Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Padma Shri, received a special award.
Source: http://specials.rediff.com/cricket/2009/feb/19sld4-bcci-awards-2009.htm
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
BCCI Awards 2009
Dashing opener Virender Sehwag receives the Polly Umrigar award from Board of Control for Cricket in India president Shashank Manohar at the annual awards nite in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Sehwag said he wanted to emulate his idol Sachin Tendulkar and win the BCCI's Cricketer of the Year award.
First Look: ICC World Cup 2011
International Cricket Council chief Haroon Lorgat on Tuesday night insisted that the 2011 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, will not be shifted out of Pakistan.
All the four host nations, he said, have only been asked to have an alternate venue in hand.
"There is no truth in the World Cup moving as far as we are concerned. We are planning for the four countries to host it.
"What we are planning to do, as we do for all our events, is to do a security assessment and then take a view at that time," Lorgat told a media conference to announce a three-year partnership between the ICC and Yahoo India during which he and former India captain Rahul Dravid unveiled the 2011World Cup trophy.
He also added that a final decision will be taken in a year's time.
"The World Cup is two years away. It will be speculative to state what the security situation would be in a few years time (in Pakistan)."
Earlier in the day, Lorgat had been quoted as saying organisers of the 2011 World Cup should consider shifting venues to another city, even to another country, if situation so demands.
However, he however, felt there is still enough time in hand and there is no need to press the panic button.
"I think it's still a long way off to World Cup. It is certainly a consideration to keep note of but it's way too early to be already concerned at this particular stage," he added.
Lorgat said, if all goes well, of the 15 World Cup venues, eight would be in India, four in Pakistan, two in Sri Lanka and one in Bangladesh.
Source: http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2009/feb/18first-look-icc-world-cup-trophy.htm
All the four host nations, he said, have only been asked to have an alternate venue in hand.
"There is no truth in the World Cup moving as far as we are concerned. We are planning for the four countries to host it.
"What we are planning to do, as we do for all our events, is to do a security assessment and then take a view at that time," Lorgat told a media conference to announce a three-year partnership between the ICC and Yahoo India during which he and former India captain Rahul Dravid unveiled the 2011World Cup trophy.
He also added that a final decision will be taken in a year's time.
"The World Cup is two years away. It will be speculative to state what the security situation would be in a few years time (in Pakistan)."
Earlier in the day, Lorgat had been quoted as saying organisers of the 2011 World Cup should consider shifting venues to another city, even to another country, if situation so demands.
However, he however, felt there is still enough time in hand and there is no need to press the panic button.
"I think it's still a long way off to World Cup. It is certainly a consideration to keep note of but it's way too early to be already concerned at this particular stage," he added.
Lorgat said, if all goes well, of the 15 World Cup venues, eight would be in India, four in Pakistan, two in Sri Lanka and one in Bangladesh.
Source: http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2009/feb/18first-look-icc-world-cup-trophy.htm
Swann's five-for puts England in control
St John's: England were in full control of the third Test after career-best bowling from Graeme Swann carried them to a 281-run first innings lead over West Indies on Tuesday.
England - who trail the hosts 1-0 - were 31 for one in their second innings when stumps were drawn on the third day at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
This followed Swann taking 5-57 from 24 overs, as West Indies were dismissed for 285, replying to England's first innings total of 566 for eight declared.
Ramnaresh Sarwan hit the top score of 94 for West Indies, and there were supporting knocks of 38 from Devon Smith, 27 from Ryan Hinds, and 22 from Daren Powell.
England decided not to enforce the follow-on, and suffered an early loss, when their captain Andrew Strauss was caught at second slip for 14 off the fiery Fidel Edwards.
The visitors chose to send James Anderson in as night-watchman and he was fortunate to have survived. On four, he edged Edwards to third slip, where Hinds muffed a simple chance.
Earlier, England toiled on the hard, easy-paced ARG pitch and took all their chances after West Indies continued from their overnight total of 55 for one.
Before lunch, it was Swann's off-spin bowling, rather than the fast bowlers that provided England with two wickets, as West Indies reached 132 for three at the interval. West Indies lost the wickets of Smith and Powell in the second hour before lunch.
The ARG pitch, as expected, played a few tricks, but England's bowlers were not accurate enough, and the West Indies' overnight pair of Smith and night-watchman Powell studiously navigated the first hour.
But Swann provided the breakthrough, when Smith tried an ugly-looking slog at a flighted delivery and was bowled by the second ball after the drinks break.
England - who trail the hosts 1-0 - were 31 for one in their second innings when stumps were drawn on the third day at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
This followed Swann taking 5-57 from 24 overs, as West Indies were dismissed for 285, replying to England's first innings total of 566 for eight declared.
Ramnaresh Sarwan hit the top score of 94 for West Indies, and there were supporting knocks of 38 from Devon Smith, 27 from Ryan Hinds, and 22 from Daren Powell.
England decided not to enforce the follow-on, and suffered an early loss, when their captain Andrew Strauss was caught at second slip for 14 off the fiery Fidel Edwards.
The visitors chose to send James Anderson in as night-watchman and he was fortunate to have survived. On four, he edged Edwards to third slip, where Hinds muffed a simple chance.
Earlier, England toiled on the hard, easy-paced ARG pitch and took all their chances after West Indies continued from their overnight total of 55 for one.
Before lunch, it was Swann's off-spin bowling, rather than the fast bowlers that provided England with two wickets, as West Indies reached 132 for three at the interval. West Indies lost the wickets of Smith and Powell in the second hour before lunch.
The ARG pitch, as expected, played a few tricks, but England's bowlers were not accurate enough, and the West Indies' overnight pair of Smith and night-watchman Powell studiously navigated the first hour.
But Swann provided the breakthrough, when Smith tried an ugly-looking slog at a flighted delivery and was bowled by the second ball after the drinks break.
Strauss continued to rotate his bowlers, particularly the fast bowlers from the southern end of the ground in an effort to make use of a ridge in the middle of the pitch which made batting difficult.
But Swann was allowed to wheel away from the northern end and got his second scalp, when Powell was caught at slip playing defensively forward in the last 15 minutes before the interval.
The West Indies fast bowler had shown enormous restraint in a little over two hours spent at the crease before Swann outfoxed him.
After lunch, England claimed two wickets - one of them Shivnarine Chanderpaul - to tighten their grip on the Test at tea.Andrew Flintoff removed Hinds and Stuart Broad got Chanderpaul for one in the space of nine balls, as West Indies reached 221 for five at the break.
Flintoff made the breakthrough for England, after Hinds had added 70 for the fourth wicket with Sarwan, when the left-hander edged a leg-cutter and was caught behind.
Next over, England got a bonus wicket, when Broad had Chanderpaul also caught behind driving loosely at a delivery outside the off-stump.
After tea, England met resistance from Sarwan and Brendan Nash. They added 50 for the sixth wicket before Swann returned to snare two wickets from consecutive balls.
Swann had Sarwan caught at mid-wicket playing an ugly cross-batted slog, and next ball, Denesh Ramdin was caught and bowled when he gently pushed back a full toss to the off-spinner to leave West Indies 251 for seven.
England continued to mount the pressure and eventually snared the last three West Indies wickets for seven runs in the space of 13 balls. Flintoff gave Swann steady support with three for 47 from 14.2 overs.
England trail 0-1 in the series which now comprises five Tests, following an innings and 23-run defeat in the opening Test at Kingston inside four days.
The other two Tests in the series take place at Kensington Oval in Barbados from February 26 to March 2, and Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad from March 6 to 10.
Source: http://cricketnext.in.com/news/swanns-fivefor-puts-england-in-control/38368-13-1.html
Pakistan include five uncapped players for Lanka Test
KARACHI: Pakistani selectors on Wednesday included five uncapped players in a new-look 15-man squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka starting on Saturday.
Chief selector Abdul Qadir said opener Ahmed Shahzad was picked after batting a brilliant 100 in the two-day tour match against Sri Lanka.
"Shahzad was not selected in the initial squad of 22 but I said last week that we can pick a player from outside the first list, so after hitting a 100 against Sri Lanka we could not ignore Shahzad," Qadir told reporters.
Pacemen Mohammad Talha and Sohail Khan, opener Khurram Manzoor and all-rounder Fawad Alam were selected after domestic match performances.
The 20-year-old Talha, who hails from Faisalabad, has impressed with his quick pace and wicket-taking ability in domestic matches.
Left-handed middle-order batsman Asim Kamal was also included in the team after breaking into the initial list.
The 32-year-old left-hander played the last of his 12 Tests against England in 2005 before losing his place due to poor form.
All-rounder Shahid Afridi and paceman Sohail Tanveer were omitted.
With frontline paceman Shoaib Akhtar ruled out of the series because of an injured knee, Umar Gul will lead the fast bowling attack with Sohail, Talha and Yasir Arafat as back-up.
Arafat played his only Test against India at Bangalore in December 2007, picking up five wickets in the innings. Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is the only regular spinner in the squad.
Squad: Younis Khan (captain), Salman Butt, Khurram Manzoor, Ahmed Shahzad, Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq, Faisal Iqbal, Asim Kamal, Fawad Alam, Yasir Arafat, Danish Kaneria, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Talha, Sohail Khan
Soruce: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pakistan-drop-Tanvir-and-Afridi-for-Sri-Lanka-Test/articleshow/4150709.cms
Chief selector Abdul Qadir said opener Ahmed Shahzad was picked after batting a brilliant 100 in the two-day tour match against Sri Lanka.
"Shahzad was not selected in the initial squad of 22 but I said last week that we can pick a player from outside the first list, so after hitting a 100 against Sri Lanka we could not ignore Shahzad," Qadir told reporters.
Pacemen Mohammad Talha and Sohail Khan, opener Khurram Manzoor and all-rounder Fawad Alam were selected after domestic match performances.
The 20-year-old Talha, who hails from Faisalabad, has impressed with his quick pace and wicket-taking ability in domestic matches.
Left-handed middle-order batsman Asim Kamal was also included in the team after breaking into the initial list.
The 32-year-old left-hander played the last of his 12 Tests against England in 2005 before losing his place due to poor form.
All-rounder Shahid Afridi and paceman Sohail Tanveer were omitted.
With frontline paceman Shoaib Akhtar ruled out of the series because of an injured knee, Umar Gul will lead the fast bowling attack with Sohail, Talha and Yasir Arafat as back-up.
Arafat played his only Test against India at Bangalore in December 2007, picking up five wickets in the innings. Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is the only regular spinner in the squad.
Squad: Younis Khan (captain), Salman Butt, Khurram Manzoor, Ahmed Shahzad, Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq, Faisal Iqbal, Asim Kamal, Fawad Alam, Yasir Arafat, Danish Kaneria, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Talha, Sohail Khan
Soruce: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pakistan-drop-Tanvir-and-Afridi-for-Sri-Lanka-Test/articleshow/4150709.cms
IPL matches to get all support from state government
JAIPUR: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday refuted Rajasthan Cricket Association President Lalit Modi's claims that his government was trying to sabotage IPL matches in Jaipur and promised all kind of facilities for the Twenty20 games in Rajasthan.
Gehlot said the factional war in the RCA was none of state government's concerns, according to an official spokesperson of the state government.
"They would be given facilities which were provided by previous government to hold matches here, keeping people's craze for cricket in view," he said.
Modi had earlier threatened to shift IPL matches out of Jaipur, alleging the state government was harassing him.
Gehlot, however, said his Government has nothing to do with the ongoing controversies in the faction-ridden RCA.
RCA secretary Subhash Joshi leads the dissident group against Modi, who is already in a legal mess for alleged cheating and acquiring land through wrongful means.
"RCA being an autonomous body is governed by its own constitution and Rajasthan Sports act and the disputes were their internal matters," the spokesperson said.
Soruce: http://ipl.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/IPL_to_get_all_support_from_state_govt/articleshow/4150399.cms
Gehlot said the factional war in the RCA was none of state government's concerns, according to an official spokesperson of the state government.
"They would be given facilities which were provided by previous government to hold matches here, keeping people's craze for cricket in view," he said.
Modi had earlier threatened to shift IPL matches out of Jaipur, alleging the state government was harassing him.
Gehlot, however, said his Government has nothing to do with the ongoing controversies in the faction-ridden RCA.
RCA secretary Subhash Joshi leads the dissident group against Modi, who is already in a legal mess for alleged cheating and acquiring land through wrongful means.
"RCA being an autonomous body is governed by its own constitution and Rajasthan Sports act and the disputes were their internal matters," the spokesperson said.
Soruce: http://ipl.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/IPL_to_get_all_support_from_state_govt/articleshow/4150399.cms
Team India's new jersey unveiled
NEW DELHI: From next time the men in blue will be in different attire when they play One-Day International or Twenty20 international. New Jersey has been unveiled for the Indian team on Wednesday.
The new jersey, this time, changed for the second time in two years. Team India skipper M S Dhoni, pacer Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Ojha and Rohit Sharma unveiled the jersey.
The occasion became more special when former players like Venkatesh Prasad, Vinod Kambli, Robin Singh and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan were also present wearing the old blue jersey of the Team India.
This time the colour of the jersey is totally different from the traditional colour, which the players were wearing. Skipper MS Dhoni also praised the new jersey.
"It would look good, won't get dirty easily," said Dhoni in a funny way.
The Indian team will wear the new jersey when they tour New Zealand.
The Indian team will leave for New Zealand on Thursday and will start the tour with a Twenty20 match at Christchurch on February 25. The next Twenty20 game will played in Wellington on February 27.
The ODI series starts from March 3, while the Test series will get underway from March 18.
Soruce: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Team-Indias-new-jersey-unveiled/articleshow/4148955.cms
The new jersey, this time, changed for the second time in two years. Team India skipper M S Dhoni, pacer Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Ojha and Rohit Sharma unveiled the jersey.
The occasion became more special when former players like Venkatesh Prasad, Vinod Kambli, Robin Singh and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan were also present wearing the old blue jersey of the Team India.
This time the colour of the jersey is totally different from the traditional colour, which the players were wearing. Skipper MS Dhoni also praised the new jersey.
"It would look good, won't get dirty easily," said Dhoni in a funny way.
The Indian team will wear the new jersey when they tour New Zealand.
The Indian team will leave for New Zealand on Thursday and will start the tour with a Twenty20 match at Christchurch on February 25. The next Twenty20 game will played in Wellington on February 27.
The ODI series starts from March 3, while the Test series will get underway from March 18.
Soruce: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Team-Indias-new-jersey-unveiled/articleshow/4148955.cms
Schedule ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup 2009
Group A
India
Bangladesh
Ireland
Group B
Pakistan
England
Netherlands
Group C
Australia
Sri Lanka
West Indies
Group D
New Zealand
South Africa
Scotland
GroupE
A1, B2, C1, D2
GroupF
B1, A2, C2, D1
Source: http://www.rediff.com/cricket/schedulet20wc.html
India
Bangladesh
Ireland
Group B
Pakistan
England
Netherlands
Group C
Australia
Sri Lanka
West Indies
Group D
New Zealand
South Africa
Scotland
GroupE
A1, B2, C1, D2
GroupF
B1, A2, C2, D1
Source: http://www.rediff.com/cricket/schedulet20wc.html
Cricket in 2010 South Asian Games
Cricket will be included in next year's South Asian Games, to be staged in Dhaka, a regional Olympic official said.
"India, Sri Lanka , Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal have already agreed to participate in cricket," Kutubuddin Ahmed, secretary-general of the Bangladesh Olympic Association, told Reuters after a meeting in Kathmandu on Monday.
A Twenty20 competition at under-21 level would feature in the games for the eight-nation grouping, to be staged from January 29 to February 9 next year, he added.
Source: http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2009/feb/17cricket-in-2010-south-asian-games.htm
Cricket in 2010 South Asian Games
Cricket will be included in next year's South Asian Games, to be staged in Dhaka, a regional Olympic official said.
"India, Sri Lanka , Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal have already agreed to participate in cricket," Kutubuddin Ahmed, secretary-general of the Bangladesh Olympic Association, told Reuters after a meeting in Kathmandu on Monday.
A Twenty20 competition at under-21 level would feature in the games for the eight-nation grouping, to be staged from January 29 to February 9 next year, he added.
Source: http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2009/feb/17cricket-in-2010-south-asian-games.htm
Nike to unveil new jersey for Team India
Mumbai, Feb 18: Team India’s jersey sponsors Nike is set to unveil a new jersey for India, later in the day, before the team departs for the New Zealand tour.
The new jersey is believed to be in a darker shade than the present sky-blue jersey.
The new jerseys will debut during the New Zealand tour when Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men take to field on Feb 25 for the first off the two Twenty20 international agaist New Zealand at Christchurch.
Soruce: http://cricket.zeenews.com/fullstory.aspx?nid=17740
The new jersey is believed to be in a darker shade than the present sky-blue jersey.
The new jerseys will debut during the New Zealand tour when Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men take to field on Feb 25 for the first off the two Twenty20 international agaist New Zealand at Christchurch.
Soruce: http://cricket.zeenews.com/fullstory.aspx?nid=17740
Team India's new jersey unveiled
NEW DELHI: From next time the men in blue will be in different attire when they play One-Day International or Twenty20 international. New Jersey has been unveiled for the Indian team on Wednesday.
The new jersey, this time, changed for the second time in two years. Team India skipper M S Dhoni, pacer Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Ojha and Rohit Sharma unveiled the jersey.
The occasion became more special when former players like Venkatesh Prasad, Vinod Kambli, Robin Singh and L Shivramakrishnan were also present wearing the old blue jersey of the Team India.
This time the colour of the jersey is totally different from the traditional coulour, which the players were wearing. As skipper MS Dhoni also praised the new jersey.
"It would look good, won't get dirty easily," said Dhoni in a funny way.
The Indian team will wear the new jersey when they tour New Zealand and play all the three formats of the game.
The Indian team will leave for New Zealand on Thursday and will start the tour with a Twenty20 match at Christchurch on February 25. The next Twenty20 game will played in Wellington on February 27.
The ODI series starts march 3, while the Test series will get underway from March 18.
Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/New-jersey-for-Team-India-unveiled/articleshow/4148955.cms
The new jersey, this time, changed for the second time in two years. Team India skipper M S Dhoni, pacer Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Ojha and Rohit Sharma unveiled the jersey.
The occasion became more special when former players like Venkatesh Prasad, Vinod Kambli, Robin Singh and L Shivramakrishnan were also present wearing the old blue jersey of the Team India.
This time the colour of the jersey is totally different from the traditional coulour, which the players were wearing. As skipper MS Dhoni also praised the new jersey.
"It would look good, won't get dirty easily," said Dhoni in a funny way.
The Indian team will wear the new jersey when they tour New Zealand and play all the three formats of the game.
The Indian team will leave for New Zealand on Thursday and will start the tour with a Twenty20 match at Christchurch on February 25. The next Twenty20 game will played in Wellington on February 27.
The ODI series starts march 3, while the Test series will get underway from March 18.
Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/New-jersey-for-Team-India-unveiled/articleshow/4148955.cms
I need to be focused to my job in NZ: Lakshmipathy Balaji
CHENNAI: Back in the Test squad after a four-year hiatus, comeback man Lakshmipathy Balaji reckons it would be just a matter of finding a rhythm in New Zealand and wickets would automatically follow.
The lanky Tamil Nadu pacer believes he has regained the lost touch and is not perturbed either by the conditions in New Zealand or the varying tracks there.
"I am not unduly worried about the condition of pitches in New Zealand. Of course it is going to be challenging, particularly because of the weather. But as an international cricketer, I am confident of adapting to the conditions.
"So long as I keep my rhythm, other things will fall in place," Balaji said.
Once he is on song, Balaji said neither the nature of the track nor the atmosphere could affect his rhythm.
"The atmosphere around or the conditions of the pitch does not affect me or my rhythm. I just need to be focused to my job, the job of maintaining the line and length and take wickets", he said.
Balaji is particularly happy with the way his body has responded after returning from a stress fracture that threatened his career.
"Since recovering from stress fracture and a back surgery later, I have bowled over 400 overs in domestic cricket. I have got back to my old ways of bowling," Balaji said.
Balaji agreed most of his teammates have no prior experience of playing in New Zealand but felt the seniors would help the youngsters to overcome the problem.
"Like every cricketer, I also know that the weather conditions will be windy and harsh in New Zealand. Many players are making their first tour to New Zealand but seniors in the team who had been to New Zealand number of times -- like Sachin (Tendulkar), (Virender) Sehwag and others -- are there to guide us," he said.
Balaji said he has been bowling well since last year's Indian Premier League and he just wanted to keep doing the good job.
"Now I am hundred per cent fit and bowling well since the IPL tournament last April. I have worked harder than before during the last a year or more and have also increased the workload for optimum levels.
"Now my body has responded well to the calls and feeling pretty good. I believe in myself and I will surely give hundred per cent for good results," he said.
Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
The lanky Tamil Nadu pacer believes he has regained the lost touch and is not perturbed either by the conditions in New Zealand or the varying tracks there.
"I am not unduly worried about the condition of pitches in New Zealand. Of course it is going to be challenging, particularly because of the weather. But as an international cricketer, I am confident of adapting to the conditions.
"So long as I keep my rhythm, other things will fall in place," Balaji said.
Once he is on song, Balaji said neither the nature of the track nor the atmosphere could affect his rhythm.
"The atmosphere around or the conditions of the pitch does not affect me or my rhythm. I just need to be focused to my job, the job of maintaining the line and length and take wickets", he said.
Balaji is particularly happy with the way his body has responded after returning from a stress fracture that threatened his career.
"Since recovering from stress fracture and a back surgery later, I have bowled over 400 overs in domestic cricket. I have got back to my old ways of bowling," Balaji said.
Balaji agreed most of his teammates have no prior experience of playing in New Zealand but felt the seniors would help the youngsters to overcome the problem.
"Like every cricketer, I also know that the weather conditions will be windy and harsh in New Zealand. Many players are making their first tour to New Zealand but seniors in the team who had been to New Zealand number of times -- like Sachin (Tendulkar), (Virender) Sehwag and others -- are there to guide us," he said.
Balaji said he has been bowling well since last year's Indian Premier League and he just wanted to keep doing the good job.
"Now I am hundred per cent fit and bowling well since the IPL tournament last April. I have worked harder than before during the last a year or more and have also increased the workload for optimum levels.
"Now my body has responded well to the calls and feeling pretty good. I believe in myself and I will surely give hundred per cent for good results," he said.
Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Swann puts West Indies in a spin
ST JOHN'S: Graeme Swann's off-spin proved the undoing of West Indies as England took command of the third Test by bowling out the hosts for 285 on the third day on Tuesday.
England lost captain Andrew Strauss in reaching 31 for one in their second innings at the close, a lead of 312 runs with nine wickets remaining.
Swann became the first England off-spinner in 10 years to take five wickets in a Test innings, completing figures of five for 57 on a ground where slow bowlers usually have little joy with his well-flighted and positive bowling.
Ramnaresh Sarwan's stylish 94 was the only bright spot in a largely poor West Indies batting display but he was one of a number of batsmen who got out to loose strokes.
Chasing England's 566 for nine declared, West Indies could ill-afford any recklessness but although they may have feared England's pace bowlers being able to make the most of the ridge on the wicket it was Swann who proved their downfall.
After West Indies resumed on 55 for one overnight, the spinner made two breakthroughs before lunch.
Opener Devon Smith and night watchman Daren Powell resisted well for over an hour before left-hander Smith was bowled by Swann playing an awful shot across the line.
Powell, normally a tail ender, produced his longest test innings before he edged a well-flighted, turning Swann delivery to Paul Collingwood at slip.
SHARPLY AWAY
Ryan Hinds helped Sarwan add 70 for the fourth wicket until Andrew Flintoff moved a ball sharply away to have the left-hander caught for 27 by a diving Matt Prior behind the stumps.
Then Shivnarine Chanderpaul, so often the anchor of West Indian batting, made just one before he edged an outswinging half-volley from Broad straight to Prior.
Sarwan batted beautifully, timing the ball crisply, but having survived a risky single when Stuart Broad missed the stumps with the batsman stranded, he had another escape when Broad spilled a caught and bowled opportunity.
Just six runs short of his century, Sarwan came down the track in an attempt to drive Swann over the top only to loop the ball to Flintoff at mid-on who snaffled the chance.
With his next ball Swann dismissed Denesh Ramdin, gleefully taking a caught and bowled from a poor full-toss.
Flintoff removed Brendan Nash before Swann picked up his fifth wicket by trapping Sulieman Benn lbw.
With a tired bowling attack, Strauss decided to bat again and force West Indies to try and save the game batting last.
Strauss did not make it through the session, though, edging Fidel Edwards to Devon Smith at second slip.
Night watchman James Anderson entered the record books with his 46th test innings without making a duck but he was lucky to get through to the close as he was dropped by Hinds at third slip off Edwards.
The last off-spinner to take five wickets in a Test innings for England was Peter Such against Australia in Sydney in 1999.
Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
England lost captain Andrew Strauss in reaching 31 for one in their second innings at the close, a lead of 312 runs with nine wickets remaining.
Swann became the first England off-spinner in 10 years to take five wickets in a Test innings, completing figures of five for 57 on a ground where slow bowlers usually have little joy with his well-flighted and positive bowling.
Ramnaresh Sarwan's stylish 94 was the only bright spot in a largely poor West Indies batting display but he was one of a number of batsmen who got out to loose strokes.
Chasing England's 566 for nine declared, West Indies could ill-afford any recklessness but although they may have feared England's pace bowlers being able to make the most of the ridge on the wicket it was Swann who proved their downfall.
After West Indies resumed on 55 for one overnight, the spinner made two breakthroughs before lunch.
Opener Devon Smith and night watchman Daren Powell resisted well for over an hour before left-hander Smith was bowled by Swann playing an awful shot across the line.
Powell, normally a tail ender, produced his longest test innings before he edged a well-flighted, turning Swann delivery to Paul Collingwood at slip.
SHARPLY AWAY
Ryan Hinds helped Sarwan add 70 for the fourth wicket until Andrew Flintoff moved a ball sharply away to have the left-hander caught for 27 by a diving Matt Prior behind the stumps.
Then Shivnarine Chanderpaul, so often the anchor of West Indian batting, made just one before he edged an outswinging half-volley from Broad straight to Prior.
Sarwan batted beautifully, timing the ball crisply, but having survived a risky single when Stuart Broad missed the stumps with the batsman stranded, he had another escape when Broad spilled a caught and bowled opportunity.
Just six runs short of his century, Sarwan came down the track in an attempt to drive Swann over the top only to loop the ball to Flintoff at mid-on who snaffled the chance.
With his next ball Swann dismissed Denesh Ramdin, gleefully taking a caught and bowled from a poor full-toss.
Flintoff removed Brendan Nash before Swann picked up his fifth wicket by trapping Sulieman Benn lbw.
With a tired bowling attack, Strauss decided to bat again and force West Indies to try and save the game batting last.
Strauss did not make it through the session, though, edging Fidel Edwards to Devon Smith at second slip.
Night watchman James Anderson entered the record books with his 46th test innings without making a duck but he was lucky to get through to the close as he was dropped by Hinds at third slip off Edwards.
The last off-spinner to take five wickets in a Test innings for England was Peter Such against Australia in Sydney in 1999.
Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Referral system is beneficial, says Lorgat
MUMBAI: Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar did not find the umpiring referral system fool-proof when he encountered it last year but according to ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, the system has improved and was contributing in making correct decisions.
"The referral system, which Tendulkar experienced first-hand during India's 1-2 Test series defeat to Sri Lanka last year, has improved the rate of giving correct decisions," Lorgat said on Tuesday night.
"The idea is to give sufficient help (to the umpires) to get the decisions correct. We have seen that the correct decisions' percentage has gone up from 94 to 98 per cent with this system in place," the ICC official said.
"Anyway the ICC's Cricket Committee would decide on the matter in May when it meets and put forward their proposal to the Executive Board in June," Lorgat added.
Tendulkar was not impressed with the system and had openly expressed his feelings.
"When I was there in Sri Lanka last time, I did not like the Umpires Referral system. There is still an element of uncertainty in the system," Tendulkar had said here last week.
"I still prefer the hot-spot system to identify the contact between the ball and bat. The LBW decisions are not convincing enough as the Hawk Eye gives a 22-yard view which the new referral system does not agree with ... As to whether the ball would have hit the stumps or not," Tendulkar said.
His India teammate Harbhajan Singh had sung a different tune on the same day by saying that the system should be extended to the One-dayers as well.
Apart from the referral system, Lorgat said the ICC was worried about match-fixing raising its ugly head once again.
He said they were in talks with the Indian Premier League to send its Anti-Corruption Unit officials to oversee it in April-May.
"We should never be complacent and see a situation that we got into a few years back. We are having discussions with IPL Governing Council with (chairman) Mr (Lalit) Modi and the others and have offered the services of the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit," Lorgat said.
In the first season of the IPL the organisers of the League had their own ACU officials to supervise the event.
Lorgat reiterated ICC's commitment to see that cricket is not tainted by the drug menace that has affected some other sports disciplines, notably athletics and weightlifting.
"We have zero tolerance for drugs and have signed an Anti-Doping Code (with World Anti Doping Agency)," he said.
Queried about the request from the Pakistan Cricket Board for pre-dating the start of the one-year ban imposed on drug-tainted pacer Mohammed Asif, already rejected by the IPL, Lorgat replied, "We have not received any application from the PCB."
On the matter of slow over rate that has been the bane of international cricket, Lorgat said that of late it has been brought under control.
"Recently there was only one instance of slow over rate, that too by just one over. We have addressed the issue by taking care of things which lead to the slowing down," the ICC Chief Executive added.
Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
"The referral system, which Tendulkar experienced first-hand during India's 1-2 Test series defeat to Sri Lanka last year, has improved the rate of giving correct decisions," Lorgat said on Tuesday night.
"The idea is to give sufficient help (to the umpires) to get the decisions correct. We have seen that the correct decisions' percentage has gone up from 94 to 98 per cent with this system in place," the ICC official said.
"Anyway the ICC's Cricket Committee would decide on the matter in May when it meets and put forward their proposal to the Executive Board in June," Lorgat added.
Tendulkar was not impressed with the system and had openly expressed his feelings.
"When I was there in Sri Lanka last time, I did not like the Umpires Referral system. There is still an element of uncertainty in the system," Tendulkar had said here last week.
"I still prefer the hot-spot system to identify the contact between the ball and bat. The LBW decisions are not convincing enough as the Hawk Eye gives a 22-yard view which the new referral system does not agree with ... As to whether the ball would have hit the stumps or not," Tendulkar said.
His India teammate Harbhajan Singh had sung a different tune on the same day by saying that the system should be extended to the One-dayers as well.
Apart from the referral system, Lorgat said the ICC was worried about match-fixing raising its ugly head once again.
He said they were in talks with the Indian Premier League to send its Anti-Corruption Unit officials to oversee it in April-May.
"We should never be complacent and see a situation that we got into a few years back. We are having discussions with IPL Governing Council with (chairman) Mr (Lalit) Modi and the others and have offered the services of the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit," Lorgat said.
In the first season of the IPL the organisers of the League had their own ACU officials to supervise the event.
Lorgat reiterated ICC's commitment to see that cricket is not tainted by the drug menace that has affected some other sports disciplines, notably athletics and weightlifting.
"We have zero tolerance for drugs and have signed an Anti-Doping Code (with World Anti Doping Agency)," he said.
Queried about the request from the Pakistan Cricket Board for pre-dating the start of the one-year ban imposed on drug-tainted pacer Mohammed Asif, already rejected by the IPL, Lorgat replied, "We have not received any application from the PCB."
On the matter of slow over rate that has been the bane of international cricket, Lorgat said that of late it has been brought under control.
"Recently there was only one instance of slow over rate, that too by just one over. We have addressed the issue by taking care of things which lead to the slowing down," the ICC Chief Executive added.
Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Tough opener for Saina Nehwal
MUMBAI: Saina Nehwal is always game for tough challenges. So what if she has drawn nemesis Pi Hongyan of France, ranked fifth in the world, in the All England opener.
Saina simply says bring it on. "I'm actually happy with the draw and facing Hongyan first up," the 10th-ranked Indian told TOI shortly after the draw was released on Tuesday.
"All England is one tournament I desperately want to win, but if it doesn't happen this year, I'll always have another shot at it next season. In fact, if I get through a tough match to start with, it'll only be a huge confidence booster," said Saina, who chose to skip the on-going National Championship in Indore to give her playing shoulder some rest before the $200,000 Super Series event to be held in Birmingham from March 3-8.
Saina has never been comfortable playing fourth seeded Hongyan, considered one of the fastest movers on court and one with lethal drops.
The junior world champion trails the 30-year-old Frenchwoman 1-4, with the lone win coming at the Super Series Masters Finals in Malaysia last December.
Saina isn't willing to look beyond the first round at Birmingham. "I've played her several times to know how to beat her. But, she's one of the toughest players on tour and it's going to be another long match," said Saina.
Source: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Tough_opener_for_Saina_Nehwal/articleshow/4146224.cms
Saina simply says bring it on. "I'm actually happy with the draw and facing Hongyan first up," the 10th-ranked Indian told TOI shortly after the draw was released on Tuesday.
"All England is one tournament I desperately want to win, but if it doesn't happen this year, I'll always have another shot at it next season. In fact, if I get through a tough match to start with, it'll only be a huge confidence booster," said Saina, who chose to skip the on-going National Championship in Indore to give her playing shoulder some rest before the $200,000 Super Series event to be held in Birmingham from March 3-8.
Saina has never been comfortable playing fourth seeded Hongyan, considered one of the fastest movers on court and one with lethal drops.
The junior world champion trails the 30-year-old Frenchwoman 1-4, with the lone win coming at the Super Series Masters Finals in Malaysia last December.
Saina isn't willing to look beyond the first round at Birmingham. "I've played her several times to know how to beat her. But, she's one of the toughest players on tour and it's going to be another long match," said Saina.
Source: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Tough_opener_for_Saina_Nehwal/articleshow/4146224.cms
Sania-Santangelo in Dubai Open pre-quarters
DUBAI: Sania Mirza and her Italian partner Mara Santangelo advanced to the doubles pre-quarterfinals of the $2 million Dubai Tennis Championships after getting a walkover from Poland's Urszula Radwanska and Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland in the first round.
An injury to Radwanska forced the Polish-American pair to give away the match to their opponents.
Sania and Sanatangelo now have a tough job at hand as they face top seeded pair of Zimbabwean Cara Black and American Lizel Huber in the second round.
Sania's singles campaign had ended on Tuesday after losing her second round match to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia.
Source: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sania-Santangelo_in_Dubai_Open_pre-quarters/articleshow/4147270.cms
An injury to Radwanska forced the Polish-American pair to give away the match to their opponents.
Sania and Sanatangelo now have a tough job at hand as they face top seeded pair of Zimbabwean Cara Black and American Lizel Huber in the second round.
Sania's singles campaign had ended on Tuesday after losing her second round match to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia.
Source: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sania-Santangelo_in_Dubai_Open_pre-quarters/articleshow/4147270.cms
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