Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Torres is best striker in world: Gerrard

Torres is best striker in world: Gerrard

London, Dec 30: Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has termed the club’s ace player Fernando Torres as the best striker in the world.

Torres hit a 93rd-minute winner for his 50th Kop league goal in a new Liverpool record of just 72 games.

“Everyone knows that when Fernando is on form he is the best in the world, the best bar none. He can score goals like this one, goals out of nothing even after he has experienced a quiet game. That’s what makes him so special. This is a massive result for us, a huge win. It could spark the run that drives us into the top four,” Gerrard said.

Torres escaped the Villa defence just once but that was all he needed as he finished lethally from 12 yards, The Sun reports.

“This will help our confidence so much,” Torres said.

Liverpool were second-best at snowy Villa Park but victory moved them to within four points of the last Champions League place. (Agencies)

Kotla pitch unfit for international matches, says Harbhajan

Kotla pitch unfit for international matches, says Harbhajan


JALANDHAR, Dec 30: Endorsing his India teammate Gautam Gambhir’s view that the Ferozeshah Kotla pitch was not suitable for international matches, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Wednesday said practice games should have been held on the wicket before the One-dayer against Sri Lanka.

Asked his comments on the pitch fiasco which led to the abandonment of the India-Sri Lanka fifth ODI on Sunday, Harbhajan said there was something wrong with the Kotla surface and it could have been dangerous for even Indian players if the home side had batted first.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Kotla ODI should have continued: Daljit Singh

Kotla ODI should have continued: Daljit

NEW DELHI, Dec 29: The Kotla pitch was by no means an unplayable surface and the fifth and final cricket One-dayer between India and Sri Lanka should have proceeded, according to former BCCI Pitches and Grounds Committee chairman Daljit Singh.

The Kotla pitch fiasco, which saw the ODI being called off after 23.3 overs due to a dangerous playing surface, had a direct bearing on the Daljit-led five-member committee which was sacked by the BCCI immediately after the incident.

But Daljit said he was amazed to see the match being abandoned, especially after Sri Lanka were already in the middle of their innings.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

I do not want to be a one-hit wonder: Adlington

LONDON, Dec 27: Britain’s double Olympic swimming gold medallist Rebecca Adlington says she is determined to raise her game in 2010 after a slump in form following her Beijing triumphs.

“Beijing may turn out to be the best week of my entire life but I’d hate to think that everything went downhill from the age of 19,” she told the Mail on Sunday newspaper.

“I don’t want to be a one-hit wonder. I’m always going to remember 2009. I’ll always recall how it felt not to perform. “I’ll never forget those feelings. And I’m never going to let it happen again,” she added. Adlington won the 400 and 800 metre freestyle golds in Beijing in 2008 but came only third in the 400 and fourth in the 800 at the world championships in Rome in July.

The Briton had earlier spoken out against the latest, now-banned, bodysuits as “technological doping” and had refused to wear them.

“We’ll never know what difference the swimsuits made in Rome,” she said on Sunday. “What I do know is that I swam the 800 metres three seconds slower than in the previous year.

Final ODI abandoned

Delhi ground may be banned

NEW DELHI, Dec 27: The Ferozeshah Kotla stood disgraced on Sunday after the fifth and final India-Sri Lanka One-dayer was abandoned because of a dangerous pitch, which not only brought about an embarrassing end to the series but also put a question mark over its stature as an international venue.

The game was abandoned after 23.3 overs, leading to unruly scenes in the packed galleries with incensed spectators hurling water bottles and chair covers and damaging the stands to bring about a shameful end to the five-match series which India won by 3-1 margin.

The relaid track at Ferozeshah Kotla was a virtual minefield as the Sri Lankan batsmen, unlucky to be asked to bat first, fended for life as odd balls reared up alarmingly. The Sri Lankan innings was into its 24th over when Thilina Kandamby complained to the on-field umpires, which led to a mid-field conference involving Match Referee Alan Hurst, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his Lankan counterpart Kumar Sangakkara, coaches from both sides Gary Kirsten and Trevor Bayliss and the man in the eye of storm, Kotla curator Vijay Bahadur Mishra.

Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) officials, including its vice-president and former Test player Chetan Chauhan, offered another strip to Hurst but the match could not be saved.

Today’s incident was uncannily similar to the December 25, 1997 India-Sri Lanka ODI in Nehru Stadium, Indore which was called off after just three overs and the fiasco invited a brief suspension for the venue.

Sanath Jasuriya, who scored 31 on Sunday, is the only player to feature in both the games.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Rashid, Bajaj move ahead


Kolkata, Dec 25: Rashid Khan and Rahul Bajaj stayed on course for a final-round showdown with both of them winning their quarter-final ties at the LG Goodricke Eastern India Amateur Golf Championship at the par-72 Royal Calcutta Golf Club here today. Rashid won his tie against Karan Vasudeva 4 and 2, while Rahul Bajaj defeated Pawan Kumar 4 and 3. In the showdown between the Kolkata boys, Samaresh Sardar emerged victorious over Mohd. Sanjib to set up a semifinal clash against Rashid while Raja Sardar prevailed over SK Pappu to progress to the last four stage. Earlier in the day, it looked like an upset was on the cards as Karan Vasudeva, still seeking his maiden win on the LG Amateur Tour, dominated the early stages of the match against Rashid. The lower-ranked Vasudeva went three up after just eight holes and seemed in control close to the halfway stage. (PTI)

It’s great to win series at Eden: Sehwag

Kolkata, Dec 25: A jubilant Indian stand-in captain Virender Sehwag on Thursday night praised Virat Kohli and other youngsters in the team and said he was happy to finish the series in Kolkata.

“This team has lot of bench-strength. We did not have Yuvraj Singh and M S Dhoni in the team. It’s a good sign for India that the youngsters are playing well. Virat Kohli proved his worth,” he said after India successfully chased an imposing Sri Lankan total of 315/6 to win with seven wickets and 11 balls in hand at the Eden Gardens.

“We wanted to finish the game in Kolkata because here we had a good wicket to bat on. We don’t know what kind of wicket we will get in Delhi,” Sehwag said after clinching the five match series against Sri lanka.

Sehwag, who led the team at Cuttack and Kolkata following the two match ban slapped on regular captain M S Dhoni for slow over rate, said now the team will not be under any pressure in the fifth and last match in Delhi.

He added that faced with such a huge total, the Indian did not want to lose wickets.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Shane Bond retires from Test cricket

WELLINGTON: Dynamic but injury-prone New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond announced his retirement from Test cricket on Wednesday, saying his body was no longer up to the rigours of the five-day game.

"It's been a tough call, because Test cricket remains the ultimate form of the game, but I'm comfortable I've made the right choice," the 34-year-old said.

Bond's latest comeback in the Test series against Pakistan ended after the first Test -- in which he took eight wickets
-- when an abdominal muscle tear ruled him out of the remaining two matches.

"I've worked really hard to get back to Test match fitness -- it's what I've been working towards for the past two years -- and I feel I gave as much as I could," Bond said.

"But looking back, so many of my injuries have come during Test cricket.

"Unfortunately my body just won't let me continue to play at that level, given the workload and demands of Test cricket."

Bond played only 18 Tests after his debut in 2001 because of a series of injuries and his involvement last year in the rebel Indian Cricket League.

But his pace and swing brought him 87 Test wickets at the impressive average of 22.09. He took five wickets in an innings on five occasions, the most recent against Pakistan in Dunedin last month after his two-year Test absence.

Bond said he remained committed to playing one-day internationals for New Zealand.

"This way I hope I've got a better chance of continuing to play. I hope I'll be able to continue to contribute to the team and to New Zealand cricket fans for a while yet."

He is aiming to rejoin New Zealand for the limited-overs matches against Australia, which start with two Twenty20 internationals in late February.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said he understood Bond's decision.

"Of course we're disappointed that he won't be part of the Test line-up, but New Zealand Cricket supports his decision to focus on limited-overs cricket and hopes that this decision will prolong his international career," he said.

"He remains one of the best fast bowlers in the international game and we're delighted that he's doing all he can to keep playing."

TOI

Federer and Serena named ITF World Champs

PARIS: Roger Federer has been named International Tennis Federation (ITF) champion for the fifth time with Serena Williams taking the women's award for the second time.

They will receive their awards at the annual ITF World Champions Dinner on June 1 in Paris, during the French Open.

Federer had an outstanding year regaining the world No.1 ranking from Rafael Nadal after completing a career Grand Slam at Roland Garros with victory over Robin Soderling in the final.

He went on to surpass Pete Sampras by winning his 15th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon after a memorable final contest against Andy Roddick.

Federer was also runner-up at the Australian Open, where he lost in five sets to Nadal, and the US Open, where he also went down in five sets to Juan Martin del Potro, and helped his country retain its World Group status in Davis Cup.

"It is an honour for me to be named ITF World Champion for a fifth time. It was an incredible year for me both on and off the court," the 28-year-old Swiss star said.

"To win my first Roland Garros title, break the all-time Grand Slam record and regain the No. 1 ranking is amazing. It means a lot to me to finish the year again at the top."

Serena Williams becomes the women's World Champion for the first time since 2002 after producing her best performances at the biggest events.

The 28-year-old American captured two Grand Slam titles, at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, to improve her collection to 11 majors.

She went on to win the season-ending WTA Championships in Doha, sealing the No.1 ranking in the last event of the year.

Serena also took the doubles year award with sister Venus after taking their career total to ten Grand Slam titles. In so doing she joins Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis as the only players to become singles and doubles world champions in the same year.

American twins Bob and Mike Bryan were named as the men's doubles World Champions for the sixth time in seven years.

TOI

Schumacher to make F1 comeback with Mercedes

BERLIN: Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher said Wednesday he has signed a three-year deal to return to Formula One racing with Mercedes Michael Schumacher's factfile


Having retired in 2006, Schumacher, who turns 41 on January 3, will reportedly be paid seven million euros ($9.9 million) to be on the grid when the new season starts with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14.

"After a three-year break, I have all the energy again that I was lacking," Schumacher told a teleconference with reporters after signing the contract late Tuesday.

"We are talking about a three-year deal. It's not just a one-off thing. We are talking about continuation."


Schumacher had been due to make a remarkable return last season for Ferrari -- for whom he acted as a consultant after retiring -- as a replacement for the injured Felipe Massa but was unable to because of a neck injury.

But the German said Wednesday the pain was behind him.

"My neck is no longer a problem," Schumacher said. "Over the summer it was too soon after the accident. Now everything has healed."

The pilot will return to Formula One having won 91 of his 250 Grand Prix races and started in Pole Position 68 times.

His presence on the grid will electrify the hugely popular sport as he goes up against the likes of reigning champion Jenson Button, 2008 winner Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari-bound Fernando Alonso, all men much younger than he.

Said Hamilton: "It's great to have Michael back in Formula One.

"He is a legend, a really nice guy, and I am happy for him he has again got an opportunity to do the best job in the world - race in Formula One.

"I used to watch Michael race when I was in the junior categories, and I always hoped I would be in Formula One while he was still around.

"I'm now really looking forward to seeing him on the track and back at the top.

Schumacher will be linking up with Mercedes's team principal Ross Brawn, who was the brains behind all of his world titles.

The German won the first of his World Drivers' Championship titles at Benetton in 1994 and was successful with the Italian team again in the 1995 season.

In 1996, he transferred to Ferrari where he proved virtually unbeatable between 2000 and 2004, winning five further world titles. There will be huge interest in the impact Schumacher and Brawn will have now for Mercedes.

It will be 1239 days after Schumacher's last Formula One race in Sao Paulo at the Brazilian Grand Prix in October 2006 and he joins Mercedes in an all-German racing team after compatriot Nico Rosberg, 24, signed up last month.

Schumacher's signature is a major coup for Mercedes, who raced under the Brawn GP banner last season, and a blow to his former stable.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo admitted last week he is distraught at the prospect of losing Schumacher to a rival team.

Di Montezemolo started working with Schumacher in 1996, when the German joined the Italian constructor from Benetton.

It was the Italian who first suggested to Schumacher he stand in for the injured Massa after the Brazilian's horrific crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July.

"It was me that rekindled his desire to race after Massa was injured in Hungary," the Ferrari chief had said.

Di Montezemolo admits he would have liked to see Schumacher back in a Ferrari but with Massa and Alonso already on their books for next season he simply could not offer the German a drive.

It remains to be seen how the German can cope with the inevitable march of Father Time, but his famous dedication to fitness and healthy living means that at 41 he has lost little of his punch.

Former world champion Niki Lauda for one believes that he could deliver.

"He can win again," said the Austrian, who himself twice made comebacks to win the world title. "He has more potential that all his younger rivals."

TOI

Vettori joins Queensland Bulls for T20 Big Bash

TAFF WRITER 15:18 HRS IST

Melbourne, Dec 23 (PTI) New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori today joined Queensland Bulls as its "guest player" for the 2009-10 KFC Twenty20 'Big Bash' competition.

Vettori today agreed to a short, two-match stint with the Bulls as their overseas player and will make his Queensland debut in the January 13 game against New South Wales at Homebush.

Vettori will also be available for the January 19 preliminary final, should Queensland finish either second or third.

It also means that Vettori could be available for the Champions League as well, should the Bulls qualify by finishing in the top two of the Big Bash tournament.

Bulls coach Trevor Barsby welcomed Vettori recruitment and said the Kiwi's experience would stand them in good stead.

Tight security at Eden Gardens for tomorrow's ODI

STAFF WRITER 18:54 HRS IST

Kolkata, Dec 23 (PTI) In view of the terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan in March this year, an unprecedented security cover has been put in place for their fourth ODI against India at the Eden Gardens here tomorrow.

Jawans of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), armed police personnel and commandos have been positioned around the Eden Gardens as a three-tier security ring has been thrown for both the teams lodged in a five-star hotel in the city.

"Security has been arranged in such a way that none will be able to barge into the ground and approach the players," Joint Commissioner of Police(HQ), Jawed Shamim said.

With Police Commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakraborty supervising the security arrangements, even mediapersons have been barred inside the hotel lobby under control of the security personnel.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Recall best gift this christmas: Hughes

Melbourne, Dec 21: For Phillip Hughes, recall to the Australian squad for the Boxing Day Test is the best Christmas present.

The left-hander was named in the 13-man squad as cover for captain Ricky Ponting, who is still recovering from an elbow injury sustained in the third Test against the West Indies.
Hughes, the New South Wales (NSW) opener, shone with the bat in the last two Sheffield Shield games which include a 122 against Victoria in Newcastle this week and 75 in the Blues’ first innings against Queensland at the Gabba. “I can’t wipe the smile off my face,” Hughes was quoted as saying by ABC Monday.“I found out today off (Cricket Australia operations manager) Michael Brown that I got the call and I was just pumped.“The smile’s been on the face all day. I can’t wait to get on the plane tomorrow.”

The 20-year-old has scored 388 runs at 43.11 in his return to the domestic four-day game this season after starting his Test career in exciting fashion in South Africa in February, when he became the youngest player in history to score a century in each innings of a Test.

India moves ahead with 2-1 lead

Cuttack, Dec 21: India defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the third One-Day International of the five-match series at the Barabati Stadium here on Monday. Chasing 240, India made 242 for three in 42.2 overs after Sachin Tendulkar scored an unbeaten 96.
Earlier, All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja produced his career-best four-wicket haul as India bundled out Sri Lanka for a modest 239 at Barabati Stadium here today.
Electing to bat, Sri Lanka made a rousing start before they lost way in the middle overs as Indian slow bowlers brought themselves back into the game.
Jadeja claimed four for 32 — his best from 12 ODIs — while Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma took two wickets apiece to bring an end to Sri Lanka innings in 44.2 overs.
Upul Tharanga (73) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (41) gave Sri Lanka a perfect start going with a run rate in an excess of 10. Captain Kumar Sangakkara (46) then stood in a 100 run partnership with Tharanga as the Lankans looked set for a big score before the Indians came back strongly.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Estudiantes not looking to put on a show: Veron

Estudiantes not looking to put on a show: Veron

ABU DHABI, Dec 19: Estudiantes will play hard but fair and will not be looking to put on a show when they face Barcelona in the Club World Cup final, captain Juan Sebastian Veron and coach Alejandro Sabella said on Friday. The South American Libertadores Cup holders meet European champions Barcelona at Zayed Sports City (1600 GMT) looking to lift their second world title while the Spanish favourites want to win it for the first time to crown a glittering year. “We have always been the same, we have been treated as we are treated,” Veron told reporters. “It’s the nature of the club, for some reason they called us animals in England.” The team of 1968, in which Veron’s father Juan Ramon was the most skilled player, were accused of gamesmanship in the two-leg Intercontinental Cup victory over Manchester United when memories were fresh of the controversial 1966 World Cup quarter-final between England and Argentina at Wembley.

Mathews to miss rest of one-day series

Mathews to miss rest of one-day series

Bhubaneshwar, Dec 19: Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews will miss the rest of the one-day series in India because of injury. The medium-pacer strained his right quadricep during his match-winning 37 not out in Friday’s second ODI, which the tourists won by three wickets to level the five-match series 1-1.

The recovery is expected to take up to four weeks, the team said on Saturday. The third match will be played in Cuttack on Monday. Uncapped all-rounder Thissara Perera was named as Mathews replacement on a tour that has already seen four bowlers return home injured. (IANS)

Friday, December 18, 2009

Woods wins golf writers award

Woods wins golf writers award

May move to France in search of privacy

HOUSTON, Dec 18: Tiger Woods was voted male player of the year by the Golf Writers Association of America on Thursday by an overwhelming margin over Steve Stricker, with most ballots returned after he became embroiled in a sex scandal.

It was the 10th time Woods has won the award in his 13 years as a pro.

LPGA Tour rookie Jiyai Shin was voted female player of the year over Lorena Ochoa, while Loren Roberts won the senior player award.

Sri Lanka clinch thriller to level series

Sri Lanka clinch thriller to level series

Nagpur, Dec 18: Sri Lanka beat India by 3 wickets in a thrilling match in Nagpur to level series on Friday.

Earlier, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni cracked his sixth hundred and strung together a breezy century stand with Suresh Raina to lift his side to an imposing 301 for seven in the second One-day International.

Dhoni had the proverbial cat’s luck as he was let off on four occasions by the butter-fingered Lanka fielders, thrice by his counterpart Kumar Sangakkara alone before he had reached 50, and the India captain punished them with his second successive hundred in ODIs at this venue, following his match-winning 124 against Australia on October 28.

The India captain, who fell to impressive debutant Suraj Randiv for 107 in 111 balls that included eight fours and two sixes, and Raina (68) stitched a stand of 126 in only 119 balls for the fifth wicket to lift India to the 300-plus score after the hosts were struggling just past the halfway stage. Coming together when their side were 132 for four in the 27th over, they helped their side with a run-a-ball partnership on a wicket that offered a lot of turn to the slow bowlers and not a bowler’s graveyard as was the case in the first ODI at Rajkot.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Saina named sportsperson of the year by Sports mag

STAFF WRITER 16:27 HRS IST

Mumbai, Dec 17 (PTI) Ace badminton player Saina Nehwal has been named the Sports Illustrated India's sportsperson of the year.

Other awards included Team of the Year - Indian Davis Cup Squad, International Sportsperson - Usain Bolt, Young player - Virat Kohli, Lifetime Achievement - late Rajsingh Dungarpur, Editor's Award for Excellence - Leander Paes,

The awards were declared last night at a function held here in a city hotel.

"The Sports Illustrated award are an attempt to provide the essential acknowledgement and recognition for the achievement of men and women who have excelled in their field," Sports Illustrated India Editor-in-Chief Sundeep Mishra said.

Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna were among the sportspersons present on the occassion.

Yuvraj may miss again, Sehwag to play 2nd ODI

STAFF WRITER 14:42 HRS IST

Nagpur, Dec 17 (PTI) Already nursing a finger injury, India's middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh has been laid low by viral flu, which may rule him out of second one-dayer against Sri Lanka here tomorrow.

Yuvraj, who had also missed the opening match in Rajkot due to injury, skipped the practice session today and it is still not known if he has recovered from his finger injury.

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was unsure of Yuvraj's participation in tomorrow's clash but said opener Virender Sehwag was fit to play.

"Yuvraj Singh is having flu. He's having a viral infection. Till now it's flu. We did not ask him about his finger since he did not turn out on the field because of flu.

We have to see how difficult it is for him to field," he said.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Murali out of ODI series

Murali out of ODI series

Rajkot, Dec 16: Trailing 0-1 following the defeat in the series-opener, Sri Lanka were today dealt a massive blow after ace off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was ruled out of the remaining four cricket one-dayers against India due to a finger injury.

The Lankans have brought in two new off-spinners, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara and Suraj Randiv, in the squad.

“We have decided to rest Murali from the One-Day series to allow him to recover fully from the finger injury and to be available for future tournaments,” visiting team manager Brendon Kuruppu told PTI today.

“Murali injured his ring and middle fingers during the Mumbai Test (third and final match of the series held in the first week of December) and is going back home via Chennai,” Kuruppu informed.

Morgan predicts day/night Tests ‘within two years’

Morgan predicts day/night Tests ‘within two years’

LONDON, Dec 16: International Cricket Council president David Morgan said on Wednesday he would be “surprised if we don’t see day/night Test cricket within the next two years”.

While attendances for Test match cricket in England remain strong, crowds for five-day cricket in other leading nations have been in decline for several years. As part of plans to boost Test match crowds around the world, the ICC has been looking at staging five-day games in a day/night format - something that currently happens only for One-dayers and Twenty20 internationals.

Murali out of ODI series, two off-spinners called in

STAFF WRITER 10:43 HRS IST

Rajkot, Dec 16 (PTI) Trailing 0-1 following the defeat in the series-opener, Sri Lanka were today dealt a massive blow after ace off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was ruled out of the remaining four cricket one-dayers against India due to a finger injury.

The Lankans have brought in two new off-spinners, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara and Suraj Randiv, in the squad.

"We have decided to rest Murali from the One-Day series to allow him to recover fully from the finger injury and to be available for future tournaments," visiting team manager Brendon Kuruppu told PTI today.

"Murali injured his ring and middle fingers during the Mumbai Test (third and final match of the series held in the first week of December) and is going back home via Chennai," Kuruppu informed.

The world's leading wicket-taker in Tests missed the two Twenty20 Internationals that followed the Test series as well as the first ODI that India won here yesterday. .

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

India, Pakistan in same pool in hockey World Cup


New Delhi, Dec 15: Arch-rivals India and Pakistan were today clubbed in the same pool in the 2010 hockey World Cup scheduled to start in the capital from February 28. Apart from the 1975 champions India and four-time winner Pakistan, Pool B also has Australia, Spain, England and South Africa. Defending champion Germany is the top seed in Pool A and will meet Netherlands, Korea, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina in the group phase of the event. India won their maiden World Cup in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur, while Pakistan won the inaugural edition in Spain (1971) before winning back-to-back crown in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1978) and Mumbai (1982). The last time they won was in Sydney in 1994. Following the preliminary phase, the best two ranked teams of each pool would proceed to the semifinals, the International Hockey Federation said in a statement today. The match schedule for the World Cup will be released later this month, FIH said.

Pool A: Germany, the Netherlands, Korea, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina.

Pool B: Australia, Spain, England, Pakistan, India and South Africa. (PTI)

3 runs give India the smile

First ODI at Rajkot • Sloppy fielding continue to hunt India as Sri Lanka nearly chased down the highest score posted by the hosts

Rajkot, Dec 15: India posted their higest-ever one-day total of 414 but a rampaging Sri Lanka very nearly pulled off a sensational victory before losing their way in the fag end to give the hosts a narrow three-run victory in a high-scoring thriller here today.

After the Indians rattled up 414 of 7 built around Virender Sehwag’s 146, Tillkaratne Dilshan (160) and Kumar Sangakkara (90 off 43 balls) launched a ruthless assault but the Indian bowlers held their nerve to eventually scamper home and give the home team a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

The Madhav Rao Scindia stadium turned out to be a batting paradise with over 825 runs being scored and India would consider themselves a trifle lucky to escape with a win despite the sloppy fielding and the erratic bowling.

1st ODI: India make record 414 against Sri Lanka

RAJKOT: Virender Sehwag smashed 146 off 102 balls as India piled up their highest One-day total of 414/7 against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Day in Pics: December 14 The swashbuckling opener hit 17 boundaries and six sixes after the tourists won the toss and elected to field in good batting conditions at the Madhavrao Scindia stadium.

The run riot on a ground with shorter boundaries enabled India to just surpass their previous One-day record of 413-5 against Bermuda in the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.

It was also the fifth-highest score in One-day cricket overall, fuelled by a blazing start to the five-match series as Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar hammered 153 for the first wicket by the 20th over.

Tendulkar, the world's leading Test and One-day batsman, made 69 off 63 balls with 10 fours and a six before he was bowled by Dilhara Fernando.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni continued the batting feast as he added 156 for the second wicket with Sehwag, before both batsmen fell in successive overs.

Dhoni hit seven boundaries and three sixes in 72 off 53 balls.

Sehwag top-edged an intended flick off left-arm seamer Chanaka Welegedara to Tillakaratne Dilshan at point in the 36th over.

Five balls later, Dhoni holed out in the covers off Fernando as Sri Lanka slowed the scoring with a flurry of wickets towards the end of the innings.

India, who were sailing along at 309-1, lost five wickets in the space of 43 runs to slip to 352-6 by the 44th over.

Young all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja hit an unbeaten 30 off 17 balls to help India record their biggest total.

Welegedara, Nuwan Kulasekara and Fernando finished with two wickets each.

India had won the preceding Test series 2-0 and both teams won one Twenty20 international each.

Teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, Ashish Nehra and Virat Kohli.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (C), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dilhara Fernando, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilina Kandamby, Nuwan Kulasekara, Angelo Mathews, Chanaka Welegedara, Thilan Samaraweera, Upul Tharanga


TOI

Monday, December 14, 2009

Hauritz’s Doosra is ready

Hauritz’s Doosra is ready

PERTH, Dec 14: Australian off-spinner Nathan Hauritz says he will use the ‘Doosra’ during the third Test against the West Indies, and is confident about bouncing back in Perth after putting in a lacklustre performance in Adelaide last week.

Hauritz bowled well in the first Test win in Brisbane taking 3-17 and 2-40, but only managed match figures of 2-179 in Adelaide.

India take on Lanka in opener

India take on Lanka in opener

RAJKOT, Dec 14: A suspected hairline fracture to Yuvraj Singh’s finger has left India worried as they go into the opening One Day International against Sri Lanka on Tuesday with a question mark on the availability of the dashing left hander.

It will be a big setback for India if the southpaw, who injured his left little finger while fielding in the last T20I match in Mohali, ends up warming the benches even though team management is keen to play him in the series-opener.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

We want to end 2009 on a winning note: Bhajji


CHANDIGARH, Dec 13: After achieving the number one status in Test cricket, Indian cricketers will strive to end the year on a high by winning the five-match One-day series against Sri Lanka, says off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.

“We played excellent game this year. We will strive hard to win the ODI series with Sri Lanka and end the year on a winning note,” Harbhajan told reporters here after launching a drug awareness campaign.

“We will not drop our guards and become relaxed and keep trying to win matches in future,” the seasoned tweaker added.

Drawn Tests a worry in India: Ponting

Drawn Tests a worry in India: Ponting

MELBOURNE, Dec 13: Too many Test matches played in the Indian sub-continent do not produce results, which is a worry for the health of cricket’s longer version, according to Australian captain Ricky Ponting.

Asked about his thoughts on the ‘death of Test cricket’, Ponting said, “I can understand where a lot of negative stuff might start because there’ are not a lot of results being achieved on the sub-continent these days.

Friday, December 11, 2009

India beat Bangladesh to enter final

DHAKA, Dec 11: India played their best match of the tournament as they beat Bangladesh by a solitary goal in the semifinal to set up a title clash against holders Maldives in the SAFF Championships on Friday.

Captain Sushil Kumar scored the all-important goal in the 62nd minute with a faint touch off a free kick by Robert Lalthama from just outside the box.

Daunting task for India

MOHALI, Dec 11: Stung by the flop show in the first game, India have plenty of repair work to do as they go into the second Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka on Saturday with the acute drop in fielding and bowling standards being a worrying factor.

The Indians put up a pathetic performance in all departments of the game to lose the first match by 29 runs in Nagpur and Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men have a tough task at hand to level the series 1-1.

Nothing went right for the hosts in Nagpur and seldom does a top international cricket team go into a game worrying about so many factors.

If the fielding was poor, the batting and bowling also left much to be desired and the team management may opt for a couple of changes in the playing eleven for tomorrow’s floodlit contest at the PCA stadium.

The Indians may also contemplate leaving out Yousuf Pathan who has not been able to make a significant contribution off late despite his immense talent.
The visitors, on the other hand, will go into the contest in a positive frame of mind after their convincing victory in Nagpur where captain Kumar Sangakkara led from the front with a blistering 37-ball 78.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Indian, Sri Lankan teams arrive for Mohali T-20 tie

STAFF WRITER 18:23 HRS IST

Chandigarh, Dec 10 (PTI) The Indian and Sri Lankan teams arrived here this evening for their second and final Twenty20 International at PCA grounds at Mohali.

The Indian team, led by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, checked in at Hotel Taj here without Virender Sehwag, Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma.

The Delhi trio will join the team tomorrow.

The Sri Lankans, led by captain Kumar Sangakkara, also checked in at the same hotel.

The teams arrived here after playing their first Twenty20 International at Nagpur, which the visitors won by 29 runs.

Immediately after their arrival, Dhoni and his team-mates cut a cake that had been prepared by the Taj staff to celebrate the team becoming the top ranked Test side in the world.

Yuvraj Singh, who hails from the city, will celebrate his 28th birthday on Saturday.

ICC wants to carve out window for IPL: FICA

London, Dec 10: The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) has alleged that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is mulling changing the Future Tours Programme (FTP) to carve out a window for the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Champions League and not cutting down on the hectic international schedule.

ICC chairman David Morgan had said that the current home and away rule in FTP could be relaxed to save the players from burnout. Currently teams have to play each other twice over a six-year cycle but that could be reduced to once.

ICC rankings: Ponting out of top ten batsmen for first time since 2002

Sydney, Dec 10(ANI): Australian skipper Ricky Ponting’s sub-par performance in the Adelaide Test against West Indies has seen him slide out of the world’s top ten batsmen for the first time since 2002.

The most recent figures released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) has Ponting sitting at 12th place, a drop of three spots. He is now behind New Zealand’s Ross Taylor (ninth) and Indian batsman Virender Sehwag, who jumped 14 spots into fifth after his recent 293 against Sri Lanka, Fox Sports reported.

Indian opener Gautam Gambhir leads the batting table with Sri Lankan duo of Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara second and third. The only Australian to sit among the top ten is vice-captain Michael Clarke, who improved his position by one spot to fourth.

There is no change in the list for Test all-rounders with South Africa’s Jacques Kallis leading the field by a comfortable margin.

Meanwhile, in the team rankings Australia had started the year in the number one spot, but face the embarrassing prospect of slipping to fourth if they fail to beat West Indies in the third Test at the WACA Ground.

Not even a draw against West Indies will halt the slide with Sri Lanka set to assume third spot on the rankings behind India and South Africa.

Team India is currently at the top of the ICC rankings after defeating Sri Lanka in the three Test match series, while not even a draw against West Indies will halt the slide with Sri Lanka set to assume third spot on the rankings behind South Africa. (ANI)


Wednesday, December 9, 2009

India thrash China in Champions Challenge hockey

Salta (Argentina), Dec 9: India played an attacking game to outplay China 4-1 in a pool A match of the Champions Challenge hockey tournament underway here.

Prabhjot Singh (7th minute) Rajpal Singh (35), Sarwanjit Singh (56) and Shivendra Singh (70) scored for India. China pulled one back through Yi Song in the 41st minute.

Having drawn their opening match against New Zealand, India showed intent against China right from the start on Tuesday.

India go down to SL in Nagpur T20

Nagpur, Dec 9: A buttered-finger India paid a heavy price for a slopping fielding display to allow Sri Lanka to clinch the first Twenty20 international with a comfortable 29-run run victory and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series here today.

The visitors first rattled up an imposing 215 for five riding on captain Kumar Sangakkara's blistering 37-ball 78 before restricting the hosts to 186 for nine in a high-scoring contest.

The Indians dropped as many as five catches, missed a couple of run out chances and were generally pathetic with the ground fielding to allow the islanders to pile up a huge total on a good batting track at the VCA stadium in Jamtha.

India pay price for poor fielding,lose by 29 runs

STAFF WRITER 20:52 HRS IST

S S Ramaswamy

Nagpur, Dec 9 (PTI)
A butter-fingered India paid a heavy price for a slopping fielding display to allow Sri Lanka to clinch the first Twenty20 international with a comfortable 29-run run victory and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series here today.

The visitors first rattled up an imposing 215 for five riding on captain Kumar Sangakkara's blistering 37-ball 78 before restricting the hosts to 186 for nine in a high-scoring contest.

The Indians dropped as many as five catches, missed a couple of run out chances and were generally pathetic with the ground fielding to allow the islanders to pile up a huge total on a good batting track at the VCA stadium in Jamtha.

Apart from Sangakkara's assault, Chamara Kapudegera (47 off 20 balls), Tillakaratne Dilshan (34) and Sanath Jayasuriya (26) were the other notable scorers for the Sri Lankans.

Pakistan name Waqar Younis bowling, fielding coach

KARACHI: Pakistan have appointed former captain and renowned paceman Waqar Younis as a bowling and fielding coach for their tour
of Australia Waqar Younis starting later this month, an official said on Wednesday.

"Waqar has agreed to serve as fielding and bowling coach for the tour of Australia after we requested his services for the job," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said.

Pakistan dropped about half a dozen catches in their first Test defeat against New Zealand at Dunedin last month. They also grassed three crucial catches in their series-levelling win at Wellington
last week.

Pakistan play three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and a Twenty20 international on the tour of Australia, starting December 26 in Melbourne.

Waqar, who has settled in Australia and works as a television commentator, left the bowling coach job in 2007 after a dispute with the former PCB leadership. He also blamed then-captain Inzamam-ul-Haq for his ouster.

During an illustrious career, Waqar took 373 wickets in 87 Tests and 416 in 262 One-Day Internationals. He also led Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup before retiring the next year.

TOI

Akthar's contract not to be renewed: PCB

Embattled Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar's career has been dealt another blow with the Cricket Board deciding not to renew his central contract as he is neither playing for the national team nor competing in the domestic circuit.

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ejaz Butt said no fresh contract would be issued to the fast bowler, whose career has been marred by injury breakdowns, a dope scandal and disputes with the authorities.

Shoaib's current contract expires at the end of this month.

Butt said only those players are given contracts and monthly salaries who are playing for the country or competing at the domestic level.

"Unfortunately in both cases, Shoaib has not played for a while now so from next month he will not be getting anymore salary from the board," he said.

Shoaib is placed in the category A of the central contracts, which allows him to draw a salary of Rs 250,000 per month from the board.

The troubled bowler has kept a low profile since returning from England after undergoing a knee surgery two months ago.

He also had a liposuction in Islamabad to remove excess fat from his body but has not spoken to the media or played any competitive cricket.

Shoaib has had a troubled time in the past two-three years and has played only a handful of matches for Pakistan.

Butt said the fast bowler was given a central contract last time as he was active and the PCB wanted him to play regularly for the team provided he was fit and in form.

Talking about Younis Khan's non-availability for the Australian tour, Ejaz Butt said he was disappointed with the senior batsman.

The Pakistani selectors yesterday announced the squad for the tour, retaining Muhammad Yousuf as captain for the Test and one-day series in Australia.

Younus, who had pulled out of the ongoing tour of New Zealand due to personal reasons and lack of form, didn't make himself available for the Australian tour.

"I had spoken to Younus in England and had told him to play some domestic cricket and make himself available for the Australian tour," Ejaz Butt said.

"I am disappointed that he didn't listen to my advice because I feel he is our top batsman and should have been going to Australia. But since he didn't make himself available there is nothing the selectors could do," he added.

The PCB Chairman said despite several attempts by the PCB to contact Younus, nothing had come out of it.

"At present we don't even know where Younus is as he has not gotten back to us as yet," he stated.

ICC might scrap the home-and-away system

As per the new details of the post-2012 FTP, ICC President David Morgan said that the current home-and-away concept could be scrapped.

The present FTP works on a system of all teams playing each other twice in Test and one-day series over a six-year cycle.

Speaking to Cricinfo, Morgan said that the cycle could be reduced to one series and can be either a home or an away series.

"The process is similar but the results will be different. I can't elaborate, but at the moment it's a requirement that in any six year cycle each full member has to play the other home and away in a minimum of two Tests and three one-day internationals," Morgan said.

"I believe there will be a relaxation of that. Perhaps not in the number of games, but there's the possibility of instead having to play everybody home and away in a fixed cycle, you may either play them away or home."

"The FTP essentially is a basket of bilateral agreements between the ten full members with some consideration given to the more proficient associate countries like Ireland and the Netherlands. That set of bilateral arrangements is continuing."

"I firmly believe that it is very important to consult with the players. Where FICA [Federation of International Cricketers' Associations] is recognised, which is in the majority of countries, we are very happy to liaise and discuss things with Tim May and his team. I find them a responsible body," added the ICC president.

Last month, the FICA had advised the ICC to do away with the FTP system and had asked them to create a new scheduling system.

Yousuf retained as captain for Australia series

Pakistan were forced to retain Mohammad Yousuf as captain for their three-Test series in Australia after Younus Khan remained unavailable, selectors announced Tuesday.

Younus, appointed captain until the 2011 World Cup, pulled out of Pakistan's tour to New Zealand over lack of form and has since been unavailable. He did not play in any domestic match, which was a prerequisite for his selection.

"He (Younus) has not been in touch with us at all since returning home and he didn't inform us about his availability for the Australian tour. So we didn't consider him for the series," chief selector Iqbal Qasim said.

Qasim said Younus would have to play some domestic cricket in order to prove his form before being considered for national selection again in the future.

"He had withdrawn from the test tour of New Zealand because of his poor form, so he has to play in some domestic matches to get his touch back," Qasim said.

Last month, PCB had asked Yousuf to lead the side in the ongoing test series against New Zealand after Younus withdrew his name from the tour citing poor form with the bat.

Younus had said that he wants to take a break from the international cricket to recoup his form and passion for the sport.

But since returning from Abu Dhabi where the team lost the ODI series to New Zealand under his captaincy, Younus had maintained distance from the media and was also not in touch with the board or selectors.

"Yousuf has done enough to be made captain for tests and ODIs as the Chairman of the board didn't agree at the thought to have separate captains for tests and ODIs," a board official said.

Yousuf will also lead the team in the five-match one-day series that follows the Tests. Shahid Afridi, not in the Test squad, will lead the team in the one Twenty20 to be played after the one-day matches.

Two players on the current New Zealand Test tour -- Yasir Arafat and Sarfraz Ahmed -- will return home to trim the squad for the Australia tour to 16.

The first Test starts in Melbourne from December 26.

Squad: Mohammad Yousuf (captain), Salman Butt, Khurrum Manzoor, Imran Farhat, Shoaib Malik, Fawad Alam, Faisal Iqbal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal (wk), Danish Kaneria, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamir, Abdur Rauf, Umer Akmal.

No Pakistan players in IPL-3

Pakistani cricketers will not play in the Indian Premier League III as their board has failed to obtain their visas before the deadline for confirmation of participation, IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi said on Monday.

"We have been informed by PCB that they have not been able to obtain the visas as of now. So we are not being able to extend the deadline. Today is the absolute deadline for confirmation of Pakistani players (to take part in IPL). The exchange window is day after tomorrow," Modi said.

"Unfortunately, the Pakistani players are out and they will not be allowed to take part in the next IPL because we are handicapped by the fact that the exchange window is day after tomorrow. We are informing the teams that they now can go for the replacement of the Pakistani players," he told the Times Now channel.

The Indian Premier League III will be played at various venues in the country in March-April.

Yuvraj sacked as Kings XI captain

There have been reports doing rounds that the Kings XI skipper Yuvraj Singh has been sacked from the captaincy by the team management.

Reports said that the team coach Tom Moody was unhappy with Yuvraj's attitude which apparently led to his sacking. The report also stated that Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara would take over as the captain of the Punjab team during the 3rd edition of the IPL.

Sangakkara, however, rubbished these reports and said, "I already have my hands full with the Sri Lanka job. I cannot take another one and I feel an Indian should lead an Indian franchise."

Praising Yuvraj Singh, Sangakkara said, "He is a very good captain and I enjoyed playing under his leadership in the IPL. I haven't heard anything of this sort"

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Messi or Ronaldo?

ZURICH, Dec 8: Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo was given a chance to defend his World Player of the Year title on Monday when he was named on the shortlist for this year’s accolade.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Brazil’s Kaka, the 2007 winner, and Spanish pair Andres Iniesta and Xavi completed the shortlist for the title which will be awarded by soccer’s governing body FIFA on December 21. All five nominees play for Spanish clubs—Ronaldo and Kaka for Real Madrid and Xavi, Messi and Iniesta for Barcelona.

It’s time for the slam bang stuff

NAGPUR, Dec 8: Having crowned themselves the number one team in Test rankings, India would look to assert their supremacy in the shortest format as well when they clash against Sri Lanka in the first Twenty20 International on Wednesday.

The 2-0 triumph and the number one Test ranking also gives India a psychological edge over the visitors, who are still licking their wounds after being spanked by an innings by the home team in two consecutive Test matches.

India have made a few changes in their squad, resting pace spearhead Zaheer Khan and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and calling up youngsters Ashok Dinda and R Ashwin. With Test specialists Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman not considered any more for the limited-over clashes, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan and Rohit Sharma would shore up the middle-order along with Yuvraj Singh and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Oz media slams BCCI ‘India rule Test arena while trying to kill it’

Melbourne, Dec 7: In a scathing attack on the Indian cricket board, Australian media on Monday said the financially strong Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is doing every bit to kill Test cricket even as their team has taken the top spot in the traditional format.

“India rule Test arena while trying to kill it,” a Sydney Morning Herald header screamed.

“It is incredible that India, long seen as promoting the death of Test cricket by driving the proliferation of Twenty20 matches, has reached the sport’s pinnacle.”

India played only six Test matches this year, an away series against New Zealand in March followed by the just concluded three-Test series against Sri Lanka after a gap of seven months.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Jwala-Diju in Super Series Masters finals, Saina loses in semis

Johor Bahru, Dec 5: India’s Valiyaveetil Diju and Jwala Gutta scored a sensational 21-19, 21-11 win over Poland’s Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezda Kostiuczyk to storm into the mixed doubles final of the World Super Series Masters Finals badminton at the Johor Bahru City Stadium here on Saturday.

However, top-seeded Indian Saina Nehwal went down 18-21, 18-21 to Juliane Schenk of Germany in the women’s singles semifinals. It was a strong comeback from world No 7. Jwala and Diju who had lost their opening Group match.

Sangakkara stands in India’s way

MUMBAI, Dec 5: India were on the threshold of becoming the number one team in Test rankings as they closed in on an emphatic victory in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka despite captain Kumar Sangakkara’s gritty unbeaten century on Saturday.

After conceding a mammoth 333-run first innings lead, the visitors were struggling at 274 for six at close on the penultimate day which was marked by Sangakkara’s resilient unbeaten 133 under immense pressure.

The Lankans are still trailing by 59 runs at the end of the day and will have to bat out of their skins to achieve the near-impossible task of saving the game on a last-day Brabourne track which was expected to assist the bowlers.

The Indians, on the other hand, will look to wrap up the remaining four wickets quickly on Sunday and clinch the three-match Test series with a 2-0 margin.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Dhoni hits ton, India firmly in driver's seat

MUMBAI: For Sri Lanka, it might have seemed like they had been granted a free showing of Pulp Fiction just when they were dreading the thought of Dhoni hits ton, India firmly in driver's seat watching any further bloodshed.

The whole of Friday was Prime Time, a Tarantino-like thriller that had Indians gleefully munching popcorn as the Lankans looked for a place for hide.

No sooner did the ball land on the roof of Brabourne's clubhouse in the final half an hour of the third day's proceedings, Mahendra Singh Dhoni raised his bat for a well-struck 100 and ran back to the dressing room acknowledging the cheers. He wanted Sri Lanka to pad up and play as many overs as possible while chasing India's impressive 333-run lead.

Dhoni declared at 726/9, his innings bringing the curtains down on an extremely boisterous show that Sehwag had started. Sri Lanka will remember this batting genocide for a long time. It left the visitors nursing multiple bruises as the Indians registered their highest-ever total in Tests, surpassing their previous best of 705 at Sydney in 2004.
For Lanka, it couldn't have been more torturous after Sehwag had virtually battered the opposition.

No sooner did Friday begin, though, the high expectations that Sehwag would become the first batsman to score three triple tons in Tests fell flat. Muttiah Muralitharan allowed himself to grin for the first time in this Test match, coming round the wicket and sending down one with enough loop for the batsman to tap it right back. Caught and bowled for 293, seven excruciatingly painful runs short of 300, Sehwag returned to a standing ovation.

At least for the next 36 years - that is how long Brabourne yearned for a Test match - it will easily remain the most pleasing memory here. Soon, Dravid left too, missing his century after scoring 74 runs and for just that moment, it began to seem doubtful if batting once would be enough for the hosts.

Often, in Mumbai, when a match is on and regardless of whether Sachin Tendulkar is playing in it or not, it is a given for the crowd to keep chanting his name. 'Sachin, Sachin,' they go on, and he needn't actually be there. So, it was just about normal that India at 487/3, with Sehwag having set the tone, Tendulkar walked out to a rapturous welcome and scored 53 in the middle of a decibel level that made Lanka cringe further. Along with Laxman's 62, these were important runs though India were still quite far from reaching the 700-run mark until Dhoni had finished.

On Saturday, when play begins, each delivery bowled, every wicket taken, will be with the sole intention of wrapping this Test up as soon as possible. India's race to the Number One spot in the ICC Test rankings has begun and they might as well reach there in style.

For all the runs accumulated, every bit contributed by those playing the second fiddle to Sehwag was pleasing to the eye. If his smacking Sri Lanka all over the park was a Thursday special, Dhoni hitting his sixes all over the clubhouse roof time and again made for Friday's blockbuster.

With 15-odd minutes left for the day's play to end, Lanka faced three overs, scored 11 runs and surely got a taste of things to come. India had begun attack with off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha from each end.

TOI

South Africa to play Mexico in FIFA World Cup opener

CAPE TOWN: Brazil and Portugal were sent on a World Cup collision course when the final draw was made on Friday while Lady Luck smiled on England


The Brazilians and Portuguese will clash in Group G and will be joined by top African side Ivory Coast and unknown quantities North Korea in what will inevitably be dubbed the 'group of death'.

England coach Fabio Capello had reason to be happy as his men drew the United States, Algeria and Slovenia.

Ironically it was David Beckham, who plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy, who pulled out the ball which paired up the Americans with England in the World Cup for the first time since 1950 when the United States pulled off a shock 1-0 win.

Hosts South Africa were given a tough assignment, getting 1998 winners France, Central America powerhouse Mexico and Uruguay.

Group B has Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria and Greece, with Germany, Australia, Ghana and Serbia making up Group D.

The Netherlands have Japan, Cameroon and Denmark in Group E. Italy has New Zealand, Paraguay and Slovakia in Group F while in the final Group H, European champions Spain go up against Honduras, Chile and Switzerland.

The draw, which saw the 32 qualified teams split into eight groups of four for the first round stage of the June 11-July 11 tournament, laid down the battle lines for what will be the first World Cup to be played on African soil.

With the eyes of the footballing world firmly focused on this historic city perched on the southern tip of the continent, it was an evening full of symbolic significance both for Africa and for South Africa, coming as it did just 15 years after the end of the apartheid era.

After a show that featured both traditional and modern African music, the stage was handed over to South African-born Academy Award winning actress Charlize Theron who took on the duties of main presenter to be joined on stage later by other sporting celebrities including Beckham.

First, as pre-arranged, out of the seeded Pot 1 were hosts South Africa who will be playing in just their third World Cup and who, at 86th in the world, are the lowest-ranking team in the competition.

They were followed in turn by heavyweights Argentina, England, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Brazil and Spain.

It was then a question of who would go up against them from the three remaining pots which had been carefully assembled to ensure that teams from the same continent would be kept apart as far as possible.

The four Asian qualifiers, three North and Central American teams and minnows New Zealand, representing Oceania, came out of Pot 2. First out was Mexico putting them into the opening match against South Africa in Johannesburg on June 11.

The five remaining African sides and three remaining South Americans were allocated from out of Pot 3 leaving the remaining eight European teams from the final Pot 4.

The latter contained the two most dangerous floaters in the draw - France and Portugal - and when Portugal were flung in with Brazil the atmosphere turned electric in the main auditorium of the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Group A - South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B - Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece
Group C - England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D - Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia
Group E - Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark
Group F - Italy (holders), New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia
Group G - Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H - Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland

TOI

add add * Bandra-Worli Sea link part of Mumbai Marathon route

STAFF WRITER 20:39 HRS IST

Mumbai, Dec 3 (PTI) Runners participating in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon on January 17, 2010 will run on the Rajiv Gandhi Bandra Worli Sea link, which will be part of the 42.1 km course, organisers said here today.

The seventh edition of the race which will have 14,500 runners taking part in full marathon and half marathon will offer USD 3,10,000 in prize money, an increase of USD 60,000 from last year.

For the first time in seven years there will be a separate start for half marathon which will commence at Bandra and end at CST.

The change has been necessitated by the need to avoid convergence of the runners of the two categories and give the participants of the full marathon a clear route from start to finish, the orgainsers said.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Saina named Sports Illustrated Sportsperson

NEW DELHI, Dec 3: India’s badminton sensation Saina Nehwal was on Thursday declared the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year for her stupendous show in 2009. The Hyderabadi shuttler became the first Indian to have won a Super Series title when she triumphed in Indonesian event in June. She also broke into the top-10 zone this year. India cricketer Virat Kohli was adjudged the Young Player of the Year while India’s Davis Cup Squad was named as the Team of the Year. Jamaican super sprinter Usain Bolt, a Beijing Olympic gold medallist, was chosen as the International Sportsperson of the Year while the Lifetime Achievement award will be given posthumously to former BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur. “These individuals have shown supreme grit and determination in their endeavours to excel. The awards are our way of providing further encouragement and support to these men and women,” Sundeep Misra, editor-in-chief of the Sports Illustrated India, said through a press release. “Saina Nehwal’s achievements this year make her stand out like a colossus in the history of Indian sport. Breaking into the world’s top-10 in a sport dominated for years by the Chinese and South-East Asians is no mean feat. “Saina’s focus is her strength and it is this focus that saw her claim the Indonesian Super Series; an achievement worthy of being celebrated not just by Saina but the whole nation,” Misra added. (PTI)

Sehwag mauls the helpless Lankan Lions

MUMBAI, Dec 3: Virender Sehwag clobbered a breath-taking unbeaten 284 as India rode on his brutal assault to take complete control of the third and final cricket Test against a hapless Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Replying to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 393, the 31-year-old Sehwag set the Brabourne stadium ablaze with a stunning display of strokeplay as the hosts raced to a record score of 443 for one at close on an extraordinary second day’s play.

Sehwag plundered runs at will as he not only notched up his 17th Test ton, his sixth 200 plus total, but laid the platform for India to push for victory which would take them to the number one position in the ICC Test rankings. THE SENTINEL

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

WI should be barred from Tests: Hughes

MELBOURNE, Dec 1: With a skipper who doesn’t even want to play Test cricket, the West Indies are in complete disarray and should be barred from the longer version of the game until they prove themselves worthy, feels former Australian captain Kim Hughes.

After their humiliating innings and a 65 runs defeat to Australia in opening Test in Brisbane, Hughes said the Caribbeans’ shoddy performance was a poor advertisement for Tests which is already battling dwindling spectator interest.

Focus on winning series: Dhoni

MUMBAI, Dec 1: Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, on Tuesday, said that his team was not giving much thought to the prospect of becoming world’s number one Test side as it would only add to the pressure when they take on Sri Lanka in the third and final match starting on Wednesday.

Leading 1-0 in the series, a win in the match starting, on Wednesday, would catapult India to the top of the ICC list but Dhoni said thinking about the rankings would not let the side focus on the task at hand.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Focus on winning series: Dhoni

MUMBAI, Dec 1: Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, on Tuesday, said that his team was not giving much thought to the prospect of becoming world’s number one Test side as it would only add to the pressure when they take on Sri Lanka in the third and final match starting on Wednesday.

Leading 1-0 in the series, a win in the match starting, on Wednesday, would catapult India to the top of the ICC list but Dhoni said thinking about the rankings would not let the side focus on the task at hand.

“Winning the series is important but at the end of the day, if we do that, it will reflect in the ratings. We are not thinking about the ratings because we don’t really want to play under pressure,” Dhoni said on the eve of the third and final Test at the Brabourne Stadium.

“You want to play your natural game, the whole team wants to play according to the game-plan. We don’t really think about the ratings because we know that if we keep winning the games, if we keep playing well, the ratings will take care of themselves,” Dhoni said.

Even a drawn encounter would clinch the series for the hosts after their comprehensive victory by an innings in the second match at Kanpur. The high-scoring first Test at Ahmedabad was drawn.

Dhoni said the first session of play would be crucial as the seam bowlers are expected to get some help.

Guwahati to host national powerlifting

GUWAHATI, Dec 1: Guwahati will host the Rajiv Gandhi Junior and Masters National Power Lifting Championship from January 6. The tournament, to be organized by the North East Powerlifting Association, would be concluded on January 10. The president of the North East Powerlifting Association, Kailash Sarma said that around 1000 players from 32 states would take part in the meet. Dronacharya awardee coach Bhupinder Dhawan would likely to be present in Guwahati during the championship.