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India-Lanka-NZ Tri-Series
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Strauss guides England to easy win over Pak
England's Alastair Cook is bowled by Pakistan's Mohammad Aamer (L) during the second Test at Edgbaston on Sunday. — Reuters
FIH backs Hockey India
Geetika Jakhar (R). Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar
Tejaswini Sawant: 15-day practice enough for CWG
CWG: Darbari sacked
Aussies clinch 11th Champions Trophy
Abhijit in Asiad golf squad
FIH rankings: India cling to 9th spot
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India take on depleted Kiwis
Dambulla, August 9
India will be without in-form batting veteran Sachin Tendulkar and spin spearhead Harbhajan Singh, both of whom have been rested, and injured opener Gautam Gambhir in the series. Pace spearhead Zaheer Khan remains sidelined with a shoulder injury, which might give a woefully out-of-form Ishant Sharma his first one-day international of the year. Ashish Nehra will take over the responsibility of leading the attack and on current form, the lanky pacer would be expected to add some zing to the not-so-impressive pace department, which struggled in the Test series. On the batting front, the series is a chance for off-colour Yuvraj Singh to get over the disappointment of the Test series, in which he flopped in the opening match, missed the second due to flu, and was dropped for the third after his replacement Suresh Raina scored a century on debut.
Young and eager to make a mark, the new-look Indian middle-order has often let the team down with extravagant shots in crunch situations. The New Zealanders, on the other hand, are in their familiar dark-horses role, more so in the absence of inspirational skipper Daniel Vettori, who has skipped the series to be with his wife for the birth of his second child. Also missing from the Kiwi line-up is the explosive duo of Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum. While McCullum has been granted some time off with family by New Zealand Cricket, the temperamental Ryder is nursing an elbow injury. Sans the three proven match-winners, the Kiwis will have to come up with a superlative effort to make an impact in the series against the sub-continental giants. Destructive batsman Ross Taylor has been handed the leadership role for the series and it would take a lot for him to inspire an inexperienced squad. He has started well with morale-boosting wins in the couple of practice matches the team played after landing in the island nation. But against the Indians, the Kiwis would be looking forward to experienced all-rounder Jacob Oram, vice-captain Kyle Mills and Scott Styris for inspiration. Teams (From): India: Dhoni, Sehwag, Kohli, Raina, Rohit, Yuvraj, Jadeja, Karthik, Ashwin, Praveen, Ishant, Mithun, Nehra, Ojha, S Tiwary. New Zealand: Taylor, Mills, Elliott, Guptill, Hopkins, N McCullum, McKay, Oram, Patel, Ingram, Southee, Styris, Tuffey, Watling, Williamson. — PTI
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Strauss guides England to easy win over Pak
Birmingham, August 9 Opening batsman Strauss and Jonathan Trott were both 53 not out, with England winning their sixth Test in a row. "We had a few butterflies because we knew we had to work hard for a Test match win. It was a timely reminder for us we have to work for a Test match win. All credit to Pakistan." England had made just seven when Alastair Cook was clean bowled by left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer after a full length delivery kept low. England could then have been 17 for two when off-spinner Saaed Ajmal, with only his third ball, induced an edge from Strauss, playing a forcing shot, on 10. But debutant wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider, brought in after Kamran Akmal missed several chances and bagged a pair in Pakistan's 354-run first Test defeat at Trent Bridge, could not hold the tough catch with England then on 17 for one. Zulqarnain then failed to hold a simpler chance off a defensive edge from Strauss, on 38, with Ajmal again the unlucky bowler. Strauss, was on 43 when Mohammad Asif, running back at mid-off, failed to hold a skyer off Shoaib Malik but England were almost home. Trott went to his second fifty of the match with a cover-driven four off Malik that levelled the scores before Strauss's inside-edged single off Ajmal ended the match. Pakistan were earlier dismissed for 296, after resuming on 291 for nine, with Asif (14) caught in the gully by Kevin Pietersen off Stuart Broad. Umar Gul, batting with a runner, was 13 not out. But Gul's hamstring injury meant the paceman was unable to bowl. Zulqarnain, in on a king pair, top-scored with 88. It represented a remarkable recovery after Pakistan made just 72 -- their lowest score against England -- in the first innings. England off-spinner Graeme Swann took a Test-best six wickets for 65 runs in Pakistan's second innings and was named man-of-the-match. "Swann was outstanding, the wicket had flattened out and he came to the party again," Strauss said after the spinner had gone two whole innings without bowling at all. Brief Scores: England 251 and 118 for 1 (Strauss 53*, Trott 53*) beat Pakistan 72 and 296 (Haider 88, Ajmal 50, Swann 6-65) by nine wickets. — AFP
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FIH backs Hockey India
New Delhi, August 9
Says HI ‘IHF, IWHF Also adds Asks Hockey Ministry sticks FIH president Leandro Negre, in a letter addressed to the secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has stated that “we have in the past specifically communicated to Hockey India and IHF (Indian Hockey Federation) and have openly stated the correct position as per the FIH statute that only that body, which is in full compliance with the FIH statute that is a sole body that governs both men and women hockey, and which meets the requirement of FIH statutes shall be recognised for the management, control and promotion of Hockey (in India)”.
Hockey India put a democratically elected body in place recently when Vidya Stokes and Narinder Batra were elected as the president and secretary-general, respectively. Negre pointed out that the IHF “was de-recognised by us way back in 2000 as both the IHF and the IWHF (Indian Women’s Hockey Federation) were in complete non-compliance of the FIH statutes and regulations”. “In the best interest of hockey in India, we recognised the Indian Hockey Confederation (IHC) in 2001 on the basis of representation made by the IHF and the WHFI that the IHC is the sole governing body to govern both men and women hockey in India. We were shocked when we found in 2008 that the IHF is a defunct and non-existent body and we were compelled to de-recognise the IHC, i.e Indian Hockey Confederation”, Negre added. He said Hockey India was formed in consultation with the Ministry of Sports and the IOA, which was recognised by the IOA in May 2009, FIH in June 2009 and the Ministry in August 2009. “Hockey India had complied with all the requirements of the FIH, except elections, but on August 5, 2010, Hockey India elections were conducted by a retired High Court judge, IOA observer and in the presence of FIH observer Antonio Von Ondarza, and we have noted this compliance on the part of Hockey India and is satisfied with this compliance”, Negre added. “Strangely enough, you are calling upon us to recognise the IHF, which was de-recognised by us way back in 2000. We are further shocked to note that in spite of being completely aware that the IHF is non-compliant with our statutes and in spite of the fact that it was de-recognised by us in the year 2000 and further the IHC, floated by the IHF and the IWHF was derecognised by us on the ground that it was a defunct body, you are now calling upon us to recognise the IHF. Please note that the IWHF has already merged into Hockey India in 2008, and in view thereof, the IHF and the IWHF merger is not possible”, the FIH chief elaborated. Negre said Hockey India was the sole recognised body, and therefore, “We sincerely request you to support and co-operate with the decision taken by the FIH. He also revealed that the FIH had asked Hockey India to send a team for the forthcoming Women’s World Cup in Rosario (Argentina) “so that India is represented”. But in reply to Negre’s letter, joint secretary Injeti Srinivas clarified that the Ministry had recognised the IHF as the sole National Sports Federation for hockey in India in the light of the court orders, which has been accepted by both the the IOA and the HI. "Moreover, HI had declared before the courts, including the Supreme Court of India, that they are a private body and not amenable to writ jurisdiction. Since the functions of an NSF fall within the realm of public duties, it is not tenable for a private body to carry out these activities”, Srinivas noted. He further pointed out that consequent upon de-recognition of HI by the Ministry, the Registrar of Societies of Delhi, with whom the HI is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, has been duly advised to withdraw permission from the society for use of the name of Hockey India, which conveys the impression of Government recognition or patronage “Under the Names of Emblem Act, 1950, no society can use the name of the Union without the approval of the Union Government. Since HI stands de-recognised and is no more authorised to function as the NSF for hockey in India, it has to change its name and revise its Memorandum of Association to fit with its private character”, Srinivas pointed out. He said the HI had lost is national character and therefore cannot be allowed to select or field the national team anymore. But Negre emphasised that the FIH was bound by its statutes and it cannot be compelled to act in violation of its statutes, and therefore, Hockey India would be the only body with whom it would do business.
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CWG: Haryana girls reign supreme in wrestling trials
Patiala, August 9
Out of 7 weight categories, Haryana girls will represent the country in 5 categories. On the other hand, Gursharan Kaur from Punjab defeated close rival Anmol from Haryana in the 72 kg weight category and became the sole girl from Punjab to be selected for this championship. The selected wrestlers are Nirmala Devi from Haryana (48 kg), Babita from Haryana (51 kg), Geeta from Haryana (55 kg), Alka Tomar from UP (59 kg), Suman Kundu from Haryana (63 kg), Anita from Haryana (67 kg) and Gursharan Kaur from Punjab (72 kg). Chief women wrestling coach PR Sondhi, Kamalsain Singh and Monika Choudhary will be attached to this squad for the championship. President of the Indian Wrestling Federation GS Mander and general secretary Kartar Singh were also present during the trials. Mander said he was hopeful that the Indian team would give its best performance and win medals in all 21-weight categories. He said their performance would be even better than shooting. Seconding his opinion, Kartar said he was sure that Indian wrestlers would bag at least 13-14 gold medals.
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Tejaswini Sawant: 15-day practice enough for CWG
New Delhi, August 9 “One month is enough to get trained for the Commonwealth Games. Even 10-15 days of rigorous training would be enough for us,” said Tejaswini. “We will not lose the home advantage. It's not that I had always practiced in Munich before clinching gold there. I was unaware of the conditions there. I straight went into the championship. What helped me there was my determination, clear aim and positive mindset.,” she said.
— PTI |
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CWG: Darbari sacked
New Delhi, August 9 Darbari had earlier been suspended, along with two other officials - Sanjay Mahendroo and M Jayachandran - on the basis of the report by the three-member panel constituted to probe the QBR launch controversy. The OC had also recommended further enquiry into the controversy by the Enforcement Directorate. But the Sports Ministry directed the OC to sack Darbari as suspension was not a sufficient punishment for his role in the QBR controversy. As a consequence, the OC today gave Darbri the “marching orders”. He would be replaced by VL Saxena.
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Aussies clinch 11th Champions Trophy
Moenchengladbach (Germany), August 9 England secured the consolation of runners-up yesterday having never previously done better than fifth place while the Netherlands took bronze with a 4-1 defeat of Germany. Australia coach Ric Charlesworth was delighted with his team's perfect record of six wins in six matches. “If you had told me before the tournament we would have these results I would have been very happy. You don't expect it will happen,” Charlesworth said. “We came here with the most inexperienced team in the tournament and this has deepened the belief of a number of players that they can play at this level.” England coach Jason Lee was disappointed with the quality of his team's performance. “They did not show up to play today and I hope they are not satisfied that the silver medal is enough,” Lee said. Australia stamped their name on the trophy with three goals inside the first 15 minutes. Luke Doerner converted his side's first penalty corner, Des Abbott knocked in a pass from Glenn Turner and Jason Wilson scorched a shot into the middle of the net. England had three penalty corners at the end of the first half, but Ashley Jackson and Simon Mantell were off target. A cloud burst flooded the pitch a minute into the half-time break, causing a 60-minute delay. There were few quality performances in the second half due to the slow pitch although Jamie Dwyer managed to tee up a drive, which rocked the goalposts for Australia's fourth goal. The 4-0 scoreline equalled the highest score in a Champions Trophy final - a mark held by Germany and Australia. Germany's long season created mental and physical stress as the hosts slumped 4-1 to the Dutch.
— AFP |
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Abhijit in Asiad golf squad
Chandigarh, August 9 The Asian Games will be held at Guanzhou (China) in November and the Eisenhower Cup will be played at Buenos Aires (Argentina) in October. The other members of the men's golf team are Rashid Khan, Rahul Bajaj and Abhhinav Lohan with Kapurthala's Ashbeer Singh Saini in the reserve. The girl’s squad for the Asiad are Shreya
Ghai, Vani Kapoor and Gurbani Singh. Twelve players were called for the trials by the Indian Golf Union. In all there were eight rounds. The first four rounds were held at the JP Greens in Noida and the remaining four at the KGA Golf Club,
Bangalore. Abhijit carded five over, one over and three under in the first four rounds. At Bangalore he was placed fourth after the first three round scores of four over, one under and even par. Then he came up with a superb five under par score in the last round to finish second after Rashid Khan thus finding a place in the Asiad squad as also the Eisenhower
Cup. Abhijit will be receiving training at the National Golf Academy of India in the CGA Golf Range before going for the Asiad and the Eisenhower Cup. |
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FIH rankings: India cling to 9th spot
New Delhi, August 9 With 1280 points, India are below arch-rivals Pakistan (1410) and just ahead of Canada (1221) in the top-10 list. By virtue of the recent Champions Trophy title, world champions Australia (2620) have consolidated their position at the top with a lead of 250 points over European giants Germany (2370). However, by finishing runners-up at the just-concluded Champions Trophy in Monchengladbach Germany, the ever-improving England (2047) have made the biggest leap in the rankings chart by moving to the fourth position behind third-spot holders Netherlands (2213). Another European powerhouse, Spain have dropped one rung to the fifth place followed by Korea, New Zealand and Pakistan.
— PTI |
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Birmingham, August 9
Virender Sehwag will once again shoulder the responsibility of providing the sort of cracking starts that India have come to expect of him and Gambhir's absence, Dinesh Karthik will give him company in the opening slot. A rather volatile mix of batsmen occupy the middle-order in Kohli, Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma, who can be destructive while they are on song but their unpredictability can also cost the team dearly.
Stuart Broad fined
Capello snubbed
Yousuf refused to play: Butt
MILAN: