj said. Asked what target the team was looking for if it batted first, the left-hander said, "We don't set a total because we have a batting line-up that can score or achieve any target. So we just go by instincts and see what score we can get next time." On the short boundaries in New Zealand, he said, "They are a bit short. In India also you get a few grounds which have short boundaries. You have still got to play good cricket shots to clear those ropes." Moles wary of
backlash
Wary of an Indian backlash in the second Twenty20 International, New Zealand coach Andy Moles today asked his wards to lift their standard in all departments of the game. Moles expects India, after their seven-wicket loss in the tour opener last night, have now got a fair idea about the Kiwi players and would come back strongly tomorrow. "They know we are a good side. They have seen us operate last night, and they won't be taking anything for granted," a cautious Moles said. According to him, the hosts would have to up their game in all areas to thwart an Indian backlash. "We are looking at all areas. While bowling we didn't hit the hole we wanted to. In fielding, we were good overall but we can be better. Perhaps we are struggling a bit with our batting at the top of the order. We are not going to stand still. As a team we are looking to get better with every game," Moles said. According to him, experience played a big part in last night's win against India.
— PTI |
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Ponting, Clarke lead Aussie recovery
Johannesburg, February 26 Australia were in trouble early on in at 38 for three in Johannesburg as Dale Steyn claimed two wickets and Morne Morkel took one in the opening session. However, Ponting and Clarke's partnership of 113 steadied things. Then debutant Marcus North's composed 47 not out, and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, unbeaten on 37, added 72 for the sixth wicket before bad light, followed by rain, ended play early. Ponting, who scored 101 and 99 in Melbourne and 0 and 53 in Sydney during the recent series in Australia, crunched 83, with 11 fours and a six, before he was dismissed by Makhaya Ntini after leaving a delivery that moved in, hit the top of his pad and went on to the stumps. The Australian captain had earlier been dropped by opposite number Graeme Smith at first slip off Steyn on 40,and promptly hooked the next ball for six. He also won a decision reviewed to the third umpire on 70 after the South Africans disagreed with umpire Billy Bowden's not out verdict for a caught behind appeal off Morkel. Clarke also went before tea for 68, which included 10 fours, after a wide, full delivery from Steyn kept swinging away and wicketkeeper Mark Boucher gratefully accepted the catch. Fast bowler Steyn finished the day with three for 82. A fine new-ball spell by Steyn and a magnificent catch by Neil McKenzie in the morning had rocked Australia, who won the toss and chose to bat. Debutant Phillip Hughes fell in the first over for a duck, edging an awful cut at a Steyn bouncer into the gloves of Boucher. Fellow opener Simon Katich (3) survived some scares outside off stump before McKenzie terminated his 40-minute innings with a superb one-handed catch in the gully, diving full length to intercept a back foot drive off Steyn. South Africa made another telling breakthrough 45 minutes before lunch when Morkel had Michael Hussey
caught at second slip by Jacques Kallis for four. — Reuters Scoreboard Australia (1st innings): Hughes c Boucher b Steyn 0 Katich c McKenzie b Steyn 3 Ponting b Ntini 83 M. Hussey c Kallis b Morkel 4 Clarke c Boucher b Steyn 68 North not out 47 Haddin not out 37 Extras (lb-7, nb-4, w-1): 12 Total (five wickets; 68 overs): 254 Fall of wickets: 1-0 2-18 3-38 4-151 5-182 Bowling: Steyn 19-2-82-3 (nb-1), Ntini 16-4-53-1, Morkel 16-2-65-1 (nb-3, w-1), Kallis 4-0-19-0, Harris 11-2-18-0, Duminy 2-0-10-0.
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Stay away from Flintoff, IPL warns ECB
Modi said if Flintoff decides that he was fit to play in the IPL, this year, then the ECB has no business to interfere in his decision. ''It's between the player and his team,'' Modi said. Modi, however, pointed that if the domestic governing body were to invoke clauses in the all-rounder's contract relating to injury, the IPL executive would stand aside. Asked if Flintoff and Chennai were to declare the player fit and the ECB disagreed, what would be IPL's stand on that, Modi replied, ''Our contract is to the player, not the ECB. So that's between the player and the ECB.'' Modi also dismissed suggestions that if Flintoff decides to pull out of the second season due to injury, it would have some negative impact on the IPL. ''Players get injured all the time. That's why there are seven foreign players in all of the teams,'' Modi was quoted as saying by 'The Guardian. Earlier this week, he had already made it clear that he plans to play in the IPL, which starts from April 10, a statement that was immediately challenged by the ECB chairman Giles Clarke. Clarke yesterday said he was ''deeply worried about Andrew Flintoff going to India. It is a definite risk. In any event, the injury he's currently suffering from may not be sufficiently mended for him to go anyway''. The ECB chairman made it clear as well that if there was a need to ask Flintoff that he must not feature in the IPL, he would have no qualms to do that.
— UNI |
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Tendulkar, Karthik in action today
Wellington, February 26 The duo, who are not in India's Twenty20 squad, were drafted into the New Zealand and Australian Masters' teams, respectively, after discussions with the New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA). Tendulkar will turn out for the NZCPA Masters while Karthik will wear opposition team Australian Cricketers' Association Masters' colours in the Twenty20 game which will see retired players of New Zealand and Australia, including Stephen Fleming, Dion Nash, Darren Lehmann and Ian Healy, in action. "This is a great opportunity for Tendulkar and Karthik to have a few hits in the middle. We are happy to work with the Players Association to bring them into the masters teams," said India coach Gary Kirsten. There was also a proposal of Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Murali Vijay, Laxmipathy Balaji, Amit Mishra and new pace bowling find Dhawal Kulkarni turning out for provincial teams in New Zealand domestic championship to gain match-practice before the three-match Test series starting on March 18.
— PTI |
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Bridgetown, February 26 Strauss, whose team trail 1-0 in the five-Test series, won the toss and chose to bat on a perfect wicket and along with fellow opener Alastair Cook (37) made swift progress in the sunshine. There was little to encourage West Indies' pace bowlers and Daren Powell in particular struggled in his loose spell of five overs for 33 runs. — Reuters
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Churchill rally to defeat JCT 2-1
Ludhiana, February 26 After a couple of sitters were missed by both the teams in the initial moments of the crucial encounter, JCT surged ahead in the 14th minute when they earned a free kick when their forward Gurwinder Singh was obstructed. Jagpreet Singh capitalised as Churchill Brothers' goalee, Arindam Bhattacharya was found on wrong foot (1-0). In the second session, Churchill Brothers players reorganised themselves, started tormenting the JCT's defence with a flurry of raids from both the flanks with forward line working in tandem. The equaliser for the visitors came in the 49th minute through their skipper Odafe Onyeka Okolie who pulled off a superb goal, much to the chagrin of custodian and JCT captain Karanjit Singh. Desperately needing a win to remain in contention, JCT FC were a pale shadow of themselves as mispasses and poor cohesion punctuated most of their moves. Nothing seemed to go right for them as they conceded one more goal. Ogba Kalu Nanna scored off a rebound with two minutes to go for the long whistle which steered Churchill Brothers to victory (2-1). |
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AFC Champions League
New Delhi, February 26 Two goals in the first half and another one in the second dashed Dempo's hopes of becoming the first Indian club to qualify for the prestigious AFC Champions League. Dempo, missing Mboyo Iwomi, Joaquim Abranches and Dominic Noronha, conceded a goal in the 12th minute when Al Sharjah's Brazilian striker Anderson found the net in the floodlit match last night. Another Brazilian import, striker Jean Carlos doubled the lead in the 34th minute while Mousa Hatab put the result beyond doubt when he netted Al Sharjah's third goal in the 55th minute. Dempo got a couple of scoring chances after trailing 0-3 but Ranty Martins and Roberto Mendis de Silva (Beto) were denied by Al Sharjah goalkeeper Rashid Ahmed. Al Sharjah got off to a great start when they broke the deadlock within 12 minutes into the game. Nawaf Mubarak delivered a free-kick from the right which fell to Anderson to hit the back of the net from inside the area. Al Sharjah kept up the pressure and almost scored their second goal in the 32nd minute when Mubarak's corner was headed goalward by Iraqi defender Hussein Alaa but the ball was cleared off the goal-line. Dempo's respite was, however, short-lived as two minutes later, Jean Carlos drove into the area and beat Samir Koda before dispatching a shot past Dempo goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal.
— PTI |
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Anand suffers defeat, drops to joint 4th
Linares, Spain, February 26 The Indian ace now has three points out of a possible six and will have to pull out something special to get a hold in the remaining eight rounds of the Super Grandmasters tournament. Anand, who has two losses in the first six rounds, shares the joint fourth spot with Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine while Alexander Grischuk of Russia with 4.5 points is in the sole lead after a win over Levon Aronian of Armenia in an another thrilling encounter. Aronian was sharing the second spot with Carlsen with 3.5 points each. Anand, who survived a scare from Ivanchuk to hold the Ukrainian for a draw in the previous round, was also stunned by Aronian in their second round encounter. Anand's slump in form was well capitalised by Carlsen to outwit the Indian in 77 moves. Carlsen, who employed a Semi Slav defence, went for a topical variation while Anand's new idea to trade queens at the cost of a weakened pawn structure did not fetch rich dividends to him.
— UNI |
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London, February 26