Wrestlers removed from Delhi Games now in Asiad squad

CHENNAI: Sushil Kumar's exclusion from the 18-member wrestling squad for Asian Games came as no surprise as he is recovering from shoulder and knee injuries.

However, the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) selection committee's decision to pick three grapplers who are under the dope cloud did lead to raised eyebrows in wrestling circles.

Freestyle wrestlers Rajiv Tomar (120 kg), Mausam Khatri (96 kg) and Gursharan Preet Kaur (women's 72 kg), who didn't feature in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) after testing positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine (MHA) just days before the Games, have made it to the squad for the Guangzhou Games.

The National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) had cleared the wrestlers for CWG after the provisional hearing on the technicality that World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) has moved MHA from non-specified substances to specified substances category in the 2011 list of prohibited stimulants.

With MHA coming into the specified list, its usage will attract, at the most, a warning. Earlier, its abuse invited a two-year ban.

The trio will appear before a NADA panel for a final hearing on Thursday and if the authorities don't clear the wrestlers, the WFI will have to look for replacements. This brings us to the question: Why were they included in the first place? And, why didn't WFI wait for the Thursday hearing?

WFI president GS Mander explained: "We are very strict about doping. And we follow the NADA and WADA codes. Here, the substance in question (MHA) has been removed from the non-specified list by WADA. It was just added in January and now the authorities have changed their stance. These wrestlers were cleared to take part in the CWG along with the other 10 sportspersons who were originally pulled up by NADA. In fact, one of the athletes from that group (shot-putter Shaurab Vij) took part."

Mander added, "The use of MHA is not a big offence according to doping rules and that is why we have included the wrestlers in the Asiad squad. We are confident they will be cleared by NADA in the next hearing too. If they are not we will find replacements for them."

But with our coaches advertising the depth of talent in Indian wrestling now, was it that difficult to find replacements for these wrestlers? "All three are the best in their respective categories. Rajiv Tomar would have won gold in CWG had he played.

"But we didn't allow him or the other two, even after they were cleared provisionally by NADA, as we wanted to set an example that we wouldn't tolerate any form of substance abuse," said Mander. "Now, since the authorities are clear that it is not a serious offence, we wanted to go with the best possible team to China."

Meanwhile, Sushil was confident the team, even without his presence, would come back with a rich haul from China. "Yogeshwar (60kg) and Narsingh Yadav (74kg) are strong gold medal contenders. They are in good form right now. Besides, Rajiv and Mausam are also back in the team and they are in good touch," he said. "But tough competition will be there from Iran, Japan, China, Korea and wrestlers from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan."

The team: (Freestyle) Vinod Kumar 55kg, Yogeshwar Dutt 60 kg, Pradeep Kumar 66 kg, Narsingh Yadav 74 kg, Ram Vir 84 kg, Mausam Khatri 96 kg, Rajiv Tomar 120 kg; (Greco-Roman): Rajender Kumar 55 kg, Ravinder Singh 60kg, Sunil Kumar 66kg, Sanjay 74 kg, Manoj Kumar 84 kg, Anil Kumar 96 kg, Dharmender Dalal 120 kg; (Women): Nirmala Devi 48 kg, Geeta 55 kg, Suman Kundu 63 kg, Gursharan Preet Kaur 72 kg.

Read more: Wrestlers removed from Delhi Games now in Asiad squad - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/2010-asian-games/Wrestlers-removed-from-Delhi-Games-now-in-Asiad-squad/articleshow/6777494.cms#ixzz12rrAajxo

Asian Games: Easy for Saina, tough draw for other Indians

NEW DELHI: Going by current form and the draw, India's badminton star Saina Nehwal should have little difficulty in making the women's singles semifinals at the Asian Games at Guangzhou, China, starting November 12.

Other Indian players, however, will have a tough time right from the first round.

India won two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze at the Commonwealth Games, but repeating the feat at the Asian Games will be a tough ask. They will have to reckon with powerhouse China who will be in full force.

World No.3 Saina and the gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, is seeded second and has a bye in the first round. Saina could face Hong Kong's Pui Yin Yip, sixth seed, in the quarterfinal. She is likely to encounter her first Chinese opponent only in the semifinals, possibly third seeded Shixian Wang.

The other women's singles player Aditi Mutatkar may face fourth-seeded Eriko Hirose of Japan in the second round as she is expected to beat her first-round opponent Thilini Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka.

In the men's singles, Chetan Anand will open against Sri Lankan Niluka Karunaratne in the first round and may face sixth-seeded Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand in the next round.

Parupalli Kashyap, who emerged India's star player at the Commonwealth Games with singles bronze, will take on world No. 9 Vietnam's Tien Minh Nguyen, seeded fifth, in the first round.

World No.1 Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and China's Lin Dan are seeded one and two respectively in men's singles.

In the men's doubles, Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas will face top-seeded Malaysian Kien Keat Koo and Boon Heong Tan.

India's women's pair Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, who won the doubles gold at the Commonwealth Games, meet Thailand's Savitree Amitrapai and P. Munkitchokecharoen in the first round. However, they are expected to run into second seeded Chinese Shu Cheng and Yunlei Zhao in the next round.

In mixed doubles, Gutta and V Diju, seeded fourth, have got a bye in the first round.

In the men's team event, India will open against Chinese Taipei. If they win they will meet third seeded Indonesia in the second round.

The women's team will face Indonesia first and is likely to take on fourth seeded Chinese Taipei in the next round. China is the top seed in both men's and women's team event.

Read more: Asian Games: Easy for Saina, tough draw for other Indians - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/2010-asian-games/Asian-Games-Easy-for-Saina-tough-draw-for-other-Indians/articleshow/6769478.cms#ixzz12m3yvKkJ

Asian Games: Easy for Saina, tough draw for other Indians

NEW DELHI: Going by current form and the draw, India's badminton star Saina Nehwal should have little difficulty in making the women's singles semifinals at the Asian Games at Guangzhou, China, starting November 12.

Other Indian players, however, will have a tough time right from the first round.

India won two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze at the Commonwealth Games, but repeating the feat at the Asian Games will be a tough ask. They will have to reckon with powerhouse China who will be in full force.

World No.3 Saina and the gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, is seeded second and has a bye in the first round. Saina could face Hong Kong's Pui Yin Yip, sixth seed, in the quarterfinal. She is likely to encounter her first Chinese opponent only in the semifinals, possibly third seeded Shixian Wang.

The other women's singles player Aditi Mutatkar may face fourth-seeded Eriko Hirose of Japan in the second round as she is expected to beat her first-round opponent Thilini Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka.

In the men's singles, Chetan Anand will open against Sri Lankan Niluka Karunaratne in the first round and may face sixth-seeded Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand in the next round.

Parupalli Kashyap, who emerged India's star player at the Commonwealth Games with singles bronze, will take on world No. 9 Vietnam's Tien Minh Nguyen, seeded fifth, in the first round.

World No.1 Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and China's Lin Dan are seeded one and two respectively in men's singles.

In the men's doubles, Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas will face top-seeded Malaysian Kien Keat Koo and Boon Heong Tan.

India's women's pair Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, who won the doubles gold at the Commonwealth Games, meet Thailand's Savitree Amitrapai and P. Munkitchokecharoen in the first round. However, they are expected to run into second seeded Chinese Shu Cheng and Yunlei Zhao in the next round.

In mixed doubles, Gutta and V Diju, seeded fourth, have got a bye in the first round.

In the men's team event, India will open against Chinese Taipei. If they win they will meet third seeded Indonesia in the second round.

The women's team will face Indonesia first and is likely to take on fourth seeded Chinese Taipei in the next round. China is the top seed in both men's and women's team event.

Read more: Asian Games: Easy for Saina, tough draw for other Indians - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/2010-asian-games/Asian-Games-Easy-for-Saina-tough-draw-for-other-Indians/articleshow/6769478.cms#ixzz12m3yvKkJ

Gavaskar first non-Australian in Bradman Hall Of Fame

MUMBAI: Sunil Gavaskar and Adam Gilchrist will be recognised as Bradman Honourees at the annual Bradman Foundation's gala dinner to be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 20.

Adam Gilchrist's award is significant as he is the first honouree to still be playing the game at some level. Gavaskar will be the first international Bradman Honouree. According to the citation, "Embodying the Bradman principles of courage, honour, humility, integrity and determination, Gavaskar had a profound impact on cricket in India and around the world. He is recognised as the most successful of all opening batsmen and is credited for teaching his teammates and their successors the virtue of unconditional professionalism."

Gilchrist and Gavaskar join the ranks of cricketing greats such as Sam Loxton, Norman O'Neill, Alan Davidson, and Arthur Morris. Dennis Lillee, one of last year's Honourees, will also be attending the dinner.

The 2010 gala dinner which is now recognised as the premier cricket event will feature Michael Slater and Ian Healy as masters of ceremony with Barry Humphries giving his unique view on cricket.

The event will also have special significance as it will be held only a few weeks before the world's only International Cricket Hall of Fame will open at Bradman Oval in Bowral.

Read more: Gavaskar first non-Australian in Bradman Hall Of Fame - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Gavaskar-first-non-Australian-in-Bradman-Hall-Of-Fame/articleshow/6771485.cms#ixzz12m3aGYg2

Rain abandons India-Australia Kochi ODI

KOCHI: The first one-dayer between India and Australia was called off without a ball being bowled due to heavy rains on Sunday.

Incessant rains for the last few days resulted in a wet outfield and fresh downpour in the morning, forced match referee Chris Broad to abandon the match.

The umpires inspected the conditions at 9:00 am but found the areas near the bowlers' run-up and a few parts near the boundary lines quite damp.

They were scheduled to carry out a second inspection at 11:00 am but after the fresh drizzle hitting the port city at around 10:20 am, Broad decided to abandon the opening encounter.

The officials were of the view that with all the water already on the field, it was impossible to play.

Though, it was not raining at the time of toss, but the wet outfield caused due to persistent rain in the last few days, delayed the start of play at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.

Groundsmen were making efforts to make the field dry for play but the heavy downpour again meant covers were brought back on the ground.

Both India and Australia players were indoors at the hotel and it was decided that after second inspection of the pitch and outfield by match referee Broad, they would be asked to leave the hotel for the ground.

The teams now travel to Visakhapatnam for the second one-dayer on October 20.

The organisers have decided to refund the cost of tickets bought by the 30,000-odd spectators.

Kochi has been witnessing heavy downpour since last Thursday which washed out the practice sessions of both the teams.

The Indian and Australian team members had reached Kochi on Thursday after the second Test in Bangalore, which the host won. India had also won the first Test at Mohali.

Read more: Rain abandons India-Australia Kochi ODI - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/australia-in-india/top-stories/Rain-abandons-India-Australia-Kochi-ODI/articleshow/6762477.cms#ixzz12g6LPwuV

Indian Cricket team to debut in new ODI kit

STAFF WRITER 15:41 HRS IST

Kochi, Oct 16 (PTI) Team India will debut in the new Nike One-Day International kit, which has brighter and bolder blue jersey made from recycled polyester in their first match against Australia at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here tomorrow.

The new jersey is made entirely from recycled polyester, each one produced from up to eight recycled plastic bottles, Ravi Kallayil, Business Director-Cricket Nike India Private Ltd, told reporters here.

The new kit is an important step in the process to make all Nike products more sustainable.

Kallayil said Nike continuously strives to bring technology and innovations into the sport and help athletes improve their game.

"The new ODI kit not only looks great and delivers performance benefits, but is also made with recycled materials, creating less impact on the environment," he said.

Nike would provide cricket fans an assortment of jersey replicas, including the authentic game day jersey.

Aussies should learn the 'art of cricket' from Tendulkar: Jones

MELBOURNE: Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar's dominance in batting is well known, but what makes him a genius and separates him from other batsmen in world is his ability to perform the basics in a better manner, and that too also in pressure conditions, according to Australian legend Dean Jones.

"Tendulkar is a freak, a pure sporting genius. I have seen a few in my time, such as Viv Richards, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting, players who had something different to others," Jones said.

"What makes a genius? To me, the difference between a genius and mere mortals is that their defence is better. They perform the basics better. When athletes or teams are under pressure and momentum goes against them, it is their defensive skills that stand out the most," he writes in The Age.

"For a mortal to aspire to something higher, he needs to know this. Take Andrew Symonds, whose defensive game was non-existent when he started playing Test cricket. He learnt to defend and became a better player," Jones said.

Commenting on the Australian players slide in form during the Test series in India, Jones said that spinner Nathan Hauritz was struggling because he forgets the basics of bowling under pressure.

"He simply cannot bowl six balls in a shoe box when he is under the heat. For Marcus North, his problem is that he does not read the length early enough and doesn't play straight early. Therefore he struggles with inconsistency. Our top-line bowlers do not bowl straight enough, particularly to new batsman at the crease. Just basics, really," he said.

Jones further asked Australia to take a few lessons from Tendulkar in the way he goes about his game, and added that never mumbles to himself when he is batting, never curses or gets rushed or irritated.

"Tendulkar is 37 and showing everyone up; making runs at will. He has about six gears in his batting, but for a while he was boring to watch as he never got out of third. Now, his attitude has changed and he is bringing some fun into his batting by hitting sixes. His current bat has made 13 Test centuries," Jones said

"He is meticulous about the way he prepares for a series or a game. When India is training, you never see him sitting down, he is always busy. Tendulkar hates running and is not keen on the gym. But he works hard on the stationary bike and watches what he eats. He plays enough cricket and makes enough runs to keep himself in top condition," he added.

Read more: Aussies should learn the 'art of cricket' from Tendulkar: Jones - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/australia-in-india/top-stories/Aussies-should-learn-the-art-of-cricket-from-Tendulkar-Jones/articleshow/6758429.cms#ixzz12Wdo3OPW

120 billion yuan invested in Guangzhou Asian Games

The gross investment for the upcoming 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games reached up to more than 120 billion yuan, said Wan Qingliang, mayor of Guangzhou City, on Oct. 13.

Wan said that the investment mainly covered three aspects.

The city budgeted 6.3 billion yuan for construction and maintenance of stadiums and 7.3 billion yuan as operating funds for the upcoming Asian Games and the Asian Paralympic Games.

Moreover, Guangzhou City also invested 109 billion yuan to improve the urban landscape and environment, which included the construction of subways, city roads and bridges. It also built up of infrastructure, integrated environmental management and industrial wastewater treatment and carried out a program of comprehensive environmental improvement, including air, water, transportation, living environment and comprehensive environmental barrier-free facilities.

It was reported that 70 stadiums are to be used in the Asian Games, of which 12 are newly built and 58 are renovated or expanded. Meanwhile, the Asian Games Village, covering an area of 2.73 square kilometers, was built to gather major non-competition venues, including the athletes' village, the technical officers' village, the media village and a main media centre.

By Li Mu, People's Daily Online

Asian Games 2010: 27 Days Remaining

Guangzhou: China: The 16th Asian Games has 30 days remaining before the Opening Ceremonies of the Games on Friday, November 12. The Asian Games 2010 are the part of the worldwide Olympic movement and governed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)

The Asian Games are the second largest sports event in the world after the Summer Olympic Games.

Games organizers and civic officials are in the final preparation work for the Games with all final construction within the city, including all final beautification projects, must be completed by November 1.

More than 80 percent of the stadiums used for training and competition during the Games will be connected by subway trains.

This includes an all-new subway line from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport – some 35 kilometers from downtown Guangzhou – linking the city of 10 million residents with the airport which has doubled in size in anticipation of the Games and future growth of the Pearl River Delta.

The Asian Games Torch Relay has started from its lighting last week at the Great Wall from Beijing to 21 cities in Guangdong Province

It will also travel to Harbin in Heilongjiang, Changchun in Jilin and Haiyang in Shandong.

More than 2,000 torch bearers ranging from 6 to 100 years old will participate in the one-month relay.

Demonstrative Torch Relay for Asian Games held in Harbin

Harbin, October 14 - The torch of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games reached Harbin in Northeast China on Thursday (October 14) and 21 torchbearers took part in a demonstrative relay on the ice at Harbin Ice Hockey Gym, according to Xinhua.

Cricket to be in 2010 Asian Games

The 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China will feature cricket for the first time. The proposal to include cricket was approved at the Olympic Council of Asia's General Assembly in Kuwait recently.

The four Asian Test nations have committed to sending their best available teams, though as all but Bangladesh have home series scheduled at the time the event takes place, the strength of those teams may not be full strength.

The first Asian Games were held in Delhi in 1951, and Guangzhou will be the sixteenth games. Forty two sports will be played, 14 more than take place in the Olympics. The games will take place between the 12th and 27th of November.

Cricket has featured in multi-sports events before. The South Pacific games has had cricket as a discipline for a number of years, and will do so again this year, but this is the highest profile such event since the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

That tournament, in Kuala Lumpur was a disappointment, with England not sending a team, the West Indies being broken up into individual islands and most other Test nations sending weakened sides. The gold medal then was won by South Africa, with Australia taking the silver and Sri Lanka the bronze. It provided an upset moment as well, when a Northern Ireland side featuring recent World Cup squad members Kyle McCallan and Peter Gillespie beat Bangladesh in the group stage.

It had been hoped that the Glasgow bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games would include cricket as one of the sports, but the bid they issued recently saw cricket conspicuous by its absence.

Cricket has also featured in the Olympics, way back in 1900. Only one game was played, between a club side called Devon and Somerset Wanderers representing Great Britain, and a French Athletic Club Union team mainly made up of British Embassy staff in Paris representing France. Britain won the match by 158 runs, though neither of the sides seemed to be aware they were playing in the Olympics. Matches involving Belgium and the Netherlands were not played.

http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ARTICLES/articles/000044/004449.shtml

Tendulkar jumps to top spot in the ICC Test ranking

DUBAI: Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday reclaimed the number one position in the Test rankings, following his stupendous show with the bat in the just concluded Test series against Australia.


Tendulkar was the highest run-getter with 403 runs in the two-match series, which India won 2-0.

Tendulkar also scored his sixth double hundred and was adjudged Man-of-the-series.

The Indian batting legend has now 891 points, according to the ICC ranking table on its website.

Virender Sehwag is the next best Indian at number three with 819 points, behind Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara (874).

TOI

India need to beat Australia to retain ODI second spot

DUBAI: India will have to beat Australia in the three-match ODI series starting on Sunday if they want to retain their second spot in ICC rankings.

While Australia sits pretty at number one position on 132 ratings points, India, South Africa and Sri Lanka are locked on 115. However, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side is placed second by a fraction.

India will retain second place if it beats Australia 3-0 or 2-1 as they will have 121 or 118 ratings points in that case.

Dhoni's side, however, can drop to fourth if it loses the series against Australia as South Africa are playing against Zimbabwe in a three-match series starting on Friday.

If South Africa wins all the three ODIs, it will move to 116 ratings points.

In the ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen, South African AB de Villiers and Dhoni resume their battle for the coveted number one position in different continents.

De Villier, ODI Player of the Year, claimed the top spot from Dhoni on August 29 but with the South African enjoying a slender nine-point lead, all that could change depending how the two perform with the bat.

Australia batsman Mike Hussey is narrowly behind Dhoni in third place and will also be aiming to regain the top position which he last achieved back in February after the series against Pakistan.

Also inside the top-20 and aiming for upward movements are Hashim Amla (joint-fourth), Jacques Kallis (seventh), Virender Sehwag (eighth), Graeme Smith (13th) and Michael Clarke (17th).

In the ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers, left-arm fast bowler Doug Bollinger in sixth place is the highest-ranked player who will be featuring in these two series.

The list is headed by New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori whose side currently trails 3-0 against Bangladesh with the last ODI in Dhaka on Sunday.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan leads the ICC Player Rankings for ODI all-rounders. The left-hander is the only player with more than 400 points while second-ranked Shane Watson of Australia is on 367 ratings points.

Only 16 ratings point separate fourth-ranked Kallis from fifth-placed Vettori with Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi occupying third spot.


Read more: India need to beat Australia to retain ODI second spot - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/australia-in-india/top-stories/India-need-to-beat-Australia-to-retain-ODI-second-spot/articleshow/6754178.cms#ixzz12UXLKqaZ

India strengthen top position in ICC Test rankings

DUBAI: With a crushing 2-0 series win, India on Wednesday not only consolidated its position at the top of ICC Test ranking table but also pushed Australia down to number five.


India, which came into the two-match series with 127 rating points, are now sitting pretty at 130 points, 11 clear of second-placed South Africa.

Australia had entered the series on 113 points and ended up conceding three ratings points, slipping to fifth position behind England (112).

Sri Lanka are placed third with 115 points. This is Australia's lowest ranking since the ICC Test Championship rankings were introduced in 2003.

However, Australia will have a chance to regain its fourth position when it goes head to head with England in a five-Test Ashes series which starts in Brisbane on 23 November.

India beat Australia by 7 wickets, win series 2-0

BANGALORE: India thrashed Australia by seven wickets in the second Test to make a clean sweep of the series and win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.

Riding high on his first innings score of 207, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar (53) and Rahul Dravid (21) scored an unbeaten 61 runs for the fourth wicket to see the team through. With that India won both Tests - the first by a wicket, and the second by seven wickets.

After the quick exit of dashing opener Virender Sehwag (7), Murali Vijay (37) and Test debutant Cheteshwar Pujara steered the Indian second innings with a 72-run stand for the second wicket.

Pujara scored a fluent 72 with seven fours before being bowled by off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

Earlier, resuming at overnight 202 for seven, Australia's second innings folded up quickly with tail-enders perishing in a span of five overs.

Indian speedster Zaheer Khan packed off Mitchell Johnson for 11 and Peter George for a duck, caught behind by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, while pacer S Sreesanth bowled Ben Hilfenhaus for a duck.

Zaheer and spinner Pragyan Ojha took three wickets each, while Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh snared two each.

With a 17-run lead from the first innings, India began chasing 207, looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In reply to Australia's 478, India made 495 in the first innings with Tendulkar scoring a double century

India won the first Test at Mohali by one wicket.

TOI

ICC approves creation of Test Championship

The International Cricket Council has approved the creation of a Test Championship and has also called for a creation of an ODI league.

During the ICC meeting held in Dubai, the following recommendations were approved by the ICC Chief Executives' Committee:

1. The FTP should consist of a Test league to provide context for all Test matches. The league would determine the top four teams to qualify for an ICC Test play-off

2. The play-off should be held once every four years to determine the Test champion team with a request to hold the first such play-off in 2013

3. The FTP should also consist of a One-Day International league, the first to run from April 2011 until April 2014, culminating in the crowning of an ODI league champion. This would run separate to the ICC Cricket World Cup

4. The ICC Cricket World Cup should consist of a 10-team format from 2015

5. The ICC World Twenty20 should consist of a 16-team format from 2012, with the women's event continuing to run alongside

6. The introduction of Twenty20 International rankings table as soon as this is justifiable.

The Board agreed that any discussion of performance-related ranking and the issue of qualification for ICC global events, including finding opportunities for Associate Members to play ODI cricket, should be considered by the ICC Governance Committee and a recommendation brought back to the Board.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: "Restructuring international cricket is a significant strategic challenge and one that must be dealt with. We have now agreed in principle to exciting and far-reaching proposals to tackle this most important issue.

"Achieving balance and unanimous agreement is not easy but we have responded well to a strategic priority to restructure international cricket. The proposals, especially introducing more meaningful context, means we now have the potential to follow international cricket that is even more exciting."

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011:

ICC chief Executive said he was happy with the progress made by the venues for the 2011 WOrld Cup.

Lorgat said: "We are pleased with the considerable progress made particularly in the areas of venue preparation and security."

"The ICC Cricket World Cup is the ICC's flagship event which will provide a showcase for some of the best players who have ever played this great game and it will also provide the world with a glimpse of the colour and passion for cricket that exists in the host nations.

"This is an exciting time for cricket. We have just witnessed two thrilling Test matches between India and Australia which have demonstrated the strength and the enduring appeal of the longest form of the game. We have some more mouthwatering contests such as the Ashes and India's visit to South Africa, the top two teams in the world, before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011."

"Earlier this year we witnessed the West Indies stage a wonderfully successful ICC World Twenty20 and now we have the prospect of a truly spectacular ICC Cricket World Cup, the opening match of which will take place in Dhaka on 19 February when Bangladesh takes on India. To us, this demonstrates the viability and continued success of the three formats of our great sport."

Decision Review System:

Decision Review System (DRS)

The three host countries confirmed to the ICC Board that the Decision Review System (DRS) should be used in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka subject to ensuring the reliability of ball-tracking technology. The Board agreed that Hotspot technology would also be used in the semi-finals and final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Mr Lorgat said: "I have agreed with Cricket Australia to attend the Ashes matches between Australia and England with representatives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to understand the successful application of the technology and its contribution to correct umpiring decisions."

The ICC Executive Board also agreed to explore sponsorship for the DRS and the revenues generated from this will be distributed among those Members who have pooled their rights, after costs have been deducted. Members who do not pool their rights will be free to exploit such rights themselves.
© ICC

Aussies slip to fifth place in Test rankings

Following the 2-0 clean-sweep by India in the 2-match Test series, the Ponting led Australian team has slipped to fifth place in the ICC rankings for Test teams.

India had entered the series ranked number one and even if they had lost both matches to the Australians, they would still have been ranked number one.

India entered the series with 127 rating points, and they now have 130 points following their series win.

South Africa, who are second in the ICC rankings, are on 119 points followed by Sri Lanka with 115 points and England who have 112 points.

Australia, who started the Test series against India with 113 points, lost 3 points following their losses.

ICC rankings for Test teams at the end of the India-Australia series:

Ranking	Team	Matches	Rating Points
1	India	34	130
2	South Africa	29	119
3	Sri Lanka	23	115
4	England	39	112
5	Australia	37	110
6	Pakistan	23	83
7	West Indies	21	79
8	New Zealand	25	78
9	Bangladesh	19	7

Australia struggles against spinners at Bangalore

Indian spinners Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh shared five wickets as Australia struggled to 202 for seven at stumps Tuesday, an overall lead of 185 with one day remaining in a delicately poised second cricket test.

After conceding a 17-run first-innings lead to India, Australia raced to 58 in 16 overs before losing three top-order batsmen in quick succession. A determined Ricky Ponting (72) figured in useful half-century stands with Michael Hussey (20) and Tim Paine (23) to bolster the middle order.

Openers Shane Watson (31) and Simon Katich (24) had started well, but the advent of the spinners pegged the visiting side back.

Watson was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Ojha, missing a half-century for the first time on the tour.

He scored a century in each innings (115 and 104) of a three-day practice game in Chandigarh. He then struck 126 and 56 in the first test at Mohali, where Australia lost by one wicket, and followed it up with 57 in the first innings here.

Watson's dismissal was followed by two more wickets in the space of seven runs.

Katich was caught behind by Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Harbhajan, while Clarke was stumped by Dhoni off Ojha as the batsman stretched out to reach a delivery that dipped sharply.

The pace bowlers started to get some reverse swing later in the innings. Left-armer Zaheer Khan removed Ponting after the Australian captain had struck one six and seven fours, while Paine (23) fell to Sreesanth just six runs later.

Ojha returned 3-57 and Harbhajan had 2-63 as India chased its first victory at the Bangalore venue since 1995.

Earlier, Sachin Tendulkar completed his sixth test double-century to guide India to 486 for five before India had a dramatic late collapse.

Resuming at 435 for five, India progressed to 486 before losing five wickets for nine runs and being dismissed for 495 on in reply to Australia's 478.

"We are disappointed at losing those five wickets this morning," said Tendulkar. "But we came back pretty well and the bowlers have done a fantastic job so far. It is going to be an exciting and big day for us tomorrow."

Tendulkar, who was on 191 at stumps on Monday, was first out, dragging a delivery from rookie paceman Peter George onto his stumps. His magnificent 214 was laced with 22 boundaries and two sixes.

Skipper Dhoni made 30 in 87 minutes, but Harbhajan, Zaheer and Sreesanth failed to deliver.

The lanky George, who also accounted for the wicket of Zaheer, combined with others to restrict the Indians.

Nathan Hauritz took two wickets in five balls as he dismissed Dhoni and last-man Sreesanth. Dhoni was caught at slip as he tried to drive a delivery from the spinner, while Sreesanth was trapped lbw.

Watson accounted for Harbhajan, who gave a simple catch to Ponting at mid-wicket.

"The match is at a critical stage and it is all about how we deal with pressure and apply ourselves," said Tendulkar, adding that it would be a serious challenge batting last in the match.

"The wicket has become slower. Cracks have widened, so we may need to adjust to the bounce and the pace. Hopefully our bowlers would make the target as low as possible for us," he said.

Sachin Tendulkar hits sixth double century

NEW DELHI: Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday completed his sixth double hundred in Test cricket, adding to the mountain of runs he has accumulated in his over two-decade career.

Tendulkar continued to grind the Australian bowling attack on the fourth day of the second and final Test in Bangalore.

Tendulkar, who was unbeaten on 191 at the end of the third day's play, reached the landmark in the sixth over of the day.

This is Tendulkar's second double century against Australia, the first one being an unbeaten 241 in Sydney in January 2004.

Tendulkar is the only batsman in the world to hit a double century in ODI cricket.

Tendulkar is the only man to post 1,000 runs in a calendar year on six occasions -- with Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and Brian Lara hitting this milestone five times.

His superb knock took Tendulkar's aggregate for the year so far to 1194 runs at an average of 99.5.

On Day 3, Tendulkar wrote another record by his name by making a 150-plus score for the record 20th time, surpassing Brian Lara's 19. He also became only the third batsman, after David Gower and Jack Hobbs to score 3000 Test runs against Australia.

On the second day of the Test, Tendulkar had passed 14,000 Test runs, taking just 12 innings to race there - the fastest he has ever gone from one 1,000-run mark to the next.

Tendulkar now has 95 international centuries, including 46 in ODIs.

With just five centuries left to complete a ton of tons in international cricket, Tendulkar is expected to complete the 50 Test centuries by the time the three-Test series against New Zealand ends next month.

Following is the list of Tendulkar's double centuries in Test cricket:

Opponent	Venue	Year
New Zealand	Ahmedabad	October 1999
Zimbabwe	Nagpur	November 2000
Australia	Sydney	January 2004
Bangladesh	Dhaka	December 2004
Sri Lanka	Colombo (SSC)	July 2010
Australia	Bangalore	October 2010

TOI

Second Test: Australia 202/7 at stumps on Day 4

BANGALORE: Australian captain Ricky Ponting defied India's bowlers with a spirited half-century as his team fought a grim battle for survival in the final Test on Tuesday.

After Sachin Tendulkar had made 214 to give India a slender 17-run lead, the Aussies slumped to 131/5 in their second innings before recovering to post 202/7 by stumps on the fourth day.

Ponting made 72, his second half-century of the match, when seamer Zaheer Khan trapped him leg-before towards the end of the day's play to put India on top.

Australia, seeking a series-levelling win after losing the first Test in Mohali by one wicket, start the final day's play 185 runs ahead with three wickets in hand.

India's spin twins, Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha, wrecked Australia's top-order on a wearing wicket at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore that assisted turn.

Openers Shane Watson and Simon Katich put on 58, before both fell in the space of four deliveries without a run being added.

Watson was trapped leg-before by left-arm spinner Ojha, while Katich edged a catch to wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in off-spinner Harbhajan's next over.

Seven runs later, Michael Clarke was stumped by Dhoni off Ojha to reduce the tourists to 65/3, barely 48 runs ahead.

Michael Hussey put on 61 for the fourth wicket with Ponting, before he was leg-before to Ojha for 20 and first-innings centurion Marcus North was bowled by Harbhajan for three.

Tim Paine (23) added 50 with Ponting and when play ended Mitchell Johnson was on seven and Nathan Hauritz was on eight.

Earlier, India took their overnight score of 435/5 to 495 before they were all out at the stroke of lunch in reply to Australia's 478.

Tendulkar's dismissal at 486/5 triggered a lower order collapse in which the last five Indian wickets fell for nine runs.

Tendulkar, who was on 191 overnight, reached his double century 25 minutes after the start with a quick single off Ben Hilfenhaus.

It was the world batting record holder's sixth double-century and his second in four Tests, having made 203 against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo in July.

The 37-year-old, who is in his 21st year in international cricket, has already notched up six three-figure knocks this year, besides making 98 in the previous Test in Mohali.

Tendulkar was dismissed in the second over after resumption of play when he edged an intended cut off fast bowler Peter George onto his stumps, giving the tall South Australian a treasured first Test wicket.

The Indian's vigil at the crease lasted nearly nine hours, in which he hit 22 boundaries and two sixes.

Hauritz claimed the last two wickets, including Dhoni for 30, to finish with two for 153 from 39.5 overs.

Left-arm fast bowler Johnson was the most successful bowler with 3-105, while George took two wickets.

TOI