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India eye series win MS Dhoni will be looking to become the first Indian captain to win an ODI series in South Africa. — AFP
‘Sportspersons should head federations’
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Players can play freely after WC nod: Smith
Windies recall Sarwan
Viru, Dhoni are game changers: Harbhajan
Jeev struggles in Abu Dhabi
‘Majola lied about IPL bonuses’
England look to bounce back
Arsenal see off doughty Leeds
Kaif, Ojha lead Central Zone fightback
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India eye series win
Port Elizabeth, January 20 After not-so-impressive batting performances in the first two matches, India, riding on Yusuf Pathan's batting prowess, managed to get the better of the hosts by two wickets in the third one-dayer in Cape Town. In a close encounter, Pathan was the difference between the two sides as he scored a superb 50-ball 59, including three big sixes in one over off Johan Botha to turn the tide in India's favour. He also chipped in with a wicket and a catch to bag the man of the match award. But barring Pathan's knock in the previous game, an injury-hit India's batting line-up has not shown much teeth, with the form of the top order batsmen continuing to be a cause of worry for the team. The batting has come a cropper in all the three matches so far and the visitors managed to pull off an incredible one-run victory over South Africa in the second game mainly because of the efforts of the bowlers, especially pacer Munaf Patel. Going into the fourth one-dayer, India would not only want to win the series here but also be keen to see their talented batting line-up, which has been a disappointment so far, show some character on the pacy wickets of South Africa. With seniors like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir missing from the ranks, the youngsters, who have done well in the recent past, have not been able to cope with the conditions. However, except in the first game, even South Africans have not been too impressive with the bat. In the previous one-dayer, the hosts struggled to reach 220 all out with debutant Du Plessis (60) and JP Duminy (52) sharing a crucial 110-run stand for the fifth-wicket. Replying to a modest total, Indians, too, struggled under lights, as at one stage they were reeling at 93 for five before Pathan's innings coupled with Harbhajan Singh's useful 23 bailed the visitors out. India's bowling attack, in contrast, has been impressive with the pace duo of Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel creating enough problems for the batsmen. Even the spin spearhead Harbhajan Singh has come out with flying colours with his consistent performance. — PTI |
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‘Sportspersons should head federations’
New Delhi, January 20 Maken, who was elevated to the Sports Ministry in the recent Cabinet reshuffle after being a junior minister in the Home Ministry, seems to have got his priorities right, and has a clear perspective of the Ministry he heads, which was in the news during his predecessor M.S. Gill's tenure, for all the wrong reasons - the Commonwealth Games muddle and the stand-off between the Ministry and the Indian Olympic Association/National Sports Federations being just two of them. Maken said he favoured dialogue and conciliation to take Indian sports forward, instead of adopting a confrontational attitude, and living in the past. He said he would soon study his portfolio in depth and then act. Maken said though India made a “historic medal haul” at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games last year, the country should not rest on its laurels, and strive to win more medals in the 2012 London Olympic Games. He said the country's target should be to considerably improve upon the three medals they won in the 2008 Olympics. He said the preparations of the Indian sportspersons for the London Games should start in right earnest, by giving thrust on quality training and exposure to talented athletes and better coaching. "We should put thrust on talent spotting and grooming and better coaching to them", he elaborated. Maken said he not only favoured sportspersons heading the federations, but also transparency in their functioning, for which he would be taking a leaf out his predecessor Gill's book. He but his approach would be non-confrontational “as there is nothing we cannot achieve through dialogue and discussion across the board”. Detailing the roadmap for his ministry, the MP from New Delhi said he would give priority to youth development through the Nehru Yuvak Kendras as the country was blessed with 75.8 per cent population under the age of 39 years. He said he would also give priority for the creation and proper utilisation of sports infrastructure, instead of using them for political and marriage functions. Maken said one of the first steps he took after assuming charge of the Ministry today was to instruct the secretary in his ministry to clear the dues of those who did construction work for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi within 10 days. He said this in the context of the Australian Olympic Committee threatening to take legal recourse if its dues for the works done for the CWG were not cleared quickly. "I don't want anyone to make complaints about non-payment (for their services)", he added. He said three months had elapsed after the CWG and more delays in the payments due to people would create more problems. The Minister said he was also not in favour of any tiff with the Board of Control for Cricket in India as "the BCCI has been running the game as long as I can remember - even before I was born - and I would rather solve the problems with the Board through a dialogue.” He also promised that he would have regular interaction with the media to give a direct account of the ministry's activities. |
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Players can play freely after WC nod: Smith
Port Elizabeth, January 20 After a rousing start to the series with a convincing 135-run win in the first ODI at Durban, South Africa slumped to back-to-back defeats in the next two matches in Johannesburg (by one run) and Cape Town (by two wickets). And Smith today admitted that there is plenty of pressure on his boys to draw parity in the series at St George's Park. "I think it (pressure) could be a blessing in disguise for us. We have trained a lot together over the last period of time. May be it's about just lightening things a little bit. But tomorrow we have to come out and play our best. Now that the World Cup squad is announced, there will be no pressure on the players." "So, hopefully we can play with more freedom tomorrow," the skipper said on the even of the match. — PTI |
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Windies recall Sarwan
Bridgetown, January 20 He suffered from a back complaint and a hamstring injury last year. Chairman of selectors Clyde Butts said the panel including Courtney Browne and Robert Haynes was happy that the Guyanese batsman, a veteran of two World Cups, had improved that side of his game. "We are satisfied that he is fit and he can play cricket now for us for a period of time without being injured," Butts said at a press conference yesterday. "Of course, one has to take everything into consideration that injuries do happen sometimes. I went to see him train personally as well and I've got a report from the trainer that shows that he has been working and he's improved. His whole fitness has improved." Sarwan was the only change to the 15 who were picked to play Sri Lanka in a one-day series last November, but which was postponed because of rain to this month. He replaced the uncapped Barbados batsman Kirk Edwards from that squad. That means Jamaica fast bowler Andre Russell will make his one-day debut during the three-match series against Sri Lanka as a buildup to the World Cup starting on the subcontinent on February 19. West Indies Squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, Nikita Miller, Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith. — AP |
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Viru, Dhoni are game changers: Harbhajan
Mumbai, January 20 "There are a number of players in our team who have the ability to change the game. Virender Sehwag is one of them. Every time he is batting we know that he will dominate all the bowlers. He has changed the game for us during difficult situations," Harbhajan has been quoted as saying by a media release. "Another game changer for us is M S Dhoni who has got his own technique. He has a lot of power to hit the ball all around the field. These are the two guys who are the big game changers in our team," said the off-spinner for Pepsi's "Change the Game" campaign ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Harbhajan also mentioned Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq as his inspiration for developing his "Doosra" that had helped him snare many a victim in his career. "When I was a kid and used to practice in Chandigarh, I used to see Saqlain Mustaq who bowled a lot of Doosras. I keenly observed him and came up with my own ideas and thoughts to perfect the ball. "I practiced hard along with my colleague, Arun Verma, a wicketkeeper, to apply my own technique and understanding to it. It took a lot of hard-work, dedication and time to develop this wicket taking ball. I mastered bowling the Doosra after over two years of practice and continue to do so," said Harbhajan. — PTI
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Incredible Rafael Nadal marches on
Melbourne, January 20
"Practice a little bit tomorrow, rest in the hotel, maybe going to the aquarium -- I go every year. Nothing different," Nadal said, when asked about his preparations for Saturday's match. Shrugging his shoulders and smiling, he added: "If I start getting nervous two days before a match, I have a big problem." Nadal hasn't had any real problems in recent Grand Slams — today's win was his 23rd in a row in majors going back to the first round of the French Open last year. Since then, he's carted back to his home in Majorca trophies from Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the U S Open. A fourth from the Australian Open — the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup that he won in 2009 — would make him the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four major titles at once. He's off to an impressive start at Melbourne Park, conceding only four games in two matches, although his opener against Marcos Daniel was cut short when the Brazilian had to retire with a knee injury trailing 6-0, 5-0. Nadal seems so relaxed that he even played the comedian. Asked how he thought Tomic should approach the match, those muscular shoulders shrugged again and, to laughter, he replied: "Play very, very bad please. ... That's what I'd tell him." The other player looking as impressive as Nadal this week is U S Open champion Kim Clijsters, who is fast becoming a favorite for the women's title in the absence of defending champion Serena Williams with a foot injury. Clijsters dumped former No 1-ranked Dinara Safina out of the tournament in the first round, 6-0, 6-0. Today, she beat Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 6-1, 6-3. "I tried to play both sides of the court, tried to be aggressive and dictate the points," Clijsters said. "And it worked." Her third-round, 6-0, 6-1 loss to Nadia Petrova last year was her worst in a major. It's a defeat she claims she doesn't dwell on and doesn't think will influence her preparations for the same stage this weekend, which is just as well. She could meet Petrova in the fourth round. "I don't think I've ever played a match like that. So it was very easy in a way to also forget about it, as well," Clijsters said. — AP
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Abu Dhabi, January 20 Jeev, who played the Royal Trophy in Thailand two weeks ago in the season opener, failed to hit any birdie in his 75, while Kapur found his solitary birdie as late as the 17th hole. They were at tied 95th and will need to improve in the second round to make the week-end cut. South African Charl Schwartzel dominated the opening day. Schwartzel, who retained the Joburg Open title last week, has been in top-four in his last four starts, the first four events of the 2011 season and is leading the Race to Dubai standings. The World Number 23 who flew in here on Monday after winning in Johannesburg, had nine birdies and one bogey in his 64, which would have been even better but for the 17th hole bogey. One behind is Padraig Harrington, who is coming into the season after making some changes to his game. He shot a bogey-free seven under par 65 with five birdies and an eagle on par-5 eighth in his first event of the season. Lying third after rounds of 66 were Swede Alexander Noren and US Open Champion and Ryder Cup hero Graeme McDowell, who in a spectacular run birdied the last five holes for an inward 30. The event has a star-studded field including all four current Major champions, Masters Tournament winner Phil Mickelson who marked his Middle East debut with a 71 including two birdies. — PTI
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‘Majola lied about IPL bonuses’
Johannesburg, January 20 Nyoka's comments was posted by Talk Radio 702 breakfast host John Robbie on his Twitter page after interviewing the CSA President that "Dr Nyoka says he was lied to over the payment of IPL bonuses to Cricket SA officials. Was told none were paid." Dr Nyoka says Cricket SA will never be able to bury the truth," another tweet by Robbie on the social networking site said. — PTI
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Hobart, January 21 The first one-dayer at the MCG was the last chance for both teams to answer any selection queries before finalising their World Cup squads. And not everyone who played has made the cut - Steven Davies, Chris Tremlett and Xavier Doherty, for example. Now both teams can really begin their World Cup preparations in earnest. Shane Watson's brilliant unbeaten 161 on Sunday gave Australia a 1-0 series lead, but the reality is that apart from Watson's innings, the rest of Australia's performance was no more than middling. Michael Clarke took up 57 balls and got out without hitting a boundary, and in the field his team allowed England to post nearly 300, with a few too many missed run-outs and stumpings and dropped catches. Australia's World Cup defence begins in just over a month, and they need to be working better as a unit instead of being carried by one magnificent individual effort. Not that England can be very pleased with their display at the MCG, either. After 30 overs they'd posted 3 for 174, a position from which they should have reached well over 300. And their attack, without James Anderson, didn't look terribly threatening. They too need to hone their form ahead of the World Cup, and they'll do so in Hobart without Graeme Swann, who has a knee problem. Both teams have been hit by fitness concerns, with Michael Hussey now at home in Perth after undergoing surgery on a serious hamstring injury he picked up while running a sharp two during the win at the MCG. The Australians are also without Mitchell Johnson, who has a throat infection and didn't fly to Hobart with the team. "He has improved in the last 24 hours and is expected to meet the team in Sydney on Saturday," the physio Alex Kountouris said. — Agencies
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London, January 20 Robin van Persie sealed Arsenal's passage to the fourth round with quarter of an hour remaining. Arsenal were ahead inside five minutes. Laurent Koscielny won possession about 10 yards inside his own half, and nudged the ball left for Keiron Gibbs. The left-back swept a low pass forward for Marouane Chamakh, who spread the ball to Andrey Arshavin. The Moroccan forward then allowed the return pass to roll under his foot, opening space for Nasri, who ran on, held off two challenges and slipped a low finish past Kasper Schmeichel in the Leeds goal. They could easily have been 2-0 up four minutes later, and Schmeichel made a superb reflex save to keep out a Chamakh header. From then on, it merely seemed a matter of how many Arsenal would score. Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner both just failed to get the finishing touch to crosses driven across the six-yard box. The second did arrive on 34 minutes, Sagna thrashing a shot from the angle of the box that Schmeichel got a hand to but couldn't keep out. If anything, the strike that followed three minutes later was even better, Bradley Johnson rifling the ball into the top corner from 25 yards. — DPA
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Kaif, Ojha lead Central Zone fightback
Cuttack, January 20 The visitors were struggling at 55 for three at one stage but India discard Kaif (78) and Ojha (50) stitched together unbeaten 114-run stand to walk out of second day's play. Earlier, East Zone resumed at 328 for five and lost last five wickets after adding 99 runs. — PTI
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Having gained a 2-1 lead after registering back-to-back victories in the last two games against the Proteas, India go into the fourth cricket one-dayer here tomorrow seeking to clinch their first-ever ODI series triumph on South African soil.
Newly-appointed Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (independent charge) Ajay Maken said he was in favour of sportspersons heading sports federations for better management of sports in the country. "One who has played a game at a certain level knows the problems and peculiarities of that sport and how to tackle them at the federation level", said Maken at a media interaction immediately after assuming charge of his new ministry at Shastri Bhawan here today.
Bridgetown, January 20
London, January 20
Feisty off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has named dashing teammate Virender Sehwag and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the two major game changers in the Indian squad due to their ability to dominate the opposition bowlers and hitting the ball with power.
Melbourne: