Suresh Raina arrive in Kolkata on Tuesday

Pak pacers sweat it out at nets

Pakistan's speed merchants Mohammed Irfan, Junaid Khan and senior pro Umar Gul went full throttle at the team's net session today as they bowled aiming at one stump under watchful eyes of their bowling coach Mohammed Akram.The Pakistan batsmen however had a routine net session at the Eden Gardens. There was a tinge of green on the 22-yard strip at the Eden Gardens but it is certainly more about retaining the firmness of the pitch and can be expected to be shaved off before the start of the match. The duo of Junaid and Irfan of 7 ft 1 inch fame, bowled four Indian top order batsmen in the Ahmedabad. The 11 members of the Indian squad arrived in three batches from Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi as they opted to take a day's off. India skipper MS Dhoni along with Ravindra Jadeja, coach Duncan Fletcher and Ashok Dinda and Mohammad Shami Ahmed had arrived yesterday. India will practice tomorrow afternoon followed by Pakistan. — PTI

Kolkata, January 1
The India-Pakistan one-dayer here on Thursday might be seen as Prabir Mukherjee's last as Eden Gardens curator, but the 83-year-old said he would remain associated with the historical venue as long as he's alive.

"No quitting... I'll be here as long as my health permits, and I'm alive," Mukherjee said. Mukherjee had drawn a lot of flak after his differences with India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni irked Board supremo N Srinivasan who reportedly wanted the veteran curator to remove for not "falling in the line".

But Mukherjee is now a relieved man as there is no diktat for home and away condition during a one-dayer and he's happy to prepare batting-friendly 22-yard.

"In one-day, ICC has clearly laid out rules that wickets should have even bounce with no lateral movement and spin assistance." "It's a batsmen-oriented game. And we make the pitches in accordance with that," Mukherjee said even as there appeared a tinge of grass on the strip, which is likely to be mowed down before the match begins. Mukherjee said the team batting first would have an advantage. "They will get the fresh wicket and will be in a good position to put up a big score," Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee has further cautioned about the dew factor playing a big part in the outcome of the match.— PTI

Kolkata, January 1
Former Pakistan opener Sadiq Mohammad questioned the timing of Sachin Tendulkar's ODI retirement, saying the Indian could have called it quits in a more organised manner, which would have given his team a chance to give him a "grand farewell".

"His retirement announcement came suddenly. Normally, a big player announces it early so that the team gives a grand farewell on his last match... like we had during Asif Iqbal's last Test here with about 90,000 people giving a standing ovation," Sadiq said.

One of the game's all-time greats, Tendulkar had recently announced his retirement from one-day cricket, bringing to an end a glorious 23-year-old career in the format during which he rewrote numerous batting records.

"When he used to turn up on the field, from his walk only you would make out that he's a grade above the rest," Sadiq said of Tendulkar.

Talking about Virener Sehwag, Sadiq said that the India opener can be destructive on his day. "Please pardon my language and the choice of words but Sehwag can be a terrorist (while batting) on his day... He can be really, really dangerous when he gets going," the 67-year-old said. The left-hander, though, rated 23-year-old Nasir Jamshed as a technically sound batsman. Asked to rate Jamshed alongside the Indian duo of Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir and Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez, Sadiq said, "Nasir Jamshed is technically very sound. To me, he's a better batsman.

"He has the tendency to play long innings and carry his bat throughout, a great quality of an opener," he said of Jamshed, who has scored 101 not out to guide Pakistan to a six-wicket win over India in the Ahmedabad one-dayer.

Sadiq rated former English batsman Geoffrey Boycott as the best Test opener ever.

"He used to smell the leather — he would watch the ball very closely. Even when he left the ball he would follow till it lands in the wicketkeeper's gloves. "Even I had moulded myself in that style and would tell my boys to follow the ball very closely." Sadiq is here as one of the dignitaries for the India-Pakistan second one-dayer, scheduled to be held on January 3.

“Batsmen have to play with extra-ordinary confidence to face a bowler at the Eden Gardens as there would be pressure of expectation from 80,000-odd crowd.” — Agencies

Kolkata, January 1
A little over a year ago, former England captain Tony Greig had called the Eden Gardens "a morgue" after a handful of spectators turned up for a India-West Indies Test. Alas! If only the cricketer had lived a few more days, he would have felt better.

For less than a week after the demise of the popular commentator, the iconic ground is all set to abuzz with a capacity crowd cheering arch-rivals India and Pakistan in a One- Day International (ODI) Thursday. The stadium`s custodian Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has announced a sell-out crowd.

"All the tickets have been sold out. It will be a sell-out crowd," CAB treasurer Biswarup Dey said.

On the flip side though, only 3,500 tickets were made available for general spectators. Also, for the first time for an international match at the Eden, tickets for general spectators were sold only online.

With access to the internet perhaps a difficult proposition for ordinary cricket fans, beneficiaries are likely to be the net savvy urban population. The rest of the tickets were set aside as complimentaries or sold to CAB-affiliated clubs. The hallowed ground, known for its boisterous and sporting crowd, had been low on the decibel count in the recent past causing concern among many former cricket greats.

The sight of just 1,000 spectators at a stadium an India-West Indies Test in November 2011 had prompted the celebrated Greig to call it a "morgue". — Agencies

London, January 1
After all the furore over his involvement in the Packer Affair it is easy to forget his talents.

Tony Greig changed cricket forever. As the captain of England, his startling alliance with an Australian TV mogul provoked a revolution which transformed the way the game was played and dragged its players out of a form of legalised serfdom.

The formation of World Series Cricket in 1977 came to define the rest of Greig's life. In the long aftermath, the effects of which are still being felt, it was easily overlooked what a considerable performer and inspirational figure he was.

After signing up with the boss of Australia's Channel 9, Kerry Packer, he also became his chief recruiting agent. Forgiveness by the establishment was a long time in coming, and when Greig died yesterday at the age of 66 after a heart attack, having being diagnosed with lung cancer two months ago, there were probably still those who bore a grudge.

Somehow, he never quite received his due, and in some quarters the feeling continued to exist that he was therefore being accorded his just deserts. There was at least a sense of closure when he delivered, stirringly, the annual Sprit of Cricket lecture at Lord's last summer, though there was never the remotest chance of his appearing in an honours list.

If altruism on behalf of his fellow players was not his sole objective in embracing WSC, it was, as he always maintained, a significant by-product. Packer's Circus, as it came derisively to be known, was born because Packer was understandably miffed at being denied a chance to bid for Australian cricket's broadcasting rights, though he was prepared to offer significantly more than the rival Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The opprobrium heaped on Greig when WSC was revealed in May 1977 was fuelled by a sense of betrayal but aggravated by the timing, his position as captain, his status among the public and not least the fact that he was born and educated in South Africa. Greig had been appointed as England captain two years earlier, and it is difficult to overstate his stardom. He was charismatic, candid and controversial. There had already been incidents which typified his competitive streak, but his persuasive charm put him on a pedestal which, at 6ft 7in topped off with a mane of fair hair, he hardly needed.

While he seemed to court controversy he also overcame it. There had been the running-out of West Indies' Alvin Kallicharran after the last ball of the day in Trinidad in 1974; the bravura inflammatory approach before the fury of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson in Brisbane in 1975 as he scored a defiant century; and the declaration that he intended to make West Indies grovel in 1976.

When he took England to the Centenary Test in Melbourne early in 1977 he had just orchestrated a wonderful Test series victory in India and proved hugely popular with the crowds. — The Independent

Dubai, January 1
The International Cricket Council today mourned the passing away of cricket commentator and former president of the MCC Christopher Martin-Jenkins, who died of cancer at the age of 67.

"There are few men in cricket who are known simply by the initials and the fact that Christopher was referred to simply as CMJ around the cricket world reflects his standing in the game.

He was a brilliant broadcaster with the BBC’s Test Match Special as well as a renowned cricket correspondent for the BBC, The Daily Telegraph and The Times," ICC chief executive David Richardson said in an ICC statement.

"Cricket has lost two of its most revered commentators in the last few days with the passing of both CMJ and, last week, of Tony Greig. I know that press boxes around the world will be deeply saddened by the death of two giants of the game and we pass on our condolences to both their families. I, like their colleagues, cricketers and administrators, will miss their wise words and their company." Martin-Jenkins was given an MBE in 2009 for his services to sport and served as the MCC's president in 2010 and 2011. — PTI

Mumbai, January 1
Mumbai's Ranji Trophy campaign would be boosted by the availability of Sachin Tendulkar to play in their quarter final game against Baroda here from Jan 6-10.

"He will play against Baroda and the team will be selected the day after tomorrow," informed Mumbai Cricket Association's joint secretary and meeting convener Nitin Dalal today.

Tendulkar has retired from the ODI format and is free to play all the knock-out games for Mumbai provided the 39-time champions make it to the summit clash. It would be Tendulkar's second outing for his state this season after having played against Railways in the lung opener here at the Wankhede Stadium in November. Meanwhile, Mumbai are yet to know whether key speedster Zaheer Khan would be available for selection against Baroda. The senior left arm bowler injured his leg while batting in their last league game against Gujarat at Navi Mumbai's D Y Patil Stadium.

Chennai, January 1
Haryana and Tamil Nadu shared the honours as their rain-curtailed Group B Ranji Trophy match ended in a tame draw.

Haryana's middle-order fired in unison as they reached 180 for three in their first innings at stumps on the final day.

Batting first, Tamil Nadu had scored 571/6 declared after the opening day was washed off at the India Cement Limited Guru Nanak College Ground. Rahul Dalal was the top-scorer with an unbeaten 56 off 179 balls, which was laced with nine hits to the fence.

Opener Rahul Dewan (43) and Abhimanyu Khod (45) were the other two notable contributors for the visitors. For the hosts, Sunil Sam, Yo Mahesh and B Aparajith took one wicket each. Tamil Nadu and Haryana bagged one point each from the drawn tie. Resuming at seven for 0, openers Nitin Saini and Dewan added 40 runs when the former was caught by Arun karthik off Yo Mahesh in the 13th over. Dewan and Khod then forged a 33-run partnership for the second wicket but the former was dismissed in the 27th over. Khod then added 42 runs with Dalal for the third wicket.

Brief Score: (TN) first innings: 571/6d Haryana first innings: 180/3 in 86.0 overs (R Dalal 56; B Aparajith 1/18). — PTI

New Delhi, January 1
Indian hockey team captain Sardar Singh said the Hockey India League (HIL), to be held from January 14 to February 10, will be a great initiative to give the game a shot in the arm.

Sardar Singh, who was bought by Delhi franchise Delhi Waveriders for a record $78,000 from a base price of $27,000, said the five-team franchise-owned HIL was a timely step to popularise the game after the team’s deplorable performance in the London Olympics, where they had finished last.

“The Premier Hockey League, started in 2006, was a good platform for the young talent to come up and show their mettle, and most of the present Indian players had come up through that league,” Sardar Singh told The Tribune in an exclusive chat. “The HIL too will give the young players a forum to display their talent and make it big. It will be a great opportunity for them to play against and alongside some of the best players in the world.”

He said the HIL will not only offer the players big money, but they will also stand to gain by playing top class hockey against the best in the business, which they could not have got otherwise.

The ace defender, who was in the running for the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Player of the Year award, said though the team could not rise up to expectations in the London Olympics, the new team, composed of many talented youngsters, did well in the Champions Trophy in Australia and the Asian Champions Trophy in Doha recently to hold up hope for a bright future for the team.

“We beat some of the best teams like England and Belgium in the Champions Trophy to finish fourth and we did well in the Asian tourney as well, to finish second. All these results augur well for Indian hockey,” he noted.

Sardar, who was one of the five marquee players for the HIL auction, and commanded a high premium, expected the present Indian team to shape up well by 2014 when some of the major events like the World Cup, the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, will be held.

The Indian captain said the 28-day, 34-match HIL, featuring 120 leading players, was sure to generate much interest as the matches will be held at venues where the passion for the game was very high —Delhi, Jalandhar, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ranchi. Though the HIL has been patterned on the model of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 Tournament, the total money offered — 17.5 crore — was not even a fraction of the money wagered on a couple of players in the IPL auction last year.

But, to start with, a cap of Rs 3.5 core per team, was something unheard of in Indian hockey as franchisees Delhi Waveriders, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Mumbai Magicians and Ranchi Rhinos vied with each other to net the best available talent among the Indian and foreign players.

The HIL has, meanwhile, roped in the Punjab-based auto major, Hero Moto Corp, as the title sponsors. Hero MotoCorp MD Pawan Munjal said the initiative taken by the Hockey India to start this league will go a long way in developing the game and bring back its old glory.

Hero was also the title sponsors of the Olympic Qualifiers held in February last year when India won the event to qualify for the London Olympics.

“Hockey holds a special place in our hearts as we had also sponsored the World Cup in 2010,” added Munjal. Hockey India secretary-general Narinder Batra said the Hero group coming on board to sponsor the HIL will result in a long and joyful journey for Indian hockey.

Chennai, January 1
Qualifier Prakash Amritraj displayed tremendous fighting power as he came back from one set down to beat higher-ranked Rufin Guillaume of France and advance to the second round of the men's singles in the Aircel Chennai Open tennis ATP event here tonight.

In another first-round match, Somdev Devvarman posted a straight sets 6-3, 6-3 win over Jan Hajek of the Czech Republic.

Amritraj fought dehydration and relied on variation in his tactics as he sent his opponent, ranked 90th in the world, packing with a 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-2 win in a 143-minute first round match.

Amritraj, ranked 515 in the world, had made it to the main round after winning three tough qualifying matches. He now plays eighth seed Go Soeda of Japan in the second round.

It was a creditable win by Amritraj, who is on his ninth visit to the tournament. He had beaten higher ranked players in the past also. He had defeated Harsh Mankad in the first round in 2004 and then got the better of Recardo Mello of Brazil.

Amritraj started off well with a break in the very first game though he was broken back in the sixth game. Then Rufin matched Amritraj, who was rooted to baseline, by serving well and taking the first set to the tie-break.

The Indian led 3-1 in the tie-break but under pressure he blew away the initiative by committing unforced errors and conceded the first set.

In the second set, it was a brilliant display by Amritraj who played flawless tennis. After breaking Rufin in the sixth game, Amritraj was constantly attended by the physio on his right forehand. However, Amritraj served well and came up to play upfront on few occasions to finish the rallies.

In the deciding set, Amritraj grew in confidence and broke Rufin, who double faulted twice in the second game.

Then on, Amritraj upped his game to many notches and served aces in all his remaining games before winning the match.

In three other first round matches, Matthias Bachinger (ranked 123) of Germany brought about the first major upset of the tournament when he put paid to the aspirations of seventh seeded Lu Yen-Hsun of Chinese Taipei 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in 128 minutes.

Matthias broke Lu in the 10th game of the first set and Lu returned the compliments in the first and ninth games of second set.

In the decider, Lu was in his elements and scored two points via ace only but was broken under pressure by the German. Matthias maintained the tempo to break Lu in the fifth game to win the set and the match. — Agencies

Chennai, January 1
Clueless about their future in the wake of Archery Association of India's derecognition, the young marksmen hope to make an appeal through their players' association as the season is all set to get underway in a couple of months time.

The Asian GP in Bangkok in March will be the first international event in the calendar, but the Indian archers are not sure of the team composition yet as the AAI camp that was being held at SAI, has been shut down.The Asian GP in Bangkok in March will be the first international event in the calendar, but the Indian archers are not sure of the team composition yet as the AAI camp that was being held at SAI, has been shut down.

“We don't have a coach yet. We are working on our individual effort and training with the help of SAI in Kolkata so as to keep in shape and practice,” Champia added.

About 200 archers have joined hands under the aegis of Archery Players Association of India (APAI) and are hopeful that their appeal would be heard for the sake of the sport.

“We want to work with AAI and not go against them. After all we want to earn medals for our country. Hope that our mass appeal will be heard through APAI (that came up in January 2012),” vice-president Tarundeep Rai, the Asian Games silver medallist, said.

The other long-pending demands of the archers include recruitment of a foreign coach and the start of a junior development programme. — PTI

BRIEFLY

We’re missing Van Persie, says Mancini
London: Robin van Persie's decision to join Manchester United instead of Manchester City is proving the difference in the race to the Premier League title, according to City manager Roberto Mancini. The Dutch striker joined United from Arsenal for a reported £24 million last August and his 14 goals in 20 league games have helped Alex Ferguson's team open a seven-point Premier League lead over defending champions City.

Djokovic suffers bizarre injury scare
Perth: Defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic suffered a bizarre injury scare after a faultless straight-sets victory over Italian Andreas Seppi at the Hopman Cup on Monday. The world No.1 was signing autographs after the match when he hurt his leg as local fans pushed towards him. Leaving his racquets and bag on the court, Djokovic limped straight up the tunnel to receive a medical assessment in the locker room.

Serena aims to be the oldest No. 1
Brisbane: Serena Williams credited a more subdued lifestyle on Tuesday for the current form which has put her on track to succeed fellow-American Chris Evert as the oldest world number one in women's tennis. Williams is currently ranked third in the world.

Lampard heading for Chelsea exit
London: Frank Lampard's goals have ensured he will always have a fond place in Chelsea fans' hearts but with no contract extension on the horizon his future at the club looks increasingly doubtful. The midfielder's 191st and 192nd goals for Chelsea in their 2-1 win over Everton took him to within one of Kerry Dixon in second place in the club's all time scorer list, but there appears to be no room for sentiment as Chelsea's powerbrokers prepare for next season. — Agencies