Scoreboard

India

Sehwag c Sangakkara b Kulasekara 42 (27) Gambhir b Kulasekara 0 (2)

Kohli c Sangakkara b Welegedara 2 (8)

Yuvraj c Samaraweera b Welegedara 0 (3) Dhoni c Sangakkara b Kulasekara 14 (19) Raina b Welegedara 106 (115)

Jadeja lbw b Dilshan 38 (64)

Harbhajan lbw b Randiv 11 (26)

Zaher c Samaraweera b Kulasekara 16 (8)

Nehra not out 2 (3)

Sreesanth b Perera 4 (15)

Extras (lb 4, w 6) 10

Total (all out; 48.2 overs) 245

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-4, 3-16, 4-47, 5-60, 6-166, 7-213, 8-233, 9-237.

Bowling: Kulasekara 10-0-48-4, Welegedara 10-1-53-3, Thushara 6-1-26-0, Randiv 9-0-47-1, Perera 8.2-0-49-1, Dilshan 5-0-18-1.

Sri Lanka

Tharanga c Kohli b Nehra 0 (3)

Dilshan c Dhoni b Yuvraj 49 (54)

Sangakkara c Sehwag b Harbhajan 55 (51)

Jayawardene not out 71 (81)

Samaraweera b Jadeja 27 (41)

Kandamby lbw b Harbhajan 18 (26)

Randiv run out 17 (30)

Perera not out 6 (6)

Extras (lb 1, w 4, nb 1) 6

Total (6 wickets; 48.3 overs) 249

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-93, 3-109, 4-157, 5-189, 6-228.

Bowling: Nehra 1.2-0-2-1, Sreesanth 9.3-0-72-0, Kohli 1.4-0-12-0, Zaheer 10-0-51-0, Harbhajan 10-0-41-2, Yuvraj 9-0-41-1, Jadeja 7-0-29-1.

Pune, January 13
After playing an important role in brokering the truce between Hockey India and the striking campers, former captain Dhanraj Pillay feels the positive thing which came out of the entire episode is the unity among the players. The five-day long crisis was today resolved after Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi, in presence of Pillay, brokered a compromise deal wherein the striking players were promised an immediate disbursement of Rs one crore, offered by team sponsor Sahara.

“I am very happy that a solution has been reached and the players are returning to training tomorrow. I am also happy that their legitimate demands were being met. I think every player understood that they have to prepare for the World Cup,” Pillay told reporters here today.

“I am happy as a player this is the first time all the 22 players came together and fought for their right and future generation,” he said. The former striker said Kalmadi’s assurance was more than enough for the players, who have stalled the World Cup preparatory camp here in protest against the delay in payment of their pending financial dues and incentives.

“What the players wanted was some assurance and Mr Kalmadi ensured them that they will talk to the Hockey India people and distribute the Rs one crore offered by Sahara among the players as soon as possible,” Pillay said. “Mr Kalmadi also assured them that their other demands will be put before the new Hockey India, set to be elected on February 7.”

Meanwhile, relieved after the deadlock with the federation ended in an amicable solution, the Indian hockey players today vowed to put up a united front in the forthcoming World Cup which gets underway here next month. India goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza said the players are a much relieved lot after a peace was brokered today between two warring parties and now they can completely focus their attention on the preparations for the World Cup to be held in the national capital from February 28-March 13.

“We are relived today. We were happy that everything has been settled and now we can concentrate on our preparations for the World Cup,” D’Souza said Pune. “Our unity was our main weapon in this fight. Every single player of the squad was behind each other and I am happy to say that we still are a united lot. I hope we will carry forward this unity on the field.”

“World Cup is a battle and unity is necessary to win any battle. You will definitely witness this unity during the World Cup,” he said. D’Souza said the IOA chief’s word of mouth was big enough assurance for them to call off the five-day long strike and resume training from tomorrow. D’Souza’s Team India mate Prabhjot Singh agreed with him and said the players are determined to put up an impressive show as a unit during the megaevent. “We are feeling really good and I am happy that everything has been sorted out early,” Prabhjot said. “We were always united. And this unity is a good sign for the World Cup. Our proposals have met and the boys are pumped up to give their best in the World Cup.” — PTI

New Delhi, January 13
Surprised with the appointment of South African Eric Simons as India’s bowling consultant, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram today questioned BCCI’s decision and expressed doubts whether the Protea could give a facelift to their bowling department. “Yeh banda hai kaun (Who is this guy)? I never heard of Simons before,” Akram said.

“I read his (Simons’) name in the morning papers and was surprised at the choice. I don’t know if he possesses any exceptional coaching skill. If he does, then it’s good for India,” Akram said. The BCCI on Monday appointed former South Africa coach Eric Simons as the Indian’s bowling consultant for the two Tests against Bangladesh and the subsequent home series against South Africa.

Akram also feels that such a short-term contract would not do much good to the team, rather the board should appoint a bowling coach for a minimum tenure of six to eight months. “These short stints will certainly not help the players. If I tell a few things to the players for a period of two weeks, then I will have to ensure that they are followed or implemented for some time. Only then a coach will get the desired results,” the former left-arm pacer said.

“I feel a coach should stay with the boys for a minimum period of six to eight months and only then the bowling will show improvement,” Akram added. A former Western Province player, Simons was picked for the national side in 1994 at the age of 32. He has played 23 ODIs and taken 33 wickets but failed to impress with the bat. After retirement, he became Western Province's coach and he was assigned as the national coach in September 2002.

Simons’ tenure lasted two years until he stepped down in October 2004 after a string of poor show by the national side. The 43-year-old Pakistani was also not impressed with the increasing tendency of engaging foreign coaches and specialists by the countries in sub-continent. “I don’t understand the fact why do Asian teams employ foreign coaches? And if a South African coach is appointed then why does he bring along a South African guy for the fielding or bowling coach’s role,” Akram said.

Former South Africa opener Gary Kirsten is now the coach of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men while another Protea Paddy Upton the support staff of the team. “A home coach can not only impart good enough knowledge to the players but can also gel with the players and talk to them in their own language,” Akram said. India have been without a bowling coach since October last year after Venkatesh Prasad was sacked. — PTI

The words of Sir Alex Ferguson last summer are coming back to haunt him. Six months ago the Manchester United manager told reporters during the club’s pre-season trip to Malaysia that former United striker Carlos Tevez was not worth the (pounds sterling)25m that Manchester City paid for him.

Ferguson said, “I don’t think he was worth (pounds sterling) 25m. He was popular with the supporters. The fans quite rightly have their heroes and I was happy to go along with the deal as long as it was the right one but, quite simply, he is not worth (pounds sterling)25m.”

Right now, Tevez looks every inch a (pounds sterling) 25m player, particularly when you consider that Ferguson spent (pounds sterling) 30.75m a year earlier on Dimitar Berbatov, a player whose arrival at Old Trafford effectively squeezed Tevez out of the picture and led to his controversial departure last summer.

A hat-trick from Tevez in Monday night’s 4-1 win over Blackburn, on the day he received the award for being December’s Premier League player of the month, moved Manchester City up to fourth place, just three points behind the champions if the Blues win their game in hand. Comparisons between Tevez and Berbatov show the City man is the one providing value for money. The Argentina international has scored 15 goals, with 11 in his last nine appearances, compared with Berbatov's modest return of six from 23 matches. Tevez’s City team-mate Nigel De Jong is one who believes Ferguson will be made to eat his words. The Dutchman said, “It is up to the player to show his worth. Some people have a different view on Carlos Tevez but if they look at him now, they will change their mind.” — By arrangement with The Independent

Chandigarh, January 13
Blues led by former India all-rounder Reetinder Sodhi kept up the momentum after their first win yesterday and spanked Yellow in their inconsequential fixture, while Green made short work of the Silver to comfortably put their feet in the final on the fifth day of the ongoing Kings XI Cup here today. Green will face Red in the final tomorrow at the PCA stadium.

With the sun out and the pitch seemed to have eased out, Blues decided to bat first. Sohal (37) and India leg spinner Piyush Chawla (31) batted with ease and took the score past the hundred run mark. Gourav Gupta scored important 22 off 29 balls to help Blues reach 135 in the full 20 overs. In reply, Yellow started on a disastrous note and had their top five batsmen cooling their heels back in the hut within the score of 50.

Piyush Chawla complemented the good work witht he bat and struck thrice for just 13 runs in his 3.1 over spell. Skipper Sodhi kept too made his case stronger with 2 for 17 in his four overs. Yellow were bundled out for 98 in the 17th over.

In another match, Green won the toss and asked Silver to bat first. Silver lost openers early and tried to bulid up the innings but to no avail. Green struck at regular intervals and did not let Silver settle down. Gandhi top scored with 18. Silver could only manage 74.

Green overhauled the target with ease in the 19th over to join Red in the final. The kind of form Red have been in will make Green work hard to clinch the trophy. Green would like to think otherwise.

Brief Scores:

Blue 135 for 9 in 20 overs; Yellow 98 all out in 16.1 overs

Silver 74 all out in 16.3 overs; Green 75 for 5 in 18.2 overs

BRIEFLY

CWG: Delhi demands Rs 2,000 crore
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Saturday demanded Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre for the preparation of the Commonwealth Games that is scheduled to be held in the National Capital from October 3-14. “I have said we need at least Rs 2,000 crore.... This year we got about Rs 1,000 crore for Commonwealth Games and some money from JNNURM,” Delhi Finance Minister A K Walia said after a pre-Budget interaction with Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. — PTI

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso during the Ducati and Ferrari’s annual media gathering, in Madonna di Campiglio on Tuesday. — Reuters

KP will fire soon: Collingwod
JOHHANESBURG: England all-rounder Paul Collingwood believes England’s best bat Kevin Pietersen is due for a big score sooner than later. Coming to the defence of an embattled Pietersen, Collingwood described Pietersen as a “genius” whose next big innings is only just around the corner. — ANI

Ranji: Mumbai tighten screws
MYSORE: Dhawal Kulkari’s composed 87, followed by three quick scalps by paceman Ajit Agarkar brought Mumbai within seven wickets of defending their Ranji Trophy title at the Gangotri Glades cricket ground here on Wednesday. Resuming at 108 for five, Mumbai piled up 234 in their second essay to set a target of 338 before the hosts. Karnataka were 135 for three, with Ganesh Satish unbeaten on 40 and Manish Pandey (59 not out ), at stumps. — PTI

Suranjoy wins opening bout
MUMBAI: Suranjoy Singh, the gold medal winner of the prestigiuos President’s Cup, had to toil hard to beat unheralded Mahimainathan 1-0 in his opening bout of the fourth Super Cup Inter-Zonal National Boxing Championship here on Wednesday. Suranjoy, earned the lead in the first round and managed to hold the narrow lead to win the flyweight (51 kg) bout. — PTI

Arsenal to re-sign Campbell
LONDON: Arsenal is on the brink of strengthening its defences with the free transfer signing of veteran defender Sol Campbell, 35. Campbell is ready to complete a sensational return to Arsenal after insisting that he is still good enough for Premier League football. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has taken a gamble on the centre-back, who will rejoin the club where he contributed to winning the Premier League title in 2004. — ANI

Somdev, Prakash advance
MELBOURNE: Somdev Devvarman and Prakash Amritraj began their Australian Open qualifying campaign with contrasting wins but it was end of the road for Yuki Bhambri here on Wednesday. Somdev, beat James Duckworth 6-2, 6-1 in the first round qualifying draw. However, Yuki Bhambri lost his opening encounter 6-3, 3-6, 3-6 to Jan Minar. — PTI

‘Schumacher must fear Alonso’
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO: Schumacher could rue his departure from Ferrari because Fernando Alonso is perfectly placed to beat the German to the world title again, team boss Stefano Domenicali said on Wednesday. “Let’s not forget Fernando is the only driver on the track who in his career has beaten Michael (to the world championship),” Domenicali said. — Reuters