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New Zealand in India
Vettori: Got positives from 1st Test
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‘We are No.1’
Don’t need to justify top spot: Kirsten
Statistical highlights
on the fifth day
Pak player goes missing
Unstoppable Real beat Atletico
First-ever South Asian Winter Games in Uttarakhand
Saina receives Khel Ratna award
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New Zealand in India
Ahmedabad, November 8 But for 87 Test matches, even for Harbhajan Singh, a Test century had been out of reach. Not any longer. The 30-year-old sardar from Jalandhar - playing in his 88th Test - produced a match-saving hundred (115) and, in the company of VVS Laxman, put together a seventh wicket stand of 163 runs that ensured that the first Test against New Zealand ended in a draw here on Monday. When play began this morning, India were still in trouble needing a big contribution from Laxman and Harbhajan. Fortunately for the Indians, both played a huge role in taking the home team to safety. It's seldom that you see a fighting knock from Laxman being pushed into the background. But that's just what Harbhajan's first Test hundred did at the Motera on Monday. Laxman produced another gem (91) but his knock was overshadowed by Harbhajan's century, which came off 165 balls with ten fours and two sixes. When Harbhajan lofted Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori into the stands to bring up his maiden hundred, the Indian players in the balcony rose in unison to applaud the effort and Sachin Tendulkar looked particularly pleased for his Mumbai Indians teammate. Laxman was unlucky to miss his hundred, falling to an unconvincing decision by umpire Steve Davies and the Indians were finally dismissed in their second innings for 266 - leaving the Kiwis an almost impossible task of scoring 295 for victory in 25 overs in their second innings. After 10 overs, with the Kiwi score at 22 for one, both teams decided to settle for a draw. Sunday's wrecker-in-chief Chris Martin failed to add to his tally of five wickets and, Harbhajan and Laxman, slowly but surely, pulled India out of danger. Harbhajan had also scored a half-century (69) in India's first innings and his batting performance in this Test was surely phenomenal. His previous highest Test score was 66, which he scored in the Bulawayo Test against Zimbabwe in 2001. It's only Harbhajan's lack of success with the ball in this game that will cause some concern in the Indian camp as they go into the second Test starting in Hydrabad from Friday. As for Laxman, he has been India's perpetual saviour and he did not disappoint today. His wristy touch was on display as he elegantly guided the ball into the gaps. New Zealand's lack of resources hurt them and, once Martin failed to reproduce yesterday's magic, the match was on its way to a draw. Skipper Dhoni even came on to bowl (Raina was keeping wickets) towards the end and tried to get some reverse swing going. But he only succeeded in sending down a big wide. Indians have both positives as well as negatives to take away from this drawn game. The positives first: Sehwag's big knock in the first innings, Ojha's four wickets, Laxman's touch still intact and Harbhajan's first Test hundred. The negatives include Gambhir's continuing indifferent form, lack of wickets for Harbhajan and not enough contribution from the skipper with the bat. The sooner the Indians reach Hyderabad and set about their task of working on these areas the better. The Kiwis have shown here that are capable of springing more than a few surprises. |
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Vettori: Got positives from 1st Test
Ahmedabad, November 8 "There are some positives for us from this game. The way Taylor, McCullum, Ryder and Williamson batted and the way Martin bowled," said the New Zealand skipper. "We talked about it at the start of play today. We needed wickets in the first hour and we needed to be penetrative. Sadly, with the injuries to Ryder and Bennett, our resources were depleted. If we had got to chase about 250 in 60 overs, we could have given it a shot. Once it got past that stage, it was going to be a draw," said Vettori. "Laxman did what he always does-score runs. And Harbhajan was good today. He knew his areas and he played some good shots in those areas," felt Vettori. Even the Kiwi skipper was of the view that having the UDRS will be helpful for the game. "Anything that helps in reducing the errors is welcome. And I think UDRS does help in that sense," said Vettori.
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‘We are No.1’
Ahmedabad, November 8 The 30-year-old player from Jalandhar, who made his Test debut vs Australia at Bangalore in 1998 said, "I want to dedicate my first Test century to my dad, to Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag and MS Dhoni. Because these are the people who have always told me that I can do it and that I have the potential of scoring a Test hundred. I'm very happy that I could do it today." Harbhajan also gave a lot of credit to VVS Laxman, who was his partner at the other end during their 163-run partnership for the seventh wicket that saved the game for the Indians. "His presence was a big calming influence. He kept telling me I was playing well. He also advised me not to play on the up on this wicket as the ball was not coming on. Without him at the other end, I would not have got my century. Even Laxman would have got his hundred but he was unlucky with the decision," said Harbhajan. Talking of debatable decisions in this game Bhajji said, "I'm all for UDRS. We tried it in Sri Lanka and I got quite a few decisions in my favour. But I'm not the one to decide. They are big people out there who decide. So, I'm happy with whatever is decided. “Before the start of play today, coach Kirsten told me to play my natural game and just be careful about choosing the right ball to hit. I think I did that pretty well today," said Harbhajan. "We always had a lot respect for the Kiwi team and just because they lost in Bangladesh did not make them a bad team. Even we have lost to Bangladesh in the World Cup (2007). Chris Martin bowled his heart out on this flat track. Hats off to him," said Harbhajan. Harbhajan has stated in the past that he had two dreams--of scoring a Test hundred and taking all ten wickets in an innings. "The first part has been achieved. The second one will also come. I will get there," said Harbhajan.
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Don’t need to justify top spot: Kirsten
"The performances speak loud: 23 Tests, two losses, 12 wins. When you look at the performances of the five top-ranked Test teams over the two years, you know why India are at the top. But to remain the top-ranked team, we need to continue performing. If we do win in South Africa, then you can start talking about one of the greatest Test teams India have ever produced," added the coach. However, the former South Africa opener is aware that it is not going to be easy at all for the Indians. "South Africa are very tough to beat at home as India are to beat in India," he said, adding, "The wickets really suit the pace bowlers." But he refused to believe that India's batsmen are vulnerable to short bowling. "It is all about players hitting form at the right time. I certainly don't think that any opposition can use that as an out-and-out strategy to undo the Indian Test batting line-up. There is too much experience in this team now. "Also the Indian fast bowlers are good themselves on helpful wickets - Sreesanth, Ishant (Sharma) and Zak (Zaheer Khan) are a good bowling attack... This Test series will be a defining moment for us." Meanwhile, talking about how the team would cope once the big guns -- Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman retire, Kirsten assured that none of them has yet spoken to him of retirement. "There is no inclination of any of them retiring," Kirsten said. "And I always ask them. They are certainly not in any rush. Look, if Rahul Dravid decides to retire, it is a major blow. Just like when (somebody like) Jacques Kallis decides to retire, it is a major blow for any team. The Protean, however, added that when the big three in the middle-order decide to call it a day, it would certainly create a huge void, but India would be able to cope up with it if they make sure that the farewells are not too close together. "There are enough young guys there but it will take them few years. There might be a rebuilding phase in India in two years' time," said Kirsten. — PTI
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Statistical highlights
on the fifth day
Harbhajan Singh posted a fifty-plus in each
innings of a Test match for the first time.
Harbhajan became the
second number eight batsman to register a fifty and a hundred in a Test
match, joining Eric Dalton (South Africa) - 117 and 57* against England
at The Oval in 1935 Harbhajan has got his first Man-of-the-Match
award for his batting - his sixth in Test cricket and his first against
New Zealand. Brendon McCullum, playing in his 96th
first-class game, has bowled for the first time in any international
game/first-class cricket. Zaheer Khan has captured 37 wickets at
an average of 22.97 in seven Tests, including two five-wicket hauls in
an innings and one instance of ten wickets in a Test match. He is fourth
in the list of the leading wicket-takers this year, behind Graeme Swann
(51), James Anderson (40) and Dale Steyn (39). VVS Laxman, in
team's second innings, averages 50-plus - 2968, including five hundreds
and 18 fifties, in 75 innings, at an average of 51.17. Only Sunil
Gavaskar has a better average - 51.46. The world record is held by Don
Bradman (104.50) followed by Jacques Kallis (58.37). Laxman and Harbhajan
put on a seventh-wicket partnership of 163 - India's highest against New
Zealand, surpassing the 128 between Sachin Tendulkar and Kiran More at
Napier in February 1990. The said stand is India's fifth best on home
soil for the seventh wicket. The above stand is the highest for
the seventh wicket at Motera, eclipsing the 154 between Imran Khan and
Ijaz Faqih for Pakistan against India in 1986-87. Laxman's 47th Test
fifty is his fifth against New Zealand. Harbhajan (115) has
batted brilliantly to record his maiden hundred in Tests/First-class
cricket. Harbhajan has taken 88 Tests to post his first century
- only Anil Kumble (118) and Chaminda Vaas (97) took more Tests to
register their first hundred. Harbhajan's hundred is the 100th
in the second innings in Tests for India. Harbhajan's match tally
of 184 (69 + 115) is his best in Tests - the highest by a number eight
batsman for India. New Zealand have drawn 72 Tests away from
home. They have won 25 and lost 86 out of 183 contested on foreign
soil. With the Ahmedabad Test failing to produce a result, the
New Zealanders maintained their record of not winning on Indian soil in
22 years. Their last victory in India was by 136 runs at Wankhede
Stadium, Mumbai in November 1988. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's winning
% in Tests is now 63.15 - 12 victories, two defeats and five drawn
matches out of 19 contested. — PTI
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Dubai, November 8
A surprised Pakistan Cricket Board believes that the player may already have reached London. "On Monday morning Haider left the team hotel without informing any member of the team and the management. Haider was in possession of his passport and there are indications that he has left for London," a PCB release said. The release said PCB has informed the Dubai Police about Haider's disappearance. "The Dubai Police was instantly informed and the information shared with Dubai authorities indicates Haider had left for London. PCB continues to monitor the situation and remains in contact with the authorities. "A full inquiry will be held into the circumstances surrounding this incident and no further comments will be made until the facts are known," the release adedd. Pakistan manager, Intikhab Alam had earlier said that he could confirm that Haider had not come to the ground with the team for the match. Sources in the PCB confirmed his presence at the airport a couple of hours after saying he was missing from the team. The PCB has also informed the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit as well as local security officials of Haider's disappearance. "He is missing and we found this out in the morning when getting ready to come to the stadium. He did not say anything to the team management about this at all. We have initiated inquiries into the matter," PCB's general manager of media Nadeem Sarwar said. The team's liaison officer, Shah Afridi said that when they went to call the keeper as the team was preparing to leave for the ground, he was not present in his room at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The keeper was last seen leaving the hotel at around 6 am in the morning by the team's assistant manager, Shahid Aslam. The mystery surrounding Haider further compounded when a cryptic message posted on his facebook profile said, "leaving Pakistan cricket because get bad msg fr 1 man fr lose the match in last game." A Geo News correspondent also received a similar message from Haider's mobile number which said he was "leaving cricket as someone is threatening him." The SMS received on correspondent Sohail Imran's mobile phone said, "Match haar jao (Lose match)." — PTI
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Unstoppable Real beat Atletico
Madrid, November 8 Atletico haven't won away to Real for eleven years and they were immediately under pressure from the surging runs of Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil. But it was a defender, Ricardo Carvalho, who gave them the lead though after a foray forward, finishing coolly in front of goal. Higuain missed an excellent chance with just keeper David De Gea to beat but Real did extend their lead courtesy of some poor defending. An Ozil free-kick was crossed in, missing everyone, and creeping into the corner. With a two-goal cushion in the opening quarter, Real began to play more deeply and while Atletico had more possession they created few chances. The game was becoming more and more scrappy. Atletico went closest when a Diego Forlan shot from the edge of the area came back off the upright while Ozil could have given Real a third when put through on goal but he finished tamely. Barcelona played some of their best attacking football of the season as they beat Getafe 3-1 to keep the pressure on Real. David Villa should have put Barga in the lead after just four minutes but Messi, at the heart of the majority of their best moves, put them on their way mid-way through the first half, slotting home from a Villa pass. Villa was flagged off-side in front of goal after a delightful move involving Messi and Andres Iniesta but he did get on the score sheet minutes later. Getafe attacked more in the second-half but Cata Diaz was caught in possession by Messi who set-up Pedro Rodriguez for Barga's third. Manu Del Moral pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after Gerard Pique handled in the penalty area and was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence. — AFP
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First-ever South Asian Winter Games in Uttarakhand
New Delhi, November 8 The skiing event will be held at Auli from January 7 to 12, while Dehradun will host the Ice Skating and Ice Hockey events from January 14 to 19. The opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Games will be held on January 7 and 19 in Auli and Dehradun respectively. Making the announcement, IOA Secretary-General Randhir Singh said, “India is extremely happy to host the first-ever Winter Games at Uttarakhand. The state-of-the-art, newly built infrastructure will witness the best-ever haul across SAF nations. Our main aim is to promote Winter Games and a sporting culture and I am sure that these Games will give a new boost to the future of winter sports in India.” Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, who is also Chairman, Organising Committee Winter Games said, “Uttarakhand is extremely delighted to host first ever South Asian Winter Games. We were given a mandate to create infrastructure for these Games and we are happy that the newly built winter sporting facilities are at par with any global infrastructure. The Games will also provide a huge boost to the tourism industry in the state. Uttarakhand is all set to offer the best ever experience, which will be cherished by all participants and visitors alike.” ‘Bharal’, the Himalayan blue sheep, has been chosen as the mascot of SAF Winter Games. As part of the 30 days to go celebrations for South Asian Winter Games, the Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI) will organise coaching camps from December 7 to 16 at Auli for skiing and from December 14 to 23 at Dehradun for ice skating and ice hockey. Winter sportspersons from the associated countries are also invited to participate in these coaching camps.
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Harbhajan Singh has been in the limelight for a variety of reasons - from the infamous slapping incident with Sreesanth in the IPL to the famous first Test hat-trick for India, the infamous controversy with Andrew Symonds, to the famous 32 wickets in a three-Test series against Australia. Both on the field and off it, Harbhajan has been involved in such a wide array of incidents that you cannot put most things beyond his reach.
Badminton ace Saina Nehwal received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award from Sports Minister Dr M.S.Gill at a simple ceremony here today. Saina was not present as she was playing in the World Championship in Paris when the National Sports Awards investiture ceremony was held at the Rashtrapathi Bhawan in August 29 when President Pratibha Patil gave away the Arjuna and other awards.
Saina was selected for the prestigious award in recognition of her outstanding performances in badminton and the laurels she brought to the country. She was ranked second in the world after she won the Indonesia Super series in 2009 and 2010, Singapore Open Super Series 2010, Indian Open Grand Prix in 2009 and 2010. She also won the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games singles event in Delhi last month. She was conferred the Arjuna Award in 2009.
The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award carries a cash prize of Rs 7.5 lakh, a medal and citation.
New Delhi, November 8
Zaheer Khan has registered his fourth duck against
New Zealand, his 20th in Tests, emulating Bishan Singh Bedi's tally of
20 Test ducks. Only Bhagwat Chandrasekhar has registered more Test ducks
(23) for India.
