Vadodara, Oct 31 (PTI) After missing Irani Trophy and Twenty20 tournaments earlier this year, medium pacer Irfan Pathan has preferred opted out of the first Ranji Tie against Delhi beginning here November 3 due to a knee injury.
He has been replaced by Shatrunjay Gaekwad, who had been dropped from the initial team announced by the selection committee of Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) a couple of days ago.
In irfan's absence, Connor Williams will lead the team and Pinal Shah would be his deputy.
The team: Connor Williams (Capt), Satyajit Parab, Yusuf Pathan, Jacob Martin, Azhar Bilakhia, Pinal Shah(V. Capt, WK), Rakesh Solanki, Shatrunjay Gaekwad, Rajesh Pawar, Sankalp Vohra, Ketan Panchal, Swapnil Singh, Salim Yusuf Veragi, Ajitesh Argal and Murtuja Vahora.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Irfan not to play against Delhi in Ranji match
Friday, October 30, 2009
Brett Lee out of India series, returns to Australia
New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) Injury-ravaged Australia's campaign in the ongoing one-day series against India received a body blow today with pace spearhead Brett Lee ruled out of the remainder of the series because of an elbow injury.
The 32-year-old would return home midway through the series to consult specialists, the team management said in a statement.
Lee was unable to complete his 10-over spell during the first ODI against India in Baroda and was not available for selection in the second match of the series in Nagpur.
Today, he had a light practice at the Ferozeshah Kotla and captain Ricky Ponting said he was 85 percent fit.
"Brett's elbow injury has not responded as well to treatment as we would have liked and therefore a decision has been made to send him home to consult with an elbow specialist," team physiotherapist Kevin Sims said.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Less ODI would prolong Tendulkar’s career: Border
| NEW DELHI, Oct 29: Sachin Tendulkar should cut down on his limited over appearances to prolong his Test career, feels former Australia captain Allan Border. "I have high esteem for Tendulkar and his achievements in international cricket. But I think, it would be better for him to appear in fewer limited over matches, including one-dayers. It would help him to prolong his Test career," Border said. Border, who made 11,174 runs for Australia from 156 Tests, feels Tendulkar’s ability to handle pressure is the mantra behind his success in international cricket. "Representing your country for 20 years in international arena is not a small achievement. There is always a lot of pressure on an international cricketer and I must say Tendulkar has managed it beautifully," Border said. Tendulkar, who has till date scored 12,773 runs from 159 Tests, since making his debut against Pakistan in Karachi way back in 1989. "Like many others, his career was also disturbed by injuries. But even after many ups and downs, Tendulkar still has the same passion and love for the game," said Border, who is here as the brand ambassador of Airtel Delhi Half Marathon to be held on Sunday. "Tendulkar is a player who always looks for improvement. It would be very difficult for others to climb to his stature," the former left-handed batsman said. Border also expects a keen contest between India and Australia in the ongoing seven-match ODI series, but feels the hosts have the momentum after last night’s comprehensive win. "After thrashing Australia in the second match, India certainly has gained the momentum. But both the teams are evenly powerful and I expect a close finish, probably a 4-3," the 54-year-old Aussie said. Riding on skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s breathtaking 107-ball 124, India crushed Australia by 99 runs to claw their way back into the series, which is now levelled at 1-1. "India would have a slight edge because they know the environment. And it is always difficult to deal with so many injuries while playing such a long series. It’s very important to keep the key players fit," Border said. Australia’s injury woes deepened when wicketkeeper Tim Paine was ruled out for the rest of the series after he broke his finger during the second ODI in Nagpur. "The team (Australia) is still going though a transition period after retirements of players like Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer. It is always difficult to fill the void," Border said. He also lavished praise on India captain Dhoni for his leadership qualities. "Dhoni is a aggressive captain and he has brought about that attitude in the squad. He is leading by example like what he did in the last match. He is also getting support from his team-mates," Border said. (PTI) |
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
India win by 99 runs
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
Monday, October 26, 2009
Beckham certain to return in January: Milan
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder, who wants to play in Europe to try to secure his place in England's World Cup squad, had previously said the deal was 95 percent done.
"It's 100 percent certain. The only thing that is missing is the signatures but the agreement is complete," Galliani told Italy's Sky television.
Beckham is expected to stay at the San Siro from January until the end of the Serie A season in May, just as he did this year.
He has previously said he intends to go back to Galaxy following June's World Cup in South Africa, if selected by England coach Fabio Capello.
Media reports had linked the former Manchester United player with a return to the Premier League but the 34-year-old had always said another stint at Milan was his preferred option.
TOI
Sunday, October 25, 2009
National school games from Oct 26
Panaji, Oct 24 (PTI) The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Goa will conduct the 55th National School Games in football, baseball and taekwondo for the year 2009-10 from October 26 to 30 at the Nehru stadium, Fatorda.
Addressing a press conference, Susan D'Souza, Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Goa said in all 24 states will participates in different categories.
She said Goan boys and girls have been undergoing rigorous training for the last 15 days and hoped that they would bring laurels to the state.
Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Manipur, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Bihar have so far confirmed their participation in the event, stated Suzan.
Schiavone wins Kremlin Cup
MOSCOW, Oct 25: Italy’s Francesca Schiavone won just the second title of her career on Sunday by defeating Olga Govortsova of Belarus 6-3, 6-0 in the Kremlin Cup final.
The 29-year-old veteran, ranked 24th in the world and seeded eighth in Moscow, won in one hour 17 minutes to record her second win in three head-to-head meetings with Govortsova.
The finalists traded breaks throughout a closely-fought first set, but it was Schiavone, the 2005 runner-up here, who was the more consistent.
Oz pip India to go 1-0 up in the series
Praveen, Harbhajan heroics in vain • Ponting and Co solid with bat VADODARA, Oct 25: Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan Singh’s batting heroics took India agonisingly close to a sensational win before the hosts slumped to a four-run defeat against Australia in the first match of the seven-ODI series on Sunday. At 201 for seven in their pursuit of a 293-run victory target, India seemed heading for a comprehensive defeat before Praveen (40 not out) and Harbhajan (49) came up with a defiant 84-run stand off 57 balls for the eighth wicket that nearly took them home. Much to the disappointment of the crowd, India eventually managed 288 for eight, put together by cameos from Gautam Gambhir (68), Virat Kohli (30), MS Dhoni (34), Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan. Earlier, Ricky Ponting (74) led from the front and was amply supported by Mike Hussey (73), Tim Paine (50) and Cameron White (51) as the visitors rattled up 292 for eight after opting to bat first on a featherbed track. Faced with the daunting task of scoring at 5.86 per over, the star-studded Indian line-up came a cropper against some disciplined bowling and tight fielding to be left struggling at 201 for seven with the last 10 overs remaining. Harbhajan and Praveen brought down the target to 30 from the last 15 balls and then nine from the last six. But once Harbhajan departed off the second ball of the final over from Peter Siddle, India lost the momentum and Australia stopped the hosts four runs short of their total. Earlier in the innings, Gambhir played the sheet-anchor’s role after the cheap dismissal of openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar to top-score with 68 off 85 balls with six fours and a six in it. Dhoni and Kohli, surprisingly promoted to number four in the batting order, made starts before getting out when in their 30s. After being 167 for three in the 35th over, the Indians lost three quick wickets - Gambhir, Suresh Raina (9) and Dhoni - while adding only 19 runs and it became 201 for seven at the fall of Ravindra Jadeja in the 40th over. Harbhajan and Praveen kept the hosts in the hunt with some lusty hits to raise visions of a come-from-behind victory, but in the end it proved of no avail. With this win, Australia surged to their second successive victory at this venue over the home team, having beaten the hosts by nine wickets in 2007 at this ground. The thrilling victory put the visitors 1-0 up in the series ahead of the second day/night encounter at Nagpur on October 28. Though India came close, their top-order batting, bowling as well as fielding were thoroughly exposed by the Australian team which is riding on a high after whipping England 6-1 and then retaining the Champions Trophy in South Africa. Scorecard Australia: Shane Watson lbw b Nehra 5; Tim Paine c Dhoni b Sharma 50; Ricky Ponting lbw b Jadeja 74; Cameron White c Raina b Nehra 51; Michael Hussey c Kohli b Sharma 73; Adam Voges c Gambhir b Harbhajan 3; James Hopes run out (Sehwag) 14; Mitchell Johnson not out 14; Brett Lee b Sharma 0 Extras: (b-0, lb-2, nb-2, w-4) 8 Total: (for eight wickets in 50 overs) 292 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Watson, 1.2 overs), 2-102 (Paine, 18.6), 3-151 (Ponting, 29.3), 4-227 (White, 42.2), 5-233 (Voges, 43.5), 6-256 (Hopes, 46.3), 7-291 (Hussey, 49.1), 8-292 (Lee, 49.6) Bowling: Praveen Kumar 10-0-77-0 (2w); Ashish Nehra 10-0-58-2 (1nb); Ishant Sharma 10-0-50-3 (1nb); Harbhajan Singh 10-0-57-1 (2w); Ravindra Jadeja 9-0-39-1; Suresh Raina 1-0-9-0 India: Virender Sehwag c Paine b Lee 13; Sachin Tendulkar c Ponting b Watson 14; Gautam Gambhir lbw b Johnson 68; Virat Kohli c Watson b Voges 30; Mahendra Singh Dhoni c Lee b Watson 34; Suresh Raina c & b Johnson 9; Ravindra Jadeja lbw b Hauritz 5; Harbhajan Singh b Siddle 49; Praveen Kumar not out 40; Ashish Nehra not out 2 Extras: (lb 10, w 14) 24 Total: (For eight wickets in 50 overs) 288 Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Sehwag, 4.2 overs), 2-45 (Tendulkar, 8.1), 3-103 (Kohli, 20.4), 4-167 (Gambhir, 34.1), 5-183 (Raina, 36.3), 6-186 (Dhoni, 37.2) 7-201 (Jadeja, 39.5), 8-285 (Harbhajan Singh, 49.2) Bowling: Brett Lee 6-0-28-1; Peter Siddle 9-0-55-1 (3w); Shane Watson 10-0-70-2; Mitchell Johnson 10-0-59-2 (5w); James Hopes 2-0-10-0; Adam Voges 4-0-22-1; Nathan Hauritz 9-1-34-1 (PTI)
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Thursday, October 22, 2009
add add * Chawla signs up with Surrey for 2010 county season
London, Oct 22 (PTI) After a successful stint with Sussex, young Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has now signed up with the Surrey County Cricket Club for the 2010 English domestic season.
The 20-year-old took 36 wickets for Sussex last season at an average of 27.25, a performance that made an impression with Surrey manager Chris Adams.
"There were two clear objectives in picking our overseas signing for next season. I wanted the player to be of true International class and I wanted them to be able to commit to spending the vast majority of their season with us ? Piyush fulfills both requirements handsomely," Adams said in a statement.
"There is a fine spin tradition at Surrey which runs from Jim Laker and Tony Lock to Ian Salisbury, Harbhajan Singh and Saqlain Mushtaq and I hope our latest arrival will one day take his place alongside those names," he added.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Nimbus bags TV rights from BCCI for four more years
Mumbai, Oct 20 (PTI) Nimbus Communications has bagged the broadcast rights from the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) for the four years, starting April 2010, for Rs 2000 crore.
Nimbus are the existing right holders for which they had paid the Board USD 612 million and the deal comes to a close next March.
As per the deal, finalised by the BCCI's marketing committee that met today, Nimbus would be paying Rs 31.5 crore per international match - ODI, T20 or Test, according to sources.
The committee also decided to float fresh tenders for the team sponsorship rights that's currently with Sahara, the sources added.
Abhijeet and Rahul share lead at Chandigarh Open
Chandigarh, Oct 20 (PTI) Local lad Abhijeet Chadha and Noida's Rahul Bajaj returned identical even-par 72 cards to share the lead after the opening round of the Chandigarh Open here today.
Just one shot behind the leaders were Tarundeep Chadha and last year's runner-up Vikram Rana.
Further a stroke behind were Chandigarh's Angad Cheema and Akshay Sharma, and Kapurthala's Imamul Haque as they returned a matching two-over 74 card at Chandigarh Gold Club.
"The greens are just not up to the mark and that was causing a lot of problems. Considering the wind and the unpredictable greens, I think even par is a good round out here this week," said Abhijeet.
Patel elected as AIFF pres, Dasmunsi honorary pres
New Delhi, Oct 20 (PTI) Union Minister Praful Patel was today formally elected as the president of the All India Football Federation, thus bringing curtains to ailing Priyan Ranjan Dasmunsi 20-year reign as the head of the AIFF.
Patel, the civil aviation minister in the UPA government at the centre, was elected to the top post unopposed at the Annual General Body meeting of the AIFF at its headquarters here.
Patel was working as acting president of the AIFF since Dasmunsi suffered a cardiac arrest last October.
"I really thank everyone for the support that you have offered to me and I hope we all will work together for the upliftment and development of the game in the country," Patel said in a statement issued by the AIFF.
Dasmunsi held the post of AIFF president since 1988 before encountering the heart-attack, which made him bed-ridden.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Asif barred entry in UAE for NZ ODI
Karachi, Oct 19: Pakistan will not be able to take their key strike bowler Mohammad Asif to UAE for a limited-overs series against New Zealand next month because of the pacer’s detention in Dubai last year over possession of a banned substance.
Ijaz Butt, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, said on Monday that Asif cannot be a part of the Pakistan team as he will not be allowed entry into the UAE.
"Asif cannot play in the series against New Zealand because he cannot go to UAE. He was deported from Dubai (last year) and according to regulations he cannot enter there," said the PCB chief.
Somerset did not deserve to be in semis: Langer
Hyderabad, Oct 19: Former Australian opener Justin Langer has said that his Somerset side did not deserve to reach the semi-finals of the Twenty20 Champions League after their six-wicket defeat to New South Wales. Somerset’s top order failed to fire as they limped to 111-7 - a total the Blues eased past with 49 balls to spare. Departing skipper Langer managed just five in the final competitive game of his 19-year career. "We have been outplayed for a lot of the tournament. I've played for a long time and I know it’s time," the Daily Express quoted Langer, 38, as saying. (Agencies)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
NSW seal semi-final berth
HYDERABAD, Oct 18: Stuart Clark did the spadework and David Warner then set the tone of the chase as New South Wales crushed Somerset by six wickets with 8.1 overs to spare to book a semi-final berth in the Champions League on Sunday.
Clark (3/15) and his bowling colleagues first restricted Somerset to an unflattering 111/7 and Warner (40 off 16 balls) then came down hard on the English side as NSW cruised to 112 in 11.5 overs, losing four wickets and recording a thumping victory that earned them a semi-final berth.
Trinidad beat Eagles by 24 runs
Hyderabad, Oct 18: Trinidad & Tobago confirmed their semi-final berth by beating Diamond Eagles by 24 runs in their Super Eight match of the Champions League on Sunday. Chasing a target of 214, the Eagles could manage 189 in the alloted 20 overs losing 5 wickets.
Earler, Adrian Barath led a stunning Caribbean onslaught with a marvelous 41-ball 63 to power Trinidad & Tobago to a massive 213 for four against Diamond Eagles in a League A match of the Champions League here today.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Australia for scholarships to Indian hockey players
New Delhi, Oct 14 (PTI) Eager to help Indian hockey get back on its feet, Australia today pledged support in providing training and scholarships for budding players and coaches here.
Visiting Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith announced that starting next year, two players -- a male and female -- and a coach will get free training at the Institute of Sports and Hockey Facility in Perth.
"India is one of the premier hockey playing nations and we are sad that India failed to qualify for Beijing Olympics.
So, all the hockey playing nations, including Australia, want India to return to its historic place as a great hockey playing nation," he told reporters after visiting the Major Dhyan Chand stadium and the Talkotra Stadium here.
Under the scholarship, the selected trio will get a two-week training stint at the Institute which has been in existence for the past 20 years.
Mumbai to host final, two other matches of 2011 WC
Mumbai, Oct 14 (PTI) Mumbai will host the final, along with two other matches, while Mohali will host one of the semifinals of the 2011 cricket World Cup to be organised jointly by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The Local Organising Committee met here today to finalise the venue-based distribution of the 29 games that India is scheduled to host. The rest of the 20 games of the 49-match event have been awarded to Sri Lanka (12) and Bangaldesh (8).
The committee decided to give two other matches to Mohali apart from the semifinal.
Ahmedabad has been given a quarterfinal and two other games, while Kolkata and Delhi will host one India and three other matches each, BCCI secretary N Srinivas said in a statement.
Jaipur has been left out of the list of venues with Nagpur, Chennai and Bangalore getting one India game each.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Indian ODI squad on October 15
Mumbai, Oct 12 (PTI) The Indian cricket squad for the forthcoming seven-match one-day series against Australia will be picked in Chennai on October 15.
"The ODI squad is to be picked on the 15th at Chennai," Cricket Board sources told PTI today.
The selection is keenly awaited following the team's dismal display at the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa where it got knocked out in the preliminary stage itself.
The national selection panel, barring chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth, that watched the N K P Salve Challenger Series which ended in Nagpur yesterday would have some options to bolster the under performing team.
The ODI series would start with the day encounters at the Reliance (previously IPCL) Stadium in Vadodara on October 25 and end with the final day/night clash at the D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on November 11.
