Maradona eyes Premier League coaching role

STAFF WRITER 19:0 HRS IST

London, Oct 29 (AFP) Argentina football legend Diego Maradona has revealed his desire to manage in the English Premier League.

Maradona is seeking a new challenge after parting company with the Argentina national side which he lead to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup.

The former World Cup-winning captain, who will celebrate his 50th birthday tomorrow, is now seeking a return to management, and admitted he was attracted by England's top flight.

He told Sky Sports News: "Yes, I would like to manage in the Premier League.

"It has very good teams, an exceptional level and great players.

"The only problem is all the teams I like in England have good coaches.

"If any important job comes along I will accept it.

Advani out of World Pro Billiards C'ship, Geet in semis

LEEDS: Pankaj Advani's hopes of winning the World Professional Billiards title for the second consecutive time went up in smoke after compatriot Dhruv Sitwala registered a hard fought 723-608 win over the reigning champion in the quarterfinals of the event on Saturday.

Advani, who had last year created history by becoming the second Indian, after Geet Sethi, to win the elusive World Pro title, suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of Sitwala, who compiled three century breaks (118, 109 and 161) in his 32 visits to the table to reign supreme at the green baize.

Advani, on the other hand, failed to score even a single century break during his two hour stay at the table with his highest break accounting for 91.

Dhruv played very confidently and with consistency. He went ahead 360 points when only 30 minutes left in the clock. Advani, known for his strong comeback, tried hard to cover the lead but fall short on a break of 184 and lost by 115 points when clock alarmed and failed to defend his title.

On Friday, the second day of the event, the 25-year-old Bangalorean Advani notched up his third straight victory in Group A after brushing aside the challenge of compatriot Devendra Joshi 818-469 to advance to the last-eight stage at the Northern Snooker Centre.

Earlier, in the final group battle to decide the pool winner from Group A, Advani had defeated team-mate Saurav Kothari 965-457 in 21 visits to the table with the help of three century breaks.

In the other quarterfinal of the day, five-time winner Geet Sethi, making his 19th appearance at the event, scored an emphatic 959-445 win over Singapore's Peter Gilchrist to sail into the semifinals of the event, where he is expected to meet Advani's tormentor Sitwala.

Sethi came out with two century breaks including one accounting for 267 in his 35 visits to the table while Gilchrist managed to score none.

Sethi had confirmed his berth for knockouts. With an all-win record in his Group B.

Other two Indians in the quarterfinal stage are Saurav Kothari, who will be up against David Causier of England, and Rupesh Shah, pitted against nine-time champion and title favourite England's Mike Russell.

Read more: Advani out of World Pro Billiards C'ship, Geet in semis - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/snooker/billiards/Advani-out-of-World-Pro-Billiards-Cship-Geet-in-semis/articleshow/6838931.cms#ixzz13oMtB57Q

14,000 Test runs, Tendulkar yearns for "next level"

LONDON: He has been hailed as one of the most accomplished players in world cricket but Sachin Tendulkar still yearns to reach the "next level" as a batsman.

Tendulkar, who made history earlier this month by becoming the first batsman to score 14,000 runs in Test cricket, says his desire to improve remains as intense as it has ever been.

"I'm really focusing now on how I can get to the next level as a batsman. How can I get even more competitive? How can I get even more consistent? How can I get better?" Tendulkar said, according the extract of an interview to 'The Guardian' to be published in full on Saturday.

Instead of struggling for form with advancing age, 37-year-old Tendulkar has had the most prolific year of his Test career in 2010 and he insists rather than considering retirement he has many more goals to fulfill.

"Life would be flat without dreams. I think it's really important to dream -- and then to chase those dreams. I really believe in this because it's this dreaming that makes me work so hard. I want to continue doing that because I've worked very hard the last couple of years on my batting," he said.

"(Coach) Gary Kirsten has been instrumental in this. Together we've worked hard in the last couple of years to improve my batting. He's given me the freedom to express myself, and to pace my innings as I see fit. I can slow down occasionally. Gary has helped me do this and it's because he's more a friend than a coach," said Tendulkar who is just one short of hitting 50 Test centuries.

He described 2010 as his "sweetest year" as he won his first ICC's Player of the Year Award and returned to the top of the world batting rankings for the first time since 2002.

In February, Tendulkar scored centuries in successive Tests against South Africa before becoming the first man to reach 200 in an ODI against the same opponents.

Tendulkar was the highest run scorer in IPL and also made a Test double-hundred against Sri Lanka before his remarkable performances against Australia which saw him reach the 14,000 landmark in the second Test at Bangalore while scoring 214 and an unbeaten 53 to complete India's 2-0 series victory.

The iconic but down to earth batsman conceded that his form subsided a few years ago, prompting critics like Australia's Ian Chappell to call for his retirement.

"There was a little dip for me, around 2005 and 2006. But I had a lot of injuries then. I had finger and elbow injuries, and then a back injury. All these upper-body injuries may have altered my back-swing a little. But, fortunately, all that is behind me now and I've been able to put in the hours of practice that I need," he said.

Tendulkar had earlier expressed his desire to win the 2011 World Cup and he said the cricket-mad Indian fans would be demanding to win the prestigious tournament at home.

"It's going to be massive. Everyone in India is already looking forward to hosting a mega tournament and although people haven't started talking yet about 1983 (when India won the World Cup) it will happen soon. But, given our recent form, people have a right to be excited and have extremely high hopes for us. There are going to be big expectations."

Tendulkar also talked about the influence of his late father, a novelist and poet, as well as his brother, Ajit, who remains his closest cricketing confidante.

He also revealed the surprise identity of the bowler who has troubled him most in Test cricket and reflects on the day he and Shane Warne visited Don Bradman on his 90th birthday.

Read more: At 14,000 Test runs, Tendulkar yearns for "next level" - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/At-14000-Test-runs-Tendulkar-yearns-for-next-level/articleshow/6834965.cms#ixzz13kQcT8We

Cricket Australia approves Twenty20 private ownership

MELBOURNE (Australia): Cricket Australia has approved minority private ownership in a revamped domestic Twenty20 competition to start next season, paving the way for potential Indian-based investors.

A Cricket Australia board meeting on Friday gave the approval to an extended Twenty20 competition - to be called the Big Bash League - which will run over the December-January period starting in the 2011-12 Australian summer season.

It will initially feature teams based on the current six state associations, plus two further cities which will be decided over coming months

Read more: Cricket Australia approves Twenty20 private ownership - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Cricket-Australia-approves-Twenty20-private-ownership/articleshow/6833994.cms#ixzz13kQOGRKV

Anand, Humpy opt out of Asian Games

NEW DELHI: World chess champion Viswanathan Anand will not be available for next month's Asian Games in China due to prior commitments, officials said on Friday.

With the top woman player Koneru Humpy also opting out of the mega event, the Indian squad will be same that played in the Olympiad last month.

Humpy had won two gold medals including one in the team event in the last edition in Doha while Anand was absent there as well.

Both the players have already told the All India Chess Federation that they will not be available for the November 12-27 Games.

" AICF Secretary had approached Anand to play in the Asian Games. But he said he will not be available," Delhi Chess Association President Bharat Singh Chauhan, who has been named team manager of the 10-member squad said.

Medals will be up for grabs in the team events for men and women apart from the two individual rapid events.

Team:

Men: K Sasikiran, P Hari Krishna, Surya Shekhar Ganguly, G N Gopal and B Adhiban.

Women: D Harika, Tania Sachdev, Eesha Karavade, S Meenakshi and Nisha Mohota.

Coaches: Lev Psakhis and Oleg Romanishin; Manager: Bharat Singh Chauhan.

Read more: Anand, Humpy opt out of Asian Games - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/2010-asian-games/Anand-Humpy-opt-out-of-Asian-Games/articleshow/6834528.cms#ixzz13kQ5W81N

Chetan, Pawar out of Danish Open Super Series

STAFF WRITER 19:27 HRS IST

New Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) Anand Pawar lost to sixth seed Marc Zwiebler of Germany after a tough fight in the second round as Indians disappointed in the men's singles event of the Denmark Open Super Series at Odense today.

Pawar, who beat local lad Hans-Kristian Vittinghus in a thrilling first round match, came back from a game down but ran out of steam against his higher-ranked opponent to lose 10-21 21-14 15-21 in a 59-minute contest.

World number 52 Pawar could not match his opponent, ranked 37 places above him, in the first game which the German took in quick time.

The Indian, however, fought back strongly with some fine smash winners and points from long rallies to take the second game and the match to the decider.

Only men swimmers for Asian Games

BANGALORE: With the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) deciding to strictly adhere to the qualification standard, India will field an all-men swimming team for the 14th Asian Games in Guangzhou.

Top men swimmers, including Sandeep Sejwal and Virdhwal Khade, will carry the country's hopes as SFI announced a nine-member squad for the quadrennial event on Thursday.

It is for the first time since 1998 Bangkok Games that the Indian swimming contingent does not have a woman swimmer in its ranks. "None of the women swimmers met the qualification times set by the federation," national coach S Pradeep Kumar said, explaining the reason for not including women swimmers in the squad.

The swimmers needed to clock the sixth-place timing of the last Asian Games to make the cut. But all the girls came a cropper in three qualification meets — junior nationals, senior nationals and Federation Cup — held this year.

"The dropout rate among women swimmers is alarming. We had lot of swimmers in the junior level. But once they started concentrating on academics they failed to perform in swimming," Pradeep said.

"Even in Karnataka, which is a traditional swimming powerhouse, the dropout rate among girls is high. In the men's section, we can pick from a talent pool of 5,000. But in the women's section it is only 500," he said.

In 1998, the Indian squad for Asian Games had five women swimmers as Nisha Millet, Meghna Narayan, Abhinaya Shetty, Shikha Tandon and Richa Mishra vied for honours. But the numbers started dwindling from then on. Only two women — Richa and Shikha — took part in the 2002 Busan Games, while only Shikha carried the the hopes of Indian women in the 2006 edition in Doha.

Expressing shock, Nisha Millet said lack of dedication towards swimming has cost the Indian women dear. "They concentrate on education. It's not easy to find a balance between your studies and competition. It's time the girls took to swimming seriously. Otherwise, we won't see women swimmers in next Olympics too," she said.

After a week-long confusion, the preparatory camp for the Games began at the Sports Authority of India, South Centre on Thursday. SAI officials in Delhi had directed the SFI to start the camp on Oct 21. But the officials in Bangalore got the letter only on Wednesday. "We lost seven precious days," lamented Pradeep.
Of the nine swimmers, only Sejwal and Khade met the qualification marks in the individual events while other made the grade in relays. Sandeep will compete in the 50m, 100m and 200m, while Khade will figure in 50m and 100m freestyle and butterfly events.

Team: Sandeep Sejwal, Rehan Poncha, Virdhawal Khade, Aaron D'Souza, Rohit Havaldar, Arjun JP, Mandra Divase, Balakrishnan MB, Anshul Kothari.

Read more: Only men swimmers for Asian Games - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/2010-asian-games/Only-men-swimmers-for-Asian-Games/articleshow/6831869.cms#ixzz13iVvr2Q6

We should keep Gary even after World Cup: Gambhir

NEW DELHI: Prolific Indian opener Gautam Gambhir feels that the Indian Cricket Board should renew the contract of coach Gary Kirsten after it expires at the end of the World Cup next year.

"Gary is the best coach India has ever had. I have often said that and I keep on stressing that we need Gary. I don't need to speak much about him. His fabulous record speaks for itself. He has been a great man-manager. So I believe that he should be retained after the World Cup also," Gambhir said at the sidelines of a promotional event.

Gambhir is thus the latest among the Indian stars to join the bandwagon who want the South African to be retained as Cricket South Africa wants him to take over once he finishes his stint with the Indian team.

The opener also supported Kirsten's idea of sending the top-order batsmen to South Africa, a week in advance so that they can get themselves acclimatised to the pace and bounce of wickets over there.

"We haven't played much cricket in South Africa of late. So it will be a great idea if we go there a bit early to get used to the conditions. If such a thing happens, it may just work in our favour," Gambhir said.

He also reiterated that one can't continue his blazing form for life and there is bound to be ups and downs.

"Right now I am coming back from injury. It's always a difficult thing when you come back from injury. Only when you spend considerable time out there in the middle, you get to know how it's shaping up for you," he said.

The Delhi batsman also feels that just because Bangladesh whipped New Zealand 4-0 in the ODI series, it did not mean that it will be a cakewalk for the Indians when they meet the Black Caps from November 4.

"You can never take any international opposition lightly. Just because Bangladesh beat them 4-0 doesn't mean that we can take it easy against the New Zealanders. Their team consists of some proven match-winners who can turn a match head on. So we need to be very careful and can't take things for granted," Gambhir said.

On a lighter vein, he said that walking ramp is tough but not as tough as opening the batting for the country.

He also said that he hasn't seen the likes of Yuvraj Singhs and Mahendra Singh Dhonis walk the ramp but said that a cricketer's endeavour is to perform on field rather than score points off it.

Read more: We should keep Gary even after World Cup: Gambhir - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/icc-world-cup-2011/top-stories/We-should-keep-Gary-even-after-World-Cup-Gambhir/articleshow/6829732.cms#ixzz13eyhsa00

I am successful because of a good team: Dhoni

KOLKATA: Skipper of the No. 1 Test side, Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday attributed his success to the team and said he was lucky to get a good side.

"I am a successful captain because I have got a good team. Cricket is all about a team game. I have got some great players who back each other, help each other and that really helps the cause of the team," Dhoni said of his side which boasts of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag.

Asked about India's preparation for the World Cup next year, Dhoni said, "It's about four months away which seems a short time, but we have two series against New Zealand at home and South Africa away, in between. I really hope that the top players don't get injured and are available."

Dhoni was at a promotional programme with wife Sakshi Singh Rawat who hails from Kolkata.

Read more: I am successful because of a good team: Dhoni - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/new-zealand-in-india/interviews/I-am-successful-because-of-a-good-team-Dhoni/articleshow/6816156.cms#ixzz13WwtxqOE

Poonia accepts Samuels challenge but spurns January date

NEW DELHI: Commonwealth Games gold medallist Krishna Poonia is game for the $20,000 winner-takes-all discus throw contest with world champion Dani Samuels of Australia but rejected January 22 date for the duel as she wants to spend time with her family after a gruelling season.

Poonia said she has been contacted by Samuels' representatives but has made it clear that she is ready for the contest in India next month before Asian Games which starts on November 12 or it will have to be after February next year.

Samuels' coach Hayden Knowles had proposed a January 22 contest between Poonia and the Australian world champion who had pulled out of the Commonwealth Games citing security and health concerns.

"I have accepted Dani's challenge and my federation has also given me permission. The two managers are discussing the date now. If Dani wants to come to India for the contest I am ready to take her in November before Asian Games. But I can't go abroad now as I am preparing for the Asian Games in Guangzhou," Poonia told reporters.

"In January, I want to spend some time with my family. After January, I have no problem going to Australia for the contest. It can be anytime before World Championships (in August in South Korea)," she said.

Poonia's husband Virendra said she is ready to take on Samuels anytime between March and the World Championships in August if not next month.

"If she (Dani) does not come to India next month before the Asian Games it can be anytime between March and August. After the gruelling season Poonia wants to take rest at least a month or two. For now, she is concentrating on her preparations for the Asian Games," he said.

If the contest materialises, it would be the first of its kind high-stake duel involving an Indian athlete.

Hurt by the reported comments of Poonia that Samuels had pulled out of the Commonwealth Games due to "poor form", the support staff of the Australian had dared the Indian to the contest.

Knowles had proposed to hold the contest at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Center as part of Pirtek Athletic Allstars Meet which is considered as athletics counterpart of Twenty20 cricket with celebrities from Hollywood and sports world taking part.

Pirtek Athletic Allstars organisers will raise the $20,000 amount for the contest between Poonia and Samuels through sponsors.

Recently on September 15, world and Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt took part in men's 100m relay event in the Pirtek Athletic Allstars Meet.

In that Meet, Samuels won the discus throw event with a 61.90m effort to beat Olympic champion Stephanie Brown Trafton of United States and former world champion Beatrice Faumina of New Zealand, who finished fifth in Commonwealth Games.

Read more: Poonia accepts Samuels challenge but spurns January date - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/athletics/Poonia-accepts-Samuels-challenge-but-spurns-January-date/articleshow/6816275.cms#ixzz13WuJYf8j

Somdev achieves career high rank of 94

NEW DELHI: Rising singles star Somdev Devvarman on Monday gained two positions to career best 94 in the latest ATP ranking chart.

Somdev, who now has 568 points, failed to make the main draw of the ATP 250 event in Austria after losing the second round of the qualifiers.

In the WTA list, Sania Mirza gained a place to 166 in the singles chart with 356 points while she jumped three positions in the doubles to 64 with 1238 points.

Leander Paes (5), Mahesh Bhupathi (14) and Rohan Bopanna (16) remained static in the doubles chart.

Read more: Somdev achieves career high rank of 94 - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Somdev-achieves-career-high-rank-of-94/articleshow/6809713.cms#ixzz13R6kN6ge

Gambhir, Ishant return for New Zealand series

CHENNAI: When the selectors met here to pick the Indian team for the Tests against New Zealand, the only concern was the fitness of Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma and VVS Laxman.

Once they received news of their availability it took less than an hour to finalise the team at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday.

In the end, the 15-member squad for the three-Test series is the same one which played against Australia. Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma have recovered from knee injuries, while Laxman has also recovered from the back injury which plagued him during the Australia series.

However, despite a blistering double ton in the Irani Trophy early this month, Yuvraj Singh will have to wait a little longer to regain his Test spot. With Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay performing well in the second Test in the absence of the senior players, the selectors obviously chose to overlook Yuvraj.

With Ishant Sharma back in the squad, Sreesanth will be the third seamer. Abhinav Mukund and Jaidev Unadkat, who were included in the squad after the injuries of Gambhir and Ishant, will now be available to play Ranji Trophy for their respective state sides, Tamil Nadu and Saurashtra.

"We have selected the best possible squad for the series. Gambhir and Ishant have been declared fit and Laxman has recovered from the back injury. So, we'll have a full-strength team against New Zealand," selection committee chairman Krishnamchari Srikkanth said after the meeting.

He made it clear that he and his colleagues were satisfied by the performances of the youngsters. "We are proud of the bench strength we have. The young guns played superbly along with the senior pros in the Tests as well as in the only one-dayer. We look to continue this victory march and be in supreme touch before the South Africa series commences. Hence, we have decided to pick a full-strength side," he said.

With Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh leading the pace and the spin departments and Ishant and Pragyan Ojha doing the back-up job, the bowling looks formidable. Amit Mishra will be the reserve spinner.

However, the reserve wicket-keeper still does not seem to be an area of concern for the selectors, though Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been overworked for quite a while.

After the New Zealand series, the long South Africa series and World Cup follow and the selectors must ensure Dhoni is fit and well-rested before these big events. The skipper did not attend the meeting but was consulted over phone by the selection panel.

Test squad: MS Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice-captain), Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Suresh Raina, Cheteshwar Pujara, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, S Sreesanth, Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra.

Read more: Gambhir, Ishant return for New Zealand series - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/top-stories/Gambhir-Ishant-return-for-New-Zealand-series/articleshow/6809191.cms#ixzz13R6PjLjk

Tendulkar in ESPNcricinfo's all-time Test World XI

NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar was the only current cricketer named in ESPNcricinfo's all-time Test World XI which did not include Australian captain Ricky Ponting and the likes of Brian Lara, Glenn McGrath, Sunil Gavaskar.

Tendulkar has been chosen at number four batting position along with legends like Don Bradman, Vivian Richards, Garry Sobers and Shane Warne.

Others in the World XI, dominated by Australians and West Indians, were Jack Hobbs, Len Hutton, Adam Gilchrist, Malcolm Marshall, Wasim Akram and Dennis Lillee.

Gavaskar and Lara found themselves in the second World XI along with Barry Richards, George Headley, Wally Hammond, Imran Khan, Alan Knott, Bill O'Reilly, Fred Trueman, Muttiah Muralitharan and SF Barnes.

Ponting was not in any of the two teams, the same as McGrath and India's world Cup winning captain Kapil Dev.

The jury comprised one former captain from each of the top Test-playing teams -- Ian Chappell, Clive Lloyd, Tony Greig, Duleep Mendis, Ali Bacher, Intikhab Alam, John Wright, Ajit Wadekar -- and four cricket historians and writers.

Warne, Gilchrist and Akram were the other players from the last two decades to make it to the XI, which featured seven players who made their debuts after 1970.

Four Australians, three West Indians, two Englishmen, an Indian and a Pakistani make up the XI.

Three players were unanimous choices, figuring in the first XIs of each of the 12 members of the jury (each juror was asked to pick a first XI and a second) -- Don Bradman, Garry Sobers and Shane Warne, each of whom got the maximum points possible in the exercise, 60. Tendulkar followed with 51 points.

The biggest surprise the XI threw up was the gap between Warne and Muralitharan, the two leading wicket-takers in cricket history. Muralitharan made it to the World Second XI, tallying 34 points fewer than Warne.

The closest battles were for one of the opening spots and for number five. Gavaskar lost out to Hobbs by one point and Headley by two to Richards.

Hutton (47 points) partners Hobbs at the top. They are followed by Bradman, Tendulkar, Richards and Sobers. While there was no competition to Sobers for the all-rounder's spot, Imran (19) narrowly edged out Keith Miller to make it to the Second XI.

Gilchrist beat Alan Knott to the wicketkeeper's spot by eight points. The next closest contender was Kumar Sangakkara, who got nine points.

The bowling positions were all decided by handsome margins. Three of cricket's most highly rated fast bowlers - Dennis Lillee, leading with 48 points, Wasim Akram and Malcolm Marshall (in addition to Sobers, who could bowl left-arm fast, spin and chinamen) -- accompany Warne.

Tendulkar, Bradman, Sobers, Gilchrist, Warne and Akram were voted by the ESPNcricinfo readers in their XI which also have Virender Sehwag, McGrath and Gavasakar.

Sehwag and Gavaskar were the overwhelming favourites for the opening slots, while Lara edged out Richards for a place in the middle order.

The readers went with a two-spin, two-quicks bowling combination. Their XI has Warne and Murali bowling in tandem. McGrath and Akram comfortably beat competition from all the West Indian bowlers in the shortlist.

The World XI:

Jack Hobbs, Len Hutton, Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Viv Richards, Garry Sobers, Adam Gilchrist, Malcolm Marshall, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Dennis Lillee.

The Second XI:

Sunil Gavaskar, Barry Richards, George Headley, Brian Lara, Wally Hammond, Imran Khan, Alan Knott, Bill O'Reilly, Fred Trueman, Muttiah Muralitharan, SF Barnes

Readers' XI:

Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Garry Sobers, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath.

Read more: Tendulkar in ESPNcricinfo's all-time Test World XI - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Tendulkar-in-ESPNcricinfos-all-time-Test-World-XI/articleshow/6807939.cms#ixzz13R6A2sua

India-Aus final ODI abandoned, hosts win series 1-0

STAFF WRITER 15:33 HRS IST

Margao, Oct 24 (PTI) The third and final ODI between India and Australia was today abandoned without a ball being bowled due to wet outfield caused by overnight rains to give the hosts a 1-0 series victory, their first in over two decades.

With the abandonment of today's ODI, the second such case in the three-match series, Australia returned home without winning a single game in their tour of India. They had lost the two-match Test series 0-2 before the ODI series.

India had beaten Australia by five wickets in the second ODI at Visakhapatnam on October 20 while the first match in Kochi on October 17 was washed out.

India thus notched up their first ever whitewash of Australia in both Test and ODI series in the same tour.

Rajasthan Royals to appeal in Bombay HC on Monday

MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals is set to file an appeal in the Bombay High Court on Monday against the Board of Control for Cricket's October 10 order throwing it out of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Royals, which won the 2008 IPL tournament, had its contract terminated after BCCI charged that it had changed its shareholding pattern without taking the consent of the board or the IPL governing council.

The promoters of Rajasthan Royals have now retained Supreme Court lawyer Harish Salve to argue their case. Salve, who was out of the country, returned late on Saturday and is learnt to have met Royals co-owner Manoj Badale in New Delhi. Following the meeting, it was decided to go to court.

When contacted, Badale told TOI, "As a group of overseas investors promoting Indian cricket, I still fail to see what we have done wrong. We will now have to put our full faith in the legal system."

Ranjit Barthakur, chairman of Jaipur IPL Pvt Ltd, said; "As an early promoter of Indian cricket, I am saddened the situation has come to this. Manoj and I have made multiple attempts to meet the BCCI without success. So, legal recourse is the only option." Salve, despite several attempts, was unavailable for comment.

Suresh Chellaram, a 44% stakeholder in the franchise, is suspended IPL chief Lalit Modi's brother-in-law. However, when asked, BCCI chief Shashank Manohar had insisted, "The decision to sack Royals has not been taken because of any individual."

toi

Top players likely to skip ODI series vs Kiwis

New Delhi, Oct 21 (PTI) Some of India's top cricketers are likely to miss the ODI series against New Zealand next month with the Cricket Board planning to send them to South Africa to prepare for the Test series there.

India has never won a Test series in South Africa yet and the BCCI is keen to send the senior cricketers well before the start of the rubber to get fully acclimatised to the conditions.

"We are planning to send the key Test players to South Africa early to prepare for the series. The conditions in South Africa are quite different and we want to give our players enough time to come to terms with the conditions" a BCCI source said.

New Zealand are scheduled to play three Tests and five one-dayers in India from November 4 to December 10.

India, Australia arrive for final ODI in Goa

STAFF WRITER 19:54 HRS IST

Margao, Oct 21 (PTI) India and Australia today arrived here from Vishakapatnam ahead of the third and final one-dayer scheduled to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Sunday.

After the first ODI was washed off in Kochi, India won the second match by five wickets yesterday at Vizag to take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The Australians arrived here with only 12 playing members after injured speedster Doug Bollinger and key middle order batsman Michael Hussey flew home at the conclusion of the second match.

Cricket Australia's Communications advisor Lachy Patterson, who is traveling with the visiting team, said that no replacements have been called for as the October 24 fixture was the concluding tie of the rubber.

"Yes, that's correct. We have come here with 12 players.

2nd ODI: Kohli, Raina power India to 5-wicket win over Australia

VISAKHAPATNAM: Young Virat Kohli overcame a bout of cramps to make a career-best 118 as India posted a thrilling five-wicket win over Australia in the second one-day international on Wednesday.


The 21-year-old hit one six and 11 fours in his third hundred to help India achieve a stiff 290-run target with seven balls to spare in the day-night game for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The opening match was washed out due to rain. The third and final international will be played in Goa on Sunday.

Kohli upstaged Australia captain Michael Clarke, who scored an unbeaten 111 for his fifth one-day hundred, helping his side post a big total.

Australian paceman Clint McKay jolted India with two quick wickets before Kohli and Yuvraj Singh (58) steadied the innings with a 137-run stand for the third wicket.

Batting with a runner because of leg cramps in the later part of his innings, Kohli was also involved in an 84-run stand for the fourth wicket with Suresh Raina, who smashed one six and nine fours in his 47-ball 71 not out.

McKay took three wickets and debutant paceman John Hastings two.

Clarke earlier played a key role in boosting Australia as he added 144 for the third wicket with Mike Hussey (69) and 129 for the unfinished fourth with Cameron White (89 not out).

White hammered six sixes and as many fours in his 49-ball knock as the tourists plundered 84 runs in the last five overs.

Australia were struggling at 16-2 after being put in to bat before Clarke and Hussey steadied the innings.

Clarke completed his century in the 46th over, hitting paceman Vinay Kumar for two successive fours and then turning the next ball to mid-wicket for a single. He cracked one six and seven fours in his 138-ball knock.

Hussey was trapped leg-before by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin after hitting seven fours, but not before setting the stage for a closing-overs onslaught.

Left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra did the early damage when he dismissed openers Shaun Marsh and Tim Paine in his opening four overs.

India had to work hard for their next success as Clarke and Hussey paced their innings remarkably well, taking no risks and relying more on singles and twos to keep the scoreboard moving.

India and Australia rested top players for the series to test their bench strength ahead of next year's World Cup.

Read more: 2nd ODI: Kohli, Raina power India to 5-wicket win over Australia - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/australia-in-india/top-stories/2nd-ODI-Kohli-Raina-power-India-to-5-wicket-win-over-Australia/articleshow/6782471.cms#ixzz12xled0tM

Kochi investors fail to form JV, seek 10 more days from BCCI

MUMBAI: The future of the Kochi franchise of the Indian Premier League remains uncertain. The franchise managed to submit a reply to the BCCI before the deadline of 6pm on Wednesday to incorporate their joint venture elapsed. However, the shareholders have merely sought more time from the board to resolve their dispute.

The Kochi investors have submitted to BCCI that they need time (approximately another 10 days) to bring changes in their shareholding pattern. They have thus put the ball back in BCCI's court.

"Our legal team is going through it (Kochi's reply)," top BCCI officials said on Wednesday evening about the Kochi reply. The board, it is learnt, is looking at legal implications if it decides to grant Kochi an extension.

Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab, the franchisees that were recently axed, are bound to protest if Kochi does get an extension. Further, allowing changes in the Kochi franchise's shareholding pattern would mean allowing it to do exactly what the board had held against the two expelled franchises.

Over the last two months, the Kochi investors had met several times to resolve their internal dispute but failed to do so. However, the last 24 hours seem to have made them see the issue in a different light when they all unanimously agreed to the bigger picture that the franchise was slipping out of hand.

Therefore, backed with a horde of legal advisors, the Kochi investors and the sweat equity holders met at an undisclosed location in Mumbai and are learnt to have come to certain agreements in changing the shareholding pattern. "The only way they could reach a solution to their internal problems is by making the Gaikwads listen to their demands. So, if there's finally a patch-up, that means the Gaikwads have relented," said another official. The proposed idea is likely to have been submitted to the board.

The Gaikwads partly own the 25% free sweat equity held by Rendezvous Sports World Pvt Ltd (RSWPL) that includes Kisan, Shailendra and Pushpa Gaikwad, Puja Gulathi, Jayant Kotalwar, Vishnu Prasad and Sundip Agarwal. Apart from this, Shailendra Gaikwad also holds 1% paid up equity.

The bone of contention was that the remaining investors didn't want the Gaikwads to hold such a huge stake which would give them a larger say in the team affairs.

The Kochi franchise, jointly owned by RSWPL, Anchor Earth Private Ltd, Parinee Developers, Anand Shyam Estates, Film Waves Combine and Vivek Venugopal, was bought at $333.333m, making it IPL's second costliest team. As per the 10-year contract, the franchise would earn BCCI a minimum of $33.33m per year which, as one official pointed, is far more than Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab put together.

TOI

India aim to keep all-win record intact at Vizag

VISAKHAPATNAM: Back in their happy-hunting ground, an upbeat India will look to take the lead against a wounded and depleted Australia in the second ODI on Wednesday after the series-opener was washed out in Kochi.

The three-ODI series has now been reduced to a two-match affair after the first match in Kochi two days ago was abandoned before a ball could be bowled because of heavy rains.

Back-to-back losses in the recently-concluded two-Test series have dented the world champion Australia's pride and they would be looking to get back at the hosts at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ADA- VDCA Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Known for their fighting spirit, Australia have won every one-day series in India since 1998 and the pressure will clearly be on Michael Clarke who had a barren Test series that added fuel to criticism against him.

Clarke will lead a side light on experience after regular skipper Ricky Ponting, all-rounder Shane Watson and pacer Mitchell Johnson were rested from the series, while the fast bowling stocks were further thinned by injuries to Shaun Tait, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle among others.

For Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men, it is all about carrying on the momentum on a ground where India have won all the two matches they have played.

It was at the same venue that Dhoni had announced his arrival on the big stage with a 123-ball 148 against Pakistan in what was his fifth ODI on April 5, 2005.

Playing hard and true, unlike typical Indian wickets, the Vizag strip saw a total of 654 runs scored with India winning comfortably.

India followed it with a win over Sri Lanka in the second ODI that the stadium hosted on February 17, 2007.

Dhoni did not get a chance to bat then as Yuvraj Singh guided the team home and the Team India skipper would look for another big knock when the match is played on Wednesday for the first time under lights.

Bright and sunny weather here means that the cricket starved crowd of the coastal city in Andhra Pradesh will witness an international match after about four years.

Star players including Sachin Tendulkar and Ponting being rested, the series is seen as a battle of upcoming prospects in the two cricketing powerhouses ahead of the ICC World Cup early next year.

Dhoni will lead a new-look Indian side in absence of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, while the bowling department will see the absence of speedster Zaheer Khan and spinners Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha.

But the team is bolstered by the return of an off-colour but determined Yuvraj Singh, who was dropped for the Asia Cup.

The stylish Punjab batsman, not in best of form, will look to find the rhythm at the same venue where he had scored an unbeaten 95 in India's win over Sri Lanka.

With one more series -- against New Zealand -- coming up, this will perhaps be his last chance to pass the litmus test before the quadrennial extravaganza next year.

In the absence of regular openers, the in-form Murali Vijay will start the proceedings with Shikhar Dhawan looking to don Team India colours as well.

The line-up may also mark the debut of explosive rookie batsman Saurabh Tiwary who played for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

"He has got exposure against the best bowlers in the IPL and CL T20. I think it is an ideal opportunity for us to give him a place in the final XI and let him play the kind of cricket he plays," Dhoni had said.

The side also has the tried and tested trio of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who will again be under scrutiny for the middle order slots.

With little assistance from the Vizag strip, Indian seamers of Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar and rookie Vinay Kumar will be tested.

In R Ashwin, India have an in-form off-spinner who had a fantastic run in the Twenty20 version helping Chennai Super Kings win the Champions League. It will be a big test for him ahead of the World Cup.

Australia too will have a new-look side, with players like David Warner, John Hastings and Mitchell Starc keen to show an aptitude for Indian conditions.

"This is great experience for a lot of the guys who haven't played international cricket especially in India," said Clarke.

"I think India is one of the greatest places to play international cricket, but it is a challenge, it is hard, and this is where the World Cup is going to be as well.

"There's a lot of guys who've been waiting for an opportunity, been doing well in first-class cricket, but now with Watto, Punter and Mitch resting and the other bowlers being injured, it has given the guys an opportunity.

"Our preparation is for the World Cup, the selectors pick certain guys to see how they go in these conditions to work out who is going to be in that squad.

Warner will be the danger man for India especially on the flat track of Vizag while the Aussie middle-order will be manned by Clarke who will be keen to score runs after forgettable outings in the Test series.

In Michael Hussey, the Aussies have the experience while Callum Ferguson will be the one to watch out for especially after his stupendous show in Champions League Twenty20.

Doug Bollinger will lead the bowling attack if he has recovered from the abdominal strain that ruled him out of the Bangalore Test.

Youngster Clint McKay is likely to partner him while Mitchell Starc may make his debut in case the senior-most bowler misses out.

A batting paradise, the Vizag strip is seen as one of the best batting pitches of the country and has seen totals of more than 650 and 500 in the last two occasions.

Andhra's director of cricket operations MSK Prasad has promised a run feast for the fans.

"The pitch is a batting beauty. We expect another run feast," the former India wicketkeeper said.

But with the stadium hosting its first match under lights, dew may play a role towards the evening.

Teams (from)

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt/wk), Murali Vijay, Shikhwar Dhawan, Saurabh Tiwary, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar and Vinay Kumar

Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), Cameron White, Michael Hussey, Tim Paine (wk), Doug Bollinger, Callum Ferguson, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Clint McKay, Shaun Marsh, Steven Smith, Michael Starc and David Warner.

Umpires: Billy Bowden, Shavir Tarapore
TV: Sudhir Asnani
Match Referee: Chris Broad.

Hours of play: 2.30pm to 6pm and 6.45pm to end of the match.

Read more: India aim to keep all-win record intact at Vizag - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/australia-in-india/top-stories/India-aim-to-keep-all-win-record-intact-at-Vizag/articleshow/6773616.cms#ixzz12rrQ0vcG