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FIXING ROW
Shah says board’s image dented, calls for fresh probe
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I’d rate Sachin and Lara as equals: Waugh
Indian girls in junior hockey World Cup semis for first time
Neymar living the dream with idol Messi at Barca
Franklin sets personal best in 100m freestyle heat
Lochte wins third straight 200 meters medley gold
IPL style league for volleyball
AIFF approves of IPL-style league
Sri Lankan colts salvage draw
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FIXING ROW New Delhi, August 1 The court had observed that the commission was not “duly constituted and was constituted contrary to and in violation of the provisions of Rules 2.2 and 3 for section 6 of the Operation Rules”. “This issue concerns the county as a whole as the BCCI act of setting up a commission to probe the spot-fixing and betting allegation was nothing, but an act of sabotage to do a cover up job,” Cricket Association of Jharkhand president Subodh Kant Sahai said. Sahai, a Union Minister and Aditya Verma, secretary of the Cricket Association of Bihar, on whose PIL the Bombay High Court indicted the BCCI probe panel, threatened to file a criminal petition if Srinivasan attended the BCCI meeting tomorrow, let alone chairing it, as the matter was sub-judice. They also made it clear that they will file a caveat in the Supreme Court if the BCCI challenged the Bombay High Court verdict. “In the light of the Bombay High Court ruling, we are of the firm view that N Srinivasan, who faked his stepping aside as BCCI president till the probe panel submits its report and absolves his son-in-law Meiyappan from the charges of betting and spot-fixing, be not allowed, at any cost, to resume his functioning as the BCCI president. Otherwise, he would succeed further in shielding and protecting his son-in-law in any other such probe in future,” Verma alleged. They said it was time the BCCI was brought under the RTI Act and “any attempt by the BCCI to thwart to put it under the RTI Act should be condemned.” They said there was some conspiracy behind the haste in which the panel submitted its report even as investigations by the Special Investigation Team of the Mumbai Police and the Delhi Police were still on. “The decision of the BCCI working committee held in Kolkata under the chairmanship of interim president Jagmohan Dalmiya to give a clean chit to Srinivasan and Gurunath Meiyappan is highly inappropriate, unethical and immoral,” they charged. “It is well evident from the fact that the illegal probe panel has submitted its report in haste to exonerate Meiyappan from all the allegations of betting and spot-fixing in IPL-6. It is highly ludicrous and smacks of pre-determined findings by the probe panel,” they said. They charged that the BCCI members were in “complete collusion” in constituting the probe panel and then getting a “doctored report” absolving Meiyappan of all charges. Verma disclosed that a “top BCCI official” had tried to dissuade him from pursuing the PIL against the BCCI, promising that the association he heads in Bihar would be recognised, and since his son was also a promising cricketer, it would do him no good to lock horns with the BCCI. Both the Jharkhand and Bihar Cricket Associations represented by Sahai and Verma are not recognised by the BCCI, though Sahai added that they had nothing against MS Dhoni. “Dhoni is not Srinivasan's property. He's the country's property,” said Sahai. Srinivasan snubs mediapersons Miffed BCCI's president-in-exile N Srinivasan refused to talk to the waiting mediapersons at the airport after he mistakenly got hit by the camera of a TV crew. “Would you allow me to go to my car. I am entitled to go, so allow me to go." Srinivasan got hit on his forehead by the edge of a camera as the hounding media pressed for his comments and that evoked sharp reaction from the veteran cricket administrator. “I got hit by this camera. You cannot hit me with the camera. It's not okay with me. I won't answer,” he said. — PTI back at helm He (Srinivasan) is the BCCI chief and he has already started working. There is no confusion as to who will chair tomorrow's working committee meeting. Nobody till now has forced Mr Srinivasan to resign. — Sanjay Patel Secretary, BCCI
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Shah says board’s image dented, calls for fresh probe
New Delhi, August 1 In a significant development ahead of the crucial Working Committee meeting, Shah said it was imperative to do something to improve the image of the Board, taking into account the recent Bombay High court order. The BCCI's internal two-member panel, formed to probe the spot-fixing scandal, had found no evidence of any wrongdoing against CSK and its Team Principal Gurunath Meiyappan, Rajasthan Royals and Raj
Kundra. However, reacting on a PIL, Bombay HC had said that N Srinivasan, whose son-in-law Meiyappan faced betting charges, had a role in forming the probe panel thus he there was a conflict of interest. The court had found that the panel was “illegal and unconstitutional”. “In recent times, Board's image has really gone down. We must do something to improve Board's image because cricket is very important,” Shah said. There is intense speculation that Srinivisan may return as BCCI President and chair tomorrow's Working Committee meeting since Chennai Super Kings have been cleared by the probe panel. “Board's legal team will take care of it, they will advise tomorrow. We must have another panel, let's wait for tomorrow for the IPL (GC) and Working Committee meeting,” Shah said. “At the moment, in the view of the Bombay High court judgement, Board should ensure that nothing like this happens in future, BCCI should take strict measures, we have zero policy against Corruption,” he added. Former BCCI Treasurer Ajay Shirke, who resigned in the wake of the spot-fixing scandal, said that the Board had many legal experts and they should take the correct decision. “I am sure the legal experts in the Board will be fully aware of the implications of the High Court order and they will take appropriate decision”, Shirke said. “Since I am not part of the Working Committee, it is not proper for me to make a comment on what decision they should take,” he added. The IPL's governing council will meet before the BCCI's working committee in Delhi on Friday and is likely to discuss the findings of the IPL inquiry panel, the setting of which up was declared “illegal” by the Bombay High Court on Tuesday. The council's stand on the report - to accept it or to abide by the court order and investigate afresh - will decide how the working committee plays the issue. Shukla to chair IPL GC meet? Rajeev Shukla has no problem in chairing the Governing Council meeting, though he was still unsure whether to continue in that position when his term comes to an end. Shukla had resigned as IPL Chairman but the BCCI's interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya has not accepted his resignation. "If I am asked to chair the governing council meeting tomorow, I have no problem. But the question is whether I want to continue in the long run," Shukla said. — PTI PANEL IS ILLEGAL The court has categorically termed the two-member probe set up by him as illegal. He has no authority to chair the working committee meeting. In case he does, we will move petition against him. It will be a clear violation of the court orders. — Aditya Verma, Secretary, Cricket Association of Bihar
In recent times, Board's image has really gone down. We must do something to improve Board's image because cricket is very important. Board's legal team will take care of it, they will advise tomorrow. — Niranjan Shah, BCCI vice president
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I’d rate Sachin and Lara as equals: Waugh
“I hate comparisons between players because it unnecessarily creates controversy. Both played under different pressure and for different teams. I would place them pretty much on equal terms,” Waugh told reporters during an interaction organised by the Brigade Orchards here. Lara and Tendulkar were unbelievable players, who won games for their teams, playing under different conditions, Waugh said. “Sachin was carrying on his shoulders amazing pressure of 1.3 billion people. Brian obviously was the best player in a weak team,” he added. Another former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting had rated Lara ahead of Sachin as he felt the West Indian helped his team win more matches. On Tendulkar’s retirement, Waugh said all good players ultimately have to hang their boots. Despite the retirements of legends like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, Waugh said Indian cricket will survive as it has abundance of young talents. On Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy, Waugh said he has a magical touch and hardly commits mistakes. “During Australia’s tour of India last year, Dhoni came in and scored a double century when India’s chips were down,” said the former captain. “He knows how to perform at the big stage. He has got so much of magical touch,” Waugh added. “It is not easy to captain India where fans expect a lot from the players,” he said. On Australia’s chances here in October, Waugh said India have a fantastic team. “India has always been a favourites at home. At the moment we are struggling a little bit,” he said. About Australia’s opposition to DRS for many decisions going against them in the ongoing Ashes series, Waugh said the system is pretty good. “We are getting more decisions right than wrong and I think it is a positive development,” he said.
— PTI |
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Zimbabwe fall in heap; India show no mercy
Bulwayo, August 1 Opting to field after winning the toss, India bowled out Zimbabwe for a paltry 144, and then chased down the target with 115 balls remaining at Queens Sports Club. For India, leg-spinner Amit Mishra scalped three wickets for 25 runs, while debutant Mohit Sharma (2/26) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/28) picked up two apiece. Mohammed Shami and Jaydev Unadkat also accounted for wicket each. Rohit Sharma (64 no) and Suresh Raina (65 no) were the two main contributors with the bat as the visitors extended Zimbabwe`s winless run. Raina struck six fours during his 71-ball knock while Rohit found the fence five times and cleared it once during his 90-ball innings. Chasing a small total, India suffered an early blow as they lost debutant Cheteshwar Pujara with the scoreboard reading 23 for one in the 10th over. The 25-year-old Saurashtra player was bowled by Tendai Chatara while trying to go for a drive to an incoming delivery only to see his leg-stump getting uprooted. Glimpses of the batsman`s talent was evident as he creamed Michael Chinouya for two boundaries before being dismissed. Pujara`s wicket was the lone success Zimbabwe tasted as Raina along with Rohit shared a second-wicket partnership of 122 runs to take India home. The duo of Raina and Rohit brought up the fifty partnership in 61 balls. While Raina was more flashier of the two, Rohit looked content playing second fiddle to the left-handed batsman who has not been in the best of form.
— PTI Scoreboard Zimbabwe Sibanda b Jadeja 24 Raza c Karthik b Sharma 7 Masakadza run out (Jadeja) 10 Taylor lbw b Jadeja 0 Williams b Unadkat 0 Waller c Karthik b Sharma 35 Chigumbura not out 50 Utseya c Sharma b Shami 1 Chatara c Jadeja b Mishra 1 Vitori b Mishra 8 Chinouya c Kohli b Mishra 0 Extras: (b 2, lb 2, w 4) 8 Total: (all out; 42.4 overs) 144 FoW: 1-16, 2-36, 3-44, 4-47, 5-47, 6-127, 7-130, 8-133, 9-143, 10-144 Bowling Sharma 10-3-26-2 Shami 8-1-34-1 Unadkat 7-0-27-1 Jadeja 9-1-28-2 Mishra 8.4-0-25-3 India Pujara b Chatara 13 Sharma not out 64 Raina not out 65 Extras: (lb 1, w 2) 3 Total: (1 wicket; 30.5 overs) 145 Fall of wickets: 1-23 Bowling Vitori 5.5-1-21-0 Chinouya 4-0-14-0 Chatara 5-1-31-1 Utseya 9-0-42-0 Chigumbura 2-0-12-0 Williams 4-0-21-0 Waller 1-0-3-0 Man of the Match: Mohit Sharma
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Clarke plays captain’s knock London, August 1 The Australians, 2-0 down in the five-match series, went to tea on 180 for three after Rogers was trapped lbw by a fullish ball from England spinner Graeme Swann for 84. Replays showed Rogers was right to be given out, but Usman Khawaja's dismissal before lunch was a major talking point. He was adjudged to have been caught behind off Swann for one but reviewed umpire Tony Hill's decision. Third umpire Kumar Dharmasena sided with his colleague despite replays showing no obvious edge in the latest decision review system (DRS) dispute to afflict the series and Australia. Shane Watson earlier got away with several loose shots through the slips, over gully and just short of point but was caught at slip by Alastair Cook off paceman Tim Bresnan for 19.
— Reuters drs dissent That (Usman Khwaja’s dismissal) was one of the worst cricket umpiring decisions I have ever seen. — Kevin Rudd, Australia Prime Minister That's a shocker, that's an absolute shocking decision. — Shane Warne, Former Australia spinner Scoreboard Australia 1st innings Watson c Cook b Bresnan 19 Rogers lbw b Swann 84 Khawaja c Prior b Swann 1 Clarke batting 125 Smith batting 70 Extras: (lb 1) 4 Total: (3 wickets; 90 overs) 303 Fall of wickets: 1-76, 2-82, 3-129 Bowling Anderson 21-4-72-0 Broad 21-3-80-0 Bresnan 20-5-51-1 Swann 25-2-82-2 Root 2-0-8-0 Trott 1-0-6-0
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Indian girls in junior hockey World Cup semis for first time
Monchengladbach, August 1 They may have started the game as underdogs, but the Indian girls rose to the occasion and dished out a spirited performance to tame their higher-rated opponents. India scored twice in each half through Monika, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya and Rani while Spain’s goals from the sticks of Xantal Gine and captain Berta Bonastra. Spain struck first through Gine, who converted a penalty corner in the seventh minute before Monika equalised three minutes later. Spain restored their lead five minutes from half-time through Bonastra but Navneet drew level with an outstanding reverse-stick shot in the dying minutes of the half. India took the initiative in the second half and surged ahead in the 41st minute when Katariya converted a penalty corner. Seven minutes later Rani extended India’s lead and made the scoreline 4-2. India will take on the winner of the last quarterfinal between Netherlands and South Africa in the semifinal tomorrow. Senior level experience helped our girls: coach
India’s chief coach Neil Hawgood has attributed his team’s success to the experience his wards attained playing at the senior level. India fielded more or less the same team in the FIH World League Round 3 and Hawgood said the experience of playing at the senior level worked wonders for the junior girls. “The success has come from the big losses to top teams of the world in World League Round 3. That experience has helped the girls here at the Junior World Cup,” a jubilant Hawgood said after India defeated Spain. “The girls were a bit nervous at the beginning but they showed character and continued to work for 70 minutes,” said the Australian. India captain Sushila Chanu feels the key to today’s success was team spirit. “The key was finishing and team spirit. We decided to win this match and played fast throughout the game. We are very excited as reaching the semifinals for the first time. We would love to reach the final,” she said. Striker Rani, who scored the last goal against Spain, added: “This is amazing. It is a great day for Indian hockey. I knew that we would win today if we kept up the pressure.”
— PTI |
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Neymar living the dream with idol Messi at Barca
Barcelona, August 1 The 21-year-old Brazil forward made his Barca debut as a late substitute in a 2-2 friendly draw at Polish side Lechia Gdansk on Tuesday and could make his first appearance at the Nou Camp when the La Liga champions play Santos on Friday for the Joan Gamper invitational trophy. “When I am training it feels like being in a dream,” Neymar told a post-training news conference on Thursday. “A dream I had when I was a kid and that is coming true now,” he added. “I turn my head and there is Messi. Or Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta or (Carles) Puyol. I feel complete, it is like a dream. I am really, really happy.” Neymar is likely to occupy a position wide on the left under new coach Gerardo Martino, with Argentine World Player of the Year Messi in his more central role, and Barca fans are eager to see how the gifted pair will perform. Neymar said he saw no reason to change the way he plays and that he and Messi were fully compatible. “I have to keep on doing my thing and fulfil this dream,” he said. “He is wonderful, Messi. He is always happy, he is a great guy. We talk every day. Don’t worry, I am sure there is going to be no problem at all. He is my idol. For me, he is the best. I respect him a lot and I hope to be able to help him out.” Neymar is ambitious for success in Europe and said Barca would be aiming to repeat their historic treble of Champions League, La Liga and King’s Cup titles from 2009. “There is always pressure, and especially in a club like Barcelona,” he said. “But I am not worried. We need to stay calm when playing football as well as when training because we are always under pressure. It is a part of football.” Barca begin the defence of their La Liga title, when they will be chasing a fifth triumph in six seasons, at home to Levante in just under three weeks.
— Reuters |
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Franklin sets personal best in 100m freestyle heat
Barcelona, August 1 With titles in 200m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 4x100m freestyle relay already in the bag at the hilltop Palau Sant Jordi, the bubbly 18-year-old touched in a time of 53.36 seconds, just behind Campbell in the next lane in 53.24. Franklin, who won four Olympic golds and a bronze last year, is aiming to make up for the disappointment of finishing fifth in the event in London in a race won by Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands, fifth fastest in Thursday’s qualifying. “I am so happy with that time, a little bit surprised by it actually, I didn’t think I was going to go that fast this morning,” Franklin said. “I felt really great and it’s always really great racing Cate Campbell,” she added. “If I can make the podium I’ll be over the moon happy. I know I missed it last summer so that’s really the goal just to make it on the podium and hopefully get a best time. I’ll be really, really happy with a 52 if I can get one.” Germany’s Britta Steffen, who set the world record of 52.07 to win the world title in Rome in 2009, was fourth quickest behind Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom and said she had not held anything back in winning her heat.
— Reuters |
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Lochte wins third straight 200 meters medley gold Barcelona, August 1 Kosuke Hagino of Japan was second in 1:56.29 and Thiago Pereira of Brazil third in 1:56.30. Lochte is the second man only after compatriot Michael Phelps to win a treble of 200 medley world titles. Meanwhile, Australian James Magnussen won a second consecutive gold in the men’s 100 metres freestyle, becoming only the fourth man to achieve the feat. The man known as “the missile” clocked 47.71 seconds, with Jimmy Feigen of the United States taking silver in 47.82 and his compatriot Nathan Adrian, the Olympic champion, bronze in 47.84. In the women’s 200 metres butterfly, Liu Zige of China won gold. Liu, the world record holder, clocked a time of two minutes 04.59 seconds. Spain’s Mireia Belmote Garcia, Olympic silver medallist in London, claimed silver in 2:04.78 and Katinka Hosszu of Hungary bronze in 2:05.59. Another record falls Rikke Pedersen of Denmark set a world record in the women’s 200 metres breaststroke in her semifinal. Pedersen, 24, clocked two minutes 19.11 seconds to beat the previous mark of 2:19.59 set by American Rebecca Soni at the Olympic Games last year. The Dane, whose previous best was 2:20.53, finished fourth in London. — Reuters
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IPL style league for volleyball
Dehradun, August 1 President of VFI, Chaudhary Avdesh Kumar told The Tribune that the tournament would kick off in January 2014. “Negotiations are going on and a few corporate companies have shown interest in buying the teams.” “I am hopeful of getting a few matches in Uttarakhand, though the state does not have an indoor stadium. I have been assured by the Uttarakhand Sports Minister that the state will be getting an indoor stadium very soon,’’ said Kumar. On why volleyball is not attracting youngsters Kumar said that a good marketing strategy can turn around the fate of the game. “We are coming up with a marketing strategy to bring money in the game. So that players can concentrate on their game without worrying about their future security,’’ said Kumar. |
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AIFF approves of IPL-style league New Delhi, August 1 “IMG-R gave a detailed presentation about the proposed tournament. We feel the I-league will sustain Indian football but this short league will be a boost for Indian football. Through this tournament we are looking to popularise Indian football. I-league and this tournament will go hand-in-hand,” AIFF president Praful Patel said. Patel said the league will have players from across the world with experience in international tournaments. “In the presentation they showed that marquee players, who have played in the World Cup and major international tournament, will be signed. It will be a combination of Indian and International players.” — PTI
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Bangalore, August 1
