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Kiwis confident of doing well against India
India beats Pakistan to reach semifinals
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Feel relieved now, says Bhajji after five-wicket haul
Aguero calms fears over knee injury
Chhetri to lead India in Nehru Cup
Mithali to lead India in World T20
Steve Rixon is Oz coach for ODIs against Afghan, Pak
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Kiwis confident of doing well against India
Hyderabad, August 20 New Zealand were routed by the West Indies before coming to India in all three formats of the game but Franklin says with a few changes in the team and support staff, his side hopes to make a fresh beginning. "We are coming from a tough tour of West Indies. But it's always a new beginning with a new coach (Mike Hesson) and a couple of new faces in the squad. I think the guys are looking forward to take on a strong Indian side in Indian conditions," Franklin told reporters here. The all-rounder said his side has talented players and they are targeting to wrest the initiative by doing well on day one of the Test matches. "Overall we have got talent in the side and we will work out with our strategies to come up and play well against India. The idea is compete session by session and we will take it day-by-day, but the first and foremost thing is to play well on Day one," he said. Franklin said each individual in his side has his own plan apart from the team plan to follow. "We also have the talent which needs to be transformed into application in the middle. Each individual will be backing his game plan and obviously you have got the overall team plan and in the coming days we have to train hard and work out our strategies and hopefully our plans come good." The first Test will begin on August 23 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium at Uppal here. Franklin, a left-handed batsman and seam bowler, said "For me...I am trying to contribute in any form of game by scoring runs or taking wickets." Asked if he was better accustomed to conditions after playing in the IPL, Franklin, who plays for Mumbai Indians, nodded but said past performances won't count much. "I spent quite a bit of time playing in India in the last couple of years in the IPL and Champions League. Obviously it helps playing these games, but at the end of the day it is what you do in the middle on that day. If you get out for nothing or don't take wickets and get hit around the park it will transform into little," the 31-year-old observed. Asked on Laxman's replacement, S Badrinath, a CSK player in the IPL, Franklin said, "He looks good...hopefully he does not score too many runs against us."
— PTI |
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India beats Pakistan to reach semifinals
Townsville, August 20 After dismissing Pakistan for a paltry 136, India made rough weather of a small target as they were reduced to 127 for nine in 41 overs after being in a comfortable 124 for six at one stage. It was a nerve-wrecking final 25 minutes as Mumbai lad Harmeet Singh and number 11 Sandeep Sharma from Punjab held their nerves to eke out a narrow one-wicket win with two overs to spare at the Tony Ireland Stadium here. The two tail-enders played out seven overs to score the remaining 10 runs as the Pakistanis applied pressure with their fielders closing in. The victory came when Harmeet pulled Mohammad Nawaz towards the squareleg boundary to score two runs and take India to the victory target. The victory shot triggered off scenes of wild celebration in the Indian camp as his teammates rushed onto the field to hug him. India will now take on New Zealand in their semifinal on August 23. New Zealand beat West Indies by three wickets in the other quarter-final match. It must have personally been satisfying for both Sandeep and Harmeet who are dubbed as 'U-19 veterans' in their team as they were playing their second colts World Cup having been a part of the team in 2010 as well. India had then lost to Pakistan. Credit should also be given to Baba Aparajith (51, 97 balls, 3x4) as his composed batting after initial jitters steadied the ship. India were tottering at eight for three within the first five overs of their chase but Aprajith along with Vijay Zol (36) added a crucial 66 runs for the fourth wicket to ensure India's passage into the last four stage. This was also a sweet revenge for Unmukt Chand and co as Pakistan had convincingly beaten India in the previous two meetings of the under-19 edition in 2006 and 2010. In conditions conducive for both seam ans swing bowling, Pakistan left arm pacer Zia-ul-Haq troubled the Indian top-order with his brisk pace as he repeatedly got the ball to angle away from the right handers. India's batting mainstay Chand paid for his impetuosity as he flashed hard at a Zia delivery only to be caught brilliantly in their deep third-man region by Ehsan
Adil. — PTI Scoreboard Pakistan Aslam c Aparajith b Sandeep 0 Azam c Chand b Aparajith 50 Imam c Aparajith b Sandeep 0 Waheed c Patel b Ravikant 27 Saad b Ravikant 1 Salman c Patel b Ravikant 0 Nawaz c Aparajith b Harmeet 0 Gohar c Patel b Passi 8 Adil c Aparajith b Sandeep 35 Azizullah c Patel b Nath 2 Zia not out 0 Extras: (lb-1, w-8, nb-4) 13 Total: (all out, 45.1 ovrs) 136 FoWs 1-0, 2-0, 3-55, 4-61, 5-61, 6-62, 7-98, 8-98, 9-136. Bowling: Sandeep 8.1-0-24-3, Passi 10-1-19-1, Ravikant 10-0-43-3, Harmeet 10-1-20-1, Aparajith 5-0-23-1, Chand 1-0-6-0, Nath 1-1-0-1. India Chopra c Salman b Adil 4 Chand c Adil b Zia 0 Aparajith c Waheed b Zia 51 Vihari c Saad b Zia 0 Zol run out 36 Akshdeep c Salman b Azizullah 7 Patel c Salman b Adil 14 Harmeet not out 13 Passi lbw b Azizullah 0 Ravikant b Azizullah 0 Sandeep not out 2 Extras: (lb-3, w-7) 10 Total: (9 wkts, 48 ovrs) 137 FoWs 1-7, 2-7, 3-8, 4-74, 5-84, 6-120, 7-124, 8-125, 9-127. Bowling: Zia 10-0-23-3, Adil 10-2-25-2, Azizullah 10-3-30-3, Waheed 1-0-6-0, Nawaz 7-1-27-0, Gohar 10-1-23-0.
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Feel relieved now, says Bhajji after five-wicket haul
New Delhi, August 20 "I don't know whether the India call-up worked as a tonic but I have been in prime form for Essex during the past week. I feel a lot relieved as if a huge load is off my chest. For the past week, the weather has been good and it helped my rhythm," Harbhajan told PTI in an interview from England. Having taken 11 wickets in last two county games, the 32-year-old Harbhajan did the star turn for Essex on Sunday as he scalped five for 37 and blasted 22 off 13 balls against the Netherlands national side in a Pro-40 game. "I am a professional player and it is my duty to contribute for Essex. It's a great team and I would be grateful to the management as this county stint has helped in my comeback bid," the veteran of 98 Tests and 229 ODIs said. "I never thought that I needed a holiday. I have been fighting hard to earn my place back in the Indian side and I needed to work hard for that. For me, the greatest relaxation is playing the game. I know when I require a break but it's certainly not the time to take a break," he said. The best part about Harbhajan's county stint has been a chance to bowl some long spells. "I needed to bowl long spells and I am glad that I have been able to bowl a few long spells. I am happy about the first innings spell as I was able to get breakthroughs after opposition batsmen were set.
— PTI |
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India prepare with strenuous session
Hyderabad, August 20 The team under captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni warmed up by playing football among the players before having an intensive practice session comprising batting, bowling and catching at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium. Sachin Tendulkar had a long batting stint at the nets, preparing for his first international match after the Asia Cup in Bangladesh early this year. The likes of top-order batsmen Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli followed suit for batting practice. Speedsters Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav sent down some express deliveries to rattle the batsmen while spinners Pragyan Ojha and Ravichandran Ashwin too bowled in tandem. The home side players wrapped up the practice session with a football match among themselves. While the Indians did their net session in the afternoon, the visiting Kiwis had their practice session in the morning. Ishant hopes for a good show
NEW DELHI: A fit-again Ishant Sharma will return to action with the two cricket Tests against New Zealand, hoping a good show paves way for his selection in the shorter formats of the game. Ishant last played a Test match in January against Australia in Adelaide after which he underwent a much needed ankle surgery, forcing him out of the IPL. After months of rehabilitation, Ishant is now itching to get back on to the field. "It is a crucial series for me. I have worked really hard on my fitness and the break has helped tremendously. When you are on tour, you tend to get lazy with your training, you don't get much time to prepare," Sharma said. — Agencies |
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PROTEAS ARE No.1 TEST TEAM
London, August 20 The home team, chasing an improbable 346 to square the series at 1-1 and avoid losing top spot in the world rankings to South Africa, need 125 more runs from 33 overs. England lost two wickets before lunch and three more in the middle session having resumed on
16 for two. Matt Prior was unbeaten on 35 with Graeme Swann 12 not out at the interval. Prior combined in a seventh-wicket stand of 62 with Stuart Broad (37) that was full of positive intent and gave England outside hopes of surpassing their record run-chase, 332 for seven against Australia in 1928. But Broad was caught low down at long leg by Hashim Amla after hooking Jacques Kallis 10 minutes before tea, a dismissal that seemed to end any realistic hope that England could still reach their target. Broad had smashed 12 runs off one over from paceman Dale Steyn including a pulled six over square leg. West Indies, who scored 344 for one in 1984, are the only team to have successfully chased a total beyond 300 in a Lord's test. Earlier, Jonathan Trott made 63 and Jonny Bairstow cracked 54 in 47 deliveries. Bairstow smashed eight boundaries in a typically aggressive effort that followed his fighting 95 in the first innings. He was bowled after lunch as leg-spinner Imran Tahir came around the wicket and got a ball to keep low out of the rough.
— Agencies Scoreboard South Africa 209 & 351 England 351 & 294 Strauss lbw b Philander 1 Cook lbw b Philander 3 Amla b Finn 13 Trott c de Villiers b Steyn 10 Pietersen b Morkel 16 Bell c Kallis b Steyn 55 Bopara b Steyn 22 Prior c Kallis b Tahir 40 Bresnan not out 20 Broad c de Villiers b Steyn 0 Swann c Petersen b Steyn 7 Anderson lbw b Tahir 4 Extras 11-b, 15-lb, 12-nb, 1-w 39 Total (all out, 97 overs) 294 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-32, 3-57, 4-67, 5-117, 6-203, 7-210, 8-210, 9-218. Bowling: Morkel 16-0-41-1, Philander 19-6-29-1, Steyn 21-6-56-5, Tahir 32-7-63-3, Kallis 7-1-22-0, Duminy 1-0-3-0
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colonel’s corner
Being a sportsman, I have been following the games with interest. It always feels good to see our country win, be it in any sport. The thoughts of these talented men and women are exactly what every sportsperson feels. When Mary Kom stated that the chants of ‘Mary Kom, Mary Kom’ and ‘India, India’ really pumped her up in her matches against Tunisia and Poland, it reflects the surge of emotion that all of us have felt at one time or other. While she also said in her fight with Nicola Adams, things were just the opposite. Every seat was taken, mostly by locals who were there to support their country. In a big bout like that, I would understand that crowd support definitely is very important and the fact was that Nicola’s every move was cheered by the British crowd. The decibels only kept increasing with every punch she landed on Mary. I would imagine Mary would well have been prepared for the fact that she was fighting a local hero, and that the crowd support would be with Adams. As a player, I know the high that a cheering home crowd can give in a good game. Many also believe that home cheering was key to the spectacular performance of our sportspersons during the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games. It was no different for Mary , when she was in a bout with Adams. Each time Nicola hit Mary, there were loud cheers from the arena and every time Mary scored a point, there were loud boos from the crowd. It did not help, as we all saw our hope for gold go down. This support plays on the mind, especially in a game like boxing where the fight is as much physical as it is psychological. Yes for every sportsperson it is a sheer adrenalin rush to be in combat in such an atmosphere, but maybe things would have been different had the crowds been cheering similarly for Mary. I cannot agree more with the 86% of the respondents of the TenVicks survey, conducted amongst sportspersons in India, who emphasised the need for crowd cheers, and for India to be motivated by a unified crowd singing its cheer anthem. It makes the hair stand on its ends to hear ‘Jana Gana Mana’ playing for you in a different country, and to see the flag going up for you. Yes, I can confidently say, a lot goes into making a win- Great preparation, good strategy, good strength, all of which, as a sportsperson one can keep building on through practice. But what plays an equally strong role in a win and where we sportspersons need support on, is the emotional and psychological aspect that back a player. Support in all and any form is most welcome... Saina Nehwal too mentioned a very interesting point in her interview... she spoke about how all this media attention and adulation after a win definitely makes everyone feel so good about what they are doing. The hurt is when the frenzy dies and suddenly they turn into no ones with a mention here and a mention there if and when they win matches. This is very different from the kind of craze that we cricketers face... for us it is an excess of attention and criticism which is best described in urdu as ‘nukhtacheeni’... In both cases it results in negative motivation... not good for any sport or sportsperson. What players need is positive reinforcement and constructive criticism. The paradox of Indian fan’s love and hate can sometimes destroy players and kill spirit.. it’s not about a win, about a gold, silver or bronze. It’s about being able to play a fair sport, a good sport. Many of the 81 strong contingent are coming home with nothing... to be forgotten or worse to face shame. Is this what you get to represent your country in what is a conglomeration of the World’s best sports talent? What will help them is attention that is measured... what matters now is that the cheer of support of their country continues, and continues to ring in their ears... in their brain... Because it is this noise that will block out all, but their goal, that next time they will win, and win big. For it is true and must be recognised that every player who steps into the sporting arena, goes there with only the motive to win... I wish my country will shout and scream and cheer for each of the 81 strong who went to compete with the best, so they forget what it has been and look forward and prepare for what can be... for this is what will demonstrate that we as Indians know how to cheer and create champions! |
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Sardar, Sandeep to play for Dutch side
New Delhi, August 20 If everything goes according to plan, the duo expects to leave for The Netherlands in the first week of September for a period of two months, where they will get the opportunity to rub shoulders with the crème de la crème of world hockey. "Both me and Sandeep have got offers to play for Laren in the Europe Hockey League. We will approach HI within a day or two for permission. We are just waiting for the contract papers to arrive," Sardar told PTI. "We will also need the NOC (No Objection Certificate) from Haryana Police with whom we are employed," he said. "If HI and Haryana Police permit us we will be leaving for Holland in the first week of September," added Sardar.
— PTI |
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La Liga: Messi, Villa get going, Real held
Madrid, August 20 Carles Puyol and Pedro also scored to as Barca claimed an immediate lead in the standings over arch-rivals Real Madrid who were held 1-1 at home by a feisty Valencia side. The champions had earlier dominated the match at the Bernabeu, but were frustrated by a new-look Valencia and some outstanding saves from goalkeeper Diego Alves. World Player of the Year Messi, who scored a league record 50 goals last season, carried on where he left off by settling Barca down with quick strikes to give them a 3-1 lead inside 15 minutes at the Nou Camp. Pedro volleyed in a fourth just before the break but the biggest cheer was reserved for Spain striker Villa when he was brought on in the 74th minute after eight months out with a broken leg and then stroked home the fifth goal near the end. "It's always important to start with a win," Vilanova, who has stepped up from assistant to replace Pep Guardiola, told a news conference. "It has been a perfect night because David (Villa) has returned with a goal. I am very pleased but this is only the beginning." Although it is the first round of matches, Barca's two-point advantage over Real is significant because Jose Mourinho's side only dropped 14 points in their 38 games last term on their way to a league record tally of 100. Earlier, Gonzalo Higuain gave Real a 10th-minute lead from Angel Di Maria's cross and, in stifling temperatures, they comfortably held Valencia at bay until just before the break. The visitors, with a host of new faces, had few ideas going forward but levelled when Jonas headed in from a free kick. Real defender Pepe clashed heads with Iker Casillas trying to prevent the goal and at halftime was substituted and taken to hospital to spend the night as a precaution, the club said. Keeper Alves was Valencia's outstanding player in the second half, keeping out a string of efforts as Real raised their game and pressed but their opponents held firm to help earn a point for their new coach Mauricio Pellegrino. "I expected more from my team," Mourinho told a news conference. "We haven't played a great game, but we did enough to win." Up on the north coast, Real Betis overcame Athletic Bilbao at San Mames in an eight-goal thriller. The visitors were three goals up in 31 minutes before last season's Europa League and King's Cup finalists responded in the second half.
— Reuters |
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Roger Federer trumps Djokovic for fifth Cincinnati Masters title
Cincinnati, August 20 Federer won his 76th career title - in 79 minutes, finishing with eight aces, 28 winners and never facing a break point. "It's been a long summer," said the Wimbledon champion. "The change from grass to hard courts is not easy but we all have to do it. "Even with how well I'm playing you never expect yourself to win these big matches. It's been a great week for me." Djokovic failed to follow up on the Toronto Masters title he lifted a week ago after coming from the London Olympics empty-handed. "I had a terrible first set; he started very solid on serve. He was using it very efficiently and putting a lot pressure on my serve. "I made a lot of double faults and didn't find my rhythm.” On the women's side, China's Li Na won her first title of the season, overcoming an awful first set to beat Angelique Kerber(1-6, 6-3, 6-1) in final. Bops-Hesh lose final
Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna lost the doubles summit clash in straight sets (4-6 4-6) to Sweden's Robert Lindstedt and Romania's Horia Tecau.
— Reuters |
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Sharapova seeking third Pan Pacific title
Tokyo, August 20 Azarenka won her first grand slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year. Wimbledon and Olympic champion Serena Williams is the one notable absentee from the entry list for the September 23-29 hardcourt event. Sharapova is a twice former Pan Pacific winner, in 2005 and 2009, while defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland and 2010 winner Caroline Wozniacki are also among a strong field. Japanese Kimiko Date-Krumm, who turns 42 during the tournament and won it back in 1995, will receive a wildcard.
— Reuters |
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Aguero calms fears over knee injury
Manchester, August 20 The Argentine striker, whose last-gasp goal against Queens Park Rangers sealed the title for City in dramatic fashion back in May, was carried off on a stretcher after 13 minutes. City's top scorer last season looked in severe pain after a tackle before getting to his feet and then dropping to the floor again but he later said he had not suffered a serious injury. After City had come from behind to win, Aguero said on his Twitter account: "The studies I had done revealed there's no significant injury but it was a very tough hit to my knee. “Tomorrow, the physicians will evaluate the time it will take for me to recover. "I can't muster words to thank (you) for your concern and, with this much support, I'll probably get back up on my feet soon. "And I want to congratulate my team mates for their effort in turning this game around." Any long-term absence for Aguero would be particularly agonising for City having missed out on striker Robin van Persie, who opted to join Manchester United after leaving Arsenal. "I think we need to wait two days for the scan," City manager Roberto Mancini told Sky Sports after the match. But City's comeback in a thrilling victory over promoted Southampton proved they have goals throughout the team. In scenes reminiscent of May's title triumph against QPR, Tevez, Dzeko and Samir Nasri scored as City came back to win late. — Reuters |
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Chhetri to lead India in Nehru Cup
Greater Noida, August 20 National coach Wim Koevermans announced Chhetri's name after a team practice session at the Jaypee Greens ground on Monday. Chhetri, who is in the reserve side of the Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon, said, "It's a huge honour to lead country.” "This edition of Nehru Cup is a special one as it is being organized in the Platinum Jubilee Year of the AIFF. Captaining one's country, that too in the capital city of your own country is a huge prize for any player," he said. "At the same time it's an extra burden as you cannot ever shy away from the responsibility," he added.
— PTI |
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Mithali to lead India in World T20
Bangalore, August 20 Harmanpreet Kaur remains the vice-captain of the team, which also consists of seasoned campaigners such as Jhulan Goswami, Gouher Sultana and Sulakshana Naik. India have made the semifinals of both World T20 competitions held so far - in 2009 and 2010. They are in Group A alongside Australia, England and Pakistan, and will start their campaign against Australia on September 27. All group stage matches will be played in Galle. India will play a against Kiwis on Sept 23 at Nondescripts Cricket Club in Colombo. Squad: Mithali Raj (captain), Harmanpreet (vice-captain), Sulakshana, Jhulan Goswami, Poonam, Gouhar, Ekta, Archana, N Niranjana, Mona, Shubhalaxmi, Anuja Sharma, Roshanara, Amita Sharma.
— Reuters |
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Steve Rixon is Oz coach for ODIs against Afghan, Pak
Sydney, August 20 Australiawill playAfghanistanat Sharjah on Aug. 25 ahead of three one-day matches againstPakistanon Aug. 28, Aug. 31 and Sept. 3. Arthur will join the Australian team in time to watch the third one-dayer and will resume as head coach for the three Twenty20 internationals againstPakistanfrom Sept 5. Cricket Australia said the decision to hand the coaching role to Rixon followed the recommendations of the recent performance review of Australian cricket. “Part of the broader scope of the new team head coach role since (performance review) was conducted was to have a wider view over the team's plans and how we prepare,” he said.
— Reuters |
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Ever since the Olympic winners have returned, there has been a media frenzy and excitement in covering them and putting them on the pedestal.. the most favourite have been Vijay Kumar, Saina Nehwal, Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt and of course Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom.