India win by 99 runs

NAGPUR, Oct 28: Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni struck a breathtaking 124 as India put up an all-round display to crush Australia by 99 runs in the second one-dayer to level the seven-match series 1-1, here tonight.
Dhoni smashed a 107-ball 124 to guide India to a record 354 for seven, the highest against Australia, after they were sent in to bat before the home team bowlers bundled out the visitors for 255 in 48.3 overs at VCA Stadium at Jamtha, to cancel out their narrow four-run loss in Vadodara on Sunday. Besides tearing visiting attack to shreds to notch up his fifth ODI ton in 147 matches, Dhoni clobbered two century stands 119 with Gambhir for fourth wicket and 136 with Raina for the fifth, pushing India score past earlier highest against Australia 315 all out in Bangalore in March 2001. The Australian bowlers felt the full fury of Dhoni’s blade after Gambhir was run out just before the mandatory change of ball. Dhoni joined forces with another left-hander Raina, who struck one six and six fours, to simply tear the Aussie attack to ribbons with a partnership of 136 in only 96 balls.

Matthaeus rejects coaching job

Hamburg, Oct 28: Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaeus has turned down an offer to coach Argentina’s Racing Club, it was reported on Wednesday. Germany’s Bild newspaper said Matthaeus (48), informed the club of his decision in an SMS short text message. The report quoted Juan Cobian, an adviser involved in contract negotiations, as saying Racing had fulfilled all of the former player’s demands. “Then came the rejection during the night by SMS. That was ridiculous. We are all disappointed,” he was quoted as saying. Racing Club president Rodolfo Molina had said on Saturday that Matthaeus was due to arrive “next week” and to take over from Ricardo Caruso Lombardi, who resigned a fortnight ago. Matthaeus captained Germany to the 1990 World Cup title and is the nation’s most-capped player with 150 matches. As a coach he won league titles with Partizan Belgrade and Red Bull Salzburg and has also worked in Hungary, Israel and Brazil. (IANS)