Scoreboard

India 1st innings

Mukund c Samuels b Rampaul 1

Vijay c Baugh b Rampaul 11

Dravid c Baugh b Sammy 5

Laxman batting 23

Kohli c Sammy b Rampaul 0

Raina batting 0

Extras (b 1, lb 3) 4

Total (4 wkts, 27 ovrs) 44

Bowling: Edwards 9-2-13-0, Rampaul 8-5-4-3,

Sammy 9-3-17-1, Bishoo 1-0-6-0.

New Delhi, June 28
The Associate nations can rejoice, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to allow 14 teams to participate in the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. This decision, reached at the ICC Executive Board meeting, which began in Hong Kong today, reverses the original decision that only the ten full member teams would be allowed to play the tournament.

The original decision, which was reached soon after the end of the World Cup this year, had spurred howls of protest from several Associate member teams, given the kind of performance thrown up by Ireland. The new decision gives that side, and other Associates, a chance to display their skills once more instead of being relegated to the cricketing wilderness for extended periods.

However, ICC decided to revert to the 10-team format for the 2019 World Cup where the top eight ICC ranked full member teams would get automatic qualification while the last two slots would be filled through qualification matches.

At the same time, ICC also decided to reverse its decision of increasing to 16 the number of teams for the Twenty20 World Cups, to be played in 2012 (Sri Lanka) and 2014 (Bangladesh).

These tournaments stay at the 12-team formula which is presently in use. This system allows the ten full member teams to be tagged with two Associate/Affiliate teams for the tournament.

The Board agreed with the Chief Executives’ Committee and Cricket Committee on some other issues. It agreed that a Twenty20 International rankings table should be created from 1 October 2011 and the revised formats for One-day Internationals (where there are changes in the rules about usage of the Elective Powerplays and also use of two new balls, one from each end).

The need for further research on the balls to be used in day/night Test cricket; the dismissal of batsmen for obstructing the field if they change their course while running to prevent a run-out chance; the running out of a non-striker who is backing up unfairly and the prohibition of the use of runners in all forms of international cricket were also ratified.

London June 28
Rafa Nadal overcame injury problems and a tricky big-serving opponent to beat Juan Martin del Potro 7-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 and reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Monday.

The top seed and defending champion had to be at his resilient best to see off the 2009 U.S. Open winner from Argentina, particularly after suffering a foot injury which caused a lengthy delay at the end of the first set. Spaniard Nadal regrouped after the break to win the tiebreak 8-6 and although Del Potro won the second set Nadal's phenomenal mental strength always kept him in control of the match.

Del Potro suffered a heavy fall at 2-2 in the third set and went off-court for treatment on a hip injury. Nadal broke Del Potro's serve for the first time in the fifth game of the fourth set and he clinched victory on his first match point to set up a quarter-final against American Mardy Fish.

Lee, Hesh win, Somdev loses

Veterans Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, along with their respective partners, advanced to the third round of the Wimbledon mixed doubles event after notching up straight-set second-round wins here.

Bhupathi and his Russian partner Elena Vesnina, seeded fourth, beat Australians Stephen Huss and Anastasia Rodionova 6-2 7-6 (3), while 14th seeds Paes and Zimbabwe's Cara Black got the better of the Dutch-Polish team of Rogier Wassen and Alicja Rosolska 6-1 6-4.

But it was curtains for Somdev Devvarman in the men's doubles event after he and Japan's Kei Nishikori lost 3-6 4-6 6-7 (5) to the sixth seeded French-Serbian combine of Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic in the second round yesterday.

Bhupathi and Vesnina will now be facing an American-Belarussian combination of Eric Butorac and Olga Govortsova. On the other hand, Paes and Black will be up against the winners of the second-round match between the third seeded Serbian-Slovak pair of Nenad Zimonjic and Katarina Srebotnik and local favourites Ross Hutchins and Heather Watson. — Agencies

Patiala, June 28
The controversy surrounding the World University Games camps sees no end with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) postponing the camps yet again. These camps were supposed to begin on July 1 and AIU had even instructed all universities to send in the players’ lists by June 21 and had also sent a list of venues.

But now, it’s not sure whether the camps would be held on the decided venues and from when. Sources said that AIU had not yet finalised the list of players to be called for these camps as they were busy sorting out other details like the venues. “The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has not yet given a nod to AIU regarding the venues as the camps would be at least a month long and it was not sure whether these centres would be available for this long,” the source added.

On the other hand, the players and university authorities are working hard to resolve their own concerns like when the final list of players is out and how the players would get reservations done at such a short notice. Moreover, there is no clarity as to who will pay for these reservations initially, whether the players themselves, the university authorities or AIU.

It is worth mentioning that AIU has not yet paid the expenses accrued by the teams that participated in World Inter-University Championships last year. The entire expense was borne by the university authorities. Talking to The Tribune in this regard, Director Sports, Dr Rajkumar Sharma, said that last year, a payment of rupees five lakh was made by the university authorities towards visa fees, food, boarding and lodging of the teams in China, which was actually AIU’s duty.

“AIU has asked us to send the bills and we have done the needful but even after one year, we are still waiting the payment,” he added.

AIU Secretary-General Beena Shah, when contacted in this regard, confirmed that the camps had been postponed by a week and would now begin on July 7 as SAI was yet to confirm if the chosen venues would be free for such a long period. “We are still busy finalising the list of players and would send the final list to the concerned universities on June 1,” she added. 

Hong Kong, June 28
A day after the BCCI announced dates for Indian Premier League next season, the ICC today virtually left an unofficial window for the cash-rich Twenty20 event, making it possible for players from most nations to participate in it.

The ICC on the third day of its annual conference here left gaps in the FTP for most nations during April and May for the eight-year period from 2012-20.

The FTP, which was approved by the ICC Executive Board today on the recommendations of Chief Executives' Committee, contains an official two-week window in September for the Champions League Twenty20 each year and leaves space for an unofficial IPL window in April and May.

All the earlier four editions of the IPL were held in April-May and the fifth edition next year is scheduled from April 4 to May 27. Under the new FTP calender, India are scheduled to host Pakistan for a Test series in 2013, the first time after 2007.

But, beyond that, particulars of other series between the two countries were vague with neither the host nation nor the number of games were specified. They would also play 90 Tests and 166 ODIs within the eight-year span.

India also play fewer Test matches than England and Australia in the eight-year period though the world champions would be the busiest team in ODIs.

The FTP has a clear division among the Test playing countries with England, Australia and India scheduled to play the most Tests, followed by Sri Lanka and South Africa. England will play 99 matches over the next eight years, Australia 92. Sri Lanka and South Africa will play 76 and 74 Tests respectively.

They are followed by the West Indies and New Zealand with 66 Tests each and Pakistan with 65 followed by Bangladesh (42) and Zimbabwe (41). — PTI 

Chandigarh, June 28
It is not clear at this stage if modified use of Decision Review System (DRS) is really going to help the game in the long run. It is unclear if it’s going to always help the umpires arrive at the right decision or if it is going to allay fears and apprehensions in the minds of players. But one thing is crystal clear - it’s certainly going to add to the confusion of it all. It is certainly going to complicate matters further. And the fans are surely going to be at a loss to figure out what is going on.

Consider this: The BCCI has agreed to the use of DRS but does not support the use of the ball-tracking device but it does back the Hot Spot. Sounds like some kind of a riddle. Are we really talking about cricket here? Or are we talking about Rubik’s Cube?

Surely we do not want cricket to become some esoteric, mysterious sport where only those making the rules know what they are talking about. (Half the time even they do not know what they are talking about). This game, like all games, was always meant to be a spectator sport. Every game needs a trigger, and the trigger here has always been ball hitting bat. But now those running the game seem determined to turn it into something different.

Cricket is the only sport where international matches are going on simultaneously in various parts of the world, all with different sets of rules. The Hot Spot is available in matches played in Australia and is used in the series played there. But if the same team were to be playing in Bangladesh, no Hot Spot is available there, so it is not used.

Similarly, if India were playing a series in New Zealand but the teams decide not to use the DRS, it is suspended. Same is the case now, as India play in the West Indies and Sri Lanka in England, with different sets of rules. Now is this cricket or what?

In football, for instance, matches are simultaneously going on in Germany, England, Spain and elsewhere but with the same set of rules. Players cannot say that they want free-kicks in Madrid but no such thing in Munich.

In hockey, you cannot say that India does not agree to the no off-side rule but Holland wants it. In golf, players of a particular country cannot say that they want a course which has no bunkers and no par-5 holes. It’s only in cricket that we get to hear these absurd things like India not wanting DRS but all the others countries being fine with it.

The problem with the BCCI and Indian players is that they have started believing they are bigger than the game. That they have the financial muscle and should flaunt it openly. A weak and dependent ICC is not helping matters either. If this same objection to ball-tracking technology was being raised by the Sri Lankan players and their board, no one in the ICC would give a damn.

The Indian players and the BCCI need to understand that they do not have to obscenely flex their monetary muscle at every given opportunity. If the game has to move forward then all teams have to go ahead together. The BCCI should not be singing a different tune every time. 

Level playing field or what?

lAt present India are playing in the Windies where DRS is not being used. And Sri Lanka are playing in England where DRS is being used. For the same shot a batsman can be out in Barbados but not out in London. Or vice versa.

lEven now the ICC has recommended a modified use of DRS but has again left it to the teams to decide whether they want to use ball-tracking technology or not. India does not want to use ball-tracking technology. Other teams might want to use it. The ICC is just showing it has no control over the game. 

Jammu, June 28
Buoyed by the response of the corporate world, the Wrestling Federation of India has decided to organise the Indian Wrestling Premier League, on the pattern of the IPL in cricket, to popularise the sport.

Moscow World Wrestling Championship gold medallist Sushil Kumar, who was here to attend the National Wrestling Championship, said that this traditional Indian sport had gradually become popular among the masses and the corporate world was coming forward to sponsor it. “One corporate group has already announced they will sponsor the Wrestling Premier League to give further boost to the game,” Sushil said and added that elections of wrestlers as office-bearers of the federation has given further impetus to the efforts to popularise this game.

Former wrestlers have become office-bearers of WFI for first time. Dushyant Sharma of Jammu & Kashmir is the president, Raj Singh is secretary and Prem Nath is treasurer. All the top officials are former wrestlers of international repute. Sushil said that their first target was to ensure that Indian wrestlers would qualify in all the seven freestyle events in the next Olympic Games.

“It is too early to say how many medals Indian wrestlers would get in the next Olympic Games but we are confident that our performance would improve,” the FILA gold medalist said. “The federation has already deputed foreign coaches to train the wrestlers for the Games,” he said and exuded confidence that Indian wrestlers would improve their performances on the international stage.

Mentioning the lifting of the Junior Asian Championship by Indian wrestlers, Sushil said that it was just a beginning. “For the first time, Indian wrestlers have lifted this championship and in the days to come such performances would be repeated in other contests also,” he said.

Newly-elected WFI president Sharma said that they have formulated a comprehensive plan to further popularise wrestling and to provide all facilities to the wrestlers. “Deployment of foreign coaches is the first step in this direction,” he said and added that in the days to come, WFI would organise events at different levels to provide opportunities to the wrestlers.

Detailing the coming events, Sharma said that Wrestling Premier League would be held during the month of November and December this year, in seven weight categories of men’s freestyle and women’s wrestling.

New Delhi, June 28
The search for a foreign coach for Indian men's hockey team is all but over with Dutchman Roelant Oltmans emerging as the front-runner to take over the job for a five-year term.

Oltmans name emerged as the favourite after he appeared for an interview before the Sports Authority of India and Hockey India officials along with other two candidates — twice Olympic and world champion Jacques Brinkman of Netherlands and former Australian Olympian Michael Jack Nobbs.

Later talking to the media, SAI Director General Desh Deepak Verma said they have identified a candidate out of the three for the high-profile job and will now sent their recommendation to the Sports Ministry for approval.

"We had a meeting with 3 people — 2 from Netherlands and one from Australia — who presented their case before us. After discussions we have zeroed in on one candidate and will now sent the recommendation to the ministry," Verma told reporters at the SAI office here today.

"The new coach will be given a contract till 2016 Olympics because we now have to think about long-term associations." Although the new coach will be provided a long-term contact, his performance will be evaluated after every international outing. — PTI

BRIEFLY

Karlsson to impart training for table tennis players
Indore: Former World table tennis champion Peter Karlsson will be training budding players at a special camp, organised by the Table Tennis Federation of India and its Madhya Pradesh counterpart here till July 3. "I believe, two crucial ingredients for achieving success in table tennis is passion and believing in oneself," Karlsson told a press conference here today. "India has a huge sporting talent and I believe that the country can produce more world-class table tennis players," he added. Karlsson, who addressed the press conference along with Arjuna awardee Kamlesh Mehta, praised the junior players of the country, who have recently accomplished remarkable feats. — PTI

Australia appoint Rixon as fielding coach
SYDNEY: Former Test wicketkeeper Steve Rixon has been appointed Australia's new fielding coach and promised to set new standards for a country which has lost its reputation as the world's best in that department. Rixon, who played 13 tests and six one-dayers for Australia in the late 1970s and early 1980s before going on to coach New Zealand and New South Wales, will accompany the team on tours of Sri Lanka and South Africa over the next six months. Once one of their greatest strengths, the decline in Australia's fielding standards contributed to their humiliating Ashes defeat at the turn of the year. "Fielding skills play such an important role in the modern game and often proves the difference between winning and losing," Rixon, 57, said in a news release. — Reuters

Former Man City captain Doyle dies at 64
Manchester: Former Manchester City and England international Mike Doyle has died aged 64 after being treated for liver failure, Manchester City said on Tuesday. Doyle was part of the City team that won the English League title in 1968, the FA Cup in 1969, and the European Cup Winners Cup and League Cups in 1970. He scored City's first goal in the 1970 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion and skippered their 1976 League Cup winning side against Newcastle United, their last major honour until they won the FA Cup last month against Stoke City. He is the third member of City's successful team of that era to die in the past nine months following the deaths of coach Malcolm Allison last October and Neil Young, the scorer of the winning goal in the 1969 Cup final, in February. Doyle, a midfielder or defender, played more than 550 times for City between 1962 and 1978 and also won five England caps. — Reuters

Rafael Nadal’s towel the key to performance!
LONDON: When Rafa Nadal seeks refuge in a towel or an angry Andy Murray mutters to himself, they are not just amusing the Wimbledon crowd with their quirky habits but honing their "peak performance state". Even top athletes need their rituals, whether it be Novak Djokovic incessantly bouncing the ball or Maria Sharapova's famous grunts and mini-fist pump as she swivels on the baseline. American Andy Roddick has a particularly memorable routine, pulling his overly large shirt on to his shoulders and pointing to the ballgirl to bring him his towel after almost every point. Like a baby and a blanket, the importance of the towel to a tennis player cannot be underestimated with champion Nadal wiping himself down regularly. — ANI 

Royals William and Kate visit Wimbledon
Wimbledon: Andy Murray performed a majestic bow on Centre Court, then sheepishly apologized to his royal fans -- Prince William and new bride Kate -- for his sweaty, unkempt appearance. The royal couple, who were married on April 29, watched from the front row of the Royal Box yesterday as Murray beat Richard Gasquet to reach the quarterfinals. "If I'd known they were coming, I would have shaved," Murray said, smiling. — AP