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Daredevils run over by victoria
Diamonds roughed up |
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Indian open
Behind-the-scenes man
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Daredevils run over by victoria
New Delhi, October 9 The Delhi team could get nothing right as a perfect line and length bowling display by Victoria Bushrangers restricted the feared Daredevils batting to just 98 for 8 in 20 overs. In turn, the visitors effectively stonewalled the Daredevils’ bowling to post 100 for 3 with 22 balls to spare. Delhi Daredevils suffered an early setback when captain Gautam Gambhir went back after scoring just four runs with the team total at 17. But with Virender Sehwag firing with his usual elan, there was hope for Daredevils hoisting a competitive total. But that was not to be as Sehwag’s innings was cut short when he was dismissed by Mckay with a stunning catch off his own bowling. Sehwag made 21 off 15 balls and that was the highest score posted by a Delhi batsman. Tillakaratne Dilshan put up a fight, but he too perished after putting on 18 runs. The under-100 Delhi total was easy meat for Bushrangers who were given a flying start by Rob Quiney, who blasted 40 off 33 balls, which included three sixes — two off Amit Mishra and one off Ashish Nehra, though Nehra till then had bowled a very tight spell. Captain Cameroon White and Aiden Blizzard did not take undue risks as they preferred to gather their runs in singles and twos, though the winning runs came off a huge six. The low bounce did not afford the batsmen much liberty to go for big shots, though Delhi’s limited bowling resources were clearly exposed by the Australian champions. Scoreboard Victoria:
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Diamonds roughed up
New South Wales Blues, led by Simon Katich, and including the redoubtable pacer Brett Lee in their ranks, got off to a shaky start when they lost Philip Hughes with just three runs on the board. Katich himself walked in to play a rapier knock of 53 on the newly-laid Kotla wicket, which provided low bounce, to bail out the Australian team, and subsequently put them on course for a victory. Katich’s 81-run second-wicket partnership with opener David Warner (23) laid the platform for New South Wales Blues to eventually post a total of 144 for 6 in 20 overs. In reply, Diamond Eagles, the South African champions, were restricted to 91 for 9 in 20 overs to enable the Blues to score a handsome victory. Katich was deservingly adjudged the man of the match, though Brett Lee’s fiery pace, and economic bowling initially, was a factor which put the shackles on the Eagles. Brett Lee, operating the first over from the far end, trapped R Rousses lbw with a ball which roared in, but kept low to reduce Diamonds to one for two. Brett Lee’s first two overs cost just two runs, and when he returned to complete his remaining quota of two overs, Diamonds were already done with, as they had lost wickets at regular intervals to be reduced to 5 for 24 and 6 for 36. But for a defiant knock of 40 by the tall R McLarean, Diamond Eagles would have been devoured by the Blues’ bowlers much earlier. Scoreboard Eagles:
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Chargers overwhelming favourites against Somerset
Under the inspirational Adam Gilchrist, the Chargers, at least on paper, possess an arsenal of explosive batsmen and fiery bowlers who helped the franchisee script an incredible turnaround and become the reigning Indian Premier League winner in South Africa. Gilchrist may have quit international cricket but the swashbuckling left-hander still can tear apart any bowling attack, as he did frequently in the second IPL in South Africa. The tournament will also be special for controversial all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who would like to make a statement after Australia dumped him on disciplinary grounds. For them, Rohit Sharma will be hoping to replicate the same form that made him such a hot property in Twenty20 cricket and the youngster is also trying to force his way into Team India with some brilliant knocks in the Champions League. Having VVS Laxman and Scott Styris will also lend solidity to the side and the presence of R P Singh, Chaminda Vaas and Pragyan Ojha in the bowling unit would mean the Chargers would not have to worry much when it comes to defending totals. In such a situation, expectation would be sky-high but Gilchrist said they are not allowing it to bog down the team. "We don't carry any extra burden," Gilchrist said, adding that there is a "Deccan Chargers culture" in the team and all of them are determined to do well. Laxman, who shone for Lancashire in county cricket, hoped to continue his good form in the Champions League also. Somerset, on the other hand, would rely heavily on captain Justin Langer and Marcus Trescothick to make their mark in the high-profile event. Maintaining that playing in the Champions League is a "great opportunity" for the team, Langer has said his teammates would have to get their act right to script an upset. "There is no dearth of talent in the team and we have to do well in the big moments," he said. Teams: Deccan Chargers: Adam Gilchrist (C), VVL Laxman, Venugopal Rao, Andrew Symonds, Scott Styris, Shoaib Ahmed, Rohit Sharma, Harmeet Singh, Chaminda Vaas, T Suman, RP Singh, Fidel Edwards, Ryan Harris, Pragyan Ojha and Azhar Bilakhia. Somerset: Justin Langer (C), Omari Banks, Max Waller, Peter Trego, Arul Suppiah, Zander de Bruyn, Wes Durston, Craig Kieswetter, Charl Willoughby, Marcus Trescothick, Alfonso Thomas, Ben Philips, PS Jones, Jos Buttler, James Hildreth. — PTI
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Indian open
Gurgaon, October 9 Muniyappa’s performance has put him in the spotlight for the first time and will give the galleries plenty to cheer about on day three. “I have learned a lot from playing in Asian Tour events overseas this year and it has given me a lot of confidence. I think that is showing this week. I really am trying to focus on keeping my card this year so to be leading is an extra bonus,” said Muniyappa, who plays his golf at Karnataka Golf Association golf course in Bangalore. He is currently in 97th position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with earnings of US$17,391 having played in ten events. The Indian started his round on the back nine and started poorly with a bogey on the 14th. However, he made a quick fire recovery with birdies on the next two holes and on the front nine birdied two and six. Lee, who has won once on the Asian Tour in the 2007 Bangkok Open, has been struggling with a back injury for much of the season. However, as he begins to recover from that so his game is starting to get back on track. A birdie on the ninth hole, his last, helped him finish in a tie for top spot. First round leader Blyth had been in the lead for much of the day before a poor back nine of three-over-par 39 saw him slip back. He was one ahead at the turn but then bogeyed 11, 13, 14, and 15. “I was cruising along really nicely but then it all went wrong on the back nine. When I was walking off 17, I just tried to figure out what went wrong and it was really just bad luck. For example on 11, I just hit it over the back, chipped on and just missed the putt. Then on 14, I was just trying to lay up with an eight iron but got a huge flyer out of the rough so it carried into the water. I really didn’t hit any bad shots,” said Blyth, who recovered somewhat with a birdie on the 17th. Indian Arjun Atwal and Michael Campbell from New Zealand recovered well after poor first rounds. Leading scores: Par 72 135 - C. Muniyappa (IND) 66-69, Lee Sung (KOR) 65-70 136 - Digvijay Singh (IND) 68-68, Adam Blyth (AUS) 64-72 137 - Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 68-69, Mars Pucay (PHI) 70-67 138 - Jbe Kruger (RSA) 70-68, Keith Horne (RSA) 67-71 139 - Unho Park (AUS) 67-72, Mukesh Kumar (IND) 71-68, Jason King (AUS) 66-73, Scott Hend (AUS) 69-70, Daniel Chopra (SWE) 67-72 140 - Marcus Both (AUS) 69-71, Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 69-71, Raju Ali (IND) 69-71,Harinder Gupta (IND) 68-72, Stephen Leaney (AUS) 70-70 Selected: 141 – Arjun Atwal (IND) 75-66 143 – Michael Campbell (NZL) 76-67
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Behind-the-scenes man
Patiala, October 9 Apart from the men who have already had the deserving limelight on them, you can see a diminutive Cuban, with a crisp walk and eager eyes. For BI Fernandez, Indian boxing has come a long way from when he started here back in 1991. He has seen Dingko’s medal in 1998, Gurcharan’s ‘missed’ chance in 2000 Olympics, Akhil striking Gold in 2006, Vijender creating history in 2008 and then in 2009. When he came to India almost 19 years ago, he barely knew English. Even today he barely does, but he picked up Hindi, probably knowing that what a punch won’t do, a simple ‘namaste’ will. Q: From 1991 to 2009, how do you think Indian boxing has grown? A: There is a change for everyone to see. Indian boxers are recongnised at the world stage now. It is so different from what we were used to during the initial days. At times I went back for a year, at times for two, but I never stopped following Indian boxers. The sport has grown up in these two decades. Q: What is the biggest change you have noticed in these years? A: I think there is a lot of professionalism coming in. The boys are much more focused and aware of the needs on the international stage. Q: Cuba has been a boxing powerhouse. How do you see Indian pugilists in comparison to Cubans? A: Cuba is not very different from India in terms of infrastructure. To put it modestly, it is not the best in the world. But there is a centralized control. There is accountability for what you do, how you do it and most importantly, how well you do it. That is one area that India needs to work on. There has to be one authority which can keep a check on state associations and their performance. Q: So you think state associations do not go all out to better the sport? A: It is not always in their hands. But an authority that can ask them time and again about what they have been up to, will help in raising transparency and performance too. All states can learn from Haryana. The state has done wonders and guys like Vijender, Akhil and Jitender have made their mark at the world stage too. Q: Coming to the boxers, who are the best among the current lot? A: For me all of them are the best. They have all made their mark and I am so happy that today I am spoilt for choice with so many of them. But Indian boxing has to start thinking beyond the Vijenders and the Akhils. They will retire one day, and you have to be ready to replace them when they do. For if that doesn’t happen they popularity of the sport will go down. Q: But still the Commonwealth Games are up next year and so are the Asian Games. Who are the best medal hopes for India? A: Well, if I really have to pick, then Akhil and Vijender. Vijender has to be carrying a lot of expectations and he will know it. He is a great boxer and the World No.1. He will know that the country is looking at him for a medal, and this time for Gold. Akhil, on the other hand has been really unlucky with freak injuries. He is so talented that a 100 per cent fit Akhil means a 200 per cent chance of a medal. And knowing him and his amazing attitude towards the sport, he will not even think about anything but Gold. But not just them, I am sure all the boys will give it their best.
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New Delhi, October 9
New Delhi, October 9
Patiala, October 9
