Sangakkara, Jaywardene frustrate India

Sangakkara, Jaywardene frustrate India

Colombo, July 27: Skipper Kumar Sangakkara smashed his seventh double ton and Mahela Jayawardene notched up his 28th century as Sri Lanka ended the second day’s play with a massive first innings lead of 547 runs against India in the second cricket Test here on Tuesday. Sangakkara (219) and Jayawardene (174) stitched a 193-run third-wicket stand to enable Sri Lanka declare their first innings at 624 for four shortly after tea at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground. Thilan Samaraweera made an unbeaten 76.

India also made a strong start with openers Virender Sehwag (64) and Murali Vijay (22) seeing the last 18 overs of the day by scoring 95 runs. For Sangakkara it was his seventh double ton, and he surpassed Marvan Atapattu’s six and now has the most double hundreds in his country. Sangakkara’s double-century put him at par with Wally Hammond of England. Only Australian legend Don Bradman (12) and West Indian Brian Lara (9) have more scores of 200 or more.

Sangakkara and Paranavitana slam tons as Lanka take control

COLOMBO: Captain Kumar Sangakkara and Tharanga Paranavitana struck their second successive centuries as Sri Lanka took firm control of the second Test against India by laying the foundation for a massive first innings on Monday.

Sangakkara (130 not out) notched up his 23rd Test century while Paranavitana (100) scored his second ton as the Lankan batsmen piled up the agony on a listless India by reaching a commanding 312 for two at close on the opening day.

The Indians, who desperately need to win the match to level the three-match series and retain their number one position, put up a rather pathetic bowling display to allow the hosts to get off to a flying start.

Mahela Jayawardene (13) was giving Sangakkara company at stumps as the hosts dominated on a very good batting track at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

Electing to bat, the two Lankan openers Tillakaratne Dilshan (54) and Paranavitana provided a rollicking start to the innings, capitalising on some wayward and insipid bowling by the Indians.

The depleted Indian bowling attack, badly missing the services of pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, just did not ball in the right areas to pose much problems for the hosts who scored at a brisk pace right through the day.

If the inexperienced pace duo of Ishant Sharma and Abhimanyu Mithun failed to make much of an impact, the two spinners Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha also lacked penetration to compound the problems for the visitors.

The Indians were pushed on the backfoot almost immediately after play began this morning with Dilshan and Paranavitana unleashing a flurry of strokes.

The opening pair put on a brisk 99 runs for the first wicket before Ojha provided the breakthrough by evicting the hard-hitting Dilshan with VVS Laxman latching on to a brilliant catch at short extra cover.

Dilshan struck ten boundaries during his 42-ball knock which allowed the home team to take the initiative from the word go.

Paranavitana and Sangakkara then served a painful reminder of the opening day's play at Galle as they tormented the Indians with a fine exhibition of batting.

The duo were in no discomfort at all as they scored at a quick pace, forcing Dhoni to opt for a completely defensive field.

Both Paranavitana and Sangakkara completed their centuries in the same over off Virender Sehwag, getting a standing ovation from the sparse home crowd.

The pair stitched 174 runs for the second wicket before Paranavitana fell to Ishant Sharma immediately after completing his century much to the relief of the Indians.

Earlier, continuing from where he left in the second innings at Galle, Dilshan scored at will hammering several boundaries on a batting-friendly track.

The right-hander was particularly severe on Ishant Sharma whom he hit with impunity.

Though accelerating in pace, Sharma hardly troubled Dilshan and the Lankan leaned forward to a 138 kmph delivery from the lanky bowler, thumping it between the mid-off and extra cover.

The very next delivery was dispatched to the mid-wicket, another short in length bowl in the same over was punched to the extra cover.

In the morning, Paranavitana was fortunate when an edge off Mithun fell short of the Indian captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Paranavitana then clobbered Pragyan Ojha for two consecutive boundaries after the drinks break.

Sangakkara got his half century after he whipped Ishant Sharma through the midwicket boundary.

Paranavitana then completed his fifty when he pressed back to punch a Sehwag turner to the sweeper cover. The two left handers put the hosts on course for a huge first innings lead.

The wicket, despite offering slight turn to the spinners, never seemed to trouble the two batsmen much.

Sri Lanka raced to 200 in a mere 285 balls and Paranavitana and Sangakkara also got to their 100 runs partnership in 174 balls and 108 minutes.

Earlier, Gautam Gambhir was ruled out due to a niggle in his knee while Yuvraj Singh made way to Suresh Raina owing to fever.

There was overhaul of the Sri Lankan bowling attack with Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Suraj Randiv and Dhamika Prasad making it to the final eleven.

TOI

Low key appearance for Sunil Chhetri against Man United

Low key appearance for Sunil Chhetri against Man United

NEW DELHI, July 26: Indian striker Sunil Chhetri made a low-key 21-minute appearance in the second half in Kansas City Wizard’s surprise 2-1 win over English Premier League giants Manchester United in an international friendly in Kansas City, United States.

Chhetri, who is yet to make his Major League Soccer debut, came in for Teal Bunbury in the 69th minute and had a couple of shots which however did not trouble Manchester United goalkeeper Benjamin Amos at the newly remodelled Arrowhead Stadium.

He was lively throughout his outing as he kept running and tried to pile pressure on the Manchester United defence in an open and free-flowing game that was played at a breakneck pace in front of more than 50,000 spectators last night.

‘We’ll look to add another 250 runs’

‘We’ll look to add another 250 runs’

COLOMBO, July 26: In a commanding position after scoring 312 for just two wickets on the opening day itself, Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said his team would aim to add another 200 to 250 runs on Tuesday and bat India out of the second cricket Test.

Sangakkara (130 batting) and opener Tharanga Paranavitana (100) were in fine form against a toothless Indian attack which was also exposed early on by the explosive Tillakaratne Dilshan (54).

“We have to capitalise and bat long tomorrow. We need to get between 200 to 250 more runs tomorrow to put pressure on India. Anything above 250 would be a bonus,” Sangakkara said after the opening day’s play.

‘We’ll look to add another 250 runs’

‘We’ll look to add another 250 runs’

COLOMBO, July 26: In a commanding position after scoring 312 for just two wickets on the opening day itself, Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said his team would aim to add another 200 to 250 runs on Tuesday and bat India out of the second cricket Test.

Sangakkara (130 batting) and opener Tharanga Paranavitana (100) were in fine form against a toothless Indian attack which was also exposed early on by the explosive Tillakaratne Dilshan (54).

“We have to capitalise and bat long tomorrow. We need to get between 200 to 250 more runs tomorrow to put pressure on India. Anything above 250 would be a bonus,” Sangakkara said after the opening day’s play.

Gambhir, Yuvraj out of second Test against Sri Lank

NEW DELHI: India dealt a big blow ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka as Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir were ruled out at the eleventh hour.

Yuvraj has been ruled out due to high fever while Gambhir is out because of his injured knee.

Suresh Raina comes in for Yuvraj to make his Test debut. Murali Vijay will open the innings with Virender Sehwag.

On the other hand, home team Sri Lanka may face bowling woes after the retirement of Muttiah Muralitharan and the absence of Lasith Malinga.

However, the Indians may not take a sigh of relief as mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis comes in to the squad.

India cannot afford another slip-up because a 2-0 or 3-0 series scoreline in Sri Lanka's favour will remove Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men from the perch and lift the hosts to the top spot.

TOI

Malinga rested, Mendis likely to replace Muralitharan

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who helped bowl his side to a 10-wicket victory over India in the first Test on Thursday, has been rested on medical advice for the second Test that starts from Monday.

Malinga was rested on the advice of team physiotherapist Tommy Simsek after the bowler complained of stiffness in his right knee, chairman of selectors Aravinda de Silva said.

The 26-year-old, who only returned to the Test arena at Galle after having last played a test match in December 2007 because of an injury to the knee, took five for 50 in India's second innings that helped his side to a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

"We have to be cautious with Malinga. He was not feeling quite fit to go through a five-day Test. He complained of stiffness in his knee," said De Silva.

Malinga will be replaced by Dilhara Fernando. Ajantha Mendis who took six for 67 in a three-day game against India but was overlooked for the first Test, was named in the 16-man squad and is likely to take the now retired Muttiah Muralitharan's position.

Muralitharan retired after he took his 800th Test wicket with his final delivery at Galle.

Former captain Mahela Jayawardene was named as Kumar Sangakkara's vice-captain to replace Muralitharan.

"We want Mahela who has a good cricket brain to be part of the decision-making in the middle," said De Silva.

Sri Lanka squad: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Paranavitana, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene, Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Chanaka Welegedara, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Thilina Kandamby, Dammika Prasad, Lahiru Thirimanne, Nuwan Pradeep.

Sehwag retains No.1 spot in ICC Test rankings

DUBAI: India may have flopped in the opening Test against Sri Lanka but opener Virender Sehwag held on to the number one spot, while Sachin Tendulkar gained a place to be seventh in the latest ICC rankings for batsmen issued on Friday.


Sehwag, who scored 109 and 31 in the Test which India lost by 10 wickets, has opened up a 14-point gap over second-placed Kumar Sangakkara.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's iconic off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who spent a record 214 Tests and 1,711 days in the number-one spot, retired from Test cricket at the third spot in the bowling chart.

The 38-year-old, who finished with 800 wickets from 133 Tests, bowed out in third position behind Dale Steyn of South Africa and Pakistan's Mohammad Asif after climbing two spots in the latest rankings following figures of 5-63 and 3-128 which set-up a 10-wicket victory for Sri Lanka in the first Test of the three-match series in Galle.

The bowlers dropping in the latest rankings include off-colour Indian pacer Ishant Sharma, who was down one spot to 22nd, Rangana Herath (31st, down six places) and Pragyan Ojha (58th, down by nine places).

In the Rankings for Test batsmen, Indian opener Gautam Gambhir, middle-order batsmen Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni have failed to retain their places.

Gambhir has slipped six places to 10th position, Laxman has fallen two places to 15th position, Dravid has dropped one place to 18th place while Dhoni has fallen four places to the 40th spot.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has swapped places with his predecessor Mahela Jayawardene.

TOI

Inquiry panel submits report to HI, does not draw conclusions

Inquiry panel submits report to HI, does not draw conclusions

Hockey sex scandal

New Delhi, July 23: The inquiry panel probing the sex scandal that has rocked Indian hockey submitted its report to Hockey India today amid indications that the committee had only given a factual account and refrained from drawing any conclusions on coach M K Kaushik’s conduct. HI, on its part, will submit the report of the five-member inquiry committee to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) tomorrow.

“We have received the report from the committee. We will study and discuss the report thoroughly and accordingly give our recommendations and submit it to SAI tomorrow,” HI secretary general Narinder Batra said.

Chairman of the inquiry panel, Rajiv Mehta said the committee received testimonies from both the parties — coach M K Kaushik and complainant Ranjita Devi — and no other evidences were required for the probe. “We have had lots of testimonies from both the parties as well some other players and manager of the team Madhu Yadav and we don’t need to talk to any individual further.

We have given our report,” he said. It is learnt that the panel, comprising Rajiv Mehta (chairman), Zafar Iqbal, Ajitpal Singh, Sudarshan Pathak and Anupam Ghulati, refrained from drawing any conclusion and only presented facts in their report to HI. According to HI sources, the federation is also expected to refrain from giving any conclusion in their recommendation to SAI and will leave the entire matter on the government body as Kaushik was appointed by SAI. Indian hockey plunged into a deep crisis last Tuesday when fringe player Ranjita, in a written complaint to HI, accused chief coach Kaushik of sexually harassing her.

HI then sprung into action and formed a five-member committee to investigate the matter. Even though Kaushik tendered his resignation to HI president Vidya Stokes, which was accepted yesterday, he pleaded innocence and said the allegations were baseless and he was a victim of ‘big-time conspiracy’.

HI also sacked videographer Basavraj whose photographs with prostitutes in compromising situations during the recent Canada and China tour were also sent to the national body through an anonymous e-mail. (PTI)

Sangakkara feels ICC ranking system not ‘fair’

Sangakkara feels ICC ranking system not ‘fair’

Galle (Sri Lanka), July 23: Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has criticized the ICC ranking system as ‘unfair’ even though the island nation was in the sight of becoming the top Test side after they spanked India in the first match here. Asked whether the players take seriously a system that has India at number one despite not having won a series in Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka since 1993, Sangakkara said, “You should have asked that question to Haroon Lorgat (ICC chief executive) who was here.

“If rankings can’t be understood by the public, the players, or the administrators, what’s the use of having rankings? If you want rankings, they should count towards playing a Test championship,” he said. Sangakkara said for the ICC ranking system to be acceptable, the FTP should be ‘fair’ with each side playing each other at least once, home or away.

“Rankings need to be fairly done. A fair FTP is the first step towards having proper rankings.

Olonga wants Zimbabwe return to Tests

Former Zimbabwe fast bowler Henry Olonga believes it is time for his country to be allowed back into Test cricket.

Olonga, Zimbabwe's first black player, has been a high-profile opponent of Robert Mugabe's regime and, alongside current England coach Andy Flower, made a public show of dissent against the President when the 2003 World Cup came to Zimbabwe.

The pair famously wore black armbands to "mourn the death of democracy" during the tournament, an action which brought about Olonga's retirement at 26.

Olonga received death threats and was charged with treason and, after travelling with the team for a World Cup match in South Africa, he never returned to Zimbabwe.

The 34-year-old, who played 30 Tests and 50 ODIs, eventually settled in England, where he petitioned international teams not to tour his country as a stand against Mugabe's human rights record.

Zimbabwe last played a Test match in 2005 after the majority of the team's first-choice players went on strike following a dispute with the national board.

But discussions are under way to restore them to the five-day game as early as next year and Olonga believes now is the time for reintegration.

"I think on the whole it is right for Zimbabwe to move forward," Olonga said at the launch of his new book on Thursday.

"It is a difficult decision for me to say that because on the one hand I have protested against countries playing in Zimbabwe and been very up front about that.

"But I think what Zimbabwe needs now is a slow and steady reintroduction to Test cricket. It's not as though whenever Mugabe is out of power, we can start talking about it the next day. By then it is too late.

"We are starting to play well in one-day cricket now so let's use this momentum and get to the stage where they are a competitive Test side in three or four years.

"The way forward is for Zimbabwe to play some of the lesser teams first and if we don't get beaten in two days then we are heading in the right direction."

Olonga admits he remains uneasy about Mugabe's role in Zimbabwe public life but he knows a return to Test action is essential to give cricket in the country a chance to prosper.

"I would whole-heartedly support reintroduction because I want Zimbabwe back playing Test cricket, but we still have the problem of Robert Mugabe," he said.

"How do you deal with a man who has presided over the destruction of his own country through his own flawed policies?

"It's painful compromise but I think Zimbabwe is on the mend. Certainly it is cricket-wise but politically there is still a long way to go.

"Nevertheless, I think positions are softening. Zimbabwe, to their credit, have put in place some reforms and they've got a lot of experienced players back.

"Alistair Campbell is back as convenor of selectors, Heath Streak is doing some work as bowling coach. I understand Grant Flower is thinking of going back as a coach and Dave Houghton is also back doing some work with them.

"That these people are considering going back into the game there helps other countries see that Zimbabwe cricket has a measure of legitimacy now."

© AFP

Ponting joins Tendulkar in 12,000 club

Australia captain Ricky Ponting became only the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to score 12,000 Test runs when he reached the landmark against Pakistan on Thursday.

Ponting's edged a four to third man off left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer on the second day of the second Test at Headingley gave him the 40 runs he needed to reach the landmark in what was his 247th innings in his 146th Test.

Tendulkar also reached the 12,000 mark in the same number of innings.

Ponting is one of the outstanding batsmen of his generation and has scored 39 Test hundreds, second only to Tendulkar's record mark of 47.

But the India star made his Test debut aged 16 in 1990 - five years before the 35-year-old Ponting's debut - and has played 21 more matches at this level than the Australia batting great.

Tendulkar, 37, is the only batsman in Test history to have scored more than 13,000 runs. His tally stands at 13,539 runs from 273 innings in 167 matches with 47 hundreds, including a best of 248 not out, at an average of 55.48.

© AFP

FIFA begins inspection for 2018-2022 World Cups

FIFA begins inspection for 2018-2022 World Cups

Tokyo, July 20: A FIFA inspection committee has started a visit to the 12 countries vying to host the World Cup in 2018 and 2022. The visit to Japan on Monday marks the start of a long tour to evaluate countries, which will conclude in Qatar in September, after the other seven candidates are visited and evaluated, Prensa Latina reported. Each city will be visited for at least for four days and the work of the FIFA commission is to see if they are really ready, and evaluate the conditions of their sites, facilities, infrastructure and other aspects. The commission is headed by Chilean Soccer Federation president Harold Mayne Nicholls. A new stadium will be built in Osaka - provisionally called Osaka Ecology Stadium - with a capacity for 83,000 people, and it could be the site of the 2022 World Cup’s opening and final matches if Japan is finally elected as the host. Australia, South Korea, Qatar, the US and Japan are the candidates for the 2022 World Cup, while Britain, the US, Russia, Australia, Belgium/Holland (dual candidature) and Spain/Portugal are bidding for 2018. Spain/Portugal will be evaluated Aug 30-Sep 2, the US Sep 6-9, and Qatar September 13-17. The final decision will be made Dec 2 in Zurich, Switzerland. (IANS)

India pushed to the wall as Lanka pile up mammoth total

India pushed to the wall as Lanka pile up mammoth total

GALLE, July 20: India were left with an arduous task of batting their way to safety after losing three key wickets in the rain-hit first Test against Sri Lanka who took firm control of the game by scoring an imposing first innings total of 520/8 declared on Tuesday.

The hosts relied on the heroics of their tailenders Rangana Herath (80 not out) and Lasith Malinga (64) to rattle up a mammoth total before declaring their innings at tea and shut a struggling India out of the game.

Herath and Malinga turned out to be the unlikely batting heroes as the islanders recovered from a few early jolts and had the visitors in trouble by the end of the day by dismissing Gautam Gambhir (2), Rahul Dravid (18) and Sachin Tendulkar (8).

Virender Sehwag (85), who payed with his usual flamboyance, and VVS Laxman (18) ensured that there were no more setbacks as they took the score to 140/3 at close on the third day with the hosts still trailing by 380 runs.

Rain washes out second day’s play

Rain washes out second day’s play

GALLE, July 19: Unrelenting rain played spoilsport as the second day of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka was called off without a single ball being bowled on Monday.

Sri Lanka remained on their overnight score of 256/2 and the washout has now greatly diminished the prospects of a result in Muttiah Muralitharan’s swansong Test.

The outfield was already wet due to overnight showers and things only got worse due to more rain this morning.

The brief appearance made by the sun in the afternoon, which prompted the ground staff to take off the covers, turned out to be a false dawn as it started pouring soon after, leaving the match officials with no choice but to call off the day’s proceedings at about 1500 hrs (local Time).

Somdev at career-best 103 in rankings

Somdev at career-best 103 in rankings

NEW DELHI, July 19: A semifinal appearance at the Aptos Challenger tournament helped India’s ace tennis player Somdev Devvarman rise back to his career-best singles ranking of 103 in the ATP charts.

Somdev lost to Donald Young in the last four stage but the effort was enough to jump two places up. Yuki Bhambri, who has resumed practice after nursing a broken ankle, has lost 14 positions to slip to 489th spot. In the doubles chart, veterans Leander Paes (6) and Mahesh Bhupati (7) kept their places in the top-10 while Rohan Bopanna rose a rung to career-best 38. Meanwhile, a struggling Sania Mirza gained a position to be at 131 in the WTA singles chart. (PTI)

Ojha scalps three, Indian bowlers put up better show

Ojha scalps three, Indian bowlers put up better show

COLOMBO, July 15: Indian bowlers put up an improved performance to restrict Sri Lanka Board President’s XI to 260 for six in their second innings in the three-day warm up game which ended in a tame draw on Friday.

After disappointing with both ball and bat for the last two days, the Indian bowlers gave a better account of themselves with left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha being the notable performer with three for 85 in his 22 overs.

The Hyderabad spinner was assisted by leg-spinner Amit Mishra, Virender Sehwag and pacer Ishant Sharma — all taking one wicket each.

For the hosts, opener Lahiru Thirimanne scored 102 and top order batsman Dinesh Chandimal (69) chipped in with a useful contribution but the rest of the batting line-up failed to impress.

Sunil Chhetri closing in for MLS debut

Sunil Chhetri closing in for MLS debut

NEW DELHI, July 15: Indian striker Sunil Chhetri’s Major League Soccer debut may not be too far away as his club Kansas City Wizards on Thursday said he will be soon included in the 18-man match-day squad. Chhetri signed for KC Wizards in late March and has made his debut for the Kansas-based side in the Lamar Hunt US Open match against Colorado Rapids in April. He is yet to make his debut in MLS, which is halfway through this season. “Hopefully he will be able to make the 18-man active roster sometime in the coming weeks,” KC Wizards Public Relations Officer Dave Borchardt said. Chhetri has also a chance to play against the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Dimitar Berbatov and Edwin Van der Sar in KC Wizards friendly match against Manchester United on July 25. “The teams (KC Wizards and Manchester United) are still finalising how many players will be available for the game day roster as well as how many substitutions will be allowed,” he said. (PTI)

Mendis blows away strong India batting

Mendis blows away strong India batting

COLOMBO, July 14: Yuvraj Singh marked his return to form with a sparkling century but a batting disaster left India on their knees at close on an eventful second day of their warm-up game against Sri Lanka Board President’s XI on Wednesday.

Replying to the home team’s mammoth first innings total of 514 for nine declared, the Indians were bundled out for 291 at the fag end of the day with mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis scalping six wickets at the Colts Cricket Club.

India were still trailing by 223 runs when stumps were drawn for the day and the home team has the option to enforce a follow-on when the third and final day begins tomorrow. Mendis gave away just 67 runs in his 17.2 overs and denied India a chance to redeem their pride after having failed terribly while bowling.

India draw 3-3 with Belgium in 1st hockey Test

India draw 3-3 with Belgium in 1st hockey Test

New Delhi, July 14: Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh’s twin strikes went in vain as India were held to a 3-3 draw by Belgium in the first hockey Test match at Temse, Belgium. Sandeep converted two penalty corners for India in the 26th and 28th minute of the match yesterday, while the third goal was scored by Vikas Pillay (58th).

For Belgium Jeff Thys (13th minute), Jerome Truyens (48th) and Thomas Briels (59th) were the goal-getters. The second Test between the two sides will be played at Antwerp tomorrow. In yesterday’’s encounter, Belgium began strongly with an attack by Greg Gucassoff after being set up with an overhead pass from his captain Truyens, but the danger was waived off momentarily by an alert Indian goalkeeper P Sreejesh. Shortly after, Belgium created a fast break through the centre but Cedric Charlier’’s short went wide off the target.