Chandigarh, December 3
The new ODI rules might have demoralised the bowlers during the recent India-Australia seven-game series with 300-plus scores being comfortably chased by both teams, but the ICC has hailed the rule as a “good success”.

“Overall if you look at the results so far using the fielding restrictions, we are seeing that the total runs scored in an innings have more or less remained constant, compared to previous years before the new regulations being introduced,” said Richardson, the ICC's Chief Executive, at a media conference today.

“The average runs in one-day innings is about 250 and the data shows that the only change is that a higher percentage of those 250 are scored in boundaries-fours and sixes, as opposed to ones and twos. This is one of the reasons why we introduced the fielding restrictions in the first place, to try and make the game more attacking and more exciting. There are more wickets falling and more boundaries being scored and the totals on an average are remaining the same,” he insisted.

That seems to be true in terms of overall figures. In the 137 ODIs since the new rules came into force on October 30, 2012, the average run rate has been 5.07 and the average score 30.32; in the 12 months prior to that, the figures were 5.03 and 30.65, respectively.

With the new rules, the scoring rate in India was 5.59, not much more than the rates of 5.43 and 5.29 recorded the previous two years. But during the recent ODI series, India's run rate was 6.71 and Australia's 6.57. And in the 11 completed innings, there were nine scores of 300 or more, in which five times the figure of 350 was passed. Four batsmen -- three Indians and one Australian -- averaged over 100, and another averaged 95.60. There seems to be a clear disconnect between what the administrators and the players think.

Richardson thinks the rules are a success, but players from both sides during the recent series criticised the new rules. The players feel that the rules are so lopsided in favour of the batsmen that the bowling has become only incidental, reducing the notion of a contest to a zero.

After India chased down Australia's 350 in Nagpur, Dhoni said: “With the rule changes and everything, most of the bowlers are getting smashed with the extra fielder inside… A few of the bowlers are disappointed, they actually feel it will be better off to put a bowling machine there. It is a new challenge for the bowlers.”

“I don't know where it is going. Is it good in the long run that we are seeing — for seven hours — only fours and sixes?” Dhoni wondered.

Richardson agrees that the bowlers are having a tough time in the Subcontinent. “You do find wickets which are really flat, don't spin, don't seam and the bowlers really have a hard job,” he said. “Conditions vary across the world and certainly in Subcontinent where you find yourself on a good batting pitch that is taking no spin, no seam movement, the bowlers really have their hands full.”

The Indian cricket board isn't happy with the new rules, especially the use of two new balls. However, all the rule changes suggested by the ICC's cricket committee come into effect in October every year. No rule changes are likely to be brought in in October 2014 because the 2015 World Cup would be too close for rules to be experimented with.

“The ICC Cricket Committee meets once a year and the next meeting will be in May 2014. We have had a number of changes in recent times in the ODI playing conditions,” said Richardson. “We wanted to keep things as stable and as consistent as possible leading upto the (2015) World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Overall it has been a good success.”

So the players are stuck with these rules for now.

The good bit is that in conditions where there's help for the bowlers, the new rules have not made cricket one-sided. For instance, during the Pakistan-South Africa ODI series in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah recently, 300 was never touched in 10 innings, and teams failed to reach 200 in five out of 10 innings.
— With agency inputs

Patiala, December 3
The Indian government and sports bodies are at loggerheads following the refusal of the majority of the 53 National Sports Federations (NSFs) to accept the Sports Ministry's proposal to appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to run their administrative affairs in a professional manner.

The government, in November, sent a letter to all the NSFs, saying that it would pay CEO's salary and asked them to respond within two weeks. Highly placed sources confirmed that while many NSFs didn't even bother to respond, others have shown displeasure over the “dictatorial” attitude of the sports ministry in proposing such an appointment. “Most federations see this as a direct attack on their autonomy. It is against the Olympic charter as it requires sports bodies to be run independently of government control,” said a federation official.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) had opined that there was an immediate need for the government to ensure that the sports bodies are professionalised. Only five bodies got back to the government with positive signals, while majority of these bodies didn't bother to respond.

Sports minister Jitendra Singh said the sports bodies should not have any objections to such an appointment as the government will pay the CEO and that the NSFs' have been given the right to make the appointment. “I do not see a problem but we are open for a dialogue on this issue with the top sport officials,” he said.

However, opposing the move, sports federations say they would never abide by the government directive. “What is there to write to the ministry about? Some babus sitting in a drawing room proposed this to the government, which agreed and shot letters to the sports bodies to adhere to it without holding any discussion with the NSFs. This decision will backfire and we will strongly oppose it,” warned a president of a national body, which is a one of the top medal hopes in the next Olympics.

“Majority of the sports bodies which have medal hopes, like tennis, shooting, athletics et al feel they are running their federation professionally and hence there is no need for a CEO,” he said.

The Sports Minister, however, told The Tribune that he would make sure that all the NSFs' agree to this proposal, which has been made keeping the future of the country's sports in mind. “We will ensure that all sports bodies in the country fall in line,” Singh said, adding that Indian Hockey Federation is a prime example of how this move would prove helpful.

Meanwhile many associations feel that the subject is very sensitive and the government needs to hold discussion and take everyone into confidence. “If that (taking all into confidence) does not happen, you will see that the ministry will find no one accepting the proposal of a paid CEO at the top except some associations controlled by the government,” he said. 

We will ensure that all sports bodies in the country fall in line. The Indian Hockey Federation is a prime example of how this move would prove helpful. I do not see a problem but we are open for a dialogue on this issue with the top sport officials
—Jitendra Singh, Sports Minister

Johannesburg, December 3
The Indian cricket team prepared for the ODI series against South Africa by going through a rigorous training session here with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni promising to dish out "good and exciting cricket" during the tour starting Thursday.

The world number ODI side arrived here on Monday and, after settling down, went to the ground for a light practice session. While South Africa struggled to get their batting combination right in the ODI series against Pakistan recently, India are a force to reckon with in the shorter format.

With the tour being curtailed at BCCI's insistence, fans here are reportedly upset, but Dhoni seemed at ease when asked if he was aware of the anger. "We can arrange a match for the administrators and let them have a go," he said on a lighter vein, referring to the problems between BCCI and CSA.

"The relationship between the Indian and South African teams has been good. Though we've seen a bit of chirping going around, it makes cricket interesting. The guys don't get too personal, which means we will have a good series," he said.

"Whenever we have come here, we've got fantastic reception. I don't think that will really change," he said.

India's coach Duncan Fletcher is hopeful of India living up to the challenge. "The way the guys have played recently, they've got a lot of confidence. Our batting seems technically equipped. The only thing missing is experience. But this lot is confident, they've got no baggage and they really believe in themselves." —PTI

Chandigarh, December 3
The in-form 10th seed Gayatri Kumaraiah continued her winning streak by defeating Nikita Bishnoi in a one-sided match of the women's singles 2nd round at The Tribune Cup National Ranking Championship at CLTA on Tuesday. She named the match at 6-1, 6-2. In another match, 26th seed Rimpledeep Kaur faced some resistance before defeating her practice partner Rajbir Kaur (13th seed). In a match, stretched for three hours, Rimpledeep tyrailed lost the first set 4-6 but took control of the proceedings thereafter to take the next two sets 6-2 and 6-2.

Gayatri hits a forehand against Nikita in her second round match of The Tribune Championship at CLTA on Tuesday. — Pradeep Tewari

In men's category, 4th seed Brahmjot Singh defeated CHART trainee Ranjeet Singh. Ranjeet won the first set 6-3 and looked good in the second too before Brahmjot Singh broke him and won 6-4. In the decider, Brahmjot used his experience to take it 6-1.

Mumbai, December 3
The BCCI has defended its move to demand the lion's share of financial proceeds earned by the ICC by saying it was a "just and fair". "This legitimate right issue has been put up before the full members of the ICC. It is nothing but a fair demand. It is not any muscle flexing, but only our legitimate right," said BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel.

"Srinivasan, since last year, was looking into the financial details of the ICC. He has made a private study about what could be the contribution of the BCCI to the revenue stream of the ICC. On the basis of that, some formulae have been discussed," he said.

"In the past it has never been raised (by BCCI or any other member board), so it took some time to discuss and is still under discussion. But we are quite hopeful that the result will be absolutely in favour of the BCCI," said Patel.

Refusing to divulge any figures that the BCCI was looking at as its legitimate share, Patel said there were quite a few calculations that need to be worked on. "Let us keep the amount under wraps. If I say x and if I am entitled to x plus, then I will always like x plus. We are discussing it and we are quite hopeful," he said. — PTI

Melbourne, December 3
Resurgent Australia had enigmatic paceman Mitchell Johnson to thank for their crushing win over England in Brisbane and will put their hopes on another unknown quantity when the coin is tossed for the second Ashes test in Adelaide.

Adelaide Oval's new drop-in pitch is only expected to enhance the ground's reputation as a batsman's paradise, and Australia captain Michael Clarke will be keen to win the right to bat first ahead of counterpart Alastair Cook.

The pitch has drawn criticism for producing two run-heavy draws in the domestic Sheffield Shield, and groundsman Damian Hough has been at pains to spice it up while leaving something for the spinners late in the match.

"We think it's pretty close to what we have had in previous years," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"It might be a little bit slower this year, being brand new."

Australia carry all the momentum into an Adelaide Oval in the midst of a A$535 million ($487 million) re-development after their fired-up attack dismissed England cheaply in both innings to seal victory within four days at the Gabba.

England, however, have fond memories of their last match at the picturesque ground, having pounded Australia by an innings and 71 runs in 2010, a rousing victory that helped set up their first Ashes win Down Under in a quarter of a century.

Fired by a sparkling first-innings 227 from the inimitable Kevin Pietersen and 148 from Cook, England put 620 on the board before Graeme Swann sealed the win with a five-wicket haul in Australia's second innings.

While the drop-in pitch will be docile in comparison to the bouncy Gabba wicket, it is expected to provide something for Swann and his opposite number Nathan Lyon, who both come into the match wth a point to prove.

Swann was roughed up by Australia opener David Warner and captain Clarke in Brisbane and emerged with figures of 2-215.

Lyon, a former groundsman at Adelaide Oval, enjoyed a far better test than Swann, taking key wickets in both innings, but question marks remain over the 26-year-old's ability to close out victories. — Reuters

Hoshiarpur, December 3
The Indian teams maintained their dominance with both the men and the women teams registering easy wins in the fourth World Cup Kabaddi, here at the Multipurpose Outdoor Stadium on Tuesday.

While the men defeated Spain 55-27, the women made light work of Kenya, relaxing in the end to win 56-21. In the other match USA, one of the title contenders in the men's section, defeated Kenya 68-13.

The Indian men's match, watched by almost a full house, turned out to be another one-sided match on a dull day. Spain tried their best to dominate but the better-skilled Indians kept the scoreboard ticking without much trouble.

There was intermittent roar but the match never reached a point of frenzy. India, in the end, sealed their second win of the tournament 55-27.

The Indian women had a similar match, which they strolled through against a weak Kenya team. After running with a 29-4 lead, the Indians took their foot off the pedal and Kenya scored some easy points. But Indians were way too good to finish the match with a margin of 35 points.

Earlier, in the first match of the day, the USA defeated minnows Kenya in a clinical fashion. USA's Maninder Johry, who flaunts big tattoos on his back and arms, started the affair with an easy touch-and-run point.

Kenya answered with a similar point, but then the scoring got hard and then for every 8-10 points the US scored, Kenya scored only one. The huge disparity continued — 22-2, 28-3, 57-9 and then 68-13 — and finally the US walked away with their first win.

The star of the match was Jesus Cheves of the US. After earning points for his team as a defender in the first half, Cheves raided with much success to increase the margin of the win. There were a couple of shoulder bumps between Cheves and his teammates that got the crowd excited on an otherwise dull day.

Today’s matches

• Scotland vs Sierra Leone (M)
• Pakistan vs Denmark (M)
• England vs Mexico (W)
• Canada vs England (M)

Time: 5pm onwards at Gurdaspur

Results

• India bt Spain (M) 55-27
• India vs Kenya (W) 56-21
• USA bt Kenya (M) 68-13

Hoshiarpur, December 3
The title 'World Cup' seems to be an exaggeration for a tournament like this kabaddi tournament, which often seems no more than a village tournament with flags of other countries swaying in the wind. In fact the village kabaddi tournaments are sometimes much more competitive than this World Cup.

There is a definite lack of competitiveness in matches between certain teams due to the disparity in skills and experience. Thus the level of the competition witnessed in this much-hyped tournament is sometimes inferior to that seen in village tournaments. With novice teams like Kenya and Spain — which only provide the novelty factor of non-Indians playing kabaddi — competing against the Indian sides, the one-sided results cannot be seen as a surprise.

“The quality of the matches is pathetic; what do you expect from a team like Kenya?” said Jaswinder Bains, who came from Nangal Sarala village in Jalandhar district to see the matches. Jaswinder, who used to play kabaddi in his younger days before he migrated to Germany, said that though the atmosphere here cannot be compared to that in the village tournaments, the technical aspect of the game is missing. “I don't get to watch many kabaddi tournaments so in that way I am enjoying this, but the matches are boring.”

As the stadium started filling just before the India-Spain match, the Indian men walked out for a pre-game warm-up session to roaring applause. There is no questioning the popularity of the sport in Punjab, but for most the spectators anticipated another drab affair.

Resham Singh, an ardent fan of the game, readily recalled exciting matches he had seen in various village tournaments over the years. “I remember watching very tight matches in Nanda Johar kabaddi tournament. In those tournaments there are club teams and village teams that play together all year so the competition is tough and the matches are usually decided by two or three points," said Resham, a resident of village Sailan Khurd in Hoshiarpur district.

Like Jaswinder, Resham finds the experience really different but for the worse. He constantly complained to his friends about the visibility of the ground.

Patiala, December 3
The Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala, will get India's first High Performance Centre to evaluate the performance of all national campers and chalk out strategies to raise the level of their performance.

Union Sports Minister Jitendra Singh said the centre will focus on monitoring the performance of players and every athlete will be categorized based on their performance.

Singh took stock of the infrastructure while interacting with the national campers, diploma students and coaches to know about their requirements. “I had gone to Paris recently and saw the functioning of one such centre there. I realized that such centre will be really helpful to raise the standard of sports in the country and therefore we have decided to set up four such centres, the first one will be in Patiala. We are going to use specialists from Sports Medicine to assist the coaches,” he said.

About the plans for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, Singh said that the ministry has already hired 27 foreign experts to assist various disciplines and raise the performances of players.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) will appoint 200 new coaches in Dec, the procedure for which is almost complete, and they would be sent abroad for training. 

BRIEFLY

Dhoni in ICC Test, ODI teams; Kohli only for Tests
Mumbai: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has found a place in both ICC Test and ODI teams of the year. Surprisingly Virat Kohli didn't figure in the ODI team, which did have Shikhar Dhawan and allrounder Ravindra Jadeja. Along with Dhoni, Cheteshwar Pujara was named in the Test team, with Ravichandran Ashwin as the 12th man. England captain Alastair Cook was named the captain of the Test side.

Vinod Kambli discharged from hospital
Mumbai: Former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli, who had been admitted to Lilavati Hospital here after he suffered a heart attack, was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday. The 41-year-old was rushed to the hospital on November 29 after he complained of chest pain while driving his car. “Thank you for your good wishes and prayers. My health is a lot better now. I am back home,” Kambli said after being discharged.

Varsha makes knockout stage in World Snooker
Daugavpils, Latvia: Teenager Varsha Sanjeev became the first and only Indian thus far to qualify for the knockout stage of the IBSF World Snooker Championship after she beat Ukraine's Maria Buckaraska 3-0 in her concluding Group F match here. The 17-year-old Varsha Monday qualified with a 5-4 record, her only loss coming against former World champion Ng On Yee of Hong Kong.

Afridi calls Yousuf, Akhtar 'heckle and jeckle'
Karachi: Veteran all-rounder Shahid Afridi has described former stars Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Akhtar as "heckle and jeckle" after the two made critical comments about Afridi's performance in Pakistan's recent ODI series against South Africa. "I don't care about what they say. But some of these experts behaved and acted as if the team never lost in their time. But to me comments from 'heckle and jeckle' and Mr Bean don't make a difference," a visibly upset Afridi said today. — Agencies