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Gritty Kohli leads India’s fightback
Suresh Raina keen to cement Test berth
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New Zealand hope to strike with second new ball
22 years after uncle John, it’s time for Doug to get Tendulkar
Paralympics returns home a different Games
McLaren’s Button takes pole position
Daylight robbery by Robson
Cameroon hold edge as India chase a title hat-trick
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Gritty Kohli leads India’s fightback
Bangalore, September 1 India reached 283 for five in their first innings, replying to New Zealand's 365, at stumps on the second day at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Kohli added 99 runs for the fifth wicket with left-hander Suresh Raina (55) and a further 104 for the unbroken sixth wicket with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (46 not out) to lift India out of trouble. The 23-year-old right-hander hit 12 boundaries and a six on the way to his fifth half-century in Tests. Bracewell dismissed experienced batsmen Virender Sehwag (43) and Sachin Tendulkar (17) in the afternoon session after India had lost Gautam Gambhir (two) and Cheteshwar Pujara (nine) to Southee before lunch. Raina, 25, started the counter-attack and hit eight fours and a six to bring up his seventh fifty in Test cricket but was lucky to survive a stumping chance when on 48. The third umpire ruled the delivery from off-spinner Jeetan Patel a no ball. Southee, who was drafted in for the second Test replacing pace colleague Chris Martin, dismissed Raina caught down the leg side in the final session to pick up his third wicket. The innings had not started well for India with Gambhir, who looked uncomfortable during most of his short stay at the wicket, the first to be dismissed, clean bowled as he shouldered arms to an incoming delivery from Southee. Pujara, a centurion in the last Test in Hyderabad, was then caught at deep fine leg trying to hook Southee. Sehwag hit eight boundaries and looked in good touch before he flicked one straight to mid-wicket off Bracewell in the first over after lunch. Tendulkar hit a glorious straight drive past Bracewell, one of his three fours, but on the very next delivery the New Zealander had his revenge by clean bowling the veteran. Earlier, left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha took his third five-wicket haul to halt New Zealand's progress. The visitors, who opted to bat first after winning the toss, had added just 37 runs to their overnight score of 328 for six before India wrapped up the innings 45 minutes into the morning session. The first wicket to fall came when Raina took a diving catch at second slip off paceman Zaheer Khan to end an entertaining knock from wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk for 71. Van Wyk added 99 for the seventh wicket with Bracewell, who was unlucky to be run out for 43 when the ball burst through Zaheer's hand to hit the stumps at the non-striker's end with the batsman short of his crease. The partnership helped New Zealand get past the 350-run mark, an improvement after they made 159 and 164 in their two innings in losing the opening Test in Hyderabad by an innings and 115 runs. Ojha, who had taken four wickets on Friday, polished off the New Zealand innings by dismissing Southee leg before for 14. — Reuters Score board India 1st innings Gambhir b Southee 2 Sehwag c Flynn b Bracewell 43 Tendulkar b Bracewell 17 Kohli 93no Raina c van Wyk b Southee 55 Dhoni 46no Extras (B-10, LB-2, WD-1, NB-5) 18 Total (5 wickets in 78 overs) 283 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-27, 3-67, 4-80, 5-179. Bowling Boult..........................19-2-75-0 Southee......................15-4-35-3 Bracewell.....................15-4-66-2 Franklin.......................10-4-17-0 Patel...........................19-5-78-0
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Suresh Raina keen to cement Test berth
Bangalore, September 1
Referring to his dismissal, caught behind for the second consecutive innings, Raina said he was disappointed that it happened when he and Virat Kohli were going strong, having added 99 runs. “It's unfortunate for me to get out twice in the same manner. I am very disappointed. Virat and I had a good partnership and now he and Dhoni are batting. Hopefully, we can put lot of runs on the board. The match is going to be interesting in the next three days,” he said. Asked about his tactics of launching a counter-attack on his arrival at the crease with the score reading 80 for four, Raina said he only batted in the style he liked and that the balls were in his area to be hit. “Whenever I got the ball in my area, I made sure to bat positively because (Ross) Taylor was going really great against us. So this is the style I would like to play in Test cricket, but at the same time, I need to control my “I need to judge the line and length. I am getting better. I have done well in ODIs, so hopefully, I will be better in Test cricket too,” said the 25-year-old Raina, who is playing in his 17th Test. On the current state of the Test match, Raina hoped that India would put up a big total as the pitch is unlikely to change much over the next three days. “There wouldn't be a big change. They bowled well and the fielding was too tight and they must have saved some 30 to 40 runs. So hopefully, Virat and Dhoni would put a good partnership on the third day,” Raina said. “We need to make sure we have a good first session, so that Ashwin and the rest can continue. We need a competitive total as the next three days are very crucial for us,” said Raina. Suresh played confidently and batted with aplomb ion on both sides of the wicket. — IANS
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New Zealand hope to strike with second new ball
Bangalore, September 1 Speaking after the second day’s play on Saturday, Kiwi seamer Tim Southee, who picked up three of the five Indian wickets to fall, said his team lost the early advantage when they had India struggling at 80 for four as the ball became softer and the wicket eased up. But he hoped the team would turn things around with the second new ball. “Obviously, with the new ball, it’s nice to bowl and swing it, and we were lucky to pick up a few wickets there. India came back well after lunch as the ball got a bit older,” he said. “The wicket is a pretty good wicket. So I guess now it’s an important time for us with the second new ball to see if we can pick up the rest of the wickets,” said the 23-year old Southee, who was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers. Southee rued that some of the edges off the Indian bats did not carry while the bowlers did not apply sufficient pressure. “We’re still creating chances and getting the edges. I guess we didn’t build enough pressure through dot balls. But there were still chances with the edges,” Southee said. “The ball got a bit old and it wasn’t carrying. I thought we bowled well. It just gets easier as the ball gets older and unfortunately we couldn’t get it to reverse.” “I don’t think it was a very abrasive surface, so the ball hasn’t scuffed up as much as we would have liked. That was why we couldn’t get it to reverse,” he said. Southee said New Zealand would have been happier with a bigger score than the 365 they got in the first innings. “Yes, 400 would have been nice, but the contribution from the tail was a good effort. The way Kruger (van Wyk who scored 71) batted as well… At the start of the day, we would have wanted to take a bit more, but it’s runs on the board,” Southee said. He declined to speculate on the flow of game over the next three days as much would depend on how Kiwis bowl on third morning. “Still early stages, but the wicket is still in a good condition. It depends on how well we get these last few wickets and how well we bowl with the new ball. The pitch hasn’t done anything funny, it’s only Day 2. On Day 4 or 5, it might start to do something,” he said. — IANS
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22 years after uncle John, it’s time for Doug to get Tendulkar
Bangalore, September 1 On Saturday, New Zealand seamer Doug Bracewell bowled Tendulkar through the gate for 17. Bracewell's uncle, the former New Zealand off-spinner John, also had the distinction of dismissing Tendulkar in a Test match almost 22 and half years back. John Bracewell, who played 41 Tests for New Zealand in the 1980-1990s, dismissed Tendulkar for 24, caught by wicketkeeper Ian Smith, during the Christchurch Test in February 1990. India lost the Test by 10 wickets. The piece of statistic displays the longevity of Tendulkar, who has completed 23 years in international cricket, having made his Test debut in 1989. —PTI
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Paralympics returns home a different Games
London, September 1 Since then, staff have seen those early games transformed into a Paralympic showcase now in its 14th and largest edition in Britain, mirroring wider progress in the perception of disability around the world. Now, with governments seeking to cut public spending, doctors and paralympians are hoping the sight of 4,280 athletes from 164 countries competing in front of packed stadia will help maintain that momentum. One person who could go a long way towards further changing the perception of disability is the eloquent and engaging South African Oscar Pistorius, who competed as a double amputee almost four weeks ago in the Olympic Games to a rapturous welcome. Dubbed the "Blade Runner" for the two carbon fibre prosthetic blades he uses, Pistorius was named by Time magazine in its 2008 list of the world's 100 most influential people as being "on the cusp of a paradigm shift in which disability becomes ability, disadvantage becomes advantage". His appearance on the track at the London Olympics, in which the 25-year-old reached the men's 400 metre semi-finals, was particularly influential, showing how disabled athletes could perform on the mainstream stage and earning praise from some of athletics' biggest stars. Much in the same way as the success of athletes at the Olympic Games raised questions over wider issues such as funding for sport, paralympians are hoping a successful staging of their Games will do the same for disability issues. "Great Britain is at the forefront in terms of education on disability," Pistorius, who was born without a fibula in both legs, told reporters ahead of the Paralympic Games. "I believe that's the only way to remove a lot of the stigmas, and to get over this being a taboo subject. "The worldwide audience will be amazed when we see these Games through the eyes of the people in the UK. The impact will be phenomenal." The Paralympics were conceived at the 1948 London Olympics by German neurologist Ludwig Guttmann, who four years earlier opened a spinal injuries centre at Stoke Mandeville hospital to the north west of London after fleeing Nazi Germany. Disgusted at the sight of men dying from unrelated infections on average three months after breaking their back, Guttmann worked to make his patients more mobile before gradually introducing sports such as archery and javelin throwing as part of their rehabilitation. — Reuters
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McLaren’s Button takes pole position London, September 1 Jenson Button took pole with a dominant performance in Belgian Grand Prix qualifying to head a topsy-turvy grid. McLaren's Button headed Sauber's Kamui Kobaysahi and Williams' Pastor Maldonado, who was later demoted to sixth for impeding another driver.
“It's been quite a long time since I got my last pole position in Monaco. It's been emotional” Lotus's Raikkonen was fourth ahead Sauber's Sergio Perez, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, Red Bull's Mark Webber and Hamilton's McLaren. India's Paul di Resta today qualified 10th, while Hulkenberg will start 12th. —
Reuters
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Daylight robbery by Robson
New York, September 1 Djokovic blitzed Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-2 6-1 6-2 on sun-drenched Arthur Ashe Stadium court, while Stosur used the same venue to send off American Vavara Lepchenko 7-6 6-2. But it was Robson's gritty 6-4 6-7 6-2 triumph over former French Open champion Li, who triumphed in Cincinnati earlier this month, that created the biggest buzz at the year's final grand slam. Robson sent four-times grand slam champion Kim Clijsters into retirement in the second round but her upset of ninth-seeded Li surely made believers of those who thought she might be a one-hit wonder. Next up in the fourth round is Australian Stosur. "I have had a fairly tough draw, haven't I?" the soft-spoken 18-year-old told reporters with a laugh. "You have to beat who is in front of you. ... That's what I managed to do so far. I play Stosur now, who is defending champ. That's going to be really tough. At 2-2 in the third set, Robson thought she had broken serve but umpire Louise Engzell ruled that the point should be replayed, even though Li had missed with her return. The 89th-ranked Robson, however, refused to bend, breaking Li's serve twice to lead 5-2 before serving out the match. "I wouldn't say I wasn't distracted. I was a little bit annoyed," Robson said of the umpire's call. "But that's what happens from time to time, so you've got to deal with it." While Robson's star is rising, Andy Roddick's is on the way out as the American faces up and coming Australian Bernard Tomic under the lights later Friday at Ashe Stadium in what could be his last career match. New Yorkers have always loved Roddick and the 24,000 in attendance will surely bring that love affair to a new level given Roddick's announcement on Thursday that he is retiring after the tournament. — Reuters
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Cameroon hold edge as India chase a title hat-trick
New Delhi, September 1 Cameroon had played in the Nehru Cup only once before, in 1993, when it was held at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai. Cameroon were then on a high, having made the quarterfinals in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. That Cameroon team had a few national players, though the Indian team were good too and held the visitors to 1-1 and 2-2 draws in the league matches. But Cameroon topped the group, which also had Finland, to enter the semifinal, where they lost to Romania. The present Cameroon team is composed of second string players, yet they look stronger and too good for comfort for India. Indian coach Wim Koevermans, however, does not make much of Cameroon’s victory last night. India did not field some of their star players like striker Sunil Chhetri and goalie Subrata Paul, yet they had their chances to score too. He was pleased with the doughty performance of young players like Manandeep Singh, Jewel Raja Sheikh, Gurwinder Singh and Alwyn George as they fought spiritedly without getting intimidated by the class and reputation of Cameroon. The positives gained from the match was that the Dutch coach could fully test the bench strength, and the young boys did not disappoint him. “The bench is at par with the starting lineup, and that’s a very good sign for the future,” observed Koevermans. Koevermans has brought in a new soccer culture, and the players are pleased with his coaching methods. His strategy on ball possession, speed, and quick passes got good dividends against Syria and Maldives. But the Indians found the going tough against Nepal on a wet ground. The goalless draw against Nepal had put India in a spot of bother, and their path was cleared only when Cameroon knocked out Maldives with a 3-1 win. Koevermans will not feel disappointed even if India fail to hit the hat-trick. “Our main target is to qualify for the AFC Cup. But I am confident that the boys will do well,” he said. But Koevermans will fumble for answer as to how he would counter the searing forays and goal-scoring skills of Kingue Mpondo, Edganga Bertin and Jean Patrick Abouna etc as Cameroon use the wings effectively to mount moves and perforate the defence. Koevermans admitted that Cameroon were a superior team, “physically very strong, with a lot of pace”. “Playing against Cameroon in the final in itself is a great achievement. But we are prepared for their challenge,” he said. Sunil Chhetri too felt the team should put in a concerted effort to give the visitors a good run. “We need to play to our potential, like a team possessed,” he said. If India play to their potential, a cracker of a contest is on the cards, though Cameroon definitely hold the edge. |
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Virat Kohli led India's fightback with an unbeaten 93 after early strikes from the New Zealand pace duo of Tim Southee and Doug Bracewell had the hosts in a spot of bother in the second and final Test on Saturday.
India reached 283 for five in their first innings, replying to New Zealand's 365, at stumps on the second day at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in
Bangalore.
Bangalore, September 1
After allowing India to get away from a tight corner, New Zealand are hoping to make the second new ball count on the third morning of the second Test.
Seventy-eight overs have been bowled in the India innings and the new ball would available to New Zealand after two overs in the morning.
London, September 1
New York, September 1
“I have been playing Test cricket and getting better and better. I have been there, batting well at No. 6 and No. 7, but I was aiming for a long innings which didn’t come. When I get a chance again I would look to score a big one,” said Raina at the end of the day’s play here Saturday. 
