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We were unlucky: Kallis
Kiwi striker pulls out of WC
Pak hockey team arrives
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C’wealth Shooting
Thomas and Uber Cup
Aus to discuss IPL security with ACA
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Jaipur, February 22 "After the Kolkata Test, here too we came close before losing the match. This is heart-breaking but I think we have showed our never-say-die attitude. Wayne (Parnell) and Dale (Steyn) played unbelievably good to get that close," he said. "Luck was not in our side. Things could have been different had the boundary (which was referred to TV umpire after Sachin Tendulkar cut short to save one run) been given. But it was third umpire's call and not ours. We have got to accept it and get on. "We simply did not have luck. You saw a (Charl) Langeveldt delivery hitting the stump and going for a four (without dislodging the bail) and you know we didn't have luck," he said with a wry smile. Insisting 299 was gettable, Kallis said, "We thought so. I think we did well to restrict them to 298 when, at one stage, they looked like getting 320-330. We came back well and took vital wickets. I think it was a good effort by the bowlers," said Kallis, who led from the front both with the bat and the ball. Sehwag develops sore back
Star opener Virender Sehwag has developed a sore back even though it is unlikely to affect his participation in the second cricket one-dayer against South Africa in Gwalior on Wednesday. "Sehwag has a sore back and he underwent a scan yesterday. But it doesn't look serious enough to render him unavailable for the Gwalior match," a team official said. Sehwag batted in last night's humdinger against South Africa which India clinched by a wafer-thin one-run margin in the final delivery. Sehwag scored a brisk 46 before he got out and he could not fill in the part-timer's role during South Africa's chase because of the sore back. Sehwag left the field during South Africa's innings and was replaced by Mumbai all-rounder Abhishek Nayyar. India, SA teams arrive in Gwalior
Gwalior: The cricket teams of India and South Africa today arrived here for the second one-dayer to be held on Wednesday. The teams landed here at around 1330 hours and headed to their respective hotel. While the Indian team is staying at the Usha Kiran Hotel Palace, South African players are in Central Park Hotel. Both the teams will take the day off and practice tomorrow. The Indian will practice in the morning and the South Africans will have their net session in the afternoon. India lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning by a run in the first ODI in Jaipur last night. Expect a run feast in 2nd
ODI: Curator
Gwalior: In what would come as music to the ears of swashbucklers like Virender Sehwag, curators at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium have promised a "batting paradise" for the second India-South Africa ODI here on Wednesday. India have already taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after winning by one run in a thriller in Jaipur last night. Gwalior Division Cricket Association (GDCA) curator Ajay Sahasrabuddhe today said a tried and tested strip, re-laid about two years back, will be used for the match. —
PTI |
Wellington, February 22 Child said he took the decision because he felt he could not give his best under such heightened security environment during the February 28-March 13 mega-event. "It's not an ideal environment to be trying to play your best hockey and to be performing for your country," he was quoted as saying from Perth by the New Zealand Press Association, a new agency here. "I think that was the major issue that swayed me when I made up my mind. It was extremely tough, probably the toughest decision I've had to make in my life. "A big part of me of course wanted to go to the World Cup," said the 21-year-old striker, who already has 119 international caps to his name in his five-year-old career. Child travelled with the 18-member Black Sticks squad to Perth for practice games, including two Tests against Australia, in the run-up to the World Cup. But the recent terror threats on foreign athletes visiting India during this year's World Cup, Indian Premier League and Commonwealth Games has prompted the Aucklander to opt out of the tournament at the last moment. New Zealand coach Shane McLeod admitted that security fears have made it difficult for his players to focus on the game. "Just having a threat hanging in the background take its toll and I think, performance-wise, it has affect us," he said. "Also a decision like Simon's is tough on the team. We do a lot of things together and to have one of us not with us is something we will have to work really hard to deal with." Respecting Child's decision, HNZ said the Black Sticks would participate in the World Cup as they have received positive feedback on security from various agencies. Teams start pouring in
New Delhi: With five days to go for the World Cup, Australia and South African hockey teams arrived here today amid tight security. An 18-member Australian squad, under coach Ric Charlesworth, were the first team to land at the national capital in the wee hours today followed by South Africa in the afternoon. Apart from Australia, South Africa and Pakistan, a three-member support staff of Canada, including coach Alan Brahmst arrived here today, while the players will reach here tomorrow. South Korea and the Netherlands are the other two teams which will be arriving here later tonight — PTI |
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Pak hockey team arrives
Attari, February 22 Under tight security cover, the Pakistan delegation, boarding Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation’s Lahore-Delhi-Lahore bus, was enroute to New Delhi, to be part of 12th World Cup Hockey tournament commencing February 28 at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. As expected, the Pakistan hockey squad refrained from speaking to the media and whisked away. On team’s behalf, it was Asif Bajwa, the team manager and general secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, who spoke. “We are here as ambassadors of peace and urge to ease the diplomatic tensions between the neighbours. We also expect that India would reciprocate the same way”, he said. It is evident to mention that intelligence wing of Pakistan had communicated PHF that there has been “genuine” threat to hockey players’ safety in India and PHF should not sit relaxed. “When Pakistan plays India it always sparks interest and I hope would give a kick start to the event and revival of game’s lost glory”, he said. Reacting to this, Asif told that they have been convinced after double assurance of their security from both Delhi police and the Indian Hockey Federation. “The political riots have been prevailant on both sides of border and should not be clubbed with sports, atleast”, he retorted. Apparently, pointing towards discarding the Pakistan cricket players’ in the recent IPL auction, Asif advocated that sports should be kept aside from the political frictions. “It has been unfortunate that the Indo-Pak sporting ties have constantly been damaging and the need of the hour is to develop bilateral approach, even if it is through sports. It has equally been unfortunate that this part of sub-continent enjoys immense sports culture but due to political friction, the sports lovers have been deprived of watching good sports”, said Asif. An 18-man squad led by full-back Zeeshan Ashraf will play arch-rivals and hosts India on Sunday in the opening game. Pakistan, boasting of possessing a record four world titles, have faded badly in the last decade. Their last major title was in 1994 at the Australia World Cup and they finished eighth at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, their worst-ever placing. “We have been extensively prepared to mend the past dents. It would be our striking comeback through this tournament and we hope to bring home the coveted cup”, he said.
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C’wealth Shooting
New Delhi, February 22 India's overall medal tally stood at 26 (13 gold, eight silver and five bronze), way ahead of second-placed England, which has won 15 medals so far -- three gold, seven silver and five bronze. Australia occupied the third spot with 10 medals. Jung, who clinched 10m Air Pistol team gold yesterday, was bang on in the individual event as well and after equalling the meet record for the qualifying score, he went on to beat the championship record for the final score. Jung shot an overall 685.3 (583+102.3) to shatter the meet record of 681.5 held by England's Michael Gault since 1999. The silver medal in this event went to another Indian Zakir Khan who shot 676.6 (576+100.6). Gault settled for bronze after shooting a score of 675.1 (574+101.1). In the rather farcical finals of the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, Indians swept the medals on offer as the lone foreigner in fray, Gibraltar's Jonathon Patron, pulled out. Vijay Kumar bettered the five year old meet record of 760.6 to notch up the gold with a score of 775 (581+194). Previous record holder Pemba Tamang settled for bronze this time with 756.5 (574+182.5). The silver in this event went to Gurpreet Singh who shot a score of 774.1 (581+193.1). Gagan, who fetched gold in the 10m air rifle individual and team competition, had a mixed day as he clinched the gold in the 50m rifle 3 position pairs event but missed out on a medal in the individual category. Narang and Sanjeev Rajput shot a score of (1175+1153) 2323, bettering the meet record set by Rajput and Sushil Ghalay (2279) in 2005, to claim the top honours in the team competition. — PTI
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Thomas and Uber Cup
New Delhi, February 22 While the Indian women's team beat Hong Kong 3-2, the men's team scripted a 5-0 whitewash against Sri Lanka in their tournament opener to take a step closer to qualifying for the main world event from the Asia Zone. World number seven Saina pulled off a thrilling 14-21 21-10 23-21 victory over world number eight Zhou Mi in first women's singles to give India's Uber cup campaign a headstart. Hong Kong pulled one back in the second singles when Yip Pui Yin beat Sayali Gokhale 21-13 21-11. National champion Trupti Murgunde, however, put India ahead once again as she saw off Chan Tsz Ka 21-18 21-16 in just 27 minutes. India's best doubles player Jwala Gutta then teamed up with Ashwini Ponnappa to seal the tie for India as they beat Zhou Mi and Tse Ying Suet 21-13 21-16 in a 21-minute match. In the fifth match, Aparna Balan and Shruti Kurian went down to Chau Hoi Wah and Chan Tsz Ka 9-21 13-21 but it didn't have any bearing on the result as India emerged victorious by a 3-2 margin in the qualifying Asia Zone tie. In the Thomas Cup, it was Chetan who spearheaded the men's challenge as the lanky shuttler edged past Niluka Karunaratne 21-18 19-21 21-17 in 38 minutes to set the ball rolling. — PTI
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Aus to discuss IPL security with ACA
Melbourne, February 22 Batsman Simon Katich and pacer Shaun Tait said they expected to get some clarity on the situation in India after meeting the ACA chief executive Paul Marsh. The ACA has commissioned an independent security assessment from English expert Reg Dickason, who has reportedly found the threats to be credible in his report. Katich, who plays for King's XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League, said he expects tomorrow's meeting to be a stormy affair as players are bound to differ on what is essentially a commercial event. "It's going to be a big decision because obviously there's going to be guys that might think it is fine to go and others that probably don't. But tomorrow we'll find out for sure where everyone stands," he said. "It's hard to say (what they will decide) at this point, and it's hard to say what the other countries are going to decide as well." "We always as players trust the security advice we're given. In the past we've not gone on tours like Pakistan, and if there's issues with India ... we'll find out tomorrow the full extent when the meeting is held in Sydney," Katich added. Tait, who is contracted to Rajasthan Royals, said he wants to play in the event and hoped that security arrangements would be strong enough. —
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PSPB on song, Kerala beat TN
Gurgaon, February 22 Meanwhile, Kerala seeded 11th in the tournament registered first major upset as they stunned sixth seed Tamil Nadu in a well fought second round match. Seasoned campaigner OT Anilkumar gave a perfect start for Kerala in the top table as he overcame higher-rated Ramnath Bhuvanesh. While Ganesh Bhat and Fide Master P Maheswaran split the point on second table. Venkat Sundarm registered a decisive result in favour of Tamilnadu against Ameer PS in the third board. |
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Jaipur, February 22
