|
|
|
|
|
India’s tour of Australia |
|
|
Dhoni hints at Test retirement
Beer party at Perth pitch?
Lamb cutlets for Sachin
County cricketer pleads guilty to spot-fixing
Ranji
Trophy: Haryana vs Rajasthan
Saina in quarters
Ministry approves foreign training for 9 athletes
|
|
India’s tour of Australia
Perth, January 12 India's batting has come a cropper in the series so far with their famed batsmen collapsing like a house of cards in most of the innings they have played so far against an inexperienced but disciplined Australian bowling attack. Down 0-2 in the series, the experienced Indian batsmen will have to come up with something special on possibly the fastest pitch in the planet at the WACA here if they want to salvage some pride battered by the two humiliating losses. Not a century has yet been hit by any Indian batsman. Except for Sachin Tendulkar, who has been in imperious form in all the four innings he has played, no top order batsman has been among runs with average below 30s. Tendulkar, who is just one short of his 100th international ton, has scored 226 runs in four innings at an average of 56.50. Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag have just about hundred runs from two Tests. Gambhir, despite his 83 in the second innings at the SCG, has not touched the 100-run mark. Laxman got 66 runs in one innings yet has only 71 runs from the tour. Like England it appears a collective failure of the batting unit. And, unlike England, even Dravid is struggling. India, however, can take solace from the pages of history. Contrary to the reputations of its batsmen on faster pitches, India has always done well at the WACA. Indians won the 2007-08 Test even though Australia opted for four quicks in the match. — PTI
|
|
Dhoni hints at Test retirement
"If I have to see through the 2015 (World Cup), I would have to retire from one of the formats," Dhoni told mediapersons here. Dhoni, who has played in 66 Tests so far and won 17 of the 36 matches in which he has skippered, almost casually mentioned it which took everyone by surprise at the press conference. Thursday's disclosure by Dhoni seems to convey what he feels about his future in the game if read together with what he had said earlier that he will decide by 2013 whether to play in 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The 30-year-old Dhoni is more and more being acknowledged as a really good captain in one-day cricket and a very effective batsman in the limited-overs format. In the Tests, on the other hand, his team seems to have lost the knack of winning abroad in testing conditions and his batting, against lifting and seaming deliveries, look completely out of sorts. Dhoni had earlier been quoted in the media that he will decide by 2013 if he will play in 2015 World Cup. "What I really meant is by 2013 I would have to see where I stand as to my body. Whether I will be able to survive till the 2015 World Cup," he had said in the media. "Of course form is a big factor but also what I need to say is that all of a sudden in 2014 if I feel I can't survive the 2015 World Cup and there comes a new wicketkeeper who has played just 30 ODIs, it's not fair. "At 2013 end, I have to decide if I am fit enough to proceed in one of the format. It's not for personal but for country and for the individual who is taking my position. He should have played 70-80 ODIs before he goes in World Cup. That's my personal thinking," he had said. ‘Never seen an Indian side fight’
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Thursday hit back at the Australian media for writing about "disharmony" in the Indian dressing room and a rift between him and vice-captain Virender Sehwag, saying he was proud of the dressing room atmosphere and team spirit. "I have never seen an Indian side fight. May be this happens after a few beers, sitting with the opposition and just dreaming about it. This is one thing we are really proud of," he told reporters ahead of the third Test against Australia starting here on Friday. "The dressing room atmosphere is great and how we love each others' success. This is Indian team's strength and this is something we are looking to improve further," he added. Sehwag himself and his senior team-mate Rahul Dravid on Wednesday had rubbished the reports of infighting among the players and rift in the team. Australian media reports had said that Sehwag was at loggerheads with Dhoni and that some players in the team are backing the former to take over Dhoni said he got inputs from all the players, senior or youngsters, and there was no point sulking over the poor performance of the team. "I get information and advice from all, from experienced guys, vice-captain and youngsters who all move in same direction. It does hurt a bit (when losing) but being a sport you want to improve and make a comeback," said Dhoni. "You don't want to be emotional about it, try and sit on a chair and say it's really not going our way," he added. The Australian media had reported recently that there is division in the Indian dressing room with one set of players in favour of MS Dhoni as captain while the other set of players want Virender Sehwag to be the captain of the Test side. Dhoni’s Test captaincy has come in for some sharp criticism from all quarters after India lost their sixth consecutive Test match
abroad. — PTI |
|
New Delhi, January 12 The footage showed three or four ground-staff sitting on the wicket with beer can and the Indian TV channel said it had acquired it through independent source. The visuals showed some of the barefooted staff having accreditation card while there were others who did not have any card at all. Senior BCCI functionary Rajiv Shukla said the Cricket Australia must look into the issue. "It is a serious matter and the Australian Cricket Board should look into it. It is the responsibility of the host cricket Board to maintain the wicket. It is their prime responsibility," Shukla said. Asked if they have talked to the Cricket Australia about it, he said, "It's upto the team management to look into it. “If there is a complaint, only then we can take it up. We are awaiting the report of the team management. " "I would like to urge the Australian Cricket Board to look into it. There should be no foreign element on the wicket. The sanctity of the wicket should be maintained," he added. The channel said as per the ICC rules, the track should be covered and cordoned off ahead of a Test match. It was not clear whether the Indian team management has lodged a protest. — PTI
|
|
|
Perth, January 12 On Sunday night he and several guests shared a meal at Japanese restaurant Nobu, at Burswood. The following night, he paid a visit to one of his favourite restaurants in Perth, Mt Lawley's GoGo Madras Curry House on Beaufort Street. Tendulkar visits the restaurant every time he's in Perth and always orders the same dish – lamb cutlets. On this occasion, the cricketer was joined by several teammates and other friends, and stayed true to tradition. "He comes for our lamb cutlets, he loves them," owner Gogo Govardhan said, adding that He is the most humble person, you can go up and talk to him easily. We don't talk about cricket, but we talked a lot about Perth." According to Govardhan, Tendulkar is keen to make a trip to iconic Rottnest Island during his stay. Meanwhile legions of Indian cricket fans – including the 45,000-strong Indian population in Perth – are hoping the WACA will deliver Tendulkar his elusive 100th international century. The colourful, vocal and passionate Swami Army has been a regular feature this season, and this weekend will be no different. The nickname was coined in 2003 and just like the English Barmy Army, the group is devoted to its team, following the players all over the world. Group founder Sumit Grover said 1500 new members had joined the Swami Army in the past two weeks alone, taking membership to more than 3500. He said they aimed to add some fun to the game, and boost crowd numbers. Anil Jain, the president of the Indian Society of WA, will be among those cheering the star on in the crowd this weekend. "We are all definitely looking to enjoy ourselves, there will be a very big Indian crowd watching the match," he said. — ANI
|
|
Paarl, January 12 Replying to a South African total of 301 for eight, Sri Lanka lost their first six wickets for 13 runs before being bowled out for 43, a record low total for the tourists. Opening batsman Amla anchored the South African innings and made 112 off 128 balls. He shared in partnerships of 144 for the second wicket with Jacques Kallis (72) and 91 for the third wicket with new captain AB de Villiers (52). It was always likely to be a tough target for Sri Lanka to chase but their hopes were dashed almost immediately as they made a disastrous start with new ball bowlers Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe both taking three wickets in their opening spells. Morkel finished with four for 10 to take the man of the match award, while the left-armed Tsotsobe claimed three for 19. Sri Lankan captain Tillekeratne Dilshan acknowledged that South Africa had produced "fantastic bowling" at the start of his team's innings. "After that it was very difficult to come back," he said. Dilshan took heart from Sri Lanka's comeback in the Test series when they won the second Test after losing the first by an innings. "The same thing must happen again," he said. De Villiers said it had been a "dream start" to his captaincy. "It was a quality team performance," he said. Morkel started the collapse when Upul Tharanga fell to a diving catch by JP Duminy at gully off the second ball of the innings without scoring. Dilshan also went second ball for a duck, caught behind off a ball from Tsotsobe which bounced and cut back at him. Dinesh Chandimal, promoted to number four in the batting order, was bowled by Tsotsobe before Kumar Sangakkara edged a lifting delivery from Morkel. Angelo Mathews lasted only two balls before fending another lifting delivery from Morkel to midwicket. — AFP
|
|
County cricketer pleads guilty to spot-fixing
London, January 12 At the start of his trial at the Old Bailey in London, the former Essex cricketer pleaded guilty to accepting or obtaining a corrupt payment in connection with a televised match between Essex and Durham in September 2009. But while admitting accepting money to carry out the act, which the judge said amounted to 6,000 pounds (USD 9,200), Westfield denied bowling in a way that would allow the scoring of runs. "It is difficult to accept the defendant received many thousands of pounds if he didn't carry out his part of the bargain," judge Anthony Morris said. "If you agree to concede 12 runs in your first over in exchange for 6,000 pounds and you concede 10 runs in that over, one view of the matter is that even though you were trying to concede 12 runs you would still be guilty because you ... accepted a corrupt payment," Morris added. Sentencing was set for Feb. 10. Morris warned Westfield he could face a jail term. The name of another person involved in the case could also be disclosed at that time. The judge said it is a well known person. Three Pakistan cricketers are currently in English jails after being convicted of spot-fixing last year. Former captain Salman Butt was jailed for 2 1/2 years, Mohammad Asif for 1 1/2 years and Mohammad Amir for six months. They ensured that no-balls were bowled at specific times during a test match against England at Lord's in 2010. — AP
|
|
Ranji
Trophy: Haryana vs Rajasthan
Rohtak, January 12 Only in his third first-class game, Rituraj finished as the highest wicket-taker for Rajasthan in the innings, claiming five for 37 to skittle out Haryana for 120 in their second essay in Lahli here. Rituraj, who took a total of 12 wickets for 82 runs in this semifinal game, claimed the wickets of Harshal Patel (1), Prateek Pawar (6) and tail-enders Jayant Yadav (5) and Mohit Sharma (20) today in Haryana's second innings. He had also dismissed opener Rahul Dewan yesterday. Resuming at 15 for two, still needing 170 to win, Haryana's second innings folded just an hour after lunch with Rituraj dismissing Mohit. Sachin Rana, who was the highest scorer for Haryana with 25 runs, tried to provide some resistance but once he was dismissed just before lunch with the scoreboard reading 88 for seven, it was all but over for the hosts. Starting the day under bright sunny conditions, Haryana could add only five more runs to their overnight score of 15 before losing nightwatchman Harshal Patel (1), who nicked a Rituraj delivery and the stumper Dishant Yagnik completed the catch. Prateek Pawar too found it difficult to negotiate the accurate bowling of Rituraj and after a 21-ball vigil ended up giving his wicket away to the bowler. Rana, who was the most impressive of Haryana's batsmen in the second innings, applied himself and tried to keep the scoreboard ticking along with opener Nitin Saini (23). — PTI
|
|
New Delhi, January 12 The fourth seeded Indian rode on her smashes and better net play to outwit Cheng 21-19, 21-8 in a 31-minute match in women's singles. The world number four Indian will next meet two-time All England champion Tine Baun of Denmark tomorrow. Saina took time to get off the block and after lagging 2-6 initially, the Indian was left to do the catch-up act for most part of game. The Chinese Taipei girl held the lead throughout the game before losing it at the end as a dominant Saina reeled off six straight points to zoom from 15-19 to pocket the game. She continued her dominance in the second game too as she didn't give any chance to her rival to make any sort of recovery after opening up a three-point lead in the beginning and in no time eased into the quarterfinals. Saina had also reached the quarterfinals last week at the Korea Open. — PTI
|
|
|
Ministry approves foreign training for 9 athletes
New Delhi, January 12 These Athletes have either qualified for the Olympics or are likely to qualify. Throwers Vikas Gowda, Om Prakash Singh and Krishna Poonia, who have attained the qualifying mark, will train in the US, Hungary and US respectively while jumper Mayookha Johny, who has also qualified, will train in Berlin (Germany), in the company of her coach G.R.Shyam Kumar. Track athletes Preeja Sreedharan, Kavita Raut, Sudha Singh and O.P.Jaisha, who are yet to qualify, will train in Kenya with coach J.S.Bhatia. Harvant Kaur, accompanied by coach Pramveer Singh, will train in South Africa. The Committee also decided that from now on, till the Olympics, foreign exposure to athletes must be restricted to only those who have either already qualified or are likely to qualify. Gurdev Singh has been appointed as coach of the athletes.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Perth, January 12
Perth, January 12
