Sepang, March 25
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso scored a dramatic victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix today when the Spaniard denied Sauber's Sergio Perez a first Formula One triumph in a race turned on its head by the weather.

The race started in torrential rain and was stopped for 51 minutes after eight laps but Alonso took charge on its resumption to register a shock 28th career victory in a car that had been outpaced in qualifying in the opening two rounds.

"A big surprise today the win," championship leader Alonso told reporters. "Our goal was to score as many points as possible. An unbelievable result, a great job from the team."

Pole sitter Lewis Hamilton repeated his third place finish from the opening race of the season in Melbourne last weekend, with Red Bull's Mark Webber in fourth and 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen fifth in his Lotus.

Australia race winner Jenson Button and world champion Sebastian Vettel both suffered mid-race collisions with the HRT of Narain Karthikeyan and finished outside the points.

Alonso started the race in eighth place but worked his way up to fifth by the red flag, passed Webber soon after the resumption and capitalised on a well-timed pit stop to get past Hamilton.

The double world champion overtook Mexico's Perez on the 17th of the 56-lap race and after initially dropping back, the Sauber closed to within a second of the Ferrari in the late stages and was on course to secure an unlikely victory.

His dreams of becoming the first Mexican to record a Formula One since 1970 were shattered with five laps remaining, however, when he ran wide on turn 13 and slipped too far behind Alonso to catch him before the chequered flag.

"I knew I had to get him soon because in all the high speed corners I was losing my front tyres running behind him," said Perez, who was ordered by Ferrari-powered Sauber to "be careful" just before the error. "Then I ran wide in the quick left hander. I touched the kerb and I went onto the dirty side of the track. It was completely wet and I lost the win."

Nevertheless it was Sauber's best result as an independent team as Perez scored more points in one race than he did in the whole of last season.

Hamilton looked dejected after he slipped from pole to third just like in Australia but this time, the 2008 world champion was delighted to just finish in the points.

"I can't complain as I'm on the podium for the second weekend in a row. I was able to stay out of trouble with the conditions. We did a great job," he said.

The Mercedes duo of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg flattered to deceive for a second race in a row, struggling all day in the conditions to finish 10th and 13th respectively after looking quick in qualification. — Reuters

Mumbai, March 25
Sachin Tendulkar made it clear today that he does not intend to retire anytime soon and left open the possibility of playing in the 2015 World Cup.

The master batsman, who will turn 39 next month, took on his critics who have been suggesting that he should retire from the one-day format of the game and focus on Test cricket.

Kapil Dev, Imran Khan and some other former greats have in fact expressed views that he should have retired from ODIs when India won the 2011 World Cup.

“I feel that when I retire is something that I would decide because when I started was not decided by someone else. Those who are advising me about retirement did not bring me in the team,” he said at a rare press conference here.

Tendulkar, who reached an unprecedented milestone in the game’s history of making 100 international centuries nine days ago in Dhaka, was uncharacteristically blunt about his critics and said, “I feel those who say you should retire at the top, are selfish because when you are at the top, you should serve the country instead of retiring.”

Asked about the prospects of his playing the 2015 World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand, Tendulkar refused to be drawn into any predictions but clearly did not rule playing in the tournament.

“When this question was asked in 2007 (about the 2011 World Cup), it was tough for me to answer. It’s the same situation.

“I don’t know what to say about 2015, if people keep praying for me, that means a lot for me. I will keep trying, the rest is in god’s hands. I just want to enjoy the game. I don’t want to set targets,” he added.

Speaking about his 100th international century, which he scored after a year-long wait, the iconic player said, “When I reached my 100th ton, I looked at my bat and looked at the sky and asked god, what wrong did I do? Why did it take so long?” Answering a question about rising superstar Virat Kohli and other emerging youngsters, Tendulkar had a word of advice for them—they should have strong commitment and discipline.

“It has taken so much of time for me (to reach where I have) and others who will play, they will have to have the commitment and discipline. When we started, we had goals, I feel I have been able to do that for the next generation,” Tendulkar said.

“Virat has done really well. I hope he continues that but there are other players as well. We need such performances to continue for the team.” Tendulkar refused to predict whether his seemingly unconquerable record of 100 centuries would ever be broken but hoped that as and when it happens, the feat is accomplished by a fellow Indian.

“I don’t know. I guess all the records are meant to be broken but I hope it’s an Indian. I don’t think you can predict that (whether it will be surpassed) but I hope it’s an Indian whenever it happens,” he said.

Tendulkar said his family is his source of strength and he will continue till he keeps drawing from it.

“I get my strength from my coaches and family. When I feel I don’t have that, on that day, I will think of retirement.” India went on to lose the match, that too against Bangladesh, in which Tendulkar got to the feat and he said the disappointment meant that the celebrations were muted.

“I don’t think that we are celebrating that one match. Where I am right now took 23 years and not one match. I feel the result was very important. It was very disappointing. The day I got the hundred there was no celebration,” he recalled.

For a player who has virtually every batting record that is there to be taken, Tendulkar said the biggest compliment for him was when the legendary Sir Don Bradman included him in his all-time Test XI.

“I think the best compliment was from Sir Don Bradman when he announced his all-time Test XI and I was part of that squad. That would be the best compliment,” he said. — PTI

Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday turned philosophical when asked about the long wait he had to endure to score his 100th international ton.

“I have always believed in God. My father was a believer and my mother is a believer. Even when I was a schoolboy and playing at Shivaji Park, during breaks, I used to run to a Ganpati temple nearby and drink water from the tap there every day. I got the feeling of getting positive energy after drinking the water,” Tendulkar said during an interaction with a select group of journalists, here.

“When I got to my 100th hundred, I looked at the bat and looked upwards towards God and said “it’s been a tough time for me, why? Where did I lack in my commitment?”.

Finally it had happened and I was really thrilled and looked at the dressing room and pointed my bat to the players and also to the Indian flag that I have on my helmet. This is what I have done for the nation and everyone has been a part of it,” he said.

Tendulkar, whose 99th hundred was registered on March 12 last year during the World Cup against South Africa at Nagpur, had come agonisingly close to notching the century of centuries on a few occasions, but had to wait till March 16 this year when he completed the landmark against Bangladesh in Dhaka. — PTI

Mumbai: Senior Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday defended the controversial rotation policy that was adopted during the disastrous tour of Australia, saying that the idea was to keep everyone fit as it was a long tour.

After maintaining silence over the contentious issue of rotating three senior openers in the ODI tri-series in Australia, Tendulkar said the much-talked about policy was planned.

“It (rotation idea) was decided by our senior players and captain (Mahendra Singh Dhoni). We felt that since it was a long tour without long breaks it would be good to give rest to some borderline cases (injuries). I am not saying they were injured. No one was dropped,” said Tendulkar at a 55-minute media interaction with a select group of journalists here.

The rotation policy saw Tendulkar, vice-captain Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir being rested in turn. It became a highly contentious issue when Dhoni indicated to the media that all three seniors cannot be fielded in the same match as they would concede 20 extra runs on the field.

Sehwag had then retorted that it was not the reason given at the team meeting by the captain when it was decided to follow the policy.

Tendulkar also felt that what was discussed in the dressing room needed to remain within the four walls. “But that’s my view. Individual views may differ.” Later at a media conference he had said he cannot comment on what was said at the media conferences in Australia by some teammates as he was not present.

“I don’t know what was said (in what context) and what their (players) intentions were,” he reiterated. — PTI

Mumbai: Like everything else about him, Sachin Tendulkar’s latest hairdo has generated considerable buzz among commentators and his fans but the master batsman said on Sunday that there was no particular reason for it.

In the recently concluded Asia Cup, Tendulkar had done away with his traditional close cropped curly hair and was sporting straight and longer hair.

Some speculated that the change had been carried out to bring better luck since Tendulkar had failed to score his 100th international century during the past one year.

When asked why he has straightened out his curly locks, Tendulkar merely smiled and said, “I just felt like growing my hair but there is no reason for it.” — PTI

Wellington, March 25
Alviro Petersen batted more than eight hours over three weather-affected days to reach his highest Test score of 156, tightening South Africa's grip on the third test against New Zealand by stumps on its third day here today.

Petersen's 493-minute knock, which incorporated partnerships of 93 with Hashim Amla (63) and 200 with JP Duminy (103), allowed South Africa to declare after tea at 474-9 after a first innings drawn out by rain and bad light.

At the declaration, South Africa's position seemed invulnerable in a three-match series it leads 1-0.

But Mark Gillespie led a late Kiwi fightback, taking a career-best 6-113 while Daniel Flynn (35) and Martin Guptill (28) saw New Zealand to 65 without loss by stumps.

The 32-year-old Gillespie followed up his 5-59 in the second test at Hamilton with his third haul of five wickets or more in a test, further endorsing the selectors' decision to recall him after a four year absence. — AP

New Delhi, March 25
Five-time world champion MC Mary Kom and L Sarita Devi today clinched gold medals in the 6th Asian Boxing Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, helping India finish a creditable second in the overall standings.

While Mary Kom defeated current world champion and Asian Games gold medallist Ren Cancan of China 14/8 in the (51kg category), Sarita Devi (60kg) defeated Chorieva Mavzuna of Tajkistan 16-9. With two gold medals, four silver and two bronze, India finished runners-up behind China.

The other four Indians-Pinky Jangra (48kg), Sonia Lather (54), Monica Saun (69kg) and Puja Rani (75kg) -- had to settle for silver as they lost their respective final bouts.

Jangra lost to Mongolia’s Bolortuul Tumurhuyag 22-24, Lather was defeated by Ke Jia Liu of China 8-14, Saun lost to Chinese Dong Mei Wang 10-13 and Rani failed to cross the final hurdle as she lost to current world champion and Asian Games gold medallist Jinzi Li of China 8-15.

Rani had beaten the last Asian Games silver medallist from Mongolia in her quarterfinal bout earlier.

Mongolia settled for the third place out of 19 countries. “All the three Olympic categories we have won the silver and gold medals, it’s a major achievement,” said Brid. PK Muralidharan Raja, secretary general of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation.

The tournament has been a happy hunting ground for the Indian women pugilists.

Ever since the inaugural edition in Bangkok in 2001, Indian women have consistently excelled in the tournament.

The current edition was a preparatory event for the women pugilists participating in the first and only Olympic qualifying tournament-the AIBA World Championships-to be held from May 9-20 in Qinhuangdao, China. — PTI

Kolkata, March 25
Kolkata Knight Riders new coach Trevor Bayliss today said since he shares a good rapport with skipper Gautam Gambhir as they think alike, he is hoping for good results in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

"I met him in Sydney last year when India were playing in Australia. We had an informal talk. But I sense that we share the same mentality and think likewise," Bayliss said in his first media interaction after joining the IPL outfit.

"I am looking forward to a successful outing with him for KKR." KKR are yet to win the title from four seasons and have seen two coaches in John Buchanan and Dav Whatmore.

"The T20 cricket is lottery. Anyone can win on a given day," said the 49-year old Australian who is also the coach of Sydney Sixers in the Australian Big Bash.

Under his tutelage, the Sixers won the very successful T20 tournament this year beating Perth Scorchers in the final.

"I am very excited about IPL. It should be very interesting here. There are some strong teams in the IPL like Mumbai (Indians), and Chennai (Super Kings). Delhi Daredevils), are also good," Bayliss said.

"We have some excellent players in our side. The talent is enormous...It will be a fresh start with new ideas and new enthusiasm. I am looking forward to meeting the boys," he said.

The Australian further said he had been to the Eden Gardens once few years back with Sri Lanka when India won the match.

Meanwhile, a team official said all the Bengal players (Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Shami Ahmed, Debabrata Das and Iresh Saxena) except Manoj Tiwary, who will be on national duty for the one-off T20 in South Africa, would join the squad tomorrow.

Ryan Ten Doeschate, Eoin Morgan and Laxmipathy Balaji will arrive the next day. Along with Tiwary, Jaques Kallis is expected to touch base too. On May 2 or 3, Sunil Narine and Brett Lee are scheduled to join the camp. — PTI

Galle, March 25
Sri Lanka will follow Pakistan’s lead and confront England with spin when the two-Test series starts here tomorrow.

England, the world’s number one Test side, crashed to an embarrassing 3-0 series whitewash to Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in January and February.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal caused the maximum damage with 24 wickets, while left-arm slow bowler Abdur Rehman took 19 as England struggled on the slow wickets in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Mahela Jayawardene, returning as Sri Lanka’s captain in a Test match for the first time since 2009, hopes his spinners will also inflict damage on the tourists in helpful conditions.

“We have an attack that can trouble the best on our wickets,” said Jayawardene, who replaced Tillakaratne Dilshan as skipper after the tour of South Africa earlier this year.

Sri Lanka, currently ranked sixth after being number two a few years ago, are still searching for ways to win Test matches without their world record holder Muttiah Muralitharan.

Since the off-spinner’s retirement in 2010 with a record 800 Test and 534 one-day wickets, Sri Lanka have won just one of their 17 Tests and lost six. The lone win came in December, when Dilshan’s men thumped South Africa by 208 runs in Durban, but went on to lose the series 2-1.

The remarkable win was fashioned by a match haul of nine wickets by seasoned spinner Rangana Herath, and Jayawardene was confident the left-armer will deliver once again. “We don’t have Murali anymore, but Rangana has been around for some time and he had a great series against South Africa, when he took control of things,” the skipper said.

“Suraj Randiv, the off-spinner, is pretty good in these conditions too. Hopefully these two guys will do the job for us.”

Jayawardene, however, warned against taking the tourists lightly, despite England not having not won a series in Sri Lanka since 2001, when Nasser Hussain’s men side secured a 2-1 scoreline.

The tourists drew a blank on their last two visits to Sri Lanka, in 2003 and 2007, as the hosts won both three-Test series by 1-0 margins. — AFP

Galle, March 25
England captain Andrew Strauss today urged his world number one Test side to bounce back against Sri Lanka after the morale-sapping loss to Pakistan.

“I think we’ve obviously got a point to prove,” Strauss said ahead of the two-Test series.

“We have to bounce back after those results against Pakistan.” England, who took over the top mantle after a 4-0 rout of India at home last summer, crashed to an embarrassing 3-0 series whitewash by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in January and February.

The failure of Strauss’s men to adjust to spin-friendly wickets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi raised questions about their ability to win away from the seaming conditions at home.

Sri Lanka will offer little respite for the tourists, whose challenge to master the slow, turning wickets will be compounded by the oppressive heat and humidity prevailing on the island.

The tourists drew a blank on their last two visits to Sri Lanka, in 2003 and 2007, as the hosts won both three-Test series by 1-0 margins. — AFP