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The man who turned it around
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No grudge against umpires: Murali
India in Sri Lanka
PT Usha to head Arjuna Awards panel
Aussies lose openers
BCCI officials to appear before I-T department tomorrow
HI poll, sex scandal: timings coincidental?
‘Inquiry panel violative of SC orders’
Negi’s losing spree continues
Santosh Trophy
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The man who turned it around
It was an emotional moment for the eye-popping spin giant, who was given a guard of honour by both the Indian and Sri Lankan players during the match. Firecrackers went off at the start of every day's play to celebrate Muralitharan's stupendous career and watched by his family, he ended with an amazing tally of 800 wickets in 133 Tests and 515 wickets in 337 ODIs.
Muralitharan is one of the most successful bowlers in the history of the game but controversies were an integral part of his career. The cricketer, who made his debut in 1992 against Australia, had the world cricket debating about his unorthodox and weird bowling action. Right from the beginning of his career, his action came under the scanner and three years after making his debut he was called for throwing during the 1995-96 Australia tour by umpire Darrel Hair. The International Cricket Council (ICC) recommended a biomechanical analysis at the University of Western Australia and concluded that his action created the 'optical illusion of throwing'. The matter did not end there and again he was charged with suspected action in the 1998-99 Australia tour and this time Ross Emerson had doubts about his action. Murali was sent for further tests in Perth and England and was cleared again. He faced the same charges in 2004 but the Sri Lankan kept on taking wickets and in the same year he overtook West Indies' Courtney Walsh's 519-wicket mark to become the highest wicket-taker in Test history. Former Indian captain Bishan Singh Bedi has been one of his most strident critics and had once described him as a "monster created by the ICC". Bedi had always maintained that Murali's 'doosra' was an illegal delivery and had recently even gone to the extent of suggesting to the ICC that the 'doosra' should be banned from international cricket as it was impossible to bowl it without bending the arms. Murali had an enthralling battle for supremacy with Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne as both kept re-writing the highest wicket record. Warne retired with 708 scalps and Murali overtook him in December 2007 against England at his home ground in Kandy. Murali achieved the grand double of being the highest wicket-taker in ODIs as well when he went past Wasim Akram's record of 502 wickets in 2009. The champion spinner could not do much in 2007 World Cup and it remains to be seen if he decides to play in the 2011 edition and help his side win their second world title. He has said that it is difficult to bowl long spell for him and is expected to play Twenty20 cricket. He plays for reigning Indian Premier League champions Chennai Super Kings, who are due to play in the Twenty20 Champions league in September in South Africa. — PTI
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No grudge against umpires: Murali
Galle, July 22 Murali, whose action had come under the scanner on a number of occasions, said the umpires were only doing their job and and it was tough from them to spot everything with naked eyes. The spun wizard, who brought down the curtains on his Test career with a phenomenal 800 wickets under his belt, said it was a huge relief for him when the use of technology proved that his action was clean. "I was disappointed after what happened in 1995. I didn't expect that my action will be ever doubted. But I don't hold any grudges. It was their job. Umpires judge with naked eyes and I technically proved my action was right," Muralitharan said at the presentation ceremony.
Asked what are his future plans, Muralitharan said he would make himself available for the World Cup if the selectors feel it necessary. "I have spoken to the selectors. If they need me for the World Cup, I will play but if they think youngster can do the job for the country then also its ok. I will continue playing Twenty20," he said. Murali, who started off being a fast bowler before changing to leg-spin, treasures his school days and said he was happy that he could make so many friends in the nearly 19 years of his cricketing career. "I started playing cricket when I was eight years old. At St Anthony, Sunil Fernando was my coach and all through out my life he has always guided me. Those were the important days of my life," said Murali, who was very shy to appear for interviews during the initial days of his career. "I have made a lot of friends in all these years. I always like to speak with my opposition players and it is through cricket that I have got so many friends," he added. The spin wizard also took time to acknowledge the support of his family, fans, cricket board and his teammates over the years. ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, who was also present at the prize distribution ceremony, also paid glowing tribute to Muralitharan. "This is a special day for Murali and for world cricket. We want to thank him for entertaining us for the last few years and I would like to congratulate him for being a living legend and I wish him all the best for the future," Lorgat said. — PTI
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India in Sri Lanka
Galle, July 22 Dilshan brought about the victory in style by clobbering Harbhajan Singh for a mighty six as the Lankans raced to 96 no loss in just 14.1 overs to record their seventh 10-wicket win overall and the second against India. Resuming at a precarious 181 for five, India lost captain Dhoni and Harbhajan in quick succesion but Laxman and a dogged resistance by Mithun, Ishant and Ojha delayed the inevitable. — PTI
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PT Usha to head Arjuna Awards panel
New Delhi, July 22 Hockey Olympian Ashok Kumar will head the Dronacharya Award selection committee. The full panel for the selection of Arjuna and other awards are: PT Usha (chairperson), Aparna Popat (badminton), Maneypandu Somaya (hockey), Nisha Millet (swimming), Leander Paes (tennis), Karnam Malleswari (weightlifting), Limba Ram (archery), Adhiraj Singh (equestrian), Mohd Habib (football) and Sriram Bhavaskar (kabaddi). The other members will include government officials and nominees, including Sports Authority of India director-general Sayan Chatterjee and joint secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Injeti Srinivas. The selection panel for Dronacharya award are: Ashok Kumar (chairman), Vandana Rao (athletics), Rajendra Prasad (boxing), Mohammed Zulfiqaruddin (football), Anjali Bhagwat (shooting), Manjit Dua (table tennis), Gurcharan Singh (cricket), Ismail Baig (rowing), GE Sreedharan (volleyball), Cyrus M Poncha (squash), Jhanjha Tripathi, secretary, Railway Sports Control Board and government nominees.
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Leeds, July 22 Katich, bidding for an Australian record of scoring half-centuries in 10 consecutive tests, fell cheaply for the second time in the match. He was bowled around his legs by Mohammad Aamer for 11 as he walked across his stumps. Watson, whose inspired swing bowling and test best six for 33 had earlier given Australia a chance of a comeback, was bowled for 24 having got an inside edge on to his stumps from part-time medium-pacer Umar Amin. The match is mirroring the first test, which Australia won by 150 runs, as wickets continue to tumble frequently in bowler-friendly, overcast conditions. While 24 wickets fell on the first two days at Lord's, there have so far been 22 wickets in two days at Leeds with a session remaining. Watson finished off the Pakistan first innings having claimed four wickets for seven runs in 13 balls after taking two wickets in consecutive balls in his first over after lunch. He bettered the five for 40 he claimed at Lord's. Pakistan resumed after lunch on 218 for five but lost their remaining five wickets for just 40 runs. The smattering of fans at the neutral venue seemed to enjoy the entertainment, with around half of the estimated 3,000 spectators Pakistani. — Reuters Brief Scores: Australia 88 and 62 for 2 (Ponting 18*, Clarke 2*) Pakistan 258 (Butt 45, Watson 6-33)
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BCCI officials to appear before I-T department tomorrow
Mumbai, July 22 BCCI officials confirmed that the Income Tax department had issued summons to its secretary N Srinivasan in the matter concerning the IPL. Among other things, the bidding process under which franchises were given to corporate houses and contracts signed with a number of parties are under the scanner of the tax authorities. The summons was issued last week and the BCCI had sought time to reply. Sources say the BCCI is under probe for using US dollars as the currency of IPL. From bidding fees of franchisees to payments to players and deals with a number of agencies, the BCCI had used the American currency as the medium of exchange. The Income Tax department is probing the apex cricket body for violation of foreign exchange laws, sources say. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has also turned the heat on the cricket organisation. The state government has laid claims worth crores of rupees by way of registration fees for agreements signed with players, sponsors and franchisees. The state government had sent several notices to BCCI since 2008, but no payments have been received, revenue department officials told reporters here.
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HI poll, sex scandal: timings coincidental?
Chandigarh, July 22
Many in the sports administration in general and hockey in particular do not rule out the possibility of sexual harassment of women players. They, however, have serious doubts about the intentions of the architect of the letter. Elections to Hockey India were to be completed much before the 2010 World Cup was organised in New Delhi in March this year.
Again, another adjournment was made and now the elections have been fixed for July 28. Apparently, it is an open straight fight between a group propped and supported by those controlling the Indian Olympic Association on one hand, and the other seeking young and fresh blood in administering the national sport. While some of the state units are still waiting court verdicts to attend the July 28 election, most of the units opposing the present lobby in control of Hockey India, have had to struggle hard to get into the Electoral College. Punjab, for example, had been the glaring example. It has been one of the first few states where not only men and women hockey bodies got united and the State Olympic Association ratified the merger and election of the new Hockey Punjab team, Hockey India refused to recognise it on one pretext or the other. Ultimately, Punjab got through. Chandigarh, another major hockey centre of the country, would remain un-represented at the July 28 meeting. A conflict of interests between the Chandigarh Hockey Association and the Chandigarh Olympic Association will keep the Union Territory out. Can hockey fraternity be denied the right because of personal conflict of interests between two or more individuals? The real contest is between 83-year-old Vidya Stokes of Himachal Pradesh and three-time Olympian Pargat Singh for the post of president. Vidya Stokes, a senior Congress leader and a former Speaker of Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, had remained president of the All-India Women’s Hockey Association for 23 years. She had unsuccessfully contested for the vice-presidentship of the International Hockey Federation a couple of years ago. She had lost to her counterpart from Singapore for a berth reserved for Asia. She is counting not only on her own support but also the vote bank that the IOA ruling group can get her. Like her group she is opposed to government guidelines. Pargat Singh, on the other hand, is not only the most eligible sportsman-turned administrator, has a deep understanding of the game and has been doing a great deal to revive hockey in Punjab in a big way in his capacity as director of sports. He has acceptability not only in the FIH but also in other countries. Most of former players and many of the units looking for a change and betterment in administering of the sport are supporting Pargat Singh, who has thrown his hat in the contest to get the game back on the winning podium. Pargat Singh, however, has been in favour of the government guidelines for transparency and fresh faces in the sports bodies. A young Olympian or a veteran politician, the choice is being left to 60 voters in the Electoral College to decide at the July 28 meeting.
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‘Inquiry panel violative of SC orders’
Gurdaspur, July 22 Midfielder Saroj Bala, who was a member of the team that participated in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, 1986 Seoul Asian games and the 1985 Buenos Aires World Cup ,and has also remained assistant coach to Kaushik from 1992 to 1996, questioned the decision of Hockey India (HI) to set up a four-member panel to inquire into the allegations levelled by Ranjitha against the chief coach. She said the committee had been set up in clear violations of the orders of the Supreme Court. Saroj, who termed Kaushik to be an upright man holding high moral and ethical values, claimed that the apex court in the Vishakha versus State of Rajasthan case in 1997 had held that only a woman could preside over the proceedings in such cases. Moreover, Saroj claimed, the SC had ordered that at least 50 per cent of the members of such a committee should be women. It is pertinent to mention here that Hockey India had formed a panel comprising Rajiv Mehta (chairman), former Olympians Zafar Iqbal, Ajit Pal Singh and Sudarshan Pathak, who is the sole women member in the committee. Bala said a proper committee should be constituted as per orders of the Supreme Court. “Only in that way will the truth prevail. Hockey India is just doing a face-saving exercise and nothing concrete will emerge. I have known Kaushik for a long time and any individual knowing him will vouch for the fact that he is a man of unimpeachable character and integrity. It’s a clear cut case to defame a coach whose experience and expertise in the national game is well known,” she said. Saroj found support from former international striker Manjinder Kaur, who played for India in the 1998 Bangkok and 2002 Busan Asian Games, apart from donning the Indian cap in the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. Manjinder, now employed with the Railways, said, “ It is difficult to believe the allegations against Kaushik. There are a lot of warring groups in Indian hockey and some disgruntled elements are out to defame a man whose character is known to everyone. Kaushik is a victim of hockey’s internal politics.” Earlier, Helen Mary, who was a member of the Indian team in 2006, had levelled similar allegations against Kaushik. However, a subsequent inquiry revealed that Mary’s allegations were “unfounded”.
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Biel (Switzerland), July 22 Wesley So of Philippines benefited from a 11th hour blunder by Maxim Rodshtein of Israel to emerge as sole leader on 2.5 points after the third round. Parimarjan is yet to open his account. Playing white for the first time in the tournament, Parimarjan’s hunt for an elusive account opener did not end. Surprisingly, he went for the Closed Sicilian, it also turned out to be something in which experience was lacking for him.
— PTI
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Santosh Trophy
Kolkata, July 22 Kerala, Orissa and Railways also got off to winning starts in their respective cluster matches of the day at various venues here. In the cluster VII match at Mohun Bagan ground, Assam Rifles striker Akum Ao struck six goals to power their side to the thumping win over minnows Himachal Pradesh. Akum led the goal glut striking in the 15th, 47th, 52nd, 61st, 76th and 78th minutes, while Bulu Zigdung struck twice in the 33rd and 39th minutes. S Warry (11st) and Chirod Das (87th) completed the rout for Assam. Kerala registered a 3-1 win over Uttarakhand in their cluster VII opener at Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Sumesh N scored in the 31st minute to give Kerala the lead while Sakeer M P doubled the lead in the 65th minute. Four minutes later, Uttarakhand pulled one back through Veer Singh Negi before Kerala’s Javed struck in the 90+1st minute to complete the tally. Sheikh Mustaqim scored twice in each half (10th and 55th), while Maheshwar Das struck in the 70th minute to help Orissa register a 3-1 win over Mizoram in their cluster VIII match at Khardah Stadium. In another match Railways thrashed Bihar 7-1. — PTI
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One of the finest but most controversial spinners of his generation, Sri Lankan veteran Muttiah Muralitharan bid an emotional goodbye to his 18-year-old Test career today with an unprecedented tally of 800 wickets. The 38-year-old bowler got the perfect send off by guiding the Lankans to a 10-wicket victory over India in a match where he firmly etched his name in the pages of cricketing history by taking the required eight wickets to reach the 800-wicket mark.
One of the finest but most controversial spinners of his generation, Sri Lankan veteran Muttiah Muralitharan bid an emotional goodbye to his 18-year-old Test career today with an unprecedented tally of 800 wickets. The 38-year-old bowler got the perfect send off by guiding the Lankans to a 10-wicket victory over India in a match where he firmly etched his name in the pages of cricketing history by taking the required eight wickets to reach the 800-wicket mark.
Although Muralitharan will no longer play Tests, he has kept open the option of playing the 2011 ODI World Cup, to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka along with India and Bangladesh. The off-spinner, who was called for throwing by a few umpires during his illustrious career, has been one of the most talked about players in contemporary cricket.
"I am very grateful to the cricket board, Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda De Silva, they all stood by me and guided me so that I could come through that crisis," he added.
No one would ever doubt the veracity of the statement of girls who might have undergone harrowing times on being asked for sexual favours by those in the team managements. Yet the timing of the unsigned anonymous complaint reaching only Hockey India and not the Ministry of Sports has stirred a hornet’s nest.
Caught in a piquant situation, International Hockey Federation could not take away the World Cup away. Instead, it provided a breather to Hockey India quoting litigations as the reason for extending the deadline for completing elections till end of May this year.