Mohali, November 30
When defending champions, Rajasthan, take on Punjab at their own homeground in the fifth round of the Ranji Trophy Group A tie at PCA stadium, it will be a delicious contest.

Perhaps, one of the most interesting matches of the tournament.

On one corner will be the two times Ranji Trophy champions and on the on the other will be a team that has been in an enviable form for last one month. Punjab has everything going in its favour. The bowling department has been firing since Day One. The batsmen too look all set; from top to bottom. The Mohali track has lived up to the expectations and the home side has exploited it to the hilt. Rajasthan, on the other hand, has many things on their mind.

On the top is the list of injuries: Captain Hrishikesh Kanitkar is not certain to play because of calf injury. Robin Bist is down with fever. The visitors have been grappling with opening woes as the openers have not shown consistency. In bowling, Deepak Chahar and Sumit Mathur are already out of the mix due to injuries. With Mathur out, Rajasthan pace attack relies enirely on Pankaj Singh’s shoulder. Punjab on the other hand top of the line pace battery firing on all cylinders.

The pitch too doesn’t give any solace to the visitors as it will test batsmen excruciatingly. Punjab’s form can be guaged from the number of points on the tally. With 23 points (bonus points against Hyderabad and Bengal, beating Saurashtra by eight wickets, and first innings lead against Railways) Punjab team is not the same Punjab it used to be a season ago. They are on top of the table in Group A.

With just 5 points (they have not yet lost a game but conceded the first innings lead to Bengal and Mumbai before bouncing back against against Madhya Pradesh) defending champions Rajasthan are a pale shadow of their own. The toss is going to play a crucial role as the team that wins the toss will put the other team’s batsmen to sword on the very first morning.

Knowing home conditions well and having a good run, Punjab are expected to dominate Rajasthan. Unless, Rajsthan show their famed resistanace and their capability to bounce back in adversity.

Squads

punjab: Mandeep Singh (captain), Karan Goel, Jiwanjot Singh, Uday Kaul, Mayank Sidhana, Amitoze Singh, Rahul Sharma, Siddarth Kaul, Manpreet Gony, Sandeep Sharma, Gurkirat Mann, Bipul Sharma and Rajwinder Singh

Rajasthan: Hrishikesh Kanitkar (captain), Robin Bist, Vaibhav Deshpande, Ankit Lamba, Ashok Menaria, Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Puneet Yadav, Vineet Saxena, Madhur Khatri, Rituraj Singh, Dishant Yagnik, Gajendra Singh, Aniket Choudhary, Manjeet Singh, Pankaj Singh

Group C: Himachal Pradesh vs Tripura in Nadaun | Group B: Haryana vs Delhi in Rohtak

Kolkata, November 30
The English cricket team, led by Alastair Cook, today arrived in the city amidst tight security arrangements for the third Test, beginning December 5.

Barring bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed, all the members of the squad arrived in the afternoon, the local team manager said today. “The members will have a rest day tomorrow. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Co. will arrive on Sunday," he added. Meanwhile, the Cricket Association of Bengal has announced that it will felicitate Nari Contractor and Ted Dexter, the oldest surviving captains in India and England respectively, on the opening day of the Test.

The two led their respective sides in the 1961-62 Test in Eden Gardens that India had won by 187 runs.

"The duo will be taken around the stadium on a golfcart during the lunch break of the first day," a CAB official said. The CAB is commemorating 80-years of Test cricket at the Eden that had hosted its first match, incidentally against England in 1933-34.

Police has made tight security arrangements for both teams and especially during their transit from team hotel to the stadium.

"As the team has checked in early, the police this time will take charge of the security of the Eden wicket four days in advance," the CAB official added. England have levelled the four-match series 1-1 following their 10-wicket thrashing of India in the Mumbai Test.

Finn on right track to return in Kolkata

Steve Finn is on course to be selected for England in the Third Test in Kolkata next week. With five days still to go before the match starts that does not mean the way is yet clear, but the announcement yesterday that he will travel with the squad is decidedly optimistic. Finn, who is recovering from a thigh injury, bowled seven overs for the England Performance Programme XI yesterday as they beat a Mumbai Academy XI by an innings and 193 runs. It was the leg spin of Scott Borthwick, of Durham, which did the main damage with 6-38 which was heartening for the long term. With the series level at 1-1 they are sure his raw pace can make a difference but, with the attack set to comprise two fast bowlers and two spinners, they have to be certain of his ability to last five days. Stuart Broad, the vice-captain whom he is likely to replace, looked short of form and fitness in the second win in Mumbai.

If Finn fails to confirm his fitness after an injury that has taken longer than expected to improve, Broad will probably keep his place, although Graham Onions is with the party. Ian Bell flew into Kolkata yesterday after returning from paternity leave in England following the birth of his first child. — Agencies

Srinagar, November 30
The crisis in Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) deepened today as the treasurer of the body, Manzoor Wazir tendered his resignation following the ongoing feud between valley-based players and chief coach Bishen Singh Bedi.

"I faxed my resignation to president of the association Dr Farooq Abdullah in view of the many problems dogging the cricket governing body in the state including the boycott by some players," Wazir said. He said he had put in a lot of efforts to end the stalemate between the association and the disgruntled players. "I succeeded to a large extent but there were few boys who felt that justice has still not been done. I have requested the president to accept my resignation," Wazir said.

The treasuer, who is believed to be instrumental in blowing the whistle on multicrore embezzlement scam in the JKCA earlier this year, rued that other office-bearers of the association did not put in any efforts to end the deadlock.

"There are many office-bearers in the association but they did not do anything to resolve the issue. It is not humanly possible for me to put in so much time into the works of the association," Wazir said while explaining his decision. Meanwhile, the disgruntled players locked the office of the JKCA at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium. They also reportedly called on several members. — PTI

Patiala, November 30
To make sure that shooters in the country do not have to wait for long and go through lengthy process to procure arms and ammunition, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has decided to allow ammunition be sold to shooters at the discounted prices across shooting ranges in the country.

The decision would help simplify the procedure for upcoming shooters and also stop black marketing of arms and ammunition by some shooters.

Rules permit established shooters to import duty-free pre-approved firearm and ammunition up to 15,000 cartridges per annum which gives ample reasons for hoarding and black marketing by many. “Many inside NRAI promote such loot of shooters as Rs 625 per 25 cartridges box is easily sold nearly double that amount in India and buyers are many”, claimed a shooter.

Many such buyers usually throng shooting venues across the country to find probable sellers and buyers. “Money involved is huge and therefore the trade continues, despite some strict measures by NRAI. The short supplies till date was another reason”, said a shooter. Sources confirm that to check this malpractice, the NRAI has already tied up with an Italian firm Beretta which would be responsible for supply of guns and ammunition to Indian shooters. “This would help budding shooters who would not approach their state association which would get a sanction from NRAI and make it easier for all to import a gun”, they stated.

Already Beretta has established a stall inside the New Moti Bagh Gun Club (NMBGC) premises wherein they have showcased some of their recent weapons. As per earlier practice many non serious shooters from many states, approached the associations and imported guns and bullets, which were subsidized for them and later these shooters sold them in the grey market at high price. “Even guns were sold after being imported”, said a shooter.

Foreign-made arms and ammunition are superior to Indian-made ones, says ace Indian shooter Mansher Singh. The demand for them subsequently outstripped supply, leading to a dramatic spike in their prices. “The whole money making game is mainly the reason why shooters sell arms and ammunition they are permitted to import. Arms dealers, in turn, earn lakhs by selling these arms illegally,” says Mansher.

NRAI President Raninder Singh said the association is serious to ensure that the budding talent gets easy access to arms, “Once the weapon stalls would be available at the venues, the mess would be solved to greater extent”, he stated, however admitting that more needs to be done to stop illegal arms and ammunition get into wrong hands. 

Perth, November 30
South Africa hit back with two wickets after Australia's second-string pace attack dismissed the Proteas on a dramatic opening day of the third and final Test at the WACA Ground on Friday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Proteas were bundled out for 225 despite more heroics from Adelaide Test hero Faf du Plessis in a match that will decide the top-ranked nation in Test cricket.

However, the Proteas quickly struck back with a vengeance, claiming two Australian wickets in the hour before stumps. Opener Ed Cowan was caught in slips by Jacques Kallis off pace spearhead Dale Steyn for a first-ball duck, before Shane Watson (10) was given out lbw to Vernon Philander on a decision review, after umpire Asad Rauf had turned down the initial appeal. At the close, the home team was 33 for two, with David Warner on 12 and night watchman Nathan Lyon surviving a torrid examination from Steyn in the final over of the day to be seven not out.

Batting at number seven, second Test hero du Plessis again played a lone hand in the South African first innings with an unbeaten 78 off 142 balls that helped add vital late runs after they had slumped to 75 for six when they lost five wickets for 14 runs either side of lunch. Australia were forced to completely revamp their fast bowling line-up for the match, with their three pacemen from the drawn Adelaide Test -- Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and James Pattinson—all ruled out. Left-armer Mitchell Johnson was recalled for his first Test in 12 months, Mitchell Starc was promoted after being 12th man for the first two matches in the series, and John Hastings was handed his Test debut.

All were in the wickets as they decimated the South African top order. It was the returning Watson (1-22) who claimed the initial breakthrough, having Graeme Smith caught at first slip by rival skipper Michael Clarke for 16. Watson made a welcome return from a calf problem, having missed Australia's last eight home Tests with various injuries, by finding a thick outside edge from Smith to remove the Proteas skipper. Just before lunch, Starc (2-55) struck two telling blows. Starc removed opener Alviro Petersen (30) when he bowled the right-hander with a full delivery and then found a way through the defence of Kallis (2), who overcame a hamstring injury to take his place in the match, with a similar ball.

Already struggling at 63 for three at lunch, the Proteas crumbled after the resumption, with Hashim Amla (11), AB de Villiers (4) and debutant Dean Elgar (0) all falling in quick succession.

Amla was run out by a brilliant direct hit from David Warner in the covers, de Villiers became Hastings' first Test scalp when caught at first slip by Clarke and Elgar gave Johnson (2-54) first wicket when he was caught behind. — Agencies

SCOREBOARD

South Africa 1st innings

Smith c Clarke b Watson 16

Petersen b Starc 30

Amla run out 11

Kallis b Starc 2

de Villiers c Clarke b Hastings 4

Elgar c Wade b Johnson 0

du Plessis not out 78

Peterson c Wade b Lyon 31

Philander c Hussey b Lyon 30

Steyn b Johnson 2

Morkel c Hastings b Lyon 17

Extras: 4

Total: (all out, 74 ov) 225

Fall of wickets: 1-38 2-61 3-63 4-67 5-67 6-75 7-132, 8-196, 9-206

Bowling: Starc 16-3-55-2, Hastings 20-2-51-1, Watson 9-2-22-1 (w-1), Johnson 17-3-54-2 (w-1), Lyon 12-1-41-3

Australia 1st innings

Warner not out 12

Cowan c Kallis b Steyn 0

Watson lbw b Philander 10

Lyon not out 7

Extras: 4

Total: (2 wkts, 11 ov) 33

Fall of wickets: 1-38 2-61 3-63 4-67 5-67 6-75 7-132, 8-196, 9-206

Bowling: 1-3 2-18

Bowling: Steyn 6-2-21-1, Philander 4-0-8-1, Morkel 1-1-0-0

New Delhi, November 30
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president-elect Abhay Singh Chautala today demanded the resignation of Randhir Singh as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as he has ceased to be the secretary-general of the IOA.

“With the unanimous election of Lalit Bhanot as the secretary-general, with all those who had filed nominations against him having withdrawn, Raja Randhir Singhji has ceased to be the secretary-general of the IOA”, Abhay Singh said at a media interaction. He defended the election of Bhanot as he had not been convicted in any CWG case. Neither had the IOC put any bar on his contesting the election.

Chautala said according to the IOC Charter, it was mandatory for an IOC member to be an office-bearer of his National Olympic Committee. Leading lawyer R.K. Anand interjected to say that according to rule 3.7 of the IOC Charter, Randhir has ceased to be an IOC member as he is no more an IOA office-bearer.

Chautala accused Randhir of fuelling the Olympic Charter vs Sports Code controversy, with regard to the IOA elections. “Instead of playing an effective role as the IOC member to sort out the matter, Randhir has been has been making threatening statements everyday that if the elections were not stopped, the IOC will de-recognize/suspend the IOA”.

He alleged that Randhir has been leaking the IOC letters before they reached the IOA or acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra "as he was desperate to stall the IOA elections". He accused Randhir of monopolizing all the international posts “as a representative of the IOA, but now we will send five different candidates for the five international posts being held by Randhir”. “We were not in a hurry to hold the IOA elections, as after the London Olympics we had suggested at the AGM that the elections be put off till December. But it was Randhir who insisted that the elections be held on October 10,” he said.

Mumbai, November 30
Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary and his Mumbai counterpart Rohit Sharma are eyeing spots in the Indian middle-order which has opened up following the retirement of Test greats Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman even as they are focusing on their current jobs in the Ranji Trophy.

"I think I am performing really well. Definitely I am looking for a berth in the Test side. Looking forward to the chance that I would get. But it depends on the selectors," said the 27-year-old Tiwary ahead of the Ranji match against Mumbai starting.

Sharma, who missed Test debut against South Africa in Nagpur due to an ankle injury, said a spot in the national team is on the back of his mind even as he represents Mumbai.

"Yes, it is. Whenever you are going out, you always want to play at top level which is playing for India, so always things are there at the back of mind but I don't want it to affect my game," said Sharma. "It's your ultimate goal, to be part of the national squad, but I don't want to put any pressure on myself. I want to enjoy what I am doing right now, so I will continue doing that," said the 25-year-old Nagpur-born player who has played 85 ODIs and 32 T20 internationals. Both the batsmen have realised it pays to have patience.

"When I started I was an aggressive batsman by nature but then I realised I had to curb my instincts because, you have to have patience to score big runs. It can't just come if you play quickly or take too many risks initially," said Tiwary, who has played 8 ODIs and 3 T20Is since making his international debut in February 2008.

"Being the senior member of the side and a responsible batsman, I try to occupy the crease because all the other batsmen gain a lot of confidence when I am around. It becomes an added responsibility. I have to score big runs in order to get into the Indian team," he added.

Sharma talked about having become more responsible after being made the Mumbai captain, albeit as stand-in for the injured Ajit Agarkar. — PTI

BRIEFLY

Indian spinners buckled under pressure:Raman
Mumbai: Former opener W V Raman said Indian spinners buckled under pressure of expectations in the second Test against England which the hosts lost by 10 wickets to allow the visitors draw level the four-match series 1-1. "A lot of pressure was on them as a reverse in India is not expected, especially on a turner. All put together, the pressure did them in a bit," said the Bengal Ranji Trophy team coach at the Brabourne Stadium here.

IOA officials meet Sports Minister
New Delhi: Rankled by the renewed threat of suspension by the International Olympic Committee, top IOA officials had a meeting with Sports Minister Jitendra Singh in a bid to find a solution to the code dispute surrounding the upcoming election. A five-member delegation, led by IOA Acting President V K Malhotra, met the minister in his chamber and the nearly two-hour-long meeting was described as "constructive and fruitful" by the officials.

Bhanot’s elections triggers controversy
New Delhi: Tainted sports administrator Lalit Bhanot's unopposed election to the post of Indian Olympic Association's secretary general created a fresh controversy but the IOA justified its decision by saying that he has yet not been pronounced guilty by the court of law. Bhanot, who spent nearly a year in jail last year in connection with the Commonwealth Games corruption case, was elected secretary general of the IOA along with Virendra Nanavati (senior vice-president) and N Ramachandran (treasurer).

Shamim opens up three-stroke lead
New Delhi: Shamim Khan emerged as the title favourite after he opened up a three-stroke lead at the end of the penultimate round of the McLeod Russel Tour Championship golf tournament. Shamim's score of three-under 69 took his total to nine-under 207. — Agencies

PCB's recce team to arrive in Kolkata
Kolkata: A six-member team from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would arrive in the city on Sunday for a recce of the facilities ahead of the side's ODI against India at the Eden Gardens Jan 3 next year. The team, including representatives of the PCB and security officials, would head for a meeting with the city police officers to finalise the security paraphernalia for the match. The delegation's next stop will be the hotel where the Pakistan cricketers would be put up.

Spinners set up easy win for Bangladesh
Khulna: Off-spinner Sohag Gazi made a memorable ony-day debut to help Bangladesh crush West Indies by 7 wickets with 58 balls to spare in the opening game of the five-match series on Friday. Gazi claimed four wickets for 29 runs as Abdur Razzak (3-39) ran through the West Indies batting order. Tamim Iqbal scored 58

Brief Scores: (WI) 199 all out in 46.5 overs (Narine 36,Bravo 35, Gayle 35, Gazi 4/29, Razzaq 3/39); (Bangladesh): 201/3 in 40.2 overs (Iqbal 58, Islam 50, Russel 1/28,Sammy 1/29)..

Saina, Mary Kom to be EC 'national icons'
New Delhi: Saina Nehwal and MC Mary Kom have been designated as "national icons" by the election commission.Saina and Mary will help in boosting women participation during the forthcoming Gujarat Assembly elections scheduled next month. — Agencies