Sydney, January 2
Crushed in the series-opener, India would aim to draw level when they go into the second cricket Test against Australia here tomorrow amid growing concerns over their famed batting line-up's ability to deliver in overseas conditions. The 122-run loss in the opening Test in Melbourne was demoralising but the Indians have a reputation of being bad starters on tours before bouncing back.

And India would be aiming for another one of those turnarounds at the SCG, hoping that veteran Sachin Tendulkar gets his eagerly-anticipated but elusive 100th international century to lead the way.

Their fine past record at the SCG, which will incidentally host its 100th Test, should give the Indians the confidence that was dented by the thrashing at Melbourne.

Australia doesn't intend to depart from the tested theory of aggressive bowling in seaming, helpful bowling conditions which served England so brilliantly this summer and is likely to yield rich dividends to Michael Clarke's men this time around.

As the Indian batsmen refuse to let go deliveries outside the off-stump or look for bowlers to get into their fourth and fifth spells, the wait on team getting to their 300s is becoming interminably long.

The hosts have retained the same eleven that did duty in Melbourne, which means Nathan Lyon will get another opportunity to prove his worth. The Indians have not yet announced their playing eleven but indications are that Virat Kohli may be persisted with.

In 11 Tests since the series against South Africa in 2010-11, India has crossed 400 only once on foreign soil. There have been only two scores in excess of 300. — PTI

Sydney, January 2
In a virulent verbal attack on Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, an Australian newspaper today slammed the batting maestro for backing his teammate Harbhajan Singh during the '2008 monkeygate scandal' here, saying some Aussie players lost respect for him after that.

"While the cricket world is abuzz with anticipation that the Little Master will score his 100th international century during the second Test in Sydney, beginning tomorrow, some recent Australian players have not forgiven his role in the Andrew Symonds 'Monkeygate' scandal," The 'Herald Sun's' Malcom Conn wrote in a column titled 'Sachin's Sin City'.

The writer goes on to state that the 'Monkeygate' scandal will forever haunt Tendulkar.

"...despite the unparalleled greatness of his achievements, some Australians lost respect for him when he gave completely different accounts of what took place as a key witness in the Harbhajan Singh-Andrew Symonds racism meltdown," he claimed.

The row escalated after Symonds accused Harbhajan of racially abusing him. Tendulkar was among the players, who appeared as witnesses in the case, and stated that the feisty off-spinner merely used a Hindi abuse which sounded like monkey.

Tendulkar's role had been criticised by former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who in his book 'True Colours', described the appeal as a "joke".

The outrageous write-up was dismissed as merely an attempt to distract the Indians by cricket experts. Tendulkar is on the verge of getting his 100th international century and is widely respected by fans Down Under.

"i get along well with Malcolm Conn but I am delighted to disagree that Sydney 2008 represents a moment of shame for Tendulkar," tweeted noted commentator Harsha Bhogle. — PTI

Sydney, January 2
Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today conceded that the confidence of his side has taken a hit after five successive Test losses on foreign soil but insisted that the team would bounce back in the second cricket Test against Australia starting tomorrow.

After the 0-4 whitewash at the hands of England last year, India lost the series-opener against Australia in Melbourne last week.

"It does affect it (team confidence) a bit, but it's not something to get bogged down about because we all know as to what exactly happened and you learn a lot from the mistakes that you make so we are looking at the positives. In the last five Test matches abroad that we have lost we have still had plenty of positives," Dhoni said ahead of the match here.

"We need to improve as a unit, rather than just improving as a bowling or batting side. Unlike in England, we have not faced a lot of injuries here so it's a positive. The Australian team will have to keep the pressure on the batting line-up and the bowlers also at the same time," he added.

Dhoni was pointedly asked if Tendulkar's long-awaited 100th international hundred was proving to be a distraction for his side.

"It's a big distraction for the media which is good for us. Wherever we go, people talk about it. As a team, we would like him to score it as quickly as possible. There is no other reason apart from the fact that it's a big milestone and we would love to enjoy and be part of his success," he said.

The Indian captain was certain that Tendulkar's 100th century was inevitable. He also said that Tendulkar doesn't appear affected by the delay in milestone.

"We all know it will happen. It may happen in this Test match, it may happen in the next Test match or in this series. You can't really stop it from happening. I don't think he personally thinks about it a lot. — PTI

New Delhi, January 2
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has become the first cricketer in the world to be chosen for the AIPS Fair Play 2011 award for his exemplary action in recalling Ian Bell, who was declared out by the umpire during the Test series in England.

Dhoni was officially informed about his selection by Roslyn Morris, Secretary General of the All Internationale De La Press Sportive or International Sports Press Association, (AIPS) yesterday at Sydney.

Talking to PTI from Australia, Morris said, "Since Dhoni will not be able to attend the award ceremony on January 13 during the AIPS Congress in Innsbruck, Austria, he was presented with a commemorative plaque at Sheraton Hotel in Sydney yesterday." AIPS President Gianni Merlo will present Dhoni a trophy during the inauguration of the 2012 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on April 4.

"Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world behind football. I value and appreciate cricket's role in the sub-continent and throughout the Commonwealth and hope that the fact we have given a fair play award to a cricketer will encourage the younger generations to pursue the sport honestly and reject corruption and deceit," Merlo said. — PTI

Sydney, January 2
The spotlight is firmly on Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar as he chases an elusive 100th international century but Australian captain Michael Clarke today said he won't be surprised if Ricky Ponting is the one walking away with a ton during the second Test starting here tomorrow.

"The way Punter is batting at the moment, he is not far away from a big one. One thing I know about him is if he gets to 100, he won't be stopping there so he's got a very good record at the SCG. I know he loves playing here, so it wouldn't surprise me if he walked out and made a 100 in this Test," wished Clarke ahead of the second Test.

Ponting has hit 39 centuries in his 159-Test career but a three-figure knock has eluded him for the past 17 Tests and 33 innings so far. His last hundred was against Pakistan at Bellerive Oval, Hobart two years ago.

Ponting has a brilliant record at the SCG where he has scored 1346 runs from 15 Tests at an average of 64.10 with five centuries.

The former Australian captain gave a hint of the things to come with two half centuries in very demanding batting conditions at the MCG last week.

Clarke, inevitably, wished Tendulkar to get his hundred after the series and not while the contest is on in the present series.

"I hope his 100 doesn't come until the next series because I'd love to watch it on television. But he's been such a great player and certainly deserves all the credit he's received," he said.

While acknowledging Tendulkar's mastery, Clarke believed the conditions at the SCG could test him out.

"I think there's going to be enough in the wicket.

There's a tinge of green there; it's a little bit tacky at the moment. I think it's going to be quite tough to bat on day one but the sunshine obviously helps." — PTI

Fans watch the Indian team train from behind a gate during a practice session in Sydney on Monday. — AFP

Sydney, January 2
Put it to pressure of performance or the need to go about their work quietly, the Indian team management has apparently asked the authorities at the SCG here to keep fans at bay during their intensive net session this afternoon. A huge crowd was present at the ground during Australia's net session this morning, but as soon as the Indians arrived the SG authorities slowly started to clear the gathering.

Though the Indian team media manager GS Walia denied any such move by the visitors and the authorities seemed reluctant to come on record on the matter, the fans vented out their frustration at not being able to watch their heroes.

There is immense pressure on Indian batsmen to sort out their problems ahead of the second cricket Test, starting here tomorrow and the move could be seen as a welcome step because sometimes crowd presence during the nets could act as a distraction.

Virender Sehwag, in Canberra for instance, had sharply asked the fans to keep quiet after he initially struggled to middle the ball in the nets. Interestingly, in England at Leicestershire, after the Test series had ended, the Indian team had asked authorities to even keep the media away from the nets. — PTI

New Delhi, January 2
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) today exuded confidence of a better showing by Indian sportspersons in the London Olympic Games and other international competitions this year.

“We are hopeful that our medal tally in this year’s Olympics will better than the 2008 Beijing Olympiad, where we had bagged three medals,” IOA Acting President Vijay Kumar Malhotra said on Monday.

India are expected to participate in 15 disciplines (subject to the qualification) - aquatics, athletics, archery, boxing, gymnastics, hockey, judo, shooting, rowing, sailing, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.

Malhotra said the IOA has asked the concerned federations to specifically find out the requirements of the sportspersons who have qualified and are likely to qualify for the Olympics and try to provide them the best of coaching and training facilities.

He said since the qualification (in individual as well as team events) is based on unified criteria laid down by the respective international federations, the selection process is transparent and without any bias.

Malhotra admitted that not all the qualified sportspersons were medal prospects, because some of them may make the cut by just reaching the minimum qualifying standard, but there are many disciplines where India will be a stakeholder.

He said the IOA’s assessment of more medals this time was based on the performances in various international competitions and Olympic qualifiers. Malhotra said he shared the concerns of the hockey fans and fervently hoped that the hockey teams (men’s and women’s) will make it to London. He said he was hopeful that more shooters, archers and boxers will qualify to fill up the remaining slots.

”It is a very good sign for Indian sports that now international sporting fraternity is looking at sportspersons from our country with respect and awe,” Malhotra added.

He said the IOA was committed to provide all possible help to the qualified sportspersons “There is going to be no lack of funds for them so I hope this time the sportspersons will bring more good news for the countrymen.”

So far 25 sportspersons have qualified for the Games. They are: Archery 4: Jayant Talukdar, Deepika Kumari, L. Bombayala Devi and Chekrovolu Swuro; Aquatics 2: Virdhawal Khade, Sandeep Sejwal. Athletics 7: Babu Bhai, Gurmeet Singh (20 KM Walk), Vikas Gowda (Discus), Om Prakash (Shot Put), Myookha Jony (Triple Jump), Tintu Luka (800m), Krishna Poonia (Discus). Boxing 4: Devendro Laishram (46-49kg), Jai Bhagwan (60kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg), Vikas Krishan (69kg). Shooting 8: Abhinav Bindra, Ronjan Sodhi, Sanjeev Rajput, Vijay Kumar, Gagan Narang, Hari Om Singh, Rahi Sarnobat, Anuraj Singh.

Brisbane, January 2
Serena Williams may have won 13 grand slam singles titles, 12 doubles titles and two Olympic gold medals, but the American is amazed at her own success given how much she dislikes the actual athletic nature of her profession.

"I have never liked sports and could never understand how I became an athlete," the former world number one and arguably the most dominant women's player over the past 10 years told reporters after she beat Chanelle Scheepers 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the Brisbane International.

"I don't like working out and don't like anything to do with working physically. If it involves sitting down or shopping, I'm excellent at that. That has always been my Achilles' heel, the working out."

The 30-year-old Williams, who is well aware she is entering the twilight of her career, said while she was cutting back on her playing schedule this year, the motivation to keep playing was still there and she was not ready to retire yet.

"I think for me it's all about motivation as opposed to my skill or anything else," she said. "As long as the motivation is there, it's definitely going to be cool. I'm not playing a full schedule this year. I just want to be able to do other things.

"I'm always preparing myself for life after tennis (but)... I don't want to go anywhere anytime soon."

Williams entered the Brisbane tournament because she had never been there before and felt a new city would keep her fresh as she sought to win the Australian Open's Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for the sixth time.

South Africa's Scheepers gave her a tougher than expected workout, though Williams had not played since a sensational outburst against the chair umpire in the U.S. Open final last September. Williams was censured and fined $2,000 for her outburst in the final, which she lost to Australia's Sam Stosur, said prior to the Brisbane tournament she would not dial down her intensity. — Reuters

Chennai, January 2
Teenager Yuki Bhambri kept his nerves at the finish to knock out a higher-ranked Slovak Karol Beck 6-2, 6-3 in just 79 minutes to enter the second round of the ATP Aircel Chennai Open here Monday.

The sparse crowd at the Centre Court cheered for the 19-year-old Delhi-based Bhambri, who wobbled just a bit at the end of both sets, but Beck could not capitalise on the openings that came his way.

However, Bhambri, ranked 345 to Beck’s 101, will certainly relish just his second men’s tour win, the previous being in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2010 where, like here, he had received a wild card entry.

Bhambri next faces top seeded Serbian Janko Tipsarevic, who received a bye into the second round.

Barely 24 hours earlier, Leander Paes, the high priest of Indian tennis, had lamented the lack of progress of young Indian players and even commented that not much was seen of Bhambri who was once ranked No.1 among juniors following his success at the Australian Open.

For sure, not just Paes, but his countrymen would have sat up and noticed Bhambri on a day that saw him play smart if not powerful tennis to scalp Beck who was simply not in the zone and committed far too many errors to make any impression. — IANS

New Delhi, January 2
India ace shuttler Saina Nehwal will look to start the new year on a resounding note when she begins her campaign at the Korea Super Series, which commences with the qualifiers tomorrow in Seoul.

Saina reached four finals last year but could clinch just one title - the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold. The Hyderabad girl, who finished runners-up at the season-ending Hong Kong Open, will start 2012 facing Susan Egelstaff of Scotland.

The 21-year-old is expected to meet world number one and top seed Yihan Wang of China in the quarterfinals. The world number four Indian had lost her finals at the Hong Kong Super series against the Chinese.

In the men's singles, Ajay Jayaram will start afresh after stunning a few world class players last year. The Chennai-born shuttler, who reached the quarterfinals in his maiden World Championship last year, will take on Korean Wan Ho Shon in his tournament opener on Wednesday.

In the qualifiers starting tomorrow, Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold runners-up Sourabh Verma of Madhya Pradesh will be up against Daren Liew of Malaysia. — PTI

London, January 2
Wayne Rooney was dropped from a match and fined 200, 000 pounds after he talked about a night out he had with his wife Coleen. Rooney and Coleen had gone out to dinner, along with Man U players Darron Gibson and Jonny Evans and their respective partners, on Boxing Day.

The next morning, when the teammates were talking about how good a time they had, they were immediately ordered by Sir Alex Ferguson to do extra training on their day off.

On the night before the match with Blackburn Rovers, Rooney was told that he would be dropped for the match, a major shock given the club’s current injury crisis.

All three players were also fined a week’s wages each, which means 200, 000 pounds for Rooney. Insiders say the temperamental star feels his six-figure fine is massively unfair and is said to be angry at Ferguson’s ‘complete over-reaction’.

“Wayne is bemused and upset. It seems to him like a major injustice,” the Mirror quoted a source as saying. The star has previously had fallings out with his boss - and almost quit United in 2010. — ANI

London, January 2
The scandals that have plagued recent series with Pakistan must be forgotten when England play them in the United Arab Emirates later this month, captain Andrew Strauss said on Monday.

Three visiting players were jailed two months ago for their part in a spot-fixing scandal in the Test series in England in 2010, and the corresponding series four years earlier also ended with Pakistan refusing to play on in one Test.

"There is a perception that there are always issues between Pakistan and England but we should see this as an opportunity to eradicate that perception," captain Strauss said. "There is no reason why that should be the case and, as I said, if we both approach it in the right spirit, it should be good for relations between both teams.”

“I think the spot-fixing stuff is something we are desperately keen to move on from. No good can come from churning it all up again and it's time to concentrate on the cricket," said Strauss. — Reuters

Bangalore, January 2
Young Harshal Patel broke the backbone of Karnataka's batting line-up with a career-best eight-wicket haul to put underdog Haryana on the driver's seat on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match here today.

Karnataka managed 151 as the 21-year-old Patel wreaked havoc in his three short but productive spells to return with awe-inspiring figures of 16.5-7-40-8.