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McCullum came, saw and never left
‘They have turned the tables on us’
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Marginal hike for sports in budget
U-19
World Cup
champions
league
Real beat Getafe to rejoin leaders
After cricket, footballers do Kashmir proud
FIFA team arrives on February 20 to inspect venues
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McCullum came, saw and never left
Wellington, February 17 McCullum was on 281, his highest Test score and the second highest by a New Zealander, at the close of play after having shared a world record stand for the sixth wicket with wicketkeeper BJ Watling who was dismissed for 124 in the third over after tea. Debutant Jimmy Neesham was on 67 at the close of play with the hosts on 571 for six, a lead of 325 runs and seemingly in a position where they cannot lose the match and series with a day's play remaining. New Zealand had won the first Test at Eden Park by 40 runs and India had needed to win the game to level the two-match series. “It has been a great day,” said an exhausted McCullum. “Today I thought BJ and myself were able to put ourselves in a really strong position. “The way Neesh came in and we created that partnership we are really pleased with where we are and we have to make some decisions overnight.” McCullum was within sight of Martin Crowe's New Zealand best score of 299, set against Sri Lanka at the same ground in 1991 and could become the first New Zealand player to score a triple century if he continues to bat on the final day on Tuesday. McCullum and Watling had continued their resurrection of New Zealand's innings having been thrust together at 94 for five and in danger of losing the game inside three days. Instead, they combined for a 352-run partnership, a world record for the sixth wicket, surpassing the 351 that Sri Lankan duo Mahela and Prasanna Jayawardene scored against India in 2009. It was also the third highest by any New Zealand combination in Test cricket. Andrew Jones and Crowe hold the highest partnership for New Zealand after they scored a then-world record of 467 against Sri Lanka in 1991 at the Basin Reserve. Watling, however, fell six balls after they set the world record on the second delivery of the third new ball when he was trapped in front by Mohammed Shami for 124, ending his 367-ball, 510-minute stay. McCullum, who scored 224 in the first Test at Eden Park, is the second New Zealand batsman after Stephen Fleming to have scored three Test double-centuries. McCullum and Watling came together shortly after lunch on Sunday, still 152 runs from making the visitors bat again. The naturally aggressive McCullum curbed his attacking instincts and battled problems with his shoulder and troublesome back in taking his side to a six-run lead at stumps on Sunday. They guided New Zealand to 440 for five at tea, having notched up milestone after milestone throughout the day with the ground announcer seemingly making a new announcement every five minutes. Watling, who had brought up his ton when he clipped a Zaheer Khan half-volley off his legs to the midwicket fence after lunch, moved through to 124 before India took the third new ball. Shami had a loud appeal turned down on the first delivery but was successful on the next, with Watling banging the ground with his bat and slowly walking off looking like a man who had failed to score rather than one who had potentially helped save the match for his team. McCullum brought up his 250 with his third six and then took a minor role in his flourishing partnership with Neesham, which was worth 125 by the end of the day. — Reuters
Scoreboard Ishant 39-4-124-0
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‘They have turned the tables on us’
Wellington, February 17 The hosts took a 325-run lead at the end of the fourth day’s play, but Dhawan chose to stay positive after what was a disappointing day for Indian bowlers. “There is still one more day left. We will try our best to win but even if we lose, there’s a lot to learn from it. There is disappointment but we have played some good cricket, especially getting them out for a low score in the first innings,” said Dhawan. “Then we batted well in tough conditions and basically dominated the match till yesterday. But today they turned the tables on us. Tomorrow morning, we will look to get them out and then whatever the target is, we will bat according to the situation,” he added. McCullum was involved in a world record stand of 352 runs for the sixth wicket with keeper-batsman BJ Watling (124). “The wicket has improved a lot. It has gotten slower as the game has gone on. McCullum and Watling batted beautifully of course. They showed respect for good balls and didn’t give us any chances the whole day. They batted very well,” Dhawan said, praising the batsmen. The pair might not have given any major chances during the day but McCullum did offer an outside edge that zipped past Dhawan at third slip. He was also dropped twice on the third day by Ishant Sharma and Virat Kohli, the latter a simpler chance. — PTI
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Marginal hike for sports in budget
New Delhi, February 17 In his interim budget presented in the Lok Sabha, Chidambaram allocated Rs 1093 crore as plan outlay while Rs 126 crore was set aside for non-plan for a total figure of Rs 1219 crore. The plan outlay has been kept the same with that of previous year and the increase in the total allocation was made in the Non-Plan outlay. Interestingly, this year's interim allocation was the same as that of the original outlay in the 2013-14 budget which was later revised to Rs 1207.76 crore (Rs 1093 crore Plan and Rs 114.76 crore Non-Plan). Barring a few, most of the major heads got a reduced allocation. The increase in the total outlay was due to an allocation of Rs 247.50 crore under State and UT Plan this year. Last year's budget did not have this head. Out of the total outlay, Rs 631.9 crore has been allocated for sports and games —as against Rs 785.31 crore last year —while Rs 239.74 crore has been set aside for Youth Welfare Schemes as compared to Rs 296.77 crore. The Scheme for the Benefit of North Eastern Area and Sikkim, will get a reduced allocation of Rs 82.65 crore this year as compared to Rs 109.40 crore last year. Under the sports and games head, Sports Authority of India will get the highest amount of Rs 325.10 crore— a hike of around Rs 5 crore — while Rs 165 crore has been earmarked for Assistance to National Sports Federations — as against Rs 160 crore of last year. Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for talent search and training scheme. Rs 11.60 crore has been allocated for Anti-Doping Activities as compared to Rs 8.30 crore last year. Out of this, National Dope Test Laboratory will get Rs 9 crore, a significant hike compared to Rs 5.70 crore last year. — PTI
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U-19 World Cup
Dubai, February 17 Yadav's hat-trick was the highlight of a superb bowling effort by the Indians before they survived a collapse to finish at 92 for five in 22.3 overs. On a pitch, which seemed to be loaded in favour of the bowlers, Scotland won the toss and opted to bat. The decision backfired as the Indian bowlers wrecked havoc. Opener Andrew Umeed scored half of the side's runs with a 77-ball 44 before the rest capitulated miserably. Kuldeep and Aamir Gani were the pick of the Indian bowlers with four wickets apiece. Kuldeep, however, shone brighter with his historic feat, which came in the 19th and 21st over. The defending champions were, however, in for a shock when they took the field for what looked like an easy chase. The first wicket fell with just one run on the board when Chayank Gosain got Akhil Herwadkar (0) to edge one to wicketkeeper Baum. Skipper Vijay Zol went back without disturbing the scorer, while the rest of the top half failed to touch the double-digit mark. Afghanistan stun Australia Afghanistan caused a major upset by defeating three-time champions Australia by 36 runs. Half-centuries by Mohammad Mujtaba, Ihsanullah and Hashmatullah Shaidi helped Afghanistan post 253 in 49.2 overs, before fast bowler Abdullah Adil and left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf shared seven wickets between them to bowl Australia out for 217. Brief scores: Afghanistan 253 (Mujtaba 75, Ihsanullah 63) bt Australia 217 (Doran 45; Abdullah 4/45, Sharafuddin 3/55); Scotland: 88 in 29.4 overs (Andrew 44, Kuldeep 4/28, Aamir Gani 4/28); India: 92/5 in 22.3 overs (Sarfaraz 45, Gosain 3-31). — PTI
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Sochi, February 17 The 2010 silver medalists got off to a quick start, scoring three goals in the first 12 minutes, and went on to outshoot an overmatched Swedish team 70-9. Sweden, the only team other than Canada and the United States to reach a gold medal game since women's ice hockey joined the Olympic program in 1998, got on the board in the third period but by then it was too late. The United States will play the winner of Monday's other semi-final between three-time defending gold medalists Canada and Switzerland. US skating pair breaks world record
US ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White set a new world record in the short dance at the Olympics while the gallant Jamaican bobsleigh team came down to earth with a bump. Two-time world champions Davis and White — seeking a first ice dancing gold for the United States —skated a foxtrot and quickstep to “My Fair Lady”, scoring 78.89 points, with Monday`s free dance to come. — Agencies |
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champions
league The Sky Blues face toughest test of the season as Catalans stand between them and quarters
London, February 17 Both teams will start what promises to be a memorable duel at the Etihad Stadium boosted by superb wins on Saturday, with City returning to their best form in beating Chelsea 2-0 in the FA Cup and Barcelona crushing Rayo Vallecano 6-0 in La Liga. Both were also boosted by the return of important players after injury. Samir Nasri came on as a second-half substitute for City after missing seven games and scored City’s second against Chelsea within minutes of his arrival while Neymar also returned as a substitute in the second half for the Spanish champions to score a stunning goal after four matches out to complete Barca’s scoring. Neymar is likely to be on the bench at the start on Tuesday, which may offer some relief for the home team, who will probably have to raise their already impressive game to even greater heights if they are to knock out the four-times European champions. City coach Manuel Pellegrini is well aware of what Barca are capable of from his time with Villarreal, Malaga and Real Madrid in Spain, while City’s free-ranging midfielder Yaya Toure spent three years at the Nou Camp and won every major honour with them, including the Champions League in 2009. In an interview with Champions Magazine, Toure said he expected City to win the first leg to show how far the club have come since the injection of Sheikh Mansour’s cash totally transformed them from domestic also-rans to potential European champions. “Our fans deserve a victory against a big club to show how the club is progressing,” he said. “Barcelona are a perfect example, a great club with an exceptional history with players who might currently be the best in the world, like Lionel Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Pique, Busquets. It will be a great match and we have the desire to show City are on the right track.” City are in uncharted waters as far as the Champions League is concerned, having been knocked out at the group stage in their two previous appearances. But they are the highest scoring team in this season’s competition with 28 goals. — Reuters
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Real beat Getafe to rejoin leaders
Madrid, February 17 Barcelona and Atletico recorded easy home wins on Saturday, the champions thrashing Rayo Vallecano 6-0 and Atletico thumping Real Valladolid 3-0 to leave the title race a tight three-way fight with 14 matches left. Barca, chasing a fifth crown in six years, lead on goal difference from Real and Atletico. But the three teams, who have all played 24 games, will be separated by their head-to-head records if they are still tied at the end of the campaign. Real have not lost since a 2-1 La Liga defeat at Barca at the end of October. They were beaten 1-0 at home by Atletico in the league a month earlier while Barca and Atletico drew 0-0 in Madrid in January. “We have to carry on like this because the important part of the season is starting now,” said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, referring to the Champions League last-16 first leg at Schalke 04 in 10 days. Athletic Bilbao are fourth on 44 points after losing 2-1 at home to Espanyol, the Basque club’s first league defeat at their new San Mames stadium. Sevilla failed to kill off Valencia despite playing most of the second half with an extra man after the dismissal of centre back Ricardo Costa. The poor-quality match littered with yellow cards ended in 0-0 draw. — Reuters
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After cricket, footballers do Kashmir proud
Srinagar, February 17 Wadoo, who has played for prestigious Indian clubs ever since he began his professional career in 2002, was adjudged as the IFA “best footballer of the event”. Wadoo helped Mohammedan Sporting cruise to a 4-3 victory in the final of IFA Shield by scoring two goals against Bangladesh-based Shiekh Jamal Dhanmodi Club recently. Sporting has not achieved major success in the recent years and Wadoo admits that winning the IFA Shield is a major achievement for him and his club. “Beating the best clubs of India and abroad is a delightful feeling. We have been working hard. The public support we get in West Bengal is encouraging for any player,” Wadoo said. Wadoo along with another Kashmiri and fellow club member Ishfaq Ahmad will shortly fly to Pune to play in the I-league. “We have an exciting season ahead,” Wadoo, who started playing football at Sri Pratap College, Srinagar, said. However, no football has been played on Wadoo’s home ground for a few years now. “It is disappointing that the kind of international and national level players Kashmir has produced, there aren’t enough grounds. With the kind of passion the youngsters have for the game in the valley, I don’t think there is enough support to promote football,” Wadoo said.
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FIFA team arrives on February 20 to inspect venues
New Delhi, February 17 The three officials will fly down to Mumbai after arriving here to take stock of the Cooperage Stadium. The team will visit all the eight venues shortlisted by the All India Football Federation. Only six stadiums will be required for the event. — PTI
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