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Crunch Time
Morne wins it for SA
Australia beat Bangladesh
Pietersen floors Pakistan
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Randhir rebuts Ministry charge
Basketball tourney at Pinegrove
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Bridgetown (Barbados), May 6 The Indians have a clutch of part-time spinners, who have filled up the slot of the fifth bowler but the think tank may be tempted to tinker with the composition and bring in a specialist fast bowler with the Kengsington Oval expected to favour the quickies. Pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, who was rested for the South Africa match, is almost certain to come back into the team for the encounter which promises to be a thrilling battle of skill and nerves. With the left-handed Gautam Gambhir also declared fit for the game, the Indian batting order looks solid but it the selection of the bowlers which will make the task of the team management difficult. Both the sides have big hitters in their ranks but when it comes to bowling, the Aussies, who have won three back-to-back 50-over World Cup titles, have the edge. Their pace quartet – Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson -- is about the most lethal attack in the tournament. Considering that Gambhir is just about recovering from his indisposition and has naturally not been at his best, India's task would be a lot more difficult if he fails to get going. In such a scenario, a lot would depend on Suresh Raina who made an electrifying 60-ball 101 against South Africa. Given Raina's form and his ability to win matches on his own, the Australians would have a strategy in place to tie him down. Short balls could be used more sparing against the left hander. Yuvraj Singh, who has regained his touch with scores of 23 (Afghanistan) and 37 (South Africa) would have to be on top of his game to take the fight into the Aussies camp. He could be destructive on his day, caring very little for the reputation of the bowlers, as he showed while making a match-winning 84 against Australia on his ODI debut in the Champions Trophy (2000) as a colt. Murali Vijay, Yusuf Pathan, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja would have to contribute with the bat if India are to get past their first hurdle in the Super Eights. — PTI
Match starts 7pm Captain: MS Dhoni Australia Captain: Michael Clarke
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Bridgetown (Barbados), May 6 The Prortea pace battery of Morkel (4/20), Dale Steyn (2/6) and Charl Langeveldt (3/12) proved too hot to handle for the players of the strife-torn country. However, they still save themselves from the ignominy of making the lowest score in a Twenty20 international match, which remains with Kenya, who had made 67 against Ireland in Belfast in 2008. Mirwais Ashraf and Hamid Hassan put on a 33-run partnership for the 9th wicket to save Afghanistan blushes as they were tottering at 32 for eight at one stage. Afghanistan’s chase began on a disastrous note and soon half of the team was back in the dug out with scorecard reading a scary eight runs for the loss of four wickets. Steyn began the rot by dismissing opener Noor Ali and Mohammad Shahzad and then Morkel got into act by sending back Nowroz Mangal and Karim Sadiq. — PTI Brief Scores:
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Bridgetown (Barbados), May 6 The Aussies rode on Michael Hussey's unbeaten 47 and Nannes' four-wicket haul to drew curtains on their group campaign on unbeaten note after having defeated title holders Pakistan by 34 runs in their opening match. Australia's win also ensured Pakistan's entry into second round from Group A. — PTI
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Bridgetown, May 6 "Let's not get too carried away, but we're delighted with the win and to get some points on the board," Collingwood told reporters. Pakistan made a bright start, reaching 50 inside seven overs, but their momentum was lost after the introduction of spin with Graeme Swann picking up the vital wicket of opener Salman Butt, who had made 34 off 26 balls. Slow left-armer Michael Yardy took two wickets but the second major breakthrough wicket came when Pietersen made a superb running catch in the deep to get rid of Umar Akmal who had reached 30 in 25 balls. Pakistan's troubles were partially self-inflicted, skipper Shahid Afridi getting himself out attempting a suicidal run from his first ball. Afridi's day was to get substantially worse, however, when his team took the field. England's South African-born opening pair of Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter put on 44 for the first wicket. Kieswetter was dropped in the first over by Ajmal who spilled the same batsman again before giving Lumb a life. Lumb (25) went in the sixth over, spinner Ajmal redeeming himself partially as he lured the England batsman down the track for a stumping but Pietersen was in the mood for a match-winning display. — Reuters
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Randhir rebuts Ministry charge
New Delhi, May 6 He said an IOC member was totally independent of any outside influence. "It's my job and responsibility under the Olympic Charter to keep the IOC and the OCA informed on the developments as well as try and evolve a mechanism to resolve the issue that has arisen because of the ill-timed guidelines from the Ministry", Randhir said at a hurriedly held media briefing. He said it was in fact the Government "which has made a mistake". "The Government should have consulted the IOC before issuing the order limiting the tenure of the office-bearers of the IOA and the NSFs. Now closing the door of the stable after the horse has bolted is a pointless exercise", he added. Randhir said it was strange that the Government was sending an official to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne (Switzerland) to discuss the Olympic Charter whereas the entire thing could be downloaded from the IOC website. He said the Ministry had questioned his dual role as IOC member and IOA secretary general.
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Jugraj is back, now as a coach
Chandigarh, May 6 Hockey India has decided to utilize his talent for grooming, nurturing and polishing some of the promising drag flickers the country has for the coming international events in general and the CWG and Asian games in particular. Jugraj Singh reported for the national camp at Pune where he has been put in command of training of drag flickers, including former skipper Sandeep Singh. Though the Indian team has gone to Ipoh to defend its Raja Azlan Shah Cup title, some of the probables for the Commonwealth games and the Asian games to be held later this year, are continuing their training at the national camp. Some of the players rested for the Ipoh tournament are training at Pune. “Yes, I joined the camp yesterday;” confirmed Jugraj Singh saying that he has accepted this challenging assignment as “ India has some of the talented and brightest drag flickers. All they need is some personal attention and finishing,” adds Jugraj Singh.
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Basketball tourney at Pinegrove
Chandigarh May 6 The Tournament is approved and affiliated to the BFI and is the only tournament in India at the junior level, which is organised by the B.F.I. Teams from some of the most reputed schools from all over northern India have confirmed their participation.
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India are faced with a selection dilemma on whether to strengthen their pace attack or rely on part time spinners when they brace up for the crucial Super Eights match against Australia in the T20 World Cup here tomorrow.
The Indians have a clutch of part-time spinners, who have filled up the slot of the fifth bowler but the think tank may be tempted to tinker with the composition and bring in a specialist fast bowler with the Kengsington Oval expected to favour the quickies.
Morne Morkel sent in a destructive fast bowling spell as South Africa crushed debutants Afghanistan 59 runs to advance to the second round of the Twenty20 cricket World Cup here on Wednesday.
With plenty of English support watching in the Barbados sunshine, Paul Collingwood's team had little trouble in surpassing Pakistan's total of 147 with three balls to spare.
India take on Australia in first of their Super 8s game
BCCI issues fresh showcause notice to Modi