Federer storms into Australian Open fourth round

MELBOURNE: Defending champion and second seed Roger Federer cruised into the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win over Belgian's Xavier Malisse on Friday.

The Swiss great in the process broke Swede Stefan Edberg's record for the most Open Era wins at the Australian Open with 57 since his 2000 tournament debut.

"It's very nice to take the record but Edberg still stays my idol," Federer told the crowd on Rod Laver Arena.

Federer is bidding to become the second man to win five Australian titles behind Roy Emerson's six.

It was Federer's eighth win in nine encounters with the 45th-ranked Malisse and pitched him into a round of 16 encounter with unseeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo on Sunday.

Federer broke Malisse's serve seven times and hit 36 winners with the same number of unforced errors.

"I am happy to get past a tough match with Xav, who I played a long time ago in the juniors, he played great for the first couple of sets today," he said.

Federer won his record 16th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open last year when he downed Britain's Andy Murray in straight sets.

He is chasing his fifth Australian title after also winning in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Federer has only failed to get past the third round twice in 12 Australian Opens, both in his first two visits to Melbourne.

Read more: Federer storms into Australian Open fourth round - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/australian-open-2011/top-stories/Federer-storms-into-Australian-Open-fourth-round/articleshow/7332836.cms#ixzz1BeuZFBOR

Dhoni injured but likely to play crucial match

PORT ELIZABETH: Under MS Dhoni and Gary Kirsten, the Indian cricket team has achieved many firsts, in all forms of the game. It is now on the cusp of another - first-ever ODI series win in South Africa. While Dhoni underplayed the history angle for Friday's clash, it will be a sterling achievement should India pull it off. That will also be the icing on the tour cake after a stirring show in the Test series.

But for all that to happen, the weather has to be at its best behaviour, which it has not been since Thursday morning. A light drizzle was on for the better part of the day and more rain is predicted for Friday. Hopefully, the forecast will remain just that, like in Johannesburg. The met men had predicted a 72 per cent chance of rain on the day the third ODI was to be played. Not a single drop came our way.

For a change, India hold the edge going into this big test of skill and temperament, having clinched two successive nail-biting finishes. These wins must have given their self-belief further boost while creating doubts in the minds of the South Africans. As the series has shown, there is not much to choose between the two sides, especially in conditions here. Thus, nerves become crucial. India have shown they can hold theirs. The Proteas have to play ball.

The worrying bit for India is that captain Dhoni took a blow on his left knee while batting in the nets on match eve and was seen icing it for quite some time. Manager Ranjib Biswal allayed fears. "It's nothing serious. He'll play the match," he said. But one would like to keep fingers crossed as Dhoni's absence could further weaken India's batting.

A look at the past tells us Port Elizabeth has never seen India in full bloom. The Men in Blue have lost all the four ODIs they have played at St. George's Park by big margins, once even to Kenya. But Dhoni's boys are adept at rewriting the past. So, stats and figures can wait. One thing which is common between the two teams is that both are looking to correct batting maladies. It has been a low-scoring series barring the first innings of the first game. While conditions have not been the best for strokeplay at all venues, the two captains expect better dividends from their line-ups. To achieve that end, India will have a new opener in Parthiv Patel who joined the squad on Tuesday as Sachin Tendulkar's replacement.

Port Elizabeth is known to be quite like Indian pitches - low and slow where scoring is not easy. India have just the right attack for this kind of wicket with part-time spinners complementing Harbhajan Singh, the standout Indian bowler in the series.

One change in the bowling department could be Ashish Nehra. He has not found his range here at all. Whether India chose to continue with Nehra or replace him with either a paceman, Sreesanth, or a specialist spinner, Piyush Chawla/ Ashwin, will be interesting to see.

TOI

Will Kolkata's Prince be Kochi king?

KOLKATA: Eleven days after the auctioneer brought down his hammer for the last time at IPL players' auction in Bangalore, a ray of hope has emerged for Sourav Ganguly, who was ignored by all the 10 franchises.

Team Kochi, which will be making its IPL debut in the ensuing T20 event, have belatedly realised their folly and are keen to take Ganguly on board. The Kochi management, who clearly showed no aptitude for team composition and failed to net a single capped Indian batsman other than VVS Laxman, have approached the Governing Council to allow them to sign the former India captain. However, they can do so only if the other nine franchises raise no objection to this out-of-auction deal.

The BCCI, on its part, has no objection. "If the franchises have no objection, why should we stand in any player's way to play in the IPL? However, there is no question of bending the rule or making an exception," said a Governing Council member.

IPL rules state that capped players put up for auction, can only be bought through an open bidding process. Ganguly, along with Mumbai captain Wasim Jaffer and Punjab pacer VRV Singh were the only three Indian players to remain unsold at the end of the two-day auction.

The onus is clearly now on Kochi bosses to convince the other franchises to let them take Ganguly on board. Having rejected the southpaw outright at the auction, it is hard to fathom why the other franchises would object to Kochi hiring Ganguly - unless, of course, they are bent upon keeping Dada away from IPL.

If the Kochi deal works out, Sourav can look forward to joining forces with his old KKR mates Brendon McCullum, Brad Hodge and Owais Shah and one-time Sri Lankan foes of Mahela Jayawardene and Muttiah Muralitharan.

For the moment, though, Ganguly is keeping his fingers crossed.

Nadal breezes into 3rd round at Australian Open

STAFF WRITER 9:49 HRS IST

Melbourne, Jan 20 (AP) Rafael Nadal extended his Grand Slam winning streak to 23 matches, continuing his pursuit of a "Rafa Slam" with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 win over American qualifier Ryan Sweeting to reach the third round of the Australian Open.

The top-ranked Nadal is aiming to be the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time.

He's conceded only four games en route to the third round, sealing his win over Sweeting today with another of his rifling forehands.

After retiring with an injury in the quarterfinals at the last Australian Open, Nadal rebounded to win the French, Wimbledon and U S Open.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 India Match Scheduled

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 India Match Scheduled
Group B

India V Bangladesh Saturday, 19 Feb, 11 14.00 IST (D/N) Dhaka
India V England Sunday, 27 Feb, 11 14.30 IST (D/N) Kolkata
India V Ireland Sunday, 6 March, 11 14.30 IST (D/N) Bangalore
India V Netherlands Wednesday, 9 March, 11 14.30 IST (D/N) New Delhi
India V South Africa Saturday, 12 March, 11 14.30 IST (D/N) Nagpur
India V West Indies Sunday, 20 March, 11 14.30 IST (D/N) Chennai

Mar 23 - Wed First quarter-final 08:30 Dhaka
Mar 24 - Thu Second quarter-final 09:00 Ahmedabad
Mar 25 - Fri Third quarter-final 08:30 Dhaka
Mar 26 – Sat Fourth quarter-final 09:00 Colombo
Mar 29 - Tue First semi-final 09:00 Colombo
Mar 30 - Wed Second semi-final 09:00 Chandigarh
Apr 02 - Sat Final 09:00 Mumbai

Shrieking Sharapova roars past Razzano

MELBOURNE: Former Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova dug herself out of trouble to reach the Australian Open's third round with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 win over France's Virginie Razzano on Wednesday.

Sharapova, the 2008 winner and the 14th seed, was 0-3 and three break points down in the first set against 100th-ranked Razzano before holding serve and breaking back, and prevailing in the eventual tie-break.

Two early breaks put her in control in the second set and although Razzano pulled one back, another break in the eighth game gave the Russian a 5-3 lead.

Sharapova had to stave off six break points in the ninth game of the set before finally closing out the win on her third match point.

The glamorous Russian blonde, on the comeback trail after long-term injury problems, will face Germany's 32nd-ranked Julia Goerges in the third round.

Read more: Shrieking Sharapova roars past Razzano - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/australian-open-2011/top-stories/Shrieking-Sharapova-roars-past-Razzano/articleshow/7318433.cms#ixzz1BTOZfoj5

3rd ODI: India beat South Africa by 2 wickets

CAPE TOWN: A burst of powerful hitting by Yusuf Pathan spurred India to a thrilling two-wicket win in the third one-day international against South Africa at Newlands on Tuesday.


Chasing a target of 221, India were struggling at 93 for five before Pathan launched a savage assault against South African off-spinners Johan Botha and JP Duminy.

On a pitch where most batsmen found it difficult to play positive strokes, Pathan, making his first appearance in the series, struck 59 off 50 balls as India took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Pathan and Suresh Raina (37) put on 75 for the sixth wicket but both were out in quick succession to set up a tense finish.

Fast bowler Morne Morkel took three for 26 and fellow paceman Dale Steyn claimed two for 31 but could not stop India from getting home with ten balls to spare. Harbhajan Singh made a crucial 23 not out, including two sixes.

"If I get the ball in my area, I go for it," said Pathan.

Indian captain Mahendra Songh Dhoni said he encouraged the young players in his team to play their natural game.

"We want Yusuf to play the game he plays," said Dhoni.

"As he gets more experience he will turn into a match-finishing batsman."

Proteas captain Graeme Smith said the quality of the pitch had not helped either side's batting.

"We were 20 runs short," said Smith.

"Yusuf Pathan's knock was the difference. The pitch was very two-paced and also up and down. It was not the best one-day wicket I have ever played on but it made for an exciting game."

The match changed dramatically in the 28th over of the Indian innings when Pathan, on six, edged Botha for a four between wicketkeeper AB de Villiers and Smith at slip.

Pathan swept the next delivery and Lonwabo Tsotsobe, running in from the boundary to try to take a catch, misjudged the ball and it went for another four.

In the next over from Duminy, Pathan again swept in the air and Morkel also misjudged the ball in contemplating a catch and another boundary was the result.

Then Pathan struck three sixes off four balls from Botha, all sailing over a fielder at deep mid-wicket.

On an untypical Newlands pitch, South Africa struggled to 220 all out with newcomer Francois 'Faf' du Plessis and JP Duminy putting on 110 as they rescued a floundering innings.

Du Plessis made 60 and Duminy 52 on a pitch of inconsistent pace and bounce.

The pair came together with their side in trouble at 90 for four in the 24th over.

They put on 110 off 129 balls before Du Plessis slipped as he went down the wicket to attack Munaf Patel and sliced a catch to cover.

Du Plessis, 26, a former schoolboy team-mate of de Villiers who has been signed to play for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, made his runs off 78 balls.

He showed composure at the crease and the only sign of nerves came when he needed treatment for cramps in his forearm.

Du Plessis was out in the first over of the batting powerplay, which was taken in the 45th over, and as in the second international in Johannesburg, the lifting of fielding restrictions heralded a flurry of wickets.

Duminy was bowled in the next over and the innings folded rapidly, the last six wickets falling for 20 runs.

Zaheer Khan, with three for 43, and Singh led a superb Indian bowling performance, which was backed up by good fielding.

Khan repeatedly beat South African captain Graeme Smith with swing and movement off the pitch, although Smith survived to make a laboured 43 off 79 balls before falling to Harbhajan's off-spin.

Khan also took a spectacular diving catch in the outfield to dismiss De Villiers.

Harbhajan mesmerised the batsmen, taking two for 23 in nine overs, helped by two diving slip catches by Virat Kohli.

Read more: 3rd ODI: India beat South Africa by 2 wickets - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/india-in-south-africa/top-stories/3rd-ODI-India-beat-South-Africa-by-2-wickets/articleshow/7315660.cms#ixzz1BTOFi2ay

South Africa pick injured Kallis, Tahir for World Cup

CAPE TOWN: South Africa put faith in Jacques Kallis returning from injury to boost its World Cup hopes after the key allrounder was included in the Proteas' 15-man squad on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old Kallis was ruled out of the ongoing one-day series against India with a right side muscle injury, but South Africa's team management said at the squad announcement in Cape Town it was confident its leading player would be fully fit for the Feb. 19-April 2 tournament.

Kallis was part of the South Africa squad named by selection convener Andrew Hudson following the Proteas' two-wicket loss to India in the third one-dayer at Newlands.

Also included for next month's World Cup in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was Pakistan-born legspinner Imran Tahir and batting allrounder Faf du Plessis - who made a half-century on debut in Tuesday's defeat to World Cup co-host India.

Graeme Smith will captain the squad for the final time in a one-day competition after announcing he would step down from the ODI captaincy after the World Cup.

Regular batsmen Hashim Amla, A.B. de Villiers and J.P. Duminy and fast bowlers Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe were all picked as were spinners Johan Botha and Robin Peterson - giving the No. 4 ranked Proteas three specialist spinning options - along with Tahir - on the spin-friendly pitches in the subcontinent.

South Africa chose seven specialist batsmen, four specialist seam bowlers, three spinners, and one replacement wicketkeeper. Smith, Kallis, Peterson and De Villiers are the only surviving members of South Africa's 2007 World Cup campaign.

Kallis' fitness was the biggest concern for South Africa ahead of the announcement.

"Jacques is undergoing rehabilitation at the moment, but we are confident with four weeks to go until the World Cup we can get him ready to partake," Team Manager Mohammed Moosajee said. "However, it's a week by week process and he is being guided by the medical team."

Hudson added: "His (Kallis') absence takes away a lot from our side in terms of stability. In terms of batting he is the anchor at No. 3 and the overs he gives us as a fifth bowler is something we miss as well. But, him being fit will add enormously to the team."

Veteran wicketkeeper Mark Boucher missed out on the final squad, as did young middle order batsman David Miller.

Morne van Wyk will be the backup wicketkeeper to De Villiers, meaning Boucher's 13-year, 292-match one-day international career is likely over. Miller was dropped for Du Plessis for Tuesday's game against India and lost his place at the World Cup to the debutant.

Tahir was the only uncapped player in the squad, and was cleared to be included after qualifying to play for South Africa on the last day of 2010.

The former Pakistan A legspinner is married to a South African and plays for the Duban-based Dolphins team, although he is yet to make his debut for his adopted country despite his impressive wicket-taking exploits for his provincial team.

"We think he's a unique talent," Hudson said of Tahir. "The selection of three specialist spin bowlers is essential for the conditions we expect to encounter at the World Cup and it's not a worry that Tahir has not played an ODI yet. His record in domestic cricket speaks for itself. We know exactly what he offers us."

South Africa has never won the World Cup and has often underperformed at the tournament after entering as one of the favorites. The Proteas have also never reached a final, losing semifinals in 1992, 1999 and 2007.

The 2011 edition is likely to be the last chance for Kallis and Smith, two of South Africa's most successful cricketers, to win the top ODI prize.

South Africa is in Group B with Bangladesh, England, India, West Indies, Ireland and the Netherlands. It opens its tournament on Feb. 24 against West Indies.

Squad : Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, A.B. de Villiers, J.P. Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Morne van Wyk.

Read more: South Africa pick injured Kallis, Tahir for World Cup - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/icc-world-cup-2011/top-stories/South-Africa-pick-injured-Kallis-Tahir-for-World-Cup/articleshow/7316329.cms#ixzz1BTNiU9hI

Hussey's World Cup in doubt after surgery

Australian batsman Michael Hussey had surgery on an injured hamstring, putting him in serious doubt for Australia's World Cup title defence.

Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said scans showed Hussey had torn a hamstring tendon from his left knee during Sunday's one-day win against England, making it unclear if he will make the World Cup starting next month.

"Whilst the injury appeared to be minor at the time and soon after the game, scans have since revealed that he has avulsed (torn) one of the hamstring tendons from the attachment point at inner side of his knee," Kountouris said.

"As such, Michael had corrective surgery today. The recovery time and availability for the ICC (International Cricket Council) World Cup will be dependent on his progress with the rehabilitation program in the coming weeks."

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said a decision on Hussey would be delayed until as late as possible before the tournament in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

"It is a severe injury and we will make a decision closer to departure date," Hilditch said.

Hussey had been named in Australia's 15-man World Cup squad just hours earlier. Australia, aiming for a record fourth successive title, open against against Zimbabwe on February 21, although the quarter-finals are a month later.

The normally durable 35-year-old left-hander is certain to miss the rest of the seven-match one-day series against England and there was speculation he could be sidelined for at least six weeks.

Australia were also hit by the news that captain Ricky Ponting is racing to be fit after breaking a little finger during the heavy Ashes defeat to England.

"I'm hoping to be right for the start of the World Cup," said Ponting, 36, whose finger is still in a splint.

"My finger's coming along okay, I guess. I haven't been able to do anything for the last couple of weeks post-surgery, but I've got a bit more movement now."

Hussey, considered a key member of Australia's World Cup squad, has been replaced by Shaun Marsh for the next three one-day internationals against England, a team statement said.

He appeared to damage the knee taking a quick second run during Australia's successful chase of England's 294 total during the opening one-day match in Melbourne.

Hussey pulled up awkwardly, but continued his innings without a runner. Batting partner Shane Watson later dismissed the problem as just "hamstring stiffness".

Hussey was a member of Australia's World Cup-winning team in 2007, when he played 10 of their 11 matches, including the final, but made just 87 runs at 17.40 and wasn't needed with the bat in five of those games.

The one-day World Cup has taken on added significance for Australia who are desperate for results after their hammering in the Ashes Test series against England.
© AFP

Rhodes accepts to continue coaching Kenya

Former South African batsman Jonty Rhodes has accepted to continue his coaching role with Kenya until the start of the Cricket World Cup, officials said on Tuesday.

Rhodes, who first worked with the team during a three-week training camp in Pretoria last November, is expected to arrive in Nairobi this week to join the team, which is currently on a tour of India for a series of build-up matches.

Cricket Kenya (CK) Chief Executive Tom Sears said the former Proteas star fielder will be with the squad during their final preparations for the World Cup, when they travel to an ICC High Performance Camp in Dubai on January 30, and in Sri Lanka, where Kenya will play a series of warm-up matches.

"Jonty will be a tremendous asset to the squad during the final phase of our preparation," he said.

"We are doing everything we can to ensure our squad arrive at the World Cup in a position to fulfil their undoubted potential and Jonty's involvement will be a key part of that" he added.

Pakistan's World Cup squad excludes Yousuf

Pakistan left out experienced batsman Mohammad Yousuf from their final 15-man squad for next month's World Cup hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The selectors also surprisingly deferred naming the squad's captain, raising doubts over whether all-rounder Shahid Afridi will lead the side after Pakistan's 2-1 defeat in the Twenty20 series against New Zealand last month.

Thirty-six-year-old Yousuf was deemed not fit enough to warrant a place in the squad after he was last month named in the 30-man preliminary team.

His future was thrown into doubt last week after he was omitted from the one-day team due to play a six-match series in New Zealand from January 22.

Yousuf retired in protest over an indefinite ban imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in March following a disastrous tour of Australia in which Pakistan lost all its matches under his leadership.

However, he came out of retirement in July and was sent to England after his ban was revoked, featuring in the last of four Tests and in the one-day matches.

Yousuf also played the last of five one-day matches against South Africa in Pakistan's neutral venue series in United Arab Emirates in November before he was forced to pull out of the Tests due to a recurring groin injury.

He has so far scored 9,720 runs in 288 one-day matches, including 386 in World Cup matches in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

With Yousuf's exclusion the squad is largely inexperienced, with only seven players having featured in previous World Cups.

Afridi, Abdul Razzaq and Shoaib Akhtar are the only survivors of Pakistan's runners-up finish in the 1999 tournament.

Pakistan will be without key players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer who were all provisionally suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on charges of spot-fixing during team's tour to England last year.

A decision on their case is due on February 5 and the PCB last week said they can be included in the team if absolved.

Another player, Kamran Akmal, who was also under suspicion of match-fixing, was included after being reportedly cleared by the ICC, but all-rounder Shoaib Malik and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria failed to get clearance.

Both Malik and Kaneria, part of the 2007 World Cup team, are also reportedly under suspicion of match-fixing.

Pakistan, who won the World Cup title in 1992, are placed in Group A of the 14-team event to be played between February 19 to April 2. They open their campaign against Kenya at Hambantota on February 23.

Squad: Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanveer, Ahmed Shahzad

ICC World Cup: Set back for BCCI, customs waivers withdrawn

NEW DELHI: The government on Monday withdrew customs duty exemption on import of goods by the BCCI or bodies certified by it following non-compliance of mandatory requirements.

This follows the sports ministry de-recognising BCCI as a national sports federation or the apex body for cricket in India.

The move comes ahead of the World Cup which will be co-hosted by the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) from February 19.

"...it is informed that henceforth BCCI would not be eligible to avail itself of duty exemption under notification no 21/2002 customs dated 1.3.2002 or any other customs notification.

"Thus goods imported by BCCI or certified by BCCI for import are not entitled to any exemption benefit which is available to sports goods or equipment or consumables imported or certified by a national sports federation (NSF) or apex body," central board of excise and customs (CBEC) said in a circular.

The decision, according to Deloitte India Indirect Tax leader Prashant Deshpande, "is a setback to the stakeholders associated with the forthcoming World Cup proposed to be staged in India who would now be visited with a customs duty burden of up to 26.85 per cent on sports requisites".

The circular said that the concessions were withdrawn as BCCI did not submit the necessary documents to the ministry of youth affairs and sports.

"The ministry of youth affairs and sports has informed that the BCCI has not complied with the mandatory requirements of submitting the necessary documents to the government for annual recognition as a national sports federation (NSF)/apex body for the game of cricket in India", the circular added.

In view of the non-compliance, the BCCI would cease to be a NSF or the apex body for cricket with immediate effect, it added.

India along with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is organising the ICC World Cup Cricket 2011 which is being co-hosted by BCCI.

ET

Ivanovic bows out in Australian Open first round

MELBOURNE: Former world number one Ana Ivanovic made a shock early exit from the Australian Open on Tuesday, beaten in the first round by Russian Ekaterina Makarova in three sets, 3-6, 6-4, 10-8.

The Serbian starlet looked on track for an easy win when she cruised through the first set, but from there on the Russian controlled the match as Ivanovic's mental frailties resurfaced.

Ivanovic, the 2008 French Open champion and a beaten finalist here in the same year, showed her fighting qualities by saving five match points in a marathon third set.

However, she never gained the upper hand and the 22-year-old Makarova finally closed it out with a forehand winner to break serve in the 18th game of a 91-minute decider.

It was a disappointing result for Ivanovic, who finished 2010 in strong fashion, winning two of her last three tournaments on the back of an improved fitness level and looked set to climb back up the rankings this year.

However, the 23-year-old was forced to withdraw from her final warm-up tournament for the first Grand Slam of the year when she suffered a stomach injury during the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth earlier this month.

While Ivanovic was left rueing yet another early Grand Slam exit, the 49th-ranked Makarova said it was the biggest win of her career, having been beaten by Ivanovic in straight sets at last year's US Open in their only previous meeting.

"I am so happy," she said. "It is the first time I played such a long match. She's an unbelievable player and it was really tough.

"I'm so happy I beat her."

Read more: Ivanovic bows out in Australian Open first round - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/australian-open-2011/top-stories/Ivanovic-bows-out-in-Australian-Open-first-round/articleshow/7311343.cms#ixzz1BNr6429V

3rd ODI: India's top order batsmen need to find form

CAPE TOWN: Having levelled the five-match series with a thrilling one-run victory in the last game, an injury-hit India go into the third one-dayer against South Africa on Tuesday with the form of the top order batsmen continuing to be a worry.

The batting has come a cropper in both the matches so far and the visitors managed to pull off an incredible victory at the New Wanderers on Saturday mainly because of the efforts of the bowlers, especially pacer Munaf Patel.

The Indians have suffered a big jolt with Sachin Tendulkar returning home because of a hamstring injury, further weakening the batting line up which has plenty of talent but has not come to terms with the pacy tracks in South Africa yet.

Tendulkar's injury has added to India's cup of woes as three key players -- Virender Sehawag, Gautam Gambhir and Praveen Kumar -- have already been ruled out of the series due to injuries.

Thanks to some superb bowling, India managed to defend a low total of 190 in the second ODI and yet again the onus is on bowlers to deliver the goods for the team on a Newlands track which was expected to assist the quick bowlers.

India would look to pace duo of Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel to not only get wickets but to check the Proteas batsmen so that the batters have an easy job to do, in case they bat second.

Spin spearhead Harbhajan Singh has done his bit by putting the brake on the scoring in the middle of the rival innings and yet again he has to ensure that not many runs leak during that stage, which played a part in India's series- levelling win at Johannesburg.

Batting has always been India's strong point but the form of the batsmen in the ongoing series is a big disappointment.

With seniors missing from the ranks, the youngsters, who have actually done well in the recent past, have not been able to cope with the conditions.

The middle-order, except for Yuvraj Singh in the last game, has just not clicked. Suresh Raina nor Rohit Sharma, who are both regarded as highly talented players, are not even pale shadow of themselves although they contributed with the ball as part-timers.

Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh have scored a fifty each so far and India need one of these youngsters to play a big knock tomorrow if the visitors hope of taking lead.

Lack of a good start has also put pressure on the middle order and India's problems have just compounded with Tendulkar's absence and India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni knows the importance of Yuvraj in that situation.

"His (Yuvraj's) role in the batting lineup is crucial. If we get good start then he can come and score quick runs and if we lose few wickets then he can control the game with a solid innings. He played very well in the match.

"It is important that Yuvraj gets into good form. He is now a decent all-rounder for us as he also bowls a few overs," Dhoni said.

Diminutive wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel has been sent as Tendulkar's replacement and it will be a big challenge for the left-hander to do the tough opening job in trying conditions, if he gets a chance on Tuesday.

It's time that Murali Vijay scores some runs to show his worth in the short format. He got into the side due to absence of both Sehwag and Gambhir but has not capitalised.

South African batsmen, specially the top-order, are in terrific form and an encore of the Johannesburg performance would be difficult for the Indian bowlers.

Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy are in good touch and captain Graeme Smith himself has struck form after a listless show in the drawn Test series.

It would require a really disciplined effort from Indian bowlers to nail the Proteas batsmen at home conditions.

Then India will also have to contend with the Proteas pace battery led by ferocious Dale Steyn.

The teams (from):

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain/keeper), Sachin Tendulkar, Murali Vijay, Yuvraj Singh, R Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli, Praveen Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, S Sreesanth.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers (wicketkeeper), Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Colin Ingram, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Read more: 3rd ODI: India's top order batsmen need to find form - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/india-in-south-africa/top-stories/3rd-ODI-Indias-top-order-batsmen-need-to-find-form/articleshow/7303289.cms#ixzz1BMSQM7ce

Ganguly surprised at Sreesanth's omission from World Cup squad

KOLKATA: With the selectors opting for a spin-oriented side for the World Cup, former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Monday said he was surprised to see in-form pacer S Sreesanth overlooked from the 15-man squad.

Ganguly termed it a gamble to pick only one wicketkeeper in skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the extravaganza that will continue in the sub-continent for about 40 days.

The selectors picked the World Cup squad in Chennai as they chose to include four medium pacers in Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel, while for the wicketkeeper's slot they picked only Dhoni while ignoring Parthiv Patel, Dinesh Karthik and Wriddhiman Saha.

"It was a gamble by the selectors to pick one wicketkeeper in Dhoni. If he picks up an injury during the World Cup and is unable to keep, then who will stand behind the wicket?" Ganguly wondered questioning the selectors' decision.

The IPL discard also criticised the decision to ignore Sreesanth who had a memorable Test series in South Africa.

"It's really surprising to see Sreesanth out of the side despite his recent form and performance," he said here.

The exclusion of middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma also raised a few questions but Ganguly said the decision did not surprise him.

"He (Sharma) is a talented player. But it seems after getting enough chances he failed to gain the selectors' confidence. You have to perform at top level to get noticed. But he got many chances unlike many other talented youngsters but failed to impress."

Asked about the big hitting Yusuf Pathan's selection for the all-rounder's spot, Ganguly said: "I don't think he has already proved himself. However, he is the best possible choice we have right now."

Recalling his knock against New Zealand in the Bangalore turnaround, Ganguly said: "Yusuf can be a match winner. When he gets going, he can win any match single handedly. He is a very useful player in these conditions."

Ganguly, however, refused to pick any favourites to win the World Cup.

"Pressure will always be there. At this level the players are used to this situation. It's difficult to pick any particular team. India, Sri Lanka, Australia, South Africa, England - all these teams are doing well and are the favourites. It is their performance over the 40 days that will count," Ganguly said.

India are clubbed in Group-B in the world Cup along with Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies, Ireland and The Netherlands.

India will play the inaugural match of the World Cup against Bangladesh in Mirpur on February 19.

Read more: Ganguly surprised at Sreesanth's omission from World Cup squad - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/icc-world-cup-2011/top-stories/Ganguly-surprised-at-Sreesanths-omission-from-World-Cup-squad/articleshow/7306685.cms#ixzz1BMS50MlN

Dhoni defends Chawla's inclusion in World Cup squad

CAPE TOWN: Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday defended Piyush Chawla's inclusion in India's 15-man World Cup squad, saying the leg-spinner's presence provides variety to the attack.

Chawla has been a surprise inclusion in the squad, announced on Monday by the Kris Srikkanth-led selection committee in Chennai.

"It is good to have Piyush in the side as he provides that variety to the attack. He is one guy who can bat a bit. He has scored decent runs in Ranji and also while playing in County circuit. If we plan to play with five bowlers, then he can be a handy number seven or eight batsman," Dhoni said on the eve of India's third ODI against South Africa.

Chawla has been picked despite not playing a one-dayer since July 2008, and Dhoni was aware of that.

"I would always say that playing in first class match or IPL match and playing in the international match is different. Piyush needs that international match practice," the India skipper said.

Names like Rohit Sharma, S Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma missed out on selection but Dhoni said that the reserve players should be in a proper frame of mind during the tournament.

"If you are in the reserve and if any batter or bowler gets injured then you are going to come in. So it is important to be in a good frame of mind," he said.

"Finally you can pick only 15 players. It is not like that you will not get chance. Have a look at the players out here. They were not featuring in the original list. At the end of the day you can pick only 15 players and somebody is going to miss out. So I would say that you should do well in whenever you get to play and then wait for your chance."

Dhoni said India need to improve their fielding and focus more on bowling at the death.

"We have to improve in the fielding department. If we get one odd run out or take few outstanding catch, it can turn the course of the game. At the same time we have to put in lot of thoughts and work on bowling in the death overs. When we are going to play in the sub continent, bowling in the death becomes crucial," he said.

In Sachin Tendulkar's absence, Virat Kohli, in all likelihood, will open with Murali Vijay, with Rohit Sharma coming in at number three in Tuesday's match, Dhoni said.

"We will be looking out for giving a few players an opportunity. Even otherwise we have lost quite a few players through injury. We have seven batsmen left here, so all of them will get exposure before the World Cup."

About not playing with the best XI since almost a year, Dhoni said, "It is a big blow that we are missing quite a few players from our main list. But this is not happening for the first time. In the last one year we have never played with our best 11. This has given opportunities to the youngsters.

"Some of them have grabbed them and are part of the World Cup squad. Here too, we have levelled the series and there are three more games to go. This is an opportunity for young players."

The skipper said that India's thrilling win in the last match is history and it's going to be a fresh start on Tuesday.

"Whether we win the last game or lose, I always think that each match is a fresh start. I would like to think about the problems we are facing, and how we are going to resolve those issues. We are concentrating on what we are supposed to do. I think both the teams are pretty equal. Whoever gets good start will make an impact on the game.

On the the wicket and toss, he said, "I think the ball does a bit under lights, so toss will be crucial. But honestly speaking, I don't know the exact scientific reason as why the ball does a bit under lights. It may be because of not having natural sunlight, or it could be because of sea breeze. "Even spinners can play major role. If we win the toss and they have to bat second, then they might not be that affected. If we bat second, then facing their fast bowlers under lights will be a huge challenge. South African bowlers become a bit more effective if they are bowling under lights," Dhoni said.

Asked about Parthiv Patel's selection for the current series, Dhoni said, "It depends on the situation of the series. I would love to get rest from one match. But it depends on the situation."

Read more: Dhoni defends Chawla's inclusion in World Cup squad - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/icc-world-cup-2011/top-stories/Dhoni-defends-Chawlas-inclusion-in-World-Cup-squad/articleshow/7306280.cms#ixzz1BMRbfRgM

Three spinners in World Cup squad, Rohit Sharma dropped

NEW DELHI: No major surprises in the India's final 15-member squad for the ICC cricket World Cup selected by the five-member selection panel led by K Srikanth in Chennai on Monday.

The list of 30 probables were pruned to half and no big star is left out of the final squad for the mega-event starting February 19.

The top-seven of the Indian batting-order -- Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni -- are in the team as expected and Yusuf Pathan take the all-rounder's berth.

The inspirational Zaheer Khan lead the pace attack and his pacer partners will be the trio of Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel and Praveen Kumar. S Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma failed to make the cut.

Harbhajan Singh will spearhead the slow bowling department with Piyush Chawla and R Ashwin as his spin partner. Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha were also vying for the slot.

Just a day before the selection meeting, doubts have arisen over Sachin Tendulkar's availability after he pulled out of the remainder of the ODI series in South Africa as a precautionary measure after sustaining a hamstring injury during Saturday's second match.

But going by indications, the injury is not serious and Tendulkar will be making his sixth World Cup appearance.

Squad

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt/wk), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar, Yusuf Pathan, Piyush Chawla, R Ashwin, Ashish Nehra.

Read more: Three spinners in World Cup squad, Rohit Sharma dropped - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/icc-world-cup-2011/top-stories/Three-spinners-in-World-Cup-squad-Rohit-Sharma-dropped/articleshow/7303342.cms#ixzz1BHJLj9FA

Qatar, Uzbekistan into Asian Cup quarterfinals

STAFF WRITER 9:39 HRS IST

Doha (Qatar), Jan 17 (AP) Host Qatar reached the Asian Cup quarterfinals for the second time in its history Sunday following a 3-0 victory over Kuwait, and Uzbekistan advanced with a 2-2 draw that sent opponent China home.

Qatar, flying high following its winning bid to host the 2022 World Cup, needed a victory against winless Kuwait to ensure it advanced. Two first-half goals in five minutes set coach Bruno Metsu's side on its way and sent the crowd of 28,000 at Khalifa Stadium into delirious celebrations.

Across town, China fought back from a goal down to draw with Uzbekistan, but the team still finished third in Group A.

The early exit was the latest disappointment for the Chinese, which have struggled since qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, having also left the Asian Cup early in 2007.

Uzbekistan topped the group with seven points, one more than Qatar.

Three spots up for grabs in Indian World Cup squad

CHENNAI: It will be a story of three duels when the Indian World Cup squad gets selected in Chennai on Monday.

The fourth pacer, second spinner, and 15th member, these are the three areas that the selectors are set to look into in the course of the meeting.

While Ashish Nehra and S. Sreesanth are fighting for the third pacer's slot, Ravinchandran Ashwin and Piyush Chawla will cross swords for the second spinner's berth. Will the selectors go for Parthiv Patel as the second wicketkeeper or will it be the all-round abilities of Rohit Sharma that will help him clinch the 15th member's slot?

That will also be high on the agenda of the selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Narendra Hirwani and Surendra Bhave---who will be in Chennai for the meeting. Yashpal Sharma and Raja Venkat will join in from Cape Town via teleconference with MS Dhoni and coach Gary Kirsten, also being part of the process.

Till Saturday, there was some doubt about Munaf Patel's berth in the squad, but his match winning spell of 4-29 against South Africa in Johannesburg has made him a frontrunner for the third seamer's slot in the squad. There is no doubt about Zaheer Khan while Praveen Kumar, despite an injury he suffered in South Africa, is likely to be fit. Now that Munaf has made an impact in South Africa, it will be difficult for the selectors to leave him out. "Munaf has done well in South Africa and that's a very good sign," a selection committee source gave the impression that the paceman is very well placed.

Nehra's fitness has been a concern, but it's common knowledge that Dhoni likes the Delhi paceman. His death bowling, too, is a big plus and the selectors may just decide to go with him. "Fitness has been a bit of an issue with our pacemen for a while...Let's see, how it goes. It will be a toss-up between Sreesanth and Nehra," the source added.

However, keeping the fitness issues in mind, if the selectors decide to go in with a fifth pacer, Sreesanth may come in as the 15th member at the expense of an extra wicketkeeper or the back-up batsman.

The top-seven of the Indian batting-order ---Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni --- select themselves and by the look of it, Yusuf Pathan, is going to take the all-rounder's berth. For a while Ravindra Jadeja was in contention, but his poor form with the bat has gone against the Saurashtra all-rounder in recent times.

There's no doubt about Harbhajan Singh and it's going to be interesting to see whether the selectors go with Ashwin or Chawla as the second spinner. At least two of the selectors are extremely impressed with Ashwin's performances of late, but skipper Dhoni is bound to put in a word for Chawla. "England and South Africa are in our group and the skipper feels they don't play spin too well. But can Chawla lead an Indian spin-attack in case Harbhajan is unfit for a game, that is a big question," the source said.

Ashwin has been "very impressive in all formats of the game" and he is bound to find backers in the meeting. Sections of the selection committee hopes that "Dhoni, too, will fall in line because he has seen how effective Ashwin can be while leading Chennai Super Kings".

"But at the end of the day, this is going to be a tough call. A few things do go haywire in the meeting like this," the source said.

A section of the selection committee feels that there's no point going in with two keepers for a tournament that is going to be played in the subcontinent. "In case of a freak injury to Dhoni on the day of the match, either Rohit or Kohli can be used as a back-up. And if the injury is serious, we can always look for a replacement," the source added.

If Parthiv doesn't make the cut, Rohit may find his way into the squad. He has scored a whopping 732 runs for Mumbai this season with an average of 122 and he has shown in South Africa that he can be a handful with the ball as well.

Come Monday afternoon, and one will know whether Rohit's dream of playing the World Cup in India will be fulfilled.

Likely Squad: Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel, Yusuf Pathan, R. Ashwin (Piyush Chawla), Ashish Nehra (S Sreesanth), Rohit Sharma (Parthiv Patel).

Note: Sreesanth may come in if selectors decide to sacrifice extra wicketkeeper or back-up batsman.

Read more: Three spots up for grabs in Indian World Cup squad - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/icc-world-cup-2011/top-stories/Three-spots-up-for-grabs-in-Indian-World-Cup-squad/articleshow/7298175.cms#ixzz1BHIgqFxk

India's 15-member cricket World Cup team announced

India's 15-member cricket World Cup team announced | Dhoni to captain squad | Team to include Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel, Ashish Nehra, Harbhajan Singh, Ashwin Kumar, Piyush Chawa

Read more: Three spots up for grabs in Indian World Cup squad - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/icc-world-cup-2011/top-stories/Three-spots-up-for-grabs-in-Indian-World-Cup-squad/articleshow/7298175.cms#ixzz1BHHercE2