|
|
|
|
|
Pujara ICC’s emerging cricketer
|
|
|
IOC issues guidelines for IOA clause
Lahiri’s 64 takes him to tied third
Finally, Saina wins but it’s not enough to reach next round
Smith leaves England ashen
France overcome Malaysia, face Germany in final
|
|
Pujara ICC’s emerging cricketer
Chandigarh, December 13 The timing of the award is both apt and odd. It’s odd because the award comes three years after he made his Test debut, and a month before his 26th birthday. As far as Indian cricket is concerned, Pujara is not an emerging player — he has over 1300 runs and five centuries in Test cricket. He has already emerged, is a settled player in India’s Test line-up. The timing is apt because the award comes in the backdrop of the struggles of India's batsmen in the two One-day Internationals against South Africa. The cause of this misery is no mystery — those conditions are a world apart from the conditions on which Indian batsmen have grown up playing. The bounce and swing on South African wickets was staggering. Thus, the Indian cricket board did a great disservice to its players by giving them barely two days of practice in the nets before facing four super-quick South African pacers in the ODIs. The technical shortcomings of the Indian batsmen were exposed. There is a school of thought that holds that Pujara is too precious a batsman for India in Tests — at a time when the quality and commitment of young batsmen towards long-form cricket is falling — to be risked in One-day or Twenty20 cricket. He should be nurtured and preserved for Test cricket, the toughest and the most rewarding format of the sport. However, Pujara himself wants to play more One-day cricket. Late last year, during a good Test series against England, Pujara had said that he’s keen to play One-dayers for India. “I can play the ODI format as well. In domestic cricket, I have been very successful in the Challenger Trophies, and I think I will get my chance in the ODI format as well,” he had said. “I just need to keep going as a batsman.” He did get his chance when Virat Kohli led a young team to Zimbabwe earlier this year. Pujara didn’t light up the field — he made only 13 and 0 in the two matches he played. Pujara is the most technically correct batsman in Indian cricket. True, he’s played only two One-dayers, that too against Zimbabwe, but he could be the man who could hold India’s innings together in challenging conditions in One-day Internationals. This is critical because the 2015 World Cup is not too far away — there would be bounce and swing in Australia and New Zealand, where that tournament will begin just over 14 months. Practice game abandoned
Benoi: India will go into next week's first Test against South Africa with no preparation time in the middle after their only warm-up fixture against an Invitational XI was abandoned on Friday without a ball being bowled. The two-day game was called off entirely after ground staff indicated they would not be able to get the waterlogged field playable following heavy rains in the past three weeks. India's two-match Test series starts at The Wanderers in Johannesburg on Wednesday, with the second game in Durban from December 26. The Indian team on Thursday found itself in an awkward situation after a media report claimed that the visitors allegedly had a row with the official broadcasters of their South African tour for showing “irrelevant” footage during the third ODI at Centurion. The Indian team management though quickly denied the report. A report appeared in one of the leading cricket portals, in which Neil
Manthorp, a cricket writer based in Cape Town, wrote about an incident that occurred during the abandoned third ODI at Centurion on Wednesday. “During the third game in Centurion they were offended by the host broadcaster Supersport's editorial decision to replay the footage of Virat Kohli being struck in the ribs during the series opener at the Wanderers,” he wrote. “Supersport's director was summoned to the Indian changing room during the innings interval and an explanation demanded. His argument for 'editorial relevance' was countered with angry accusations of 'inappropriate
behaviour', disrespect, and a suggestion that he 'sticks to cricket' in future,” the report said. The Indian team denied any incident of this sort. “We did meet the producer of
Supersport, but it was for discussing something else and not about the clip shown of Virat
Kohli,” said media manager R N Baba. — PTI
Other winners |
|
IOC issues guidelines for IOA clause
New Delhi, December 13 In a letter to the IOA, the IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper has asked the IOA to properly ratify all the interpretations in their next meeting failing which the governing body reserved the right to impose necessary sanctions. The letter stated a list of clause that the IOC expects the Indian body to implement. It says: “The member (charge-sheeted person) concerned must resign immediately (and, if not, will be provisionally suspended) and will not be eligible to run for election. This mechanism must be implemented automatically and will be valid for as long as the charges are framed by the Court, as mentioned in this clause.” “The fact that ‘the case will then be referred to the IOA Ethics Commission for further guidance’ (i) does not call into question the automatic mechanism mentioned before; and (ii) does not give any authority to the IOA Ethics Commission to recommend to clear or reinstate a member if such member is still faces charges framed by the Court, as mentioned in this clause,” it further stated. De Kepper also said that the IOA Ethics Commission may recommend further sanctions against the member concerned but it cannot reduce, soften or dilute the automatic sanctions, mentioned in this clause for as long as the charges are framed by the court. The letter made it clear that if the clause is interpreted or implemented differently, the IOC “reserves the right to take the necessary measures and/or sanctions.” — PTI
|
|
Lahiri’s 64 takes him to tied third
Chandigarh, December 13 Lahiri made no mistakes today and carded a bogey-free 64 to trail co-leaders Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose by two strokes. He started his round in style, holing out for an eagle on the par-five 11th hole and went on to make six birdies — on the first, fourth, sixth, 12th, 15th and 17th holes. “It was a great day today. I holed my bunker shot on the 11th and that set the tone for the rest of the day, just kept it really positive. I was quite disappointed after yesterday’s round because I felt like I played a lot better than I scored. I haven't really had a round where I have putted brilliantly but I think today was one of those rounds where I felt like I could hole everything,” said Anirban who also qualified for the 2012 Open Championship on the Amata Springs Golf Course. “I really like the golf course and feel it suits my style,” he added. The three-time Asian Tour winner said he feels ready for another victory. “I feel like I have been knocking on the door for many events now, specially these last thee or four months. I think I have played some of my best golf - consistency wise — but have not finished off tournaments that well. I have been in the top-five and finished second but not won and I think I am playing well enough to win, even against a quality field like this,” added Lahiri.
|
|
Finally, Saina wins but it’s not enough to reach next round
Kuala Lumpur, December 13 The 23-year-old eked out a 21-11, 17-21, 21-13 win over Bae in a match that lasted for one hour at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton stadium. World number six Saina had suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Minatsu Mitani of Japan and world number one Chinese shuttler Li Xuerui in her two matches of Group B singles competition, which had put her in a must-win situation today. But even as she managed to register a win today, the Olympic bronze medallist, is not likely to make it to the next round. In today’s match against World No 7. Bae, Saina needed a straight-game victory to have a better chance of making the cut. But now, even if Xuerui packs off Mitani in straight games there is a three-way tie among Saina, Bae and Mitani for the second place in the group. According to the tournament rules, it will be the difference of games won and games lost that will decide who among the trio will qualify for semifinals as Group B runner-up. And in that scenario also, Saina is likely to lose out. — PTI
|
|
New Delhi, December 13 The 45-year-old Angle, the only Olympic gold medallist (1996 Atlanta Games) in the history of professional wrestling, was effusive in his praise for India's only double Olympic medallist, Sushil, whom he described as “one of the best grapplers in the world at the moment”. Sushil had won silver medal at the London Games in 2012. “Today is my favourite day as I am meeting Sushil Kumar. I love what he has accomplished in his career. I have a lot of respect for him. He knows what I have done, I know what he has done. It's a mutual respect. Before 2008, I never really saw anybody who stood out from India. Then you have Sushil beating guys from US, Iran and Russia,” Angle said. “What he has accomplished for a country like India, it's just amazing and something that most countries like India would have considered impossible. He won the silver medal at the London Games. He created history by winning the World Championship gold medal in Moscow, Russia. This is so important for your country. Wrestling has a future in India because of guys like Sushil,” Angle said. — PTI
|
Perth, December 13 Smith became a figure of fun for England during their 3-1 win here in 2010-11, yet his second Ashes century, and his first in Australia, might prove decisive in helping his country regain the urn. Australia lead the five-match series 2-0 and will reclaim the Ashes with victory here. At first, their ultra-positive approach played into England’s hands and the home side slipped to 143 for five. Yet by the time Smith pulled a short ball from Ben Stokes for four to reach his hundred, Australia were closing in on 300, thanks largely to a sixth-wicket partnership of 124 between Smith and Brad Haddin. At stumps, Australia were 326 for six, with Smith 103 not out. Against an England side who have failed to reach 200 in three of their four innings, Michael Clarke and his team will be feeling very confident. For his opposite number, Alastair Cook, there will be more uncomfortable hours of worrying and wondering. In the extreme heat, his side bowled only 87 of the allotted 90 overs in an extended day. The disappointment was audible in Cook’s voice after he lost the toss for the third consecutive time in the series, as Clarke, like Cook playing in his 100th Test, chose to bat first, with the temperature always close to the 100 degrees (F) mark. It was not the start Cook wanted but he was soon smiling when, at the end of the second over, Chris Rogers called for a quick single, hesitated, and was run out by Jimmy Anderson’s direct hit from midwicket. Yet despite that mishap, Australia had clearly made a decision to attack the tourists’ bowling and try to crush their spirit by the end of day one. Because of that plan, England’s inconsistent bowling and the speedy WACA outfield, Australia were able to score at nearly a run a ball, with David Warner finding the boundary regularly. Shane Watson was also starting to accelerate until he played at a delivery from Stuart Broad that he could have left alone and Graeme Swann leapt to take the catch at second slip. Then, Warner tried to pull Tim Bresnan – who was preferred to Chris Tremlett as England’s third seamer – but mistimed the shot. Brief Scores — The Independent
|
|
India take on Pak in final
Ludhiana, December 13 This will be the third time for the arch-rivals to clash in the final of the event. Given that India have beaten Pakistan on both occasions — they won 58-24 in the inaugural edition and 59-22 last year — the hosts will start as favourite this time as well. Pakistan, on the other hand, will try to leave no stone unturned to set the record straight and lift the trophy.
|
||
|
France overcome Malaysia, face Germany in final
New Delhi, December 13 France, who never went past the pool stages since the introduction of the event in 1979, showed tremendous fighting spirit and came from a goal down to beat Malaysia 3-1 in the shoot-out after both the teams were locked at 1-1 at the regulation time. It was a red letter day for French hockey as till date their best performance in the tournament was a seventh-place finish at home in the introductory edition of the event in 1979. Contrary to the result, Malaysians were quick to get off the block and surprised the French defence as early as in the fourth minute through a field goal from an unmarked Azri Hassan, who had plenty of time to beat Edgar Reynaud in France goal. France had trouble finding their rhythm, but progressively pushed forward. Simon Martin Brisac had a chance in the 20th minute after working hard on the back-line but was left with no angle and his shot went in the side net. After hitting the post from their first penalty-corner, the French had most of the ball possession but could not penetrate the Malaysian defence. France once again struck the post from their second penalty-corner. India take on Pakistan
India take on Pakistan for the 9-10th position playoff on Saturday. — PTI |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Cheteshwar Pujara has been named the Emerging Cricketer of the Year at the annual International Cricket Council Awards.
The timing of the award is both apt and odd. It’s odd because the
award comes three years after he made his Test debut, and a month before
his 26th birthday. As far as Indian cricket is concerned, Pujara is not
an emerging player — he has over 1300 runs and five centuries in Test
cricket. He has already emerged, is a settled player in India’s Test
line-up.
New Delhi, December 13
