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Haven’t seen ball seam so much: Fletcher
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England hunt in a pack: Bresnan
NADA seeks to redeem itself
Amandeep in Asian Boxing C’ships final
Two Himachal girls for Winter Youth Olympic in Austria
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cook deep fries india
Cook was then joined by Ian Bell and the two once again milked the Indian bowling as England built a steady lead. With the score at 252, Bell was finally dismissed by Praveen Kumar for 34. Kevin Pietersen took his chances to race to his fifty before being dismissed for 63 by Praveen. All three sessions of play on the second day saw Indian bowlers struggle to cause any discomfort to England, on a track that had earlier seen India skittle out for a paltry 224. England are leading the 4-match series 2-0 and look all set to add to India’s woes as they almost cannot lose from here.
Strauss (84 batting) and Cook (51 batting) carried on from an overnight score of 84 for no loss to add 73 runs in the opening session. The England openers posted their first century partnership this season as well as both scored their first indvidual half centuries in the current series after a lean trot of four innings. England are now only 67 runs behind India's first innings total of 224 all out. The day's play began half an hour late because of early showers and when five runs accrued from the opening over to England openers, it appeared the hosts would press on the pedal. Instead, runs were difficult to come by and the bowling was accurate though hardly penetrating. Indeed, Praveen Kumar choked the score entirely and at one stage had bowled four maiden overs at a stretch. When the first drinks interval arrived after 45 minutes, England had added only 21 runs from 15 overs to their overnight score of 84.
England openers, with the world of time at their disposal, were in no hurry to force the issue. Praveen indeed had quite extraordinary figures from the morning session and bowled his seven overs for just two runs with five of them being maidens. First four off the bat came after 15 overs when Andrew Strauss threw his hands at a wide Ishant Sharma delivery and the ball scurried past the slip cordon to hit the pickets. The next delivery was more authoritatively driven past cover for a similar result. Sreesanth replaced Praveen from the pavilion end and induced an edge from Strauss but the ball dissected the slip cordon perfectly to rush to boundary. Cook did likewise against Ishant from the other end and suddenly runs were beginning to come with a lot more ease. Cook moved within a shot to his half century when he thrashed Sreesanth through the covers. England were 135 for no loss from 43 overs when leg-spinner Mishra was introduced for the first time this morning. — PTI Scoreboard India 1st innings 224 England 1st innings (overnight 84-0) Strauss b Mishra 87 Cook batting 182 Bell b Praveen 34 Pietersen lbw b Praveen 63 Morgan batting 44 Extras (lb-26, b-7, nb-12, w-1) 46 Total (3 wkts, Stumps) 456 Bowling: Praveen 32-12-75-2, Sreesanth 22-4-103-0, Ishant 25-6-112-0, Mishra 26-2-100-1, Raina 9-0-30-0, Tendulkar 1-0-3-0.
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Haven’t seen ball seam so much: Fletcher
"I haven't seen so often when the ball has seamed and swung around the whole day.
Only today, after the first session it swung less and less and did flatten out. It's pretty difficult for batters to adapt," said Fletcher after Indians, put into bat, were all out for 224 on the opening day of the third Test yesterday. India have so far batted five times in the series and not once posted a score of 300 or in excess and Fletcher conceded that it made things difficult for his bowlers. "The ball has swung around so much in a row, it's pretty difficult for batters to adapt. We haven't been able to give scores to the bowlers," he said. India had lost opener Virender Sehwag for a golden duck but Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid stitched together a fine stand of 51 for the second wicket before both were dismissed and Fletcher feels those two wickets in the first session made all the difference. "Toss was very important. We were looking alright before lunch when we suddenly lost two quick wickets. It got us on to the back-foot. If we were one wicket down at lunch, it would have been a different story," he said. "It got easier. First session before lunch was critical. It didn't swing as much later in the day." As conditions eased, England made the most of it reaching 84 for no loss at stumps.
— PTI |
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England hunt in a pack: Bresnan
"There was not a lot in the wicket, it did flatten out, we were expecting it to be a little bit quicker and seam more. It was not like Trent bridge and we needed to build pressure," said Bresnan after the opening day's play yesterday. "It felt nice as wickets were shared around a bit. We definitely now have hunt in the pack mentality. We do enjoy each other's success and it's great for team spirit. They are some very good players, their stats and averages prove it. It's rather we have our plans and we are delivering it. It's working, how well we are bowling as a unit but they are still quality players," added Bresnan, whose four wickets included the ones of Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. Indians made 224 from 62-odd overs, having recovered from 111 for seven due to a counterattacking knock of 77 by Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his 84-run eighth wicket stand with Praveen Kumar (26). — PTI |
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NADA seeks to redeem itself
While everyone is busy in the blame game, no one is alien to the tough task of cleaning the mess ahead of the London Olympics and to ensure that no such thing happens in future. With less than a year left for the beginning of the 2012 Olympics, NADA has intensified its activities to ensure that these practices do not escape their eyes anymore and they achieve their goal of drug-free sports in India. NADA Director-General Rahul Bhatnagar told The Tribune that ever since NADA became operational from January 1, 2009, after its anti-doping rules came into force, it has stressed on the need for urgent steps to uproot this practice. "Sample collection, verification, maintenance of records and awarding punishment in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code and anti-doping rules of NADA and other international standards was the primary reason of its establishment,” Bhatnagar said. “But with passage of time it has become important to add on new tasks. Spreading awareness regarding the doping menace and highlighting its ill effects is the need of the hour and we are taking numerous steps in this regard," he added. When asked about the steps taken in view of the London Olympics, Bhatnagar said NADA were increasing the frequency of testing of core probables undergoing training at various centres. "Since NADA became operational, we have collected 6,835 samples out of which 247 have been found positive, whereas the sportspersons tested positive and sanctions imposed by the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel till date is 135. “Earlier, we used to collect random samples but now the situation has changed. The recent controversy has worsened the situation and now we have decided to collect samples of all players to ensure that none of them escapes our eyes. NADA had collected numerous samples last month alone. We are also doing surprise checking of rooms of players, coaches and support personnel at training institutes and surprise collection of samples,” he said. “It is better that they get caught here rather than in international tournaments," he further informed. The sports fraternity too is eying NADA's plans to ensure that London Olympics go smoothly for Indian athletes. One Indian chief coach said, "The way Indian players have been performing in the past few years, the London Olympics is sure to bring some pleasant surprise. But NADA would certainly have to exert itself more in case they really want to save India from embarrassment. They should go to the root cause of the recent dope controversy and should impress upon the need to punish everyone who is involved." time for a Clean-up With less than a year left for the beginning of the 2012 Olympics, NADA has intensified its activities to ensure that these practices do not escape their eyes anymore and they achieve their goal of drug-free sports in India
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US PGA
Johns Creek, August 11 American club professional Craig Stevens ended up in the middle of the fairway with the opening shot at the par-four first before hitting his approach to 30 feet and comfortably two-putting for par. His playing partners, fellow American John Rollins and Brendon de Jonge of Zimbabwe, each bogeyed the hole. Former world number one Woods, whose ranking has slipped to 30th after battling leg injuries this season while trying to rebuild his golf swing and his private life, was set to start his opening round from the 10th hole at 0835 local time (1235 GMT). The American, hunting his 15th major title but first since the 2008 U.S. Open, has been grouped with former champions Padraig Harrington of Ireland and American Davis Love III for the first two rounds. In keeping with tradition, the year's first three major winners have been paired together -- Darren Clarke (British Open), fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy (U.S. Open) and South African Charl Schwartzel (Masters). Clarke and company were set to start on the first tee from 1745 GMT. In other high-profile groupings, holder Martin Kaymer of Germany has been drawn with former winners Yang Yong-eun of South Korea and American Shaun Micheel while two more Americans, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler, will play with Spaniard Sergio Garcia. British world number one Luke Donald will set off in the opening round in the company of long-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros and American Nick Watney. David Toms, who won the last PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club in 2001, has been paired with fellow American Phil Mickelson and Fiji's Vijay Singh, both former winners. The PGA Championship has, in recent years, enjoyed the strongest field of the four majors and 98 of the world's top 100 players are chasing the season's final grand slam title this week. Weather forecasts called for a mix of sunny and cloudy conditions, along with heat and humidity, for the rest of Thursday with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
— Reuters |
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Spurs’ opening game called off
London, August 11 The violence that has gripped parts of Britain this week started last Saturday in the Tottenham area of London, not far from the club's White Hart Lane ground, with a protest over the police shooting of a suspect two days earlier. The protest escalated to riots with hooded youths taking to the streets, vandalising and looting shops and setting fire to cars and buildings, in acts that soon spread to other cities across the country. "Following ongoing discussions with the necessary authorities ... it has now been confirmed that this fixture will be postponed due to safety concerns relating to infrastructure of the High Road and access to the stadium caused by last Saturday's riots," Spurs said on their website (www.tottenhamhotspur.com). Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore told Sky Sports News a decision on the remainder of the top-flight fixtures scheduled for the first weekend of the new season would be made at 1800 local time (1700 GMT). He said he was optimistic the other nine matches, which include champions Manchester United travelling to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, would go ahead. While there was disappointment the Spurs match had suffered a similar fate to the England international friendly against Netherlands which had been scheduled to take place at Wembley on Wednesday, there was widespread backing of the decision. "Sometimes there is no choice in these situations ... sometimes bigger issues prevail," Football Association chairman David Bernstein told Sky Sports News. "We totally support the decision the (the police) have to make." He added the sport had a big part to play in reaching out to society after Britain experienced its worst violence in decades less than a year before London hosts the 2012 Olympic Games. "Football does have a major role to play, it's an industry with great influence, the players and the managers are major role models in society," he said. His view was shared by Chelsea captain John Terry, who like Bernstein and Scudamore had been attending the launch of the new Premier League season at an event in London.
— Reuters Riots hit premier League
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Amandeep in Asian Boxing C’ships final
Incheon, August 11 The Punjab pugilist, who won a gold at the Commonwealth Championships last year, won 13-12 in a nail-biting bout to set up a summit clash with Shin Jong Hun - a World Championship bronze-medallist. "I have had tough bouts all through and this one was no different. He was a counter-boxer and I took a defensive approach to fight it out with him. It was a hard slog but I am very happy," Amandeep told PTI. However, there was disappointment for India elsewhere as Balwinder Beniwal (64kg) and Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Paramjeet Samota lost in the semifinals to settle for bronze medals. While Commonwealth Youth Games gold-medallist Balwinder lost to Munkherdene Vranchimeg of Mangolia, Samota went down to Xuanxuan Wang of China after being warned twice in the bout.
— PTI Punch-tantra The Punjab pugilist, who won a gold at the Commonwealth Championships last year, won 13-12 in a nail-biting bout to set up a summit clash with Shin Jong Hun — a World Championship bronze-medallist.
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Bopanna-Qureshi in 3rd round
Montreal, August 11 The fifth-seeded 'Indo-Pak Express' duo, who got a bye in the first round, registered 6-4, 7-6(6) victory over their opponents in a closely fought contest. Although there was little to differentiate between the two sides, Bopanna and Qureshi managed to capitalise on one break point they got in the first set which they won 6-4. The second set, however, went to a tie-breaker which the Indo-Pak pair won 7-6(6). Bopanna-Qureshi will next play the winners of the match between top seed Americans Bob and Mike Bryan and Spanish duo of Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco. Sania-Elena out
Sania Mirza and her Russian partner Elena Vesnina made a shock first round exit in the WTA Rogers Cup tennis tournament after losing to the Italian pair of Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci in the women's doubles event here. The fifth-seeded Indo-Russian pair squandered a set lead to eventually go down 6-2, 0-6, 7-10. After winning the first set comfortably, Sania and Vesnina failed to maintain the momentum and failed to pocket even a single game to lose the next set 0-6.
— PTI |
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Two Himachal girls for Winter Youth Olympic in Austria
Manali, August 11 He said the girls had obtained the qualifying FIS points in the FIS races held in Wanaka, New Zealand. A team, led by Bhola Ram Thakur, vice-president of the association, had left for New Zealand on July 25 and the Indian girls made it happen for the first time in the skiing history of India. Aanchal studies at Kullu Valley Public School and Varsha in Government Senior Secondary School Bahang, Manali. Roshan Lal Thakur, secretary general, Winter Games Federation of India, said both the girls would be imparted further training in Switzerland and Italy in October, November and December, 2011. |
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Birmingham, August 11
Earlier, England openers Alastair Cook and skipper Andrew Strauss batted cautiously as home team reached 157 for no loss at lunch.
Birmingham, August 11
Birmingham, August 11
Patiala, August 11
