ISLAMABAD, Oct 4: Dismissing reports of his joining the London Police and giving up cricket career with Pakistan, paceman Muhammad Akram has said that he loved cricket too much to let it go at this stage of his career and would continue playing for the country................more

Confident Indians
ready to take on
strong South Africans

JOHANNESBURG, Oct 4: The touring Indian cricketers were brimming with confidence - and options - ahead of the first day/night one-day international against South Africa at the................more

Hewitt roll continues
at Japan Open Tennis

TOKYO, Oct 4: Top seed Lleyton Hewitt was today in a hurry again as the U S Open champion crushed American Michael Russell 6-1 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Japan Open Tennis Championships...............more

District Poonch TT Champ
Rupali bags Jr girls title

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

POONCH, Oct 4: Rupali Jamwal bagged the Junior girls singles title in the ongoing District Poonch Table Tennis Championship beating Tabassum in equal straight.....more

By Sanjeev Sharma

JAMMU, Oct 4: At last, after a gap of more than three years, the two factions of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association have agreed to hold the elections for the executive body at Sher-e-Kashmir........more

Gaurav Ghei leads Sher-e-Kashmir Open

SRINAGAR, Oct 4: A rejuvenated Gaurav Ghei fired four under 68 on his back nine to share the lead with Sheraz Kalra (Lucknow) and Jaiveer Virk (Delhi) on the......more

GCW Parade retains trophy
in Inter-college Basketball

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 4: Government College for Women, Parade today retained the Basketball trophy beating the arch rival Government College .....more

J&K girls bag 3 medals
in N-Z Climbing Champ

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 4: The Jammu and Kashmir girls bagged three medals in the North-zone Sport Climbing Championship which held at Mussoorie, while......more

 
State champion, Shobha Rajput, who won bronze medal in the North-zone Sport Climbing Championship held at Mussoori, climbing towards her target.

Muhammad Akram to continue playing cricket

ISLAMABAD, Oct 4: Dismissing reports of his joining the London Police and giving up cricket career with Pakistan, paceman Muhammad Akram has said that he loved cricket too much to let it go at this stage of his career and would continue playing for the country.

The Rawalpindi-born Akram, who is facing a possible one-year ban and financial penalty for leaving the Pakistan training camp in August without permission, said from London that he had not received any letter from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) informing him about the ban or penalty.

The disciplinary committee of the PCB has sent a recommendation to the PCB chief for a one-year ban and a fine on Akram, who is charged with leaving the camp for England without informing anyone.

Akram said he did not want to go into the details of his flight to England and added that he had to go because his wife was very ill and he had to be with her.

"I will return to Pakistan in the next two days and hope to play for allied bank in the patron’s trophy and make myself available for the Pakistan camp," the news reported today quoting Akram.

Akram, who has appeared in nine tests for Pakistan, has also played a season of county cricket in England with Nottinghamshire.

The paper said quoting sources that Akram might escape with a light punishment as his flight to London before the national selectors announced him in the Pakistan squad for the Asian Test Championship match against Bangladesh was known to some people in the board.

The Pakistan manager has said that Akram had gone to London after informing him off his domestic problem.

Akram said if any disciplinary action was recommended against him, he would speak to the PCB chief to give his version. (UNI)

Confident Indians ready to take on strong South Africans

JOHANNESBURG, Oct 4: The touring Indian cricketers were brimming with confidence - and options - ahead of the first day/night one-day international against South Africa at the Wanderers here tomorrow.

In the course of an evening, the Indians have come out of inertia over concerns over injured Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar after their youngsters stood up to the task and delivered in a day/night one-day warm-up game against South Africa ‘A’ at Benoni yesterday.

Ajit Agarkar, with 3 for 46 and a hectic 49 off just 43 deliveries, was man of the match but no less important were Jacob Martin and Yuvraj Singh who put themselves in focus at the first opportunity afforded on the tour.

Martin, coming in at 38 for two, made a classy 54 from 81 balls before he sacrificed his wicket to a call by his stand-in captain Rahul Dravid while Yuvraj saw off the second major crisis of the innings, remaining unbeaten till the end on 46 after taking guard at the team’s total of 156 for six.

The fightback by the youngsters has allowed the tourists to look at the Tendulkar-Ganguly issue in a positive manner and they would now approach the Tri-series opener not exactly quaking in their boots.

Coach John Wright has confirmed Tendulkar would be fit to return tomorrow after the maestro took a couple of days off to try out his refitted and recushioned right shoe, in an effort to protect his not-yet-healed toe injury.

The good news on Ganguly though is still awaited as the Indian captain battles for his injured right index finger to heal in time for tomorrow’s game.

Ganguly, who was hit by Mornantau Hayward in the tour opener against NFO XI at Randjestfontein on Monday, still finds the injured area on his right hand a bit soft and is keeping his fingers crossed for tomorrow’s game.

But if Ganguly is missed, the team needs to look no further than Martin who has enjoyed the most fortitutious 10 days of his career, first being drafted into the team at the last minute after V V S Laxman pulled out due to still-healing knee and then making the most of yet another lucky break due to his captain’s injury.

Martin, who has played eight one-day internationals for 122 runs with 39 as highest, last played for the country against Pakistan in the Carlton and United series at Waca, Perth in Australia almost two years ago in early 2000.

Indeed even if Ganguly is fit, martin can still run close better-placed Shiv Sunder Das for a berth in the Indian middle-order. There is little to choose between the two on form but Das, being an opener, would be expected to take up Tendulkar’s partner’s slot, if vacated by Ganguly.

Yuvraj Singh, after his late heroics in a one-day series in Sri Lanka in August, reconfirmed his status as an emerging star, flaying the near-top class attack around the park.

The success of Ajit Agarkar, in a way, is a bad news for either Javagal Srinath or Venkatesh Prasad as India is expected to field only two medium-pacers to support the spinning duo of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.

If form and past record are any criteria, accurate Prasad should get a nod ahead of his Karnataka team-mate Srinath who conceded 58 runs from his nine overs yesterday. However, given the pacy deck promised for tomorrow’s game, Srinath’s speed would be difficult to ignore for the Indians.

The best news in a long time for India is, of course, the return of Anil Kumble who, with figures of 1 for 15 from 10 overs, showed he is close to his top form after sitting out for a year due to a shoulder injury.

The South Africans have taken note of India’s strength and national coach Graham Ford said he is under no illusions about how tough the coming series is going to be.

"I have great respect for the Indian players," said Ford "an exciting challenge lies ahead of us."

"India has some of the finest cricketers in the world. It’s not going to be easy."

South Africa started their season with an impressive 1-0 test series win over Zimbabwe, and followed it up with a 3-0 win in the one-day international series.

"We got through the Zim series well and it was positive that a few of the players got into top form," ford said. "It’s now a whole new situation."

"But that’s sport nowadays, you clear one hurdle and the next one follows quickly.’’

"There is some steep challenge ahead of us."

South Africa have a wealth of allrounders in captain Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener and Justin Kemp and they are also well served by openers Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs.

Otherwise, despite the presence of Jonty Rhodes and Neil Meckenzie in the middle order and Makhaya Nitini as a fast bowler, they still appear a bit lightweight in both bowling and batting.

Teams:

South Africa: Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Neil McKenzie, Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel, Justin Kemp, Jacques Kallis.

India (from): Sourav Ganguly (Capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Jacob Martin, Shiv Sunder Das, Deep Dasgupta, Yuvraj Singh, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Ajit Agarkar, Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad. (PTI)

Hewitt roll continues at Japan Open Tennis

TOKYO, Oct 4: Top seed Lleyton Hewitt was today in a hurry again as the U S Open champion crushed American Michael Russell 6-1 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Japan Open Tennis Championships.

The 20-year-old Australian jumped all over Russell from the start, pinning the 15th seed behind the baseline with the depth and accuracy of his groundstrokes in a one-sided match that lasted just 52 minutes at Tokyo’s Ariake Colosseum.

Hewitt, who arrived in Japan after leading Australia to a third consecutive Davis Cup final, won 78 percent of points on his first serve, and 92 per cent on his second, en route to a meeting with eighth seed Francisco Clavet.

The Spaniard cruised to a 6-3 6-4 victory over 11th seed Nicolas Massu of Chile on an outside court.

Hewitt, who took just 49 minutes to beat Germany’s Marc-Kevin Goellner yesterday, said he had been "wary" of Russell after watching the American squander a match point against world number one Gustavo Kuerten at this year’s French Open.

"He’s a really good player, but I didn’t give him many chances. I attacked the right balls and served well on the big points," said the world number three, who is playing his first professional tournament in Japan.

Meanwhile, James Blake, Hewitt’s opponent when the Australian allegedly made racist remarks in his second-round match against the American player at the U S Open, stayed on course for a re-match after upsetting fourth seed Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden 6-1 7-5.

Third seed rainer Schuettler was another big-name casualty today as the German crashed out 6-2 6-2 against a resurgent Karol Kucera of Slovakia, who is rediscovering his top-ten form of 1998.

In the women’s draw, top seed Monica Seles demolished sixth-seeded Italian Rita Grande 6-1 6-2 in a quarterfinal match, the American needing just 48 minutes to complete the job in front of 3,138 on centre court.

"I felt much better today. I was more aggressive on my serve and on my groundstrokes which made the difference," said the former world number one, who will face hometown favourite Ai Sugiyama in the semifinals.

The third seed, a two-times Japan Open champion, had little difficulty against unseeded Pavlina Nola of New Zealand, winning 6-1 6-4 in 79 minutes. (REUTERS)

District Poonch TT Champ
Rupali bags Jr girls title

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

POONCH, Oct 4: Rupali Jamwal bagged the Junior girls singles title in the ongoing District Poonch Table Tennis Championship beating Tabassum in equal straight sets 21-16, 21-16 in the final which played at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Shish Mahal, here today.

Earlier, in the semi-finals, Rupali defeated Pooja in straight sets of 21-15, 21-14, while, Tabassum beat Nitu Sharma 21-18, 21-13 to reach the final.

In the Men’s singles, Salil Raina and Sandeep Luthra have found berths in the final beating their opponents in the semi-finals played this evening.

In the first semi-final, Salil down Rinchal 21-19, 21-15, while, Sandeep Luthra had a taught time against fighting Nawaz before he beat latter in close sets of 23-21, 17-21, 21-18 in another semi-final.

Meanwhile, according to the president of the District Poonch Table Tennis Association, Ajit Singh Jeet, competitions in the women’s group will be held tomorrow. He added that the date for the final of the Men’s final is yet to be decided.

The championship, which is being organised under the aegis of Jammu and Kashmir Table Tennis Association, is sponsored by the Coca Cola softdrinks.

All eyes set on the proposed amendments
Much awaited JKCA elections on Oct 13

By Sanjeev Sharma

JAMMU, Oct 4: At last, after a gap of more than three years, the two factions of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association have agreed to hold the elections for the executive body at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre, Srinagar on October 13.

During the last three years, cricket in this trouble torn State of Jammu and Kashmir has suffered a lot, not due to the militancy, but due to the internal bickering among the divided houses in the association.

The infighting among groups of Kashmir and Jammu also led to fielding of two teams from the State in the past, giving bad name to the State. Worst sufferers during all these years were the budding cricketers from Kashmir, who listened to the dictates of a few individuals and lost the important years of their career.

However, Kashmir, which dominates Jammu in every sphere, here too had a soft corner, with 16 votes in their hands as against 15 in Jammu Province. The fifteen votes from Jammu have been represented by 12 cricket clubs and five other institutions.

These clubs are Jammu Cricket Club, Rehari Cricket Club, International Cricket Club, National Cricket Club, Shastri Cricket Club, Patel Cricket Club, Friends Cricket Club, Modern Cricket Club, Kishen Chand Club, United Cricket Club, Udhampur, ACC, Udhampur and Youth Cricket Club, Bhaderwah. While, the three institutions having the voting rights are GGM Science College, Government SPMR College of Commerce and University of Jammu.

Sources further intimated that the notification of elections, issued by the sitting general secretary of the JKCA, Mehboob Iqbal, came into being after atleast nine clubs from Kashmir agreed for the proposed amendments and disposed off of the pending cases, between the two factions, in the court of law.

Likewise previous elections, the about six to seven non-functional clubs of Kashmir Pandits (presently migrated to Jammu), who posses the right to vote, will play a deciding role for the election of the office bearers. But, who knows where will they go, exclaimed a source.

However, this year’s elections will be held with a difference, if, the General Council meeting, to be held a day earlier, okayed with majority voice, the proposed amendment in the JKCA constitution, the JKCA will have a quite new look with a vision for the welfare of cricket in the State.

The proposed change in the written constitution, according to the experts, if get the nod of the general council, will be able to bridge the gap between Jammu and Kashmir regions in terms of representation and credibility.

This amendment will not merely delete the rule 8(II) of the constitution of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, but also make an end to the age old conflict and differences between the two wings of the trouble torn State.

According to the insiders, as per the proposed amendment, the executive committee shall be elected after every two years instead of existing one year term and elected office bearers for the posts of president, general secretary, chairman and treasure will be from both the provinces. And both wings will hold any of the two posts for a year on rotational basis.

Furthermore, the proposed amendments, about which all the 31 clubs and institutions have already been informed, mooted the idea of seizing the powers of the office bearers right after the expiry of the two year term and holding of fresh elections in the same month.