S P O R T S

After criticising Dhoni, Eden curator to join work
Kolkata, December 1
The drama surrounding the preparations of the Eden pitch for the third Test between India and England ended today after CAB President Jagmohan Dalmiya persuaded Prabir Mukherjee to return to work, hours after the peeved curator had threatened to proceed on medical leave.

Groundsmen at work at the Eden Gardens cricket ground in Kolkata on Saturday. — PTI

Steyn, Amla in charge as SA show Aussies who is No. 1
Perth, December 1
South Africa, fired by a devastating spell of bowling from Dale Steyn and sustained by the batting of Hashim Amla, took a firm grip on the third and final Test against Australia on Saturday to end day two with an imposing lead of 292.

Graeme Smith hits a four during his innings of 84 as former Australian captain Ricky Ponting looks on in Perth on Saturday. — Reuters

Punjab rule as Kaul, Sandeep bowl out Rajasthan for 222 Mohali, December 1 Siddarth Kaul led a disciplined bowling effort as Punjab bundled out Rajasthan for 222 and gain the upper hand on the first day of their Ranji Trophy match against Rajasthan here today. Rajasthan’s Deepak Chahar pulls one to the boundary in Mohali on Saturday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Roy ton takes Tripura to 325/4 vs HP
Nadaun, December 1
Subhrajit Roy slammed an aggressive 111 as Tripura scored a comfortable 325 for four on the opening day of their Ranji league match against Himachal Pradesh. Roy added 160 runs for the third wicket with S Abbas Ali (83) after Tripura were reduced to 61 for two after being asked to bat. Roy hit 20 fours in his 200-ball knock.

Farooq orders inquiry into J&K selection fiasco
Jammu, December 1
Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association president Farooq Abdullah has ordered an inquiry into the Ranji team selection fiasco a day after JKCA treasurer Manzoor Wazir had tendered his resignation for failing to end the impasse.

Flintoff survives knockdown to win first professional fight Manchester, December 1 Former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff beat American Richard Dawson on points after surviving a knockdown in his first professional fight at the MEN Arena in Manchester on Friday. Andrew Flintoff (R) lands one on Richard Dawson during their bout in Manchester on Friday night. — AFP

New-look India beat England 3-1 Melbourne, December 1 India made a bright start to their campaign at the Champions Trophy hockey tournament with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over England in Pool A at the State Hockey Centre on Saturday. Gurwinder Chandi (L) scores off a penalty corner in Melbourne on Saturday. — AFP

Sodhi fails to qualify for double trap final Patiala, December 1 After a disappointing show at the London Olympics, India’s star trap shooter Ronjan Sodhi failed to impress on the first day of the 2nd Asian Shooting Championship also that is underway at Maine village near here as he was unable to qualify for the final round of the individual double trap event.                           Ronjan Sodhi

Malhotra pleads with Rogge to spare IOA
New Delhi, December 1
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra has written to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the IOA elections were being held as per the Olympic Charter, and the IOA had never ever endorsed the Sports Code of the Government.

After criticising Dhoni, Eden curator to join work

Kolkata, December 1
The drama surrounding the preparations of the Eden pitch for the third Test between India and England ended today after CAB President Jagmohan Dalmiya persuaded Prabir Mukherjee to return to work, hours after the peeved curator had threatened to proceed on medical leave.

Mukherjee, unhappy at being sidelined, had decided to go on a month’s medicla leave in the morning but was persuaded to change his mind by the evening after meetings with CAB officials.

“There is no issue at all. We have sorted out the differences. Prabir Mukherjee was the Eden Gardens curator. He will be in-charge of the Test match against England and the India versus Pakistan ODI on January 3,” CAB chief Dalmiya said after his meeting with the veteran curator.

“I’m hearing all sorts of stories everyday. These are all unncessary media created stories. Yes, he is really unwell but I’ve asked him to come and stay for lesser time,” Dalmiya added.

Mukherjee, who has been at the centre of controversy for apparently refusing to toe the line of India captain MS Dhoni’s demand for a rank turner, expressed his desire to go on leave on medical grounds as he felt that the host association was not standing by him.

After East Zone curator Ashis Bhowmick joined Mukherjee, there were reports that the 83-year-old curator’s wings have been clipped although it has been mandatory for zonal curators to visit each venue of their respective zones. Following his U-turn, Mukherjee was back at the Eden Gardens towards the evening and was seen with CAB top brass.

It was a sort of moral victory for Mukherjee after CAB’s treasurer and their “crisis man” Biswarup Dey went to Mukherjee’s house and took him to Dalmiya’s residence for a discussion.

The drama started in the morning with Mukherjee claiming that he had sent a letter to the CAB, seeking one-month’s medical leave.

“Nowhere the president has the right to talk about pitches. But here they are threatening to suspend me if I talk about pitches”, Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee had openly criticised Dhoni for his demand for a wicket that would turn from the very first over.

“It is unethical to tamper with the pitch as per the liking of the captain. I have not done it in my life. Why should I do it now? What happens if the pitch does not last for five days? Let them give me in writting then I will do it,” the outspoken Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee’s outburst had led BCCI to rush Bhowmick to take charge of the Eden, something that might have hurt the octogenerian.

“This is the treatment I get after more than two decades of my service at CAB. It was an insult for me,” Mukherjee said, referring to the appointment of Bhowmick.

“I expected some sort of protection from CAB and thought that they would stand by me. Instead they are after me. My BP shot up 170/100 last night. After the check-up, the doctors have advised me a complete rest for a month. I’ve sent the medical report and request for a medical leave for a month to the CAB this morning,” he said. “I don’t make pitches to earn money. I had prepared pitches in Bangladesh for the U-19 World Cup (in 2004) and the ICC Cup without getting a single penny. Cricket is my passion that’s why I’m associated with Eden for so long.”

Mukherjee had lost his 31-year-old daughter and 73-year-old wife in a span of six days. “My daughter died on May 25 and wife on May 31,” he said. “Despite coping with terrible personal crisis, I did not take a single day’s leave.”

“The day after my wife’s death, I was at the Eden Gardens. Nobody can question my commitment. But I am getting such a raw deal from the CAB,” he said.

Mukherjee’s differences with Dhoni are not new.

During England’s last appearance here for an ODI in 2011, Dhoni had termed the Eden wicket “ugly”.

During the South Africa Test in 2010 which India won in last over of the final day, Mukherjee wasn’t ready to give in to Dhoni’s demand to shave the grass off the pitch.

Back in 2005, Mukherjee had an argument with the then India coach Greg Chappell and skipper Rahul Dravid as he produced a bouncy pitch in protest against keeping Sourav Ganguly out of the Indian team. India had lost that match by 10 wickets. — PTI

Steyn, Amla in charge as SA show Aussies who is No. 1

Perth, December 1
South Africa, fired by a devastating spell of bowling from Dale Steyn and sustained by the batting of Hashim Amla, took a firm grip on the third and final Test against Australia on Saturday to end day two with an imposing lead of 292.

Amla finished the day one run short of his 18th Test century with South Africa on 230 for two after paceman Steyn had taken four for 40 as the bowlers dismissed the hosts for 163 for a first-innings lead of 62.

Skipper Graeme Smith put on a quickfire 178 for the second wicket with Amla before departing for 84 late in the day to leave Jacques Kallis, who had made 17 not out, to resume on Sunday with plenty of time to build an insurmountable lead.

Australia had started the day on 33 for two in front of a bumper WACA crowd hoping to see Ricky Ponting score a century in his penultimate innings and drive his country towards a series victory and the number one Test ranking that would go with it. Their hopes lasted less than 40 minutes, however, as Steyn, who took three wickets at the cost of just four runs in the morning sun, and fellow quicks Philander (2-55) and Morne Morkel (1-19) unleashed the barrage the Australians had feared all series.

The first ball of Steyn’s first over dispatched opener David Warner caught behind for 13 after a fruitless TV appeal, while his fourth sent nightwatchman Nathan Lyon back to the pavilion for seven.

Ponting, welcomed by a standing ovation, managed just four runs when he was trapped lbw by Philander, his subsequent appeal to the TV umpire having less merit than Warner’s but proving just as pointless.

With their free-scoring captain Michael Clarke at the crease, Australia were still thinking about a first-innings lead but Steyn ended those thoughts with his best ball of the series. A fullish ball that moved away at the last moment induced Clarke into an edge that AB de Villiers caught behind.

Only Wade, who scored 68, and debutant pacer John Hastings, the last Australian out, offered any real resistance. Wade built a partnership of 55 with Mike Hussey and brought up his second Test half century from 51 balls. — Reuters

Scoreboard

Punjab rule as Kaul, Sandeep bowl out Rajasthan for 222

Mohali, December 1
Siddarth Kaul led a disciplined bowling effort as Punjab bundled out Rajasthan for 222 and gain the upper hand on the first day of their Ranji Trophy match against Rajasthan here today.

At stumps in the Group A match, the hosts were 20 for one, with opener Jiwanjot Singh back in the hut at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium here.

Punjab now trail the visitors by 202 runs with nine wickets remaining in the first innings.

Medium-pacer Kaul returned impressive figures of four for 63 while Sandeep Sharma finished with three for 72. There were two wickets for new-ball bowler Baltej Singh, who gave away 45 runs in the process.

Puneet Yadav topped the scoring for Rajasthan with a knock of 57 that came off 74 balls, and was studded with 11 hits to the fence.

After being dealt with a few early blows, Rajasthan seemed to have recovered with a half-century stand between Yadav and Ashok Menaria (32), but the former was trapped in front by Sharma in the 30th over.

Rajesh Bishnoi made 23 even as Deepak Chahar took the visitors past 200 with a handy 35, which came off 66 balls and included six boundaries. Karan Goel and Ravi Inder Singh were batting on 11 and seven respectively when the stumps were drawn.

Brief scores

Rajasthan 1st innings: 222 all out in 70.3 overs (Puneet Yadav 57; Deepak Chahar 35, Siddarth Kaul 4/63, Sandeep Sharma 3/72).

Punjab 1st innings: 20/1 in 17 overs. — PTI

Roy ton takes Tripura to 325/4 vs HP

Nadaun, December 1
Subhrajit Roy slammed an aggressive 111 as Tripura scored a comfortable 325 for four on the opening day of their Ranji league match against Himachal Pradesh. Roy added 160 runs for the third wicket with S Abbas Ali (83) after Tripura were reduced to 61 for two after being asked to bat. Roy hit 20 fours in his 200-ball knock.

Brief scores

Tripura 1st innings: 325/4 in 88 overs (S Roy 111, S Abbas Ali 83)

Awana helps Delhi restrict Haryana to 219/6

Rohtak: Speedster Parvinder Awana's late strikes helped Delhi restrict Haryan to 219 for six at stumps on the first day of their league match.

Awana removed Sachin Rana and rival captain Amit Mishra in quick succession with the second new ball as the hosts frittered away a good start provided by openers Rahul Dewan (71) and Nitin Saini (45). — Agencies

Farooq orders inquiry into J&K selection fiasco

Jammu, December 1
Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association president Farooq Abdullah has ordered an inquiry into the Ranji team selection fiasco a day after JKCA treasurer Manzoor Wazir had tendered his resignation for failing to end the impasse.

Wazir had dispatched his resignation to Abdullah on Friday, stating that he made every possible effort to ease things out between JKCA and Kashmiri players over the issue of team selection and captaincy, but all his efforts went in vain.

Sensing the gravity of the matter, JKCA chief has decided to constitute a committee comprising senior board officials to investigate the entire episode.

“JKCA president Farooq Abdullah has taken this issue very seriously and shall shortly constitute a committee of senior officials to inquire into the matter,” said Ranjit Kalra, chairman of JKCA's media committee.

He also stated that JKCA president is yet to accept Wazir's resignation.

Sources disclosed that Wazir tendered his resignation after coming to know that some JKCA officials have bargained the selection of Jammu players in the team over Kashmiri players. — PTI

Flintoff survives knockdown to win first professional fight

Manchester, December 1
Former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff beat American Richard Dawson on points after surviving a knockdown in his first professional fight at the MEN Arena in Manchester on Friday.

The 34-year-old got a rousing reception from the 5,000 fans and won the first of four two-minute rounds before being caught by a left hook early in the second that sent him to the canvas.

However, Flintoff got up to receive a standing eight count and battled back with a more composed performance against a flagging opponent for a 39-38 win on the referee’s scorecard.

“You talk about the Ashes and things but as a personal achievement, this is the best,” Flintoff, part of England’s Ashes-winning teams in 2005 and 2009, told BoxNation.

Despite his successful start the former all-rounder was cautious about his future in the sport, saying “we’ll see how we go. It’s not natural to me, I’ve had to work so hard.

Flintoff, coached by former world champion Barry McGuigan, had weighed in at 216lbs (97.98kg), 25lbs (11.34kg) lighter than Dawson, 23, who had won his previous two professional fights. — Reuters

New-look India beat England 3-1

Melbourne, December 1
India made a bright start to their campaign at the Champions Trophy hockey tournament with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over England in Pool A at the State Hockey Centre on Saturday.

The new-look Indian team clinched a morale-boosting win through goals from opportunistic field goals from Danish Mujtaba (22nd minute) and Yuvraj Walmiki (38th) before Gurwinder Singh Chandi scored off a penalty corner (66th minute).

The India defence had been breached by a drag flick from Richard Smith on England's maiden penalty corner in the 14th minute.

Playing the first major international event after their disastrous last-place finish in the London Olympics, India have come to the elite eight-nation Champions Trophy with a new look team after dropping several ageing stars. England have brought a young, experimental team here after several regular players took a break following the Olympics, where Great Britain finished fourth. Many seasoned players in the England line-up went back to their full-time jobs or universities and left the places open for young players.

India will take on New Zealand on Sunday in their second outing in Pool A, which also features Olympic gold medallists Germany. Germany edged past New Zealand 3-2 in the other Pool A match on Saturday.

Giving a good display of competitive hockey, the young Indian outfit had to fight back after conceding the early lead when Smith's rising drag-flick went high into the goal. — PTI

Sodhi fails to qualify for double trap final
Gagan K. Teja/TNS

Patiala, December 1
After a disappointing show at the London Olympics, India’s star trap shooter Ronjan Sodhi failed to impress on the first day of the 2nd Asian Shooting Championship also that is underway at Maine village near here as he was unable to qualify for the final round of the individual double trap event.

Sodhi finished on the ninth spot behind India’s Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Sangram Dahiya. His performance was no better in the Maharaja Yadavinder Singh Memorial Indian Open Shotgun Championships also since he finished on the 14th spot.

However, Rathore was the saving grace for India in the Asian Championship as he finished third with a total of 183 (136+47) behind UAE shooter Almaktoun (186) and Aldeehani of Kuwait by (184). As many as 17 shooters of different countries participated in this event out of which four were in MQS category.

In the team event, while United Arab Emirates emerged victorious with a total of 401, the trio of Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Sangram Dahiya and Ronjan Sodhi won silver medal scoring 396.Kuwait shooters bagged bronze medal.

Meanwhile, UAE Shooter Almaktoun defeated Kuwait’s Aldeehani in a tie shoot to win gold medal in Maharaja Yadavinder Singh Memorial Indian Open Shotgun Championships and received a cash award of $6,000. Aldeehani received $4000 for his silver medal. The third position was bagged by Mohammad Asab of India who was awarded $3000 cash prize.

Malhotra pleads with Rogge to spare IOA
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 1
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra has written to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the IOA elections were being held as per the Olympic Charter, and the IOA had never ever endorsed the Sports Code of the Government.

Nevertheless, the Sports Code had to be taken into cognizance in the IOA elections following a Delhi High Court order. He said the IOA had always maintained that the Sports Code was not sustainable as the Government had not passed it as an Act of Parliament, or it had been put in the gazette.

“How can such a code be binding on the IOA, though we had to accept the court ruling in the matter”, he clarified.

An IOC letter to Malhotra on November 23 had clearly rattled him. The IOC had threatened to put sanction on the IOA if there was a violation of the Olympic Charter in the IOA elections. The letter had also sought clarification and undertaking from the IOA before November 30 that the Sports Code will not be applied in the IOA elections. Malhtora sent a detailed reply to both Rogge and Al Sabah on November 29, as to why the IOA should not be punished for the Sports Code, which was the creation of the Government. Malhotra gave a “firm commitment” to Rogge that the IOA elections were “being held and will be held preserving the Olympic Charter”.

Malhotra also informed Rogge that the IOA would be sending a two-member delegation “to explain and clarify the IOA stand”.