AHMEDABAD, Dec 13: A masterly century by Sachin Tendulkar proved inadequate as India fell 116 runs short of England’s first innings score on the third day of the second cricket test here today..............more

Wright, Leipus
on their way out

NEW DELHI, Dec 13: Indian team coach John Wright and physio Andrew Leipus, are being replaced, highly placed cricket board sources said today.................more

Champions Challenge Hockey Tourney
India to play South
Africa in final

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13: India will take on South Africa in the final of the Champions Challenge Hockey Tournament here on Saturday............more

My second innings knock
would be crucial: Sachin

AHMEDABAD, Dec 13: After scoring his 27th test hundred, Sachin Tendulkar stated the obvious today.....more

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 13: Rekha Devi in girls senior group, Arun Singh in boys sub-junior......more

RBI Jammu shuttlers
retain trophy

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 13: The shuttlers of Reserve Bank of India, Jammu have retained the....more

Shivalik BEd College
bags debating trophy

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Dec 13: In the first Dr Jagmohan Singh Memorial Inter-College and Inter-Department debating......more

J&K team leaves for
Triathlon nationals

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 13: The six-member team, under the banner of J&K Triathlon Association......more

India concede huge first innings lead

AHMEDABAD, Dec 13: A masterly century by Sachin Tendulkar proved inadequate as India fell 116 runs short of England’s first innings score on the third day of the second cricket test here today.

Tendulkar completed his 27th test century to be placed joint third in the overall list and added 118 runs for the fifth wicket with V V S Laxman, who compiled a patient 75, but India still stopped at 291 to concede a huge first innings lead to England.

Tendulkar, who scored 103, joined Australians Allan Border and Steve Waugh, both of whom also have 27 test centuries to their credit, and is behind only to Sunil Gavaskar (34) and Sir Donald Bradman (29).

But the day belonged to England who put up a disciplined bowling performance after their batsmen had registered a solid total of 407. Left-arm spinner Ashley Giles, who missed the first test at Mohali due to injury, recorded his best test figures with five wickets for 67 runs.

Tendulkar and Laxman came together after India had lost Rahul Dravid and skipper Sourav Ganguly cheaply in the morning to be reduced to 93 for four. The duo batted with extreme caution in the remainder of the morning session, which yielded just 55 runs in 28 overs, but picked up in the post-lunch session especially after Tendulkar reached his half-century.

Tendulkar, who was on 37 at lunch, completed his fifty with a four off Mathew Hoggard to backward point after which he opened up and displayed an array of strokes to step up the scoring rate.

He swept Giles for a four in the next over and hit hoggard for two more fours in the subsequent over. He also went over the top, lofting Dawson over long-on for the only six of his innings.

Laxman was left with a supporting role as Tendulkar did bulk of the scoring. But the stylish Hyderabad batsman did not miss any scoring opportunity and played some fine shots.

Tendulkar reached his nineties with a boundary to fine leg off Craig White and then raised the 200 of the Indian innings with a single off the same bowler. His century came off 183 balls in 238 minutes and included 12 fours and a six.

He was out immediately after that giving a tame catch to mid on Nasser Hussain who fumbled with it before holding on at the second attempt.

India lost their fifth wicket at 211 and Virender Sehwag, who had to miss the first test to serve the one-match ban imposed on him by match-referee Mike Denness in South Africa, joined Laxman.

Sehwag batted confidently for 44 minutes but belied expectations when he was trapped Leg Before Wicket by Craig White. He could score only 20 runs and added 37 for the sixth wicket with Laxman.

Laxman reached his half-century soon after the dismissal of Sehwag with a boundary off a full-toss from Richard Dawson. Laxman had opened up a lot after the fall of Tendulkar and scored most of the runs. But he could not get enough support from the other end as Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and Javagal Srinath fell in quick succession to place India at a precarious 274 for nine.

However, last man Tinu Yohannan frustrated the english attack for eight overs, adding 17 runs with Laxman who moved to 75 from 63 in his association. Laxman tried to shield Yohannan from the strike but got out himself trying to go for a big hit. With field spread out to prevent him from hitting a four, Laxman took his chance and danced down to hit giles but could not get the elevation and a waiting Mark Butcher took a good catch at long-on to bring the Indian innings to an end. Laxman batted for 297 minutes and faced 192 balls hitting nine boundaries.

England seized the advantage in the morning session sending back Dravid and Ganguly after India had resumed at overnight 71 for two.

Dravid and Tendulkar started slowly with giles and hoggard maintaining a very tight line and length. With runs difficult to come by, Dravid got restless and was caught fishing outside the off-stump. Dravid, who was on five yesterday, went for a tentative push off Hoggard and snicked to give wicketkeeper James Foster a simple catch. He made seven.

Sehwag batted confidently for 44 minutes but belied expectations when he was trapped Leg Before Wicket by Craig White. He could score only 20 runs and added 37 for the sixth wicket with Laxman.

Laxman reached his half-century soon after the dismissal of Sehwag with a boundary off a full-toss from Richard Dawson. Laxman had opened up a lot after the fall of tendulkar and scored most of the runs. But he could not get enough support from the other end as Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and Javagal Srinath fell in quick succession to place India at a precarious 274 for nine.

However, last man Tinu Yohannan frustrated the English attack for eight overs, adding 17 runs with Laxman who moved to 75 from 63 in his association. Laxman tried to shield Yohannan from the strike but got out himself trying to go for a big hit. With field spread out to prevent him from hitting a four, Laxman took his chance and danced down to hit Giles but could not get the elevation and a waiting Mark Butcher took a good catch at long-on to bring the Indian innings to an end. Laxman batted for 297 minutes and faced 192 balls hitting nine boundaries.

England seized the advantage in the morning session sending back Dravid and Ganguly after India had resumed at overnight 71 for two.

Dravid and Tendulkar started slowly with Giles and Hoggard maintaining a very tight line and length. With runs difficult to come by, Dravid got restless and was caught fishing outside the off-stump. Dravid, who was on five yesterday, went for a tentative push off hoggard and snicked to give wicketkeeper James Foster a simple catch. He made seven.

Ganguly, who has been struggling for runs, failed yet again when he gave a regulation catch to Martyn ball, substituting for Michael Vaughan, in the slips off Andrew Flintoff after making just five runs. India lost two wicket within a space of three overs and seven runs.

However, Tendulkar and Laxman then took control of the situation and prevented a collapse.

Starting their second innings with the cushion of a huge lead, England openers Butcher and Trescothick batted confidently in the three overs that were left today. Trescothick hit two fours in his ten runs which came off only nine balls.

India, who are 1-0 up in the series having won the Mohali test by ten wickets, gave one over each to Srinath, Yohannan and Kumble but none could produce the breakthrough. (PTI)

England 1st innings 407

India 1st innings 291

S S Das c Butcher b Flintoff 41

D Dasgupta c Hussain b Giles 17

R Dravid c Foster b Hoggard 7

S Tendulkar c Hussain b Hoggard 103

S Ganguly c Sub (ball) b Flintoff 5

V V S Laxman c Butcher b Giles 75

V Sehwag LBW b White 20

A Kumble b Giles 5

Harbhajan Singh c Flintoff b Giles 0

J Srinath c Butcher b Giles 0

T Yohannan not out 3

Extras (b-6, lb-5, w-1, nb-3) 15

Total (all out, 121.3 overs) 291

Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-64, 3-86, 4-93, 5-211, 6-248, 7-268, 8-272, 9-274.

Bowling: Hoggard 28-7-65-2, Flintoff 22-7-42-2, Giles 43.3-16-67-5, Dawson 16-0-73-0, White 12-2-33-1.

England 2nd innings:

M Butcher batting 5

M Trescothick batting 10

Extras 0

Total (for no loss, 3 overs) 15

Bowling: Srinath 1-0-4-0, Yohannan 1-0-8-0, Kumble 1-0-3-0. (PTI)

Wright, Leipus on their way out

NEW DELHI, Dec 13: Indian team coach John Wright and physio Andrew Leipus, are being replaced, highly placed cricket board sources said today.

The one-year contracts of Wright, former New Zealand captain, and Leipus, a South African specialist in physiotherapy, expired on September 14 and they were asked to continue till a decision was taken about their future.

The two will not continue after the current test series against England, the sources said.

The sources did not say who the replacements would be.

However, refusing to confirm the report, cricket board president Jagmohan Dalmiya said in Kolkata that a decision on the continuance of Wright and Leipus would be taken after discussions with skipper Sourav Ganguly and the "two concerned gentlemen".

Dalmiya had met Wright and Leipus here after the first test in Mohali ostensibly for discussing the team’s poor performance in South Africa but the issue of the duo’s continuance had remained unresolved. Dalmiya is to hold a final round of talks with the two on December 23 in Bangalore, the last day of the third and final test against England. (PTI)

Champions Challenge Hockey Tourney
India to play South Africa in final

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13: India will take on South Africa in the final of the Champions Challenge Hockey Tournament here on Saturday.

Spurred on by a brilliant performance by goalkeeper Jude Menezes, India kept the rampaging Argentina forwards at bay in the second half to hold onto a 2-1 lead and enter the final at the Bukit Jalail Hockey Stadium here today.

Later in the day, South Africa beat hosts Malaysia 2-1 to set up a title clash with India.

It was sweet revenge for the Indians who had lost to Argentina in the World Cup Qualifiers earlier this year.

The Indians came back after argentina took the lead in the 15th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Tomas Mac Cormick. Led by skipper Baljit Dhillon, India went close thrice before Jugraj Singh found the equaliser through a penalty corner in the 26th minute much to the delight of their supporters.

They soon erupted with joy when, after a brilliant combined move, striker Gagan Ajit Singh put India 2-1 ahead in the 33rd minute.

India tried to defend their slender lead and pulled back men in the process. Soon they were under intense pressure as Vikram Pillay went out with a yellow card.

The Latin Americans threatened with repeated attacks but a brilliant Jude prevented them from scoring.

India who needed to win today’s match finished on top with ten points. South Africa too ended up with ten but settled for second spot with an inferior goal average.

With this win, India now move a step closer to clinching a place in the elite six-nation champions trophy. The winner of the tournament will play the next edition of the champions trophy in Cologne next year.

After their initial hesitancy and stung by Argentina’s 15th minute goal, the Indians roared back scoring through Jugraj Singh and Gagan Ajit Singh.

The Argentine goal came when Jorge Lombi played dummy instead of taking a direct flick and gave it to Maccormick whose low shot beat the Indian ‘keeper.

Stung by the reverse, Baljit Dhillon started playing a little upfront with Dhanraj Pillay being given a free-wheeling role for the first time in the tournament. It worked wonders as both tore the Argentine defence to shreds.

One such move saw India earning their second penalty corner and Jugraj burst into form as his penalty corner flick sped past Pablo Moreira into the top corner of the Argentine goal.

India forced three penalty corners in the first half compared to Argentina’s two.

With two minutes left in the first half, Sukhbir Singh Gill stole the ball away off a counter-attack and gave it to Thirumal who relayed it to Dhanraj. He beat two defenders, cut into the striking circle and gently tapped it to Gagan Ajit whose rasping shot beat Pablo Moreira in the Argentine goal to put India 2-1 ahead.

A minute later it could easily have been the third goal for India after Baljit had given the ball to Dhanraj who raced in and dribbled past three defenders in the circle. But his shot was deflected away by the Argentine goalkeeper Pablo Moreira.

At the break, India led 2-1.

Immediately after the break, India were down to ten men as Vikram Pillay was sent off by umpire Steve Graham who was involved in a few controversial decisions against India in the second half.

Graham overruled Malaysia’s Ravinder Singh, who was manning India’s half, five times after he had given verdicts in India’s favour. It was almost as if there was another match going on between the umpires.

But India also contributed to Argentina’s cause committing errors in the back helping them to attack constantly for almost 25 minutes in the second half.

Jorge Lombi, Mario Almada, Tomas and Santiago Capurro tried their best many a times but Jude Menezes came up with brilliant saves on atleast seven occasions. (PTI)

My second innings knock would be crucial: Sachin

AHMEDABAD, Dec 13: After scoring his 27th test hundred, Sachin Tendulkar stated the obvious today when he said his knock in the second innings would be crucial for the team’s prospects in the second test against England.

Tendulkar, who has single-handedly won - and saved -many a match for India, produced yet another great knock today scoring 103 to pull his team out of trouble after they had been reduced to 93 for four in reply to England’s first innings total of 407.

However, India still fell 116 runs short, being bowled out for 291, and by the end of the third day’s play England had scored 15 without loss in their second innings to extend their lead to 131.

"I would like to think that my efforts in the second innings would be much more important than the century today," Tendulkar, whose knock took him to the joint third position in the overall list of highest number of test hundreds, told reporters after the day’s play.

"I think we have to play really tough over the next two days to come back into the match. If we apply ourselves well we can do it," he said.

Tendulkar joined Australians Allan Border and Steve Waugh, who too have 27 centuries each to their credit, and only Sunil Gavaskar (34) and Sir Donald Bradman (29) have scored more test hundreds than him.

"It is a great feeling to score a test hundred especially under difficult circumstances. We had lost early wickets today and England quickies were bowling pretty well," he said. (PTI)

Rekha, Arun, Abdul declared best riders in cycle race

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 13: Rekha Devi in girls senior group, Arun Singh in boys sub-junior and Abdul Majid in senior category bagged the best rider award in the two-day long 2nd Inter-school District Hurdle Cycle race organised by the Zion Club at Mini-Stadium, Parade, here.

All three best riders were given brand new bicycles, sponsored by the Hero cycles, by the Minister of State for Rural Development, Ajay Sadhotra, who was chief guest in the finals.

Also present on the occasion were Secretary, State Sports Council, Sheikh Fazal Ahmed, Sports Officer, Ajit Singh Wazir and manager Mini-Stadium, Parade.

Meanwhile, Kunal Sharma, who was declared runners-up in 14 to 16 years age group, lodged protest that he was deliberately declared runners-up after he finished first. He alleged that to favour Arun Singh, the organisers penalised him for foul play only to give him second place instead of disqualifying him from the competition.

The final results in different events:

In 8 to 10 years: Shivani Sharma of Montessori Nargis Dutt School, Ist; Danish Ahmed of Tiny Tots, 2nd, Sourav of DBN School, third and Sahil Chopra of Tiny Tots got consolation prize.

In 11 to 13 years: Kunal Kapoor of Jain School, Ist; Bakar Hassan of Tiny Tots, 2nd, Ishan Gupta of DBN, third and Kewal Krishan of New Jammu Public School were given consolation prize.

In 14 to 16 years: Arun Singh of Shakti High School, Ist; Kunal Sharma of Unique High School, 2nd, Naresh Kumar of New Jammu Public, third and Kamran of Tiny Tots got consolation prize.

In 17 to 19 years: Abdul Majid of Government High School, Gaas Mandi, Ist; Akhil Sharma of Cooperative School, 2nd and Prabhat Sharma of SRML Higher Secondary School, third.