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india in australia
Clarke gets two days to prove his fitness
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IPL scandal: Guilty will be punished, says Sports Minister
BCCI, corporates turn blind eye to visually-impaired cricketers
Dubious to legal action: Bhajji showed how it’s done: ICC
world boxing championship
Delhi eke out a 2-1 win over NorthEast
Champions Trophy: Chandi not in squad
World champion Hamilton leaves the partying for later
champions league
Milan derby ends all square
nehru hockey
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india in australia Aaron, Shami and Bhuvneshwar use conditions well, pose tough questions to the hosts
Adelaide, November 24 All the Indian bowlers were among wickets as Aaron, who worked up good pace, finishing with figures of three for 72 in 17 overs. Aaron thus kept himself in contention for a place in the playing XI in the opening Test at Brisbane, starting December 4 while Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/32 in 12 overs) and Mohammed Shami (2/52 in 18 overs) also got precious overs under their belt. At stumps, India were 55 for one losing Shikhar Dhawan's (10) wicket. Murali Vijay (32 batting) and Cheteshwar Pujara (13 batting) were at the crease at stumps. Another highlight was wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha's fine performance behind the stumps as he took five catches and also effected a stumping to start his preparations for the first Test in right earnest. At the onset, it was CA XI captain Ashton Turner, who won the toss and elected to bat on a fresh track at the Gilderol Stadium. He was involved in a 51-run partnership with opener Ryan Carters (58) before Aaron, in a quick burst, removed Turner (29) and new batsman Nick Stevens (0) in space of three balls. It brought Kelvin Smith (40) to the crease who put on 74 runs for the fourth wicket with Carters on either side of lunch. It was the best stand of the innings for the hosts. Once the two batsmen were dismissed within three overs after the lunch break, the Indian bowlers didn't let up the pressure and knocked over the remaining wickets cheaply. Only the last wicket stand pair of Harry Nielsen (43 no) and Harry Conway (7), showed some resistance as the duo put on 52 runs to take the team's total past 200-run mark. On a pitch that assisted fast bowlers, Aaron rattled up the young batting order with sheer pace. Leggie Karn Sharma (2-30) was introduced into the attack ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin (1-22), but he couldn't find his bearings in the pre-lunch session. After the break though, when re-introduced against lower middle order batsmen, he was in better control and picked up a handy two wickets in his first outing in Australia. Ashwin had earlier dropped a catch at first slip off Aaron, with Smith the lucky batsman, while keeper Wriddhiman Saha had a good day behind the wickets pocketing five catches. This match is stipulated as a 13-per-side game with 11 players eligible to bat and 11 can field. This is not an official first-class game. India opted to rest Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Naman Ojha and KL Rahul from this match with all other members of the touring party involved in the proceedings. This is the first of two practice games against Cricket Australia XI scheduled this week before the commencement of the Test series. — PTI Brief scores: Cricket Australia XI 219 all out (Carters 58, Aaron 3/72, Bhuvneshwar 2/32, Shami 2/52); Indians 55 for 1
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Clarke gets two days to prove his fitness
As per chairman of Cricket Australia selectors Rodney Marsh, Clarke will get a couple of days time (till Wedensday) to prove his fitness and then will be playing the second warm-up game against India on November 28-29. “We would have preferred him (Clarke) to play in the round of Sheffield Shield starting tomorrow but unfortunately his condition did not allow him enough time to be ready for that match. Clarke needs to be running by Wednesday,” Marsh told mediapersons in Sydney, while announcing the 13-member squad. “The aim is for him to play in the two-day CA XI match against India at the Adelaide Oval starting this Friday and his selection for the first Test is very much dependent on him pulling up well from that match. It goes without saying that Michael is a world-class batsman and it is important that he is 100 per-cent fit to be able to play in the first Test.” Hazlewood called up While the focus was on Clarke, uncapped New South Wales paceman Josh Hazlewood was rewarded with a call-up to the squad for his strong recent performances against South Africa in the one-day series. It is his first inclusion in a Test squad since 2012-13. Hazlewood, 23, captured nine wickets in the series against South Africa, which Australia won 4-1 on Sunday. — Agencies Australia squad
Michael Clarke (c), David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Marsh, Ryan Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Peter Siddle. |
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IPL scandal: Guilty will be punished, says Sports Minister
New Delhi, November 24 Expressing his concern over the damning revelations in the IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal, Sonowal said the Ministry would wait for the Supreme Court to make the report public before deciding on future course of action. "It's a matter of serious concern to the sporting world. Whosoever is guilty of misconduct should be brought to the book. We are waiting for the details to come. We would like the report to come out first, we will go through it and then decide," Sonowal said. The hearing of the IPL spot-fixing inquiry — based on the report by Justice Mukul Mudgal Committee — resumed on Monday. The report by the Mudgal panel had stated that Srinivasan and four other BCCI officials were aware of the violation of the Players' Code of Conduct, but no action was taken by any of them. Asked whether the names of the players should be made public by the apex Court, Sonowal refrained from commenting. "It would be premature to comment. The matter is in the court. Let the report come out in detail," he said.
Tendulkar refuses to comment on IPL mess Sachin Tendulkar on Monday refused to comment on the findings of Mudgal Committee report which probed into the IPL spot-fixing scandal, saying that it would be improper for him to say anything on the issue as Supreme Court was hearing the case. “Supreme Court is hearing this and I think, it would be not be wise to make any comment right now and respect it,” Modi financing Verma’s fight against SriniSuspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi today created a flutter by claiming that he was financing Aditya Verma's petition against BCCI President-in-exile N Srinivasan and others in the IPL spot-fixing case. "I am financing the petition against Srinivasan and others. There's no harm in backing anybody who helps me," said Modi. "The BCCI wants to sweep everything under the carpet," he said. Modi said Apex Court's intervention was a must to make cricket corruption free. "It's a sad day in Indian cricket history. Money and muscle power has found its way into the BCCI. SC intervention is the only way forward," Modi said. Modi says he has no regrets not being part of cricket administration in the country as long as it is run by "crooks". "I am happy to be banned. I don't have to sit on the same table with the crooks," he said. Verma, who is secretary of unrecognised Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB), had filed the petition last year in the wake of IPL spot-fixing scandal. — Agencies
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BCCI, corporates turn blind eye to visually-impaired cricketers
New Delhi, November 24 The enthusiasm of the World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) and a supportive and positive attitude of the national cricket boards have ensured that the game is now played professionally at an international level. Sadly, the blind cricketers don't enjoy any such support from the BCCI. They are generally ignored by the government, do not get any corporate support, and they don't get affiliation from the BCCI. No wonder, these cricketers, despite winning the T20 World Cup, keep struggling to get some sort of recognition. "The biggest barrier the blind cricket faces is the lack of support from the BCCI and corporates. Cricket for these players is a game of rehabilitation. Through this game, these players get a chance to travel abroad, get an access to a better social life, and job security. Blind cricket has grown world over because the cricket boards have opened their hearts to the players, but the BCCI turns a blind eye to their plight," said India's head coach Patrick Rajkumar. The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) has been looking after the affairs of the Indian team since 2011. The efforts of 'Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled' should also be applauded for their role in keeping the blind cricket afloat against all odds. India have 400 teams and 40,000 blind cricketers, who play state-level competitions currently. The Indian team will be seen in action when they travel to Johannesburg for the Blind Cricket World Cup, beginning November 25. Apart from India, Australia, England, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are the other participating nations. However, the participation of the Indian team in the Cup was under serious doubt till a few days back due to financial constraints. However, the timely intervention by the Sports Ministry helped the team to live their dream of representing the country at the prestigious event. "The Ministry sanctioned an amount of Rs 10 lakh to book air tickets," said SP Nagesh, the CABI president. The team comprises players mostly from Kerala, Orissa and Maharashtra, and come from extremely poor background. Skipper Shekhar Naik, who lost both of his parents when he was just eight, was completely blind for the first 12 years of his life. Now, he has 60 per cent vision in one of his eyes. Kerala's Farhan and Vishnu work as caterers in Bangalore, and survive on a measly salary of Rs 5,000. Same is the case with Mohammad Jaffar Iqbal from Bhubaneswar, who is looking for a job. |
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Dubious to legal action: Bhajji showed how it’s done: ICC
"At one stage his (Harbhajan Singh) action came under a bit of scrutiny. He did a fantastic job in adapting his action to make sure that he was now bowling legally. And now there is no question mark about the way he bowls. I think, yes, the ICC has cracked down on bowlers that are extending their arm during the delivery and there is no conspiracy about the timing of it," Richardson said on the sidelines of an ICC. In the last three months, three international off-spinners have been banned for bending their arm more than the prescribed limit including Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal and many former greats believe that ICC's action, which comes just ahead of the 50-over showpiece event, is ill-timed. Richardson though said that enough is enough. "We had reached a stage where too many bowlers were starting to bend the rules. And the cricket committee backed up by the ICC board decided that action needed to be taken. The out-of-favour Indian spinner Harbhajan, who was sharing the stage with the ICC CEO, was not only pleased at being made a good example of the game but also praised the move to clean up cricket of all ills. "Not just once but twice I have been called. Once it was 1999 when I just started my cricket and then in 2006. So there is a limit set by the ICC, and if any bowler goes beyond that, there are people who are watching. They are not asking anyone to stop playing cricket, all they are saying just go to the school and learn to bowl within the limits of ICC," said the Punjab skipper. "So I think it is great thing what the ICC has done. And as Dave said the doors are not closed for anyone, you can still play cricket and enjoy bowling the "Doosra" or whatever delivery you want to bowl if you bowl it within the legal limits," he added.
— PTI |
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Sarjubala, Sweety settle for silver
Jiju (South Korea), November 24 Sarjubala lost to world No 3 Nazym Kyzaibay of Kazakhstan, who also happened to be a bronze-medallist from the previous World Championships. Saweety, on the other hand, lost to Yang Xiaoli of China, to also settle for a silver medal. India thus managed to improve its performance from a bronze in the previous edition to a couple of silvers this time. In the first summit clash of the day, Sarjubala was off the blocks aggressively and even though Kyzaibay displayed some well-timed counter-punching, Sarjubala managed to get the opening round unanimously. The Kazakh, however, staged a recovery in the second round. In the third round, Sarjubala came out firing on all cylinders but struggled to connect her punches. In the fourth, both went a little defensive, and judges ruled in favour of the Kazakh. — PTI
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Mumbai Masters beat Punjab
Mumbai, November 24 Delhi Dreams had already stormed into the final of the inaugural CTL by overcoming a spirited Mumbai 27-21 in the best-of-five one-set clashes late last night. With both Mumbai and Punjab already out of contention for a place in the Nov 26 final, all interest lay on the final placing in the group and the home team came out trumps to finish second with two wins and as many losses. Punjab, who won just one tie out of four, ended up third following today’s comprehensive loss to Mumbai. Delhi ended on top in the three-team North Zone round robin league played on home and away basis with three wins and a lone loss (3 points). In today’s game, Pranjala Yadlapalli, India No. 1 in under-14, put Mumbai 1-0 ahead by overcoming her senior rival Rishika Sunkara 6-5(1). The Andhra Pradesh girl jumped to a 4-0 lead with some attacking play. The two Indian players took the court after top women stars Alize Cornet of France (Mumbai), the world no. 20, and Spain’s Gabrine Muguruza, ranked 22nd, decided to sit out of the dead rubber. Pranjala then teamed up with Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash to increase the lead to 2-0 when the duo overcame the Punjab mixed doubles pair of Rishika and Vidit Vaghela 6-2. However, the ever reliable Leander Paes pulled one game back in time for Punjab by winning the battle of legends against former two-time French Open champion Sergi Bruguera of Spain 6-5(1). The Indian, who won bronze when the Spaniard took silver in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, squandered two break point chances earlier on. The games went with serves in the battle between the two 40-year-old players to lead to the tie break in which Paes played with confidence and was sharp at the net while his rival committed a few errors. However, young Indian player Sriram Balaji displayed sound technique in doubles when he combined forces with Spaniard Tommy Robrado to provide Mumbai with a 23-16 lead as they outsmarted the Indian combine of Paes and Somdev Devvarman 6-3. Paes and Somdev frittered away a break of serve in game three as they were immediately broken back by Robredo and Balaji and then the Punjab duo was broken in the eighth game when Paes buried his backhand off Balaji’s return of serve in the bottom of the net. Balaji, then, held serve at 15 to provide Mumbai the big lead — 3-1 by way of matches and 23-16 by way of total games won. This was the first loss for Paes and Somdev in doubles in the tournament. In the final match of the evening, India No. 1 Somdev went down to Robredo 6-4. One break of serve, in the third game, did the trick for the Spaniard who went on to hold his serve and clinch the set and match. “For me it’s a great experience to play against two top 20 players (Robredo and South African Kevin Anderson) in the tournament. I may not have won. It was also a great opportunity for me to play with Grand Slam winners like Sergi and Pat Cash (Pune) whom I had not seen playing,” said Somdev after the match. About his experience of playing with Paes, he said it was easy as he was playing with one of the best doubles players in the world. “The experience was great and it was great to see his magic on the doubles court. It was easy to adapt,” he said. Somdev is looking forward to a season-ending break before resuming his up and down professional career at the Chennai Open followed by the Australian Open in the New Year.
— PTI |
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Delhi eke out a 2-1 win over NorthEast
Guwahati, November 24 Delhi rode on first half goals from Gustavo dos Santos (6th minute) and skipper Hans Mulder (14th) to eke out the win. NorthEast United’s lone goal came in the 80th minute through Kondwani Mtonga. The visitors were forced to play the second half with 10 players after their midfielder Shouvik Ghosh was shown a second yellow card during additional time of the first half. NorthEast United too were reduced to 10 men when defender Aiborlang Khongjee received second yellow card in the 83rd minute. The Dynamos started on a bright note and mounted pressure on the opposition goal from the onset. Soon after midfielder Shylo Malsawmtluanga wasted a good chance, Dos Santos scored a blinder to give Dynamos the lead . Dos Santos scored with a superb strike from just outside the box after receiving a pass from Francis. Five minutes later, NorthEast United came tentalisingly close to a equaliser when Koke’s shot struck the upright. The visitors then consolidated their lead in the 14th minute through Mulder, who drilled the ball into the far corner from edge of the box. Trailing by two goals, NorthEast United adopted an attacking approach in the second half and created numerous scoring opportunities but failed to convert them. It took 80 minutes for the hosts to find the back of the net when Mtonga headed home from a perfect corner kick to keep NorthEast United alive. Three minutes later, Isaac Chansa came close to scoring the equaliser for the hosts but his superb strike from outside the box was kept away by the lanky Dynamos keeper Kristof Van Hout. — PTI Materazzi too big to argue with, jokes Peter Reid Mumbai: Admitting that he was “embarrassed” after his heated argument near touchline with Chennaiyin coach Marco Materazzi, Mumbai City coach Peter Reid said that the World Cup winning Italian defender is “too big to argue with”. Materazzi and Reid were involved in a heated exchange of words after referee ruled out a penalty in favour of Chennaiyin when Mikael Silvester’s shot apparently hit a defender’s hand. “It happens. I am embarrassed. Sometimes, it spills over. We had a laugh afterwards. He’s too big to argue with! It’s unfair to fight that one. We shook hands at the end of the game and I wished him good luck,” said Reid. — PTI
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Champions Trophy: Chandi not in squad
New Delhi, November 24 Lalit Upadhyay has been drafted in place of Chandi in the squad named by HI selectors after trials were conducted at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Nov 18. “Chandi has groin injury so we had to chose between a couple of forwards like Mandeep, Yuvraj and Lalit. In the end Lalit got the nod because of his performance in the Australia tour,” High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans said. Midfielder Chinglensana Singh Kangujam has also been left out and SK Uthappa has been brought in his place. Akashdeep Singh could not turn up for the trials, which was attended by 26 probables, because of a minor injury but he still found a place in the squad as he is likely to recover in time for the tournament. Oltmans unfazed by dual responsibility
Discharging duel responsibility in a crucial tournament is not a new thing for Oltmans whose primary focus now is to prepare the team as best as he can for the Champions Trophy in the absence of Terry Walsh. But the legendary Dutchman was unfazed by the challenge at hand and said he prefers to look forward than ponder about the past. “I have done that before as well in the 2013 Asia Cup. It’s not the best thing but at this moment we have to look forward and ensure we prepare the team as good as we can,” said Oltmans. “The morale of the team is good because we clearly know there are distractions in every process. But at this moment we only want to look forward.” Asked whether Gurjinder Singh’s inclusion in the team will create a problem of plenty for him in the drafglicking department, Oltmans said: “Absolutely not. Gurjinder deserves a spot in the team. We can see in his test results how he has improved in the last one year. For us it’s only positive that we now have three dragflickers.”
— PTI Squad
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World champion Hamilton leaves the partying for later
Abu Dhabi, November 24 A glass of watermelon juice, and a few sips of “some kind of Cognac thing”, was sufficient carousing for Britain’s first multiple champion since Jackie Stewart. One of only four Britons, including the late Hill, to have won the title twice, Hamilton said his achievement had yet to sink in. “I feel fresh, I only had one drink last night, which is more than good enough for me,” the Mercedes driver told a breakfast news conference. “I don’t drink Champagne. I had a watermelon juice at dinner, which is my favourite. Then when I was at the party there was some kind of Cognac thing ... but it didn’t taste very nice. So I had a couple of sips and that was it. I knew I had to be up early as well.” If the early hour was not greeted with universal delight, there were no complaints from the man of the moment. “It’s definitely an incredible feeling to wake up this morning feeling fresh in my surroundings and with all the different people who have been involved in my career over 21 years,” he enthused. “The sun is shining and I feel really blessed.” His mobile had gone crazy, the texts and emails flooding in, and he promised to answer them all. The first champion for a Mercedes works team since Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio in 1955, Hamilton said he spent the evening with family, just reminiscing about the journey they had been on. Hamilton, winner of 11 races this season, recalled his early karting days, sitting by a gas heater drinking chicken soup from a flask, and the sacrifices his father had made. “Then I popped out to the party, and (Mercedes motorsport head) Toto (Wolff) was all over the place at that point,” laughed Hamilton, Wolff sitting alongside with a pained expression. Beaten team mate Nico Rosberg had Tweeted after the race that “now it’s time to fight for the party world championship”. The German, elsewhere on Monday, seemed to have won the battle. Hamilton was happy to let that one go at least.
— Reuters |
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Messi eying Raul’s record
Nicosia, November 24 Messi’s double in the Catalans’ 2-0 win at Ajax three weeks ago took him level with Real Madrid legend Raul’s record tally of 71 goals in the competition and ensured Barca’s progress to the last 16 for an 11th consecutive season. However, Luis Enrique’s men still need at least a point in Cyprus to ensure they can win Group F with victory over Paris Saint-Germain at home in their final group match early next month. Messi’s latest record feat overshadowed arguably Barca’s best performance of the season so far in crushing Europa League holders Sevilla 5-1 at the weekend. — PTI
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Milan derby ends all square
Milan, November 24 Milan scored with their first shot on target when Jeremy Menez sidefooted the ball past Samir Handanovic on the volley in the 23rd minute. Joel Obi levelled with a low shot from the edge of the area in the 61st minute following a poor clearance by Cristian Zapata. before Stephan El Shaarawy hit the bar for Milan and Mauro Icardi for Inter in a frantic final 20 minutes between the two fallen giants.
— Reuters |
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PSB to face IOC in final
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 24 In the first semifinal, there was little to choose between PSB and Army. At half-time, the match was poised in favour of PSB who took the lead in the 15th minute through Joga Singh. Army got the equaliser in the 45th minute through Binoy Bhengra. In the penalty shoot-out, Sarvanjit Singh, Gautampal Singh, Joga, Ajit Pandit and Vikramjit Singh converted for PSB.
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