Bangalore, January 7
Plagued by allegations of financial irregularities and many other controversies, the Indian Premier League is all set for a fresh start tomorrow with a high-profile two-day auction of 350 cricketers for the cash-rich Twenty20 event's fourth edition. The highly successful tournament, which has been a money spinner for the BCCI, is set to feature 10 teams and a whopping 74 matches this season starting April 8 — just six days after the ODI World Cup in the sub-continent. Although the event has been mired in controversies ever since its inception in 2008, it was hit by some major furores last year.

It's brash but dynamic Commissioner Lalit Modi was sacked after a string of allegations of financial irregularities and two of the franchises — Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals — are locked in a court battle with the BCCI to stay in the league after being suspended for, what the Baord called, ownership issues.

Modi, who has taken refuge in the UK citing security fears, has been accused of favouring his kith and kin in the award of franchises and taking kickbacks in various deals related to the IPL.

However, he has vehemently denied the allegations. Add to this, the ownership row involving one of the two new franchises — Kochi and Pune. The Kerala team's stakeholders kept squabbling over the ownership pattern and the matter could be resolved only after the BCCI asked them to either work out a solution or risk being booted out of event.

Such was the state of affairs till the end of last year that the league looked in complete disarray In fact, the players' auction which was originally scheduled to be held in November last year, had to be postponed due to the never-ending furores.

Having weathered the storm to some extent, the IPL is set to roll with the first round of bidding and buying taking place here tomorrow. Former West Indies captain Brian Lara and England's Ashes hero pacer James Anderson are among the top cricketers who will go under the hammer and are among the 21 with the highest reserve price of $400,000 for a three-year contract.

Other top international cricketers in the hunt include Australians Adam Gilchrist and Brett Lee, England's Kevin Pietersen, South Africans Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis, and New Zealand's Daniel Vettori — all of whom were released by their respective franchises.

There are those who have been retained as well and that small list of 12 includes Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings), Sachin Tendulkar (Mumba Indians) and Shane Warne and Shane Watson (Rajasthan Royals).

In fact, only Chennai, the 2010 champions, and runners-up Mumbai Indians have retained the full compliment of players. By retaining four players, MI and CSK are each left with only $4.5 million to spend either in the auction or in buying Ranji players outside the auction.

Rajasthan Royals will have $5.9 million available to spend while Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore will each have a balance of $7.2 million available. The remaining franchises have the full USD 9 million available to spend. Pakistani cricketers will not be a part of the event for the third season in a row.

There were some high-profile pullouts as well with the likes of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson opting to rest and recover after playing through a gruelling international schedule. Veteran Indian spinner Anil Kumble also opted out and will now be seen in a mentoring role for his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Cape Town, January 7
The iconic Sachin Tendulkar proved to be the most prolific run-scorer for India, notching up a historic a 50th Test ton in the process, but could not go past the ever-consistent Jacques Kallis in the just-concluded three-match series against South Africa here. Tendulkar hit a total of 326 runs at an average of 81.50 in three matches with a highest of 146. Kallis, on the other hand, scored a total of 498 runs at an average of 166 and was dismissed only thrice in 870 balls.

His highest of 201 not out in the series in the first Test gave Proteas their only win in the series. The series that ended in a 1-1 draw, witnessed keen contest between the bat and ball with some of the greatest legends of the game in Kallis, Tendulkar and VVS Laxman proving their worth all over again under tough conditions. One of the most under-rated but most reliable batsman — Kallis — yet again rose to the occasion and turned out to be instrumental in South Africa challenging the number one Test team in the world.

In fact, of the three times that he got dismissed in the series, one was an unfortunate run out at the non-strikers' end, while another was a result of arguably the best ball of the series. The 35-year-old's average of 166 is the sixth time he has averaged 100 plus in a series.

For India as well, the story was no different. For them, batting icon Tendulkar contributed to the team's success, becoming the second highest run-getter in the series. In fact, the right-hander, who now creates a new record every few runs that he scores, went on to hit the historic 50th Test century at Centurion in the first match itself.

But he did not stop there and chipped in with valuable runs in all three matches. He also scored another hundred in the third Test that ultimately helped the team to draw the series against the mighty South Africans in their own backyard. As far as bowling was concerned, Dale Steyn sent down some real threat in the opposition batting camp. The Protean fast-bowling combination of Steyn and Morne Morkel wrecked havoc and it took batsmen of the stature of Tendulkar and Laxman to counter it.

The battle between Tendulkar and Steyn could be considered as one of the highlights of the series. Steyn took 21 wickets at an average of 17.47. Spinner Harbhajan Singh topped the Indian bowling chart with 15 wickets to his credit at an average of 29.60. — PTI 

Patiala, January 7
The success of India's Olympic bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh has been a curse for Patiala's Kuldeep Singh, a pugilist in the same category, who does not get to represent India due to the former's success.

Kuldeep, undoubtedly one of the better boxers in India is a three-time National champion. He feels unlucky and unnoticed as he waits for some sort of light at the end of the tunnel.

The boxer, who hails from Shadipur village, has toiled hard for over six years and defended his title at the 2010 National Games. In these six years, he has won the National crown three times, including the recently-concluded Senior Men's National Championship in New Delhi in 2010.

The 23-year-old 75kg (middleweight) boxer was born in a poor family of peasants. The road to success was never easy as Kuldeep had to work hard to prove his mettle, sometimes going into practice sessions on an empty stomach. Even his State government refused to help him and ignored his application a couple of years back for the post of constable in the police.

"I have decided to lose weight and fight in the 69 kg category so that I get an opportunity for the next Olympics in this category," he says. The only earning member of the family, Kuldeep's role in the Indian boxing core camp is limited to be Vijender's sparring partner. "I feel the pain for not being able to box, despite being the best," he added.

"I have worked as a labourer in nearby fields to earn my diet and my mother washed utensils in village homes two years back. I have to live my dream of being a medallist for the country in Olympics, at least for her," he says.

Kuldeep won gold in the Nationals in 2008, 2009 and 2010, gold at the 38th Punjab Junior State Boxing Championship 2005, gold and a best boxer award in the 53rd Senior State Boxing Championship 2007, gold in 54th Senior State Boxing Championship and bronze in the 39th International Men's Boxing Tournament in Czech Republic in 2008.

In 2007, despite knocking out several boxers during the Punjab Police recruitment trials for a constable's post, his name was missing from the list. "It's a pity that the Punjab government does not treat its sportsmen well," he rues.

Meanwhile National boxing coach G.S. Sandhu told The Tribune that Kuldeep is a class act and would do well. "I am sure he has the talent and could not get opportunities as he shares his weight category with Vijender. But his future is bright."

Sydney, January 7
England clinched its first test series victory in Australia in 24 years by wrapping up the fifth and final match by an innings and 83 runs today to take the Ashes series 3-1.

The Sydney Cricket Ground triumph gave England an unprecedented third victory by an innings in a single series against Australia, which has been condemned in the domestic media as the country's worst ever test team.

It was also the first time since 1978-79 that England had won back-to-back test matches in Australia and the first time since 1987 that the English have won a test series Down Under.

England captain Andrew Strauss praised his squad, which humiliated an Australian lineup which only four years ago swept the Ashes 5-0 at home.

"We came over here desperately wanting to win the series. In Melbourne we retained the Ashes, but in Sydney we really wanted to finish with a bang," Strauss said. "We're delighted with what we've done. We're certainly going to enjoy this evening." It was just a matter of time Friday for the series to be wrapped up on the last day, with England only requiring three wickets and Australia having no chance of leveling it.

Steve Smith (54 not out) and Peter Siddle (43) prolonged Australia's resistance for an hour around a couple of suspensions for rain, but Graeme Swann broke the 86-run, eighth-wicket stand when he had Siddle caught on the boundary by Jimmy Anderson.

Anderson (3-61) then had Ben Hilfenhaus (7) caught behind to collect his third wicket for the innings. Chris Tremlett (3-79) picked off No. 11 Michael Beer (2), just as the trumpet player for the Barmy Army started "The Last Post" for the Australian team, to finish it off before lunch.

In one of the few highlights for Australia, young allrounder Smith raised his second test half century with a stylish late cut to the boundary off Anderson.

Critics have called for a complete overhaul of Australian cricket, starting with the administration and the national team.

"Pretty disappointing and a hard pill to swallow," said Mike Hussey, Australia's leading batsman in the series. "But you've got to give credit to England. They deserved the 3-1 scoreline." The English batsmen and bowling unit dominated at the SCG as they had done in the series. Only two Australian batsmen scored centuries in the series, while three English batsmen produced hundreds in this match, in England's highest ever total in Australia of 644.

Alastair Cook became the most prolific English runscorer in an Ashes series in eight decades with his 189 in England's innings giving him 766 for the series - only Wally Hammond's 905 in 1928-29 has been better for England. Cook was voted player of the series.

"To win man of the match in the final game of the Ashes is a dream come true," Cook said. "Our bowlers have been fantastic throughout the whole series. They've put some pressure on the Australians the whole series, made our jobs a lot easier.

It was a major setback for Michael Clarke, who was playing his first test as Australia captain after Ricky Ponting was ruled out with a broken finger. He immediately retired from Twenty20 cricket to concentrate on his batting.

"It's been a tough couple of months. England has outplayed us in all facets," he said. "We're disappointed we haven't put on a good enough show. We need to get back to the drawing board and work our backsides off." — AP

Scoreboard

Australia 1st Innings 280

England 1st Innings 644

Australia 2nd Innings

(Overnight: 213-7)

Watson run out 38

Hughes c Prior b Bresnan 13

Khawaja c Prior b Anderson 21

Clarke c Prior b Anderson 41

Hussey c P’rsen b Bresnan 12

Haddin c Prior b Tremlett 30

Smith not out 54

Johnson b Tremlett 0

Siddle c Anderson b Swann 43

H’haus c Prior b Anderson 7

Beer b Tremlett 2

Extras: (b-11, lb-4, w-3, nb-2) 20

Total: (all out) 281

Bowling: Anderson 18-5-61-3, Tremlett 20.4-4-79-3, Swann 28-8-75-1, Bresnan 18-6-51-2.

Melbourne, January 7
All-rounder Cameron White was today appointed captain of Australia's Twenty20 squad after Michael Clarke quit the post and the format in the aftermath of the team's Ashes defeat to England. "Cameron White has been named as captain of a 12-man squad for the KFC Twenty20 International series against England, with Tim Paine as his vice,"

Cricket Australia said in a statement. The 27-year-old White has played 23 T20s for Australia, averaging a little over 36 for 513 runs in the format. Australia will play the first Twenty20 against England on January 12 at the Adelaide Oval with the second game in the series taking place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 14.

New entrants in the 12-member squad include batsman Aaron Finch and pacer James Pattinson. "The NSP is taking the opportunity to look at some of our exciting young talent in this form of the game. "

Aaron Finch has been in outstanding form for Victoria and the National Selection Panel (NSP) looks forward to watching him play at the highest level in this form of the game," NSP chairman Andrew Hilditch said. "James Pattinson is one of a crop of young fast bowlers with great potential and he impressed with his stint with the Australian side in India. We're sure he's ready for the challenge of international cricket," he added.

The out-of-form Clarke quit Twenty20 to focus on his Test and ODI career after Australia lost the Ashes 1-3. Hilditch supported Clarke's decision and said the struggling batsman should not be criticised too much for one bad series. — PTI

Dehradun, January 7
Himachal Pradesh won most of the skiing matches here today on the inaugural day of the National Open Skating Championship that began today at Auli in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Prakash Chand Thapliyal, spokesperson of Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI), said all three events, which were played today were won by Himachal Pradesh. The events started in the evening today.

Skiing Madan Kaushik, Uttarakhand Tourism Minister, earlier inaugurated the event in the day. Tomorrow, the events will begin early in the morning. Indian skiing team that will take part in the South Asian Federation (SAF) Winter Games will be selected on the basis of this championship. Ice-skating events will be held from January 10 to 12 and skiing events from Jan 14 to 16.

London, January 7
Brazilian Bruno Senna's Formula One career appeared to have stalled on Friday when the HRT team ruled him out of the running for their second race seat this season. "I can definitely say that Mr Bruno Senna is not going to race for HRT. 100 percent not," team principal Colin Kolles told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Senna, nephew of the late triple world champion Ayrton, made his debut for newcomers HRT (Hispania) last year without scoring a point. The team announced on Friday they had signed Indian Narain Karthikeyan, who last raced for Jordan in 2005, as one of their 2011 drivers.

The only remaining vacancies, apart from the second HRT seat, are now at Force India -- who are expected to opt for Germany's Adrian Sutil and Briton Paul di Resta. However Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi and Germany's Nico Hulkenberg are also under consideration. The decision to sign Karthikeyan, 33, also dashed the immediate hopes of compatriot Karun Chandhok who started 10 races for HRT last year before being replaced by better-funded drivers at the Spanish-owned outfit.

Kolles said Austrian Christian Klien and Japan's Sakon Yamamoto, who both raced for HRT last year, remained in the frame along with others. "There are a few drivers we are talking about," he said, without giving any names. — Reuters

Chigwell, January 7
David Beckham is likely to join Tottenham Hotspur on a two-month loan from LA Galaxy and the Premier League club's manager Harry Redknapp hoped the deal would be completed this weekend, he said on Friday. "The talks (between the clubs) are going on and there's a good chance it could happen," Redknapp told reporters at the club's training ground. "There's not too much to sort out. I think it will get done. We're sorting out the length of the loan. I don't think it's a financial issue, certainly not from David's point of view."

Redknapp added that Beckham could join in time to be introduced to the fans at their FA Cup match. — Reuters

BRIEFLY

New Zealand 260-7 in 1st Test
Hamilton: A half-century by tailender Tim Southee boosted New Zealand to 260-7 at stumps on first day of the first test against Pakistan, putting the match back on an even keel. Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman took three wickets to help reduce New Zealand to 177-7 after sending the home team in today, but Southee (56 not out) and Kane Williamson (44 not out) then combined for an unbeaten 83-run stand. Rehman received a call-up to play his fifth test in the absence of regular spinner Saeed Ajmal who returned home after the death of his father. When Pakistan captain Misbah ul-Haq won the toss and chose to bowl, it was in the expectation that the three-pronged pace attack would find early swing in humid conditions, but instead it was Rehman who profited on a bare, mostly placid pitch. — AP

India, SA players await auction
Durban: Members of the Indian cricket team are keeping an eye on the proceedings of the Indian Premier League auction where 353 players will go under the hammer in Bangalore tomorrow. The high-profile two-day auction for the fourth edition of the IPL will feature many Indian players and it has kept the cricketers glued to the news emerging back home. The highly successful tournament is set to feature 10 teams and a whopping 74 matches this season starting April 8 and many players feel the addition of the two new franchises would make the auction a tricky affair. "Because of additional two teams things have become tricky. Even otherwise very few players from the core Indian players group are available for auction," said a player. — PTI

Strong start by Atwal
Kapalua: Arjun Atwal, the first-ever Indian winner on the PGA Tour, made a modest start at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions with a one-under 72. Atwal, who won the Wyndham Championships to qualify for the event, is lying tied 22nd in a field of 33 champions. On a fairly good day for scoring with calm conditions at the par-73 Plantation course, which is notorious for its strong wind, Jonathan Byrd and Carl Pettersson shared the lead at seven-under 66. Atwal was playing with Dustin Johnson (71), who won twice in 2010, besides coming close at the US Open and PGA Championships. Atwal opened with a birdie on the first but he gave that shot away with a bogey on fourth. A birdie on fifth was followed by three pars and a birdie on ninth as he turned in two-under. — PTI

Solar storm threat to Olympics
London: Despite all preparations almost complete for the 2012 London Olympics, the organisers of the £9.3 billion mega event are now faced with some genuine problem as London could suffer a solar storm during the Games. The solar flare may cause power cuts, damage communication satellites and force planes to divert, the 'Daily Mail' reported today. The organisers of the 2012 Olympics told the newspaper that they had been 'monitoring the situation carefully' after the Met Office warned the next solar storm may occur during the games next year. "Extreme space weather events typically occur at the solar maximum, which itself follows a roughly 11-year cycle. The next solar maximum is expected around 2012-13 -- potentially coinciding with the London Olympic Games," said a weather expert. — PTI

Malisse in Chennai Open semis
Chennai: Seventh seed Xavier Malisse of Belgium made short work of German Bjorn Phau 6-0 6-2 to storm into the semifinals of the Aircel ATP Chennai Open here today. Malisse, who won the singles title here in 2007, will meet the winner of another quarterfinal match between sixth seed Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia and Japanese sensation Kei Nishikori. Phau, who upset fourth seed Richard Gasquet of France in the second round, failed to get going from the beginning and was no match for Malisse today. Phau's backhand winners , easily his best weapon in the victory over Gasquet, was missing today as he failed to hold on to his serve in the first set and lost it 0-6. — PTI