Daily Excelsior.........sports

Hooper, Chanderpaul
make India toil again

ST JOHN’s (ANTIGUA), May 13: India once again got stuck with Carl Hooper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul and saw their yesterday’s gains being negated as West Indies swiftly marched towards avoiding the follow-on on the fourth day.......more

Gavaskar applauds
Kumble’s inspiring
tale of valour

ST JOHN’s, ANTIGUA, May 13: Anil Kumble’s decision to bowl against West Indies despite a broken jaw ......more

Kumble ruled out of
rest of tour - but plays

ST JOGN’s, ANTIGUA, May 13: Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble has been ruled out of the rest of the West Indies.......more

Ratra couldn’t sleep
thinking about 7 runs

ST JOHN’s (ANTIGUA), May 13: Ajay Ratra, who became the first specialist Indian stumper to score a test hundred.....more

Inter-School Tournament
begins at R S Pura,
Purmandal, Miran
Sahib, Marh Zones

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 13: In second phase, the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Jammu District is conducting......more

J&K Players Forum
organising Campus
Champions Trophy
from May 14

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 13: For the first time, the students of various department of Jammu University mainly players are going to organise.........more

RCC wins Rakesh Bawa
Memorial Cricket

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 13: The final match of first Rakesh Bawa Memorial Cricket Tournament was played at Mandal Cricket Ground which was won by Rehari Cricket Club......more

Hooper, Chanderpaul make India toil again

The inspirational Anil Kumble was unable to take the field today - he later left for home to get his jaw fracture operated upon - and in his absence West Indies progressed from their overnight 187 for three to 266 for four at lunch.

The only wicket to fall in the morning session was that of Ramnaresh Sarwan who once again failed to convert his fifty into a century. Zaheer Khan trapped him leg before wicket after he had scored 51 with six fours from his more than three hours stay at the crease.

The wicket came only in the third over of the day but it was Hooper and Chanderpaul all the way after that as they stitched together another profitable partnership.

At the break, Hooper was batting on 72 while Chanderpaul was on 28, the two having already added 68 runs for the fifth wicket.

Zaheer Khan and Sachin Tendulkar began the proceedings for India today and both of them were able to trouble the batsmen on a few occasions.

Hooper, who was let off thrice yesterday, began with a flourish this morning and cut Zaheer Khan for two boundaries in the very first over of the day.

Hooper, who also hoisted Tendulkar for a six, quickly reached his half-century off 85 balls. Chanderpaul too looked settled and played a few beautiful strokes on the off-side.

The two batsmen, who have two double century partnerships in this series, batted comfortably in the later half of the session, picking easy runs as the Indian attack seemed to be lacking the sting.

Even the new ball could do no trick for the Indians as West Indies marched ahead and came within 48 runs of the follow-on mark of 314. (PTI)

Gavaskar applauds Kumble’s inspiring tale of valour

ST JOHN’s, ANTIGUA, May 13: Anil Kumble’s decision to bowl against West Indies despite a broken jaw ranked among the most inspiring tales of valour on the cricket field, said former Indian Captain Sunil Gavaskar.

"Cricket has a way of producing inspiring tales of valour for the country and this ranks at the very top," Gavaskar said yesterday. "It is this spirit which is so refreshing and bodes well for Indian cricket."

Leg-spinner Kumble, who had been ruled out of the tour after his jaw was fractured by a rising delivery from paceman Mervyn Dillon on Saturday, bowled 14 overs in the fourth test on Sunday despite being heavily bandaged.

The 31-year-old from Bangalore, India’s most successful current bowler with 318 wickets in 69 tests, conceded only 29 runs and captured the key wicket of Brian Lara (4) to put India in command.

West Indies were 187 for three at the close of the third day’s play in reply to India’s first innings 513 for nine declared.

"What was remarkable was the guts shown by Anil Kumble to come onto the field and bowl in spite of his broken jaw not being wired," Gavaskar said.

"Kumble had to do the bowling and that would have been extremely painful as the broken jaw was held into place only by a strapping."

Kumble is expected to fly back home for surgery within the next 48 hours and could be out of action for at least two to three weeks.

"He seemed to wear the Indian tri-colour on his chest," Gavaskar said.

"In the old days they used to say boys become men when they tour West Indies...Indian cricket should be proud of him and cherish his deeds."

Kumble took all 10 Pakistani second-innings wickets in early 1999 at New Delhi to equal the world record of England’s Jim Laker and bowl India to a memorable victory. (AGENCIES)

Kumble ruled out of rest of tour - but plays

ST JOGN’s, ANTIGUA, May 13: Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble has been ruled out of the rest of the West Indies tour due to a fractured jaw and will fly back home within the next 48 hours.

However, in a surprising move soon after the news was announced yesterday, Kumble returned to the fray in the fourth test to bowl and field in the final session.

Bandaged on his head and chin, Kumble bowled 14 overs for 29 runs and captured the key wicket of Brian Lara lbw for four to put India in command.

"He is going back to India for surgery," said team physio Andrew Leipus.

"They are going to put a plate in his jaw to hold it together. He may have bowled today but he’s certainly going back in the next 24-48 hours."

Kumble said he just wanted to go out and try his best.

"I knew that I had to go back home because of this injury so I thought I’ll give it one last try," he said.

"At least I’ll go back home having thought that I tried my best. If it did work it would be great, but it was pretty tough. I just wanted to try."

Kumble said there was no pain initially but that his jaw started to hurt by the end of the day.

"While I was bowling, there was not much pain but at the end there was," he said.

"I was beginning to cramp up maybe because of lack of nutrition, maybe the adrenaline was pumping in too much — I don’t know. But I can go back this evening thinking I’ve given my best."

Kumble was hit square on his jaw by a rising delivery from paceman Mervyn Dillon during his innings of six on the second day of the fourth test on Saturday at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

"We took him to the hospital for x-rays this morning and it was found that the jaw was severely fractured," said Gautam Dasgupta, the Indian Team Manager.

Leipus said Kumble insisted on bowling despite the injury.

"When he saw Sachin Tendulkar turn the ball he said the wicket has got some rough," Leipus said. "He asked what we could do to send him out there. He asked what were the chances of further damage. We said if we strapped the jaw together there would be less pain and less chance of injury.

"He went through his action a few times in the dressing room after we had strapped him up. He felt okay so he went for it."

Dasgupta said India had decided not to call for a replacement for the fifth and final test in Jamaica starting on May 18.

The team management has not ruled out Kumble bowling again on Monday.

"If he will bowl tomorrow it will be definitely his own decision," Leipus said.

"If it’s not paining and he’s up to it, we’ll strap him up again and let him go out, but I’m not going to recommend it. When he wakes up in the morning we’ll assess his situation."

Kumble, India’s most successful current bowler with 318 wickets in 69 tests, was recalled for the fourth test after being left out of the last two tests in Trinidad and Barbados.

"It was very disappointing having come to the West Indies with high hopes and not making it to the team in Trinidad and also in Barbados," he said.

"I did not want to leave this opportunity. Outside India I’ve never had a chance to bowl to a side when we had 500 runs on the board and I thought this was my best chance. It was okay for the first couple of overs, so I just continued."

India piled up 513 for nine in their first innings thanks to centuries from Vangipurappu Laxman (130) and Ajay Ratra (115 not out). At the close on Sunday, West Indies were 187 for three in reply.

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on Kumble for his effort.

"The guts shown by anil kumble were commendable," Gavaskar said.

"Cricket has a way of producing inspiring tales of valour for the country, and this ranks at the very top," he added. "It is this fighting spirit which is so refreshing and bodes well for Indian cricket."

The 31-year-old Kumble took all 10 Pakistani second innings wickets at New Delhi in early 1999 to equal the world record of England’s Jim Laker and set up a memorable series-levelling win. (AGENCIES)

Ratra couldn’t sleep thinking about 7 runs

ST JOHN’s (ANTIGUA), May 13: Ajay Ratra, who became the first specialist Indian stumper to score a test hundred abroad, said he spent a sleepless night on Saturday thinking about the seven runs needed to score his century.

"I was unbeaten on 93 and I was restless to get those seven runs," said the 20-year-old Ratra. "I just thought I have to stay at the wicket and not to play shots early."

Ratra moved to 99 in no time on the third day yesterday morning but then saw his partner in a record 217-run association for the seventh wicket, V V S Laxman, get out hit wicket off the bowling of Mervyn Dillon.

"I wasn’t worried. I just didn’t want to play a bad shot. When I got the opportunity to hit the ball, I got my hundred," said Ratra, looking back at his unbeaten 115.

Before completing his hundred, he was hit painfully on his right hand fingers by a delivery from Cameron Cuffy which rose from a length.

"It was a painful blow and the nail in the middle finger of my right hand hurt a great deal. But I was committed, not only because I had to get those seven runs but also I needed to keep wickets as well.

"I also knew my responsibility as there is nobody else in the team who can keep wickets," said Ratra.

The wicket keeper said he was worried after he failed with the bat in the last two tests.

"I didn’t score much in the previous two tests. So I worked hard with my coach. My captain also gave me confidence. It all was so helpful," Ratra said.

"I felt really confident after I crossed my 50. I was playing my shots and playing my natural game.

"I like batting in Caribbean because of the challenge fast bowlers pose to batsmen. As a youngster it was a challenge and I like a challenge." (PTI)

Inter-School Tournament begins at R S Pura,
Purmandal, Miran Sahib, Marh Zones

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 13: In second phase, the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Jammu District is conducting a three days zonal level Inter School Tournament in some zones from May 13 to May 15 at different venues for boys and girls students under the age group of 14 and 17 years in events of Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, Volleyball and Wrestling.

In the R S Pura Zone the tournament started in HSS R S Pura and the inaugural day function was presided over by ZEO R S Pura Ved Parkash.

In Kabaddi (girls section), GMS Mill area defeated HS Rangpur Mulana by 23-20 points. Under 17 years, GHS Satriyan defeated GMS Chakrohi by 20 points.

In Kho-Kho under 14 years, Girls MS Musa Chak defeated GMS Chakrohi by seven points and under 17 years GHS Satriyan defeated GMS Kalyana by 8 points.

In Kabaddi (boys section), MS Mill area defeated GMS Basti Gulab Garh by 15 points while in under 17 years City MS R S Pura defeated HS Dablehar by 21 points.

MS R S Pura defeated MS Rangpur by 3 points in Kho-Kho boys under 14 years while MS Basti Gulabgarh defeated MS City Mill area R S Pura by 12 points. MS Mill area defeated Rangpur Mulana by 2 points.

Purmandal Zone

Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Purmandal Mr B L Koul presided over the inaugural day of the Inter-School Tournament in Purmandal Zone.

Boys Under 17 years Kabaddi: GHS Channi Himmat defeated HS Khara Madana by 34 points, MS Kalu Chak defeated HS Sunjwan by 9 points.

Boys Under 14 years Kabaddi: MS Kalu Chak defeated HS Sunjwan.

Girls Section Under 14 years: Govt MS Channi Himmat defeated MS Mean Sarkar by 13 points.

Kho-Kho Girls Under 14 years: MS Channi Himmat defeated MS Smailpur by 5 points.

Miran Sahib Zone

Mrs Kanta Sharma, ZEO Miran Sahib presided over the inaugural day function and addressed the participants. The Tournament is being conducted in Middle School Basti Simbal.

Kabaddi Girls Under 14 years: Middle School Basti Simbal defeated Girls HS Simbal Camp by 8 points.

Marh Zone

In Marh Zone, the matches started under the chairmanship of ZEO Marh Mr Subash Gupta and the Tournament was inaugurated by Mrs Sneh Lata Gupta, Headmistress of Government High School Jhiri.

Kho-Kho Under 14 boys: HS Jhiri beat MS Badrore by one turn and 14 points. MS Sandhwan beat MS Akalpur by one turn and two points.

Girls Kho-Kho under 14 years: MS Bhadrore beat MS Gajansoo by 7 points. MS Karloop beat Ranjeet Public School Barnai by one turn and two points. MS Bhadrore beat MS Kahnachak by 2 points. MS Karloop beat MS Akalpur by 5 points.

Kho-Kho under 17 girls: HS Shama Chak beat HS Sangrampur by one point. HS Gho Manasan beat Ranjeet Memorial School Barnai by one turn and 11 points.

Kabaddi girls under 17 years: HS Gho Manasan beat HS Gajansoo by 21 points.

Kabaddi Boys under 14 years: MS Akalpur defeated MS Badrore by 13 points. MS Shama Chak beat MS Dhatrayal by 3 points. MS Kahna Chak beat HS Gajansoo by 34-14 points and MS Sandhwan beat RMBS Barnai by 35-22 points.

Kabaddi boys under 17 years: HS Gajansoo beat RMPS Barnai by 11-13 points, HSS Gho Manhasan beat HSS Marh by 46-16 points and HS Jhiri beat HS Gajansoo by 40-17 points.

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Gharota schools emerged as winners

in Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Wrestling

In the Inter-School Tournament of Bhalwal Zone which concluded yesterday, Gharota schools clinched titles of girls Kabaddi Under 14 and 17 years, Boys Under 17 years, Kho-Kho Under 17 and 14 years for boys and Under 14 years for girls. Besides emerged as winners in Wrestling events.

Final results of Bhalwal Zone:

In Kabaddi Under 14 years for boys, GMS Bhalwal defeated HS Gharota by 20 points while in girls Kabaddi under 14 years GGMS Gharota beat GGMS Bhalwal by 22 points.

GHS Gharota defeated GHSS Bhalwal by 21 points in Kabaddi Under 17 years for boys while in girls Under 17 years, GHS Gharota emerged as winner by defeating GHSS Bhalwal by 23 points.

In Kho-Kho Under 14 years for girls, GGMS Gharota emerged as winner by defeating GGMS Bhalwal by 18 points while in Kho-Kho Under 14 years for boys HS Gharota defeated MS Doumi by 10 points.

GHS Domana beat HS Seri Pandita by 6 points in Kho-Kho Under 17 years for girls while in boys category HS Gharota defeated Seri Pandita by 8 points.

In Wrestling Under 14 years for boys, HS Gharota emerged as winner while MS Bhalwal runner-up. In Wrestling under 17 years for boys, HS Gharota defeated HS Raipur.

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Mankote, Salwa, Harni schools

clinch first positions

Mankote Schools clinched first position in Kho-Kho while Salwa Schools got first position in Kabaddi and Harni Schools clinched first position in Volleyball during the Inter-School Tournament of Mendhar Zone which concluded today.

After the final matches of all the titles, Mr Malik Ram, Principal Girls Higher Secondary School Mendhar and Mr Uday Chand, Principal Boys Higher Secondary School Mendhar distributed prizes among the winners and runner-up teams.

Final results of Mendhar Zone:

Boys Under 14 years

Kabaddi: Middle School Salwa defeated Middle School Ari by 6 points.

Volleyball: Middle School Harni defeated Middle School Jugaal by straight two sets. Kho-Kho: Boys Middle School Mankote beat Middle School Chajjla by 2 points.

Kho-Kho (girls) Girls Middle School Mankote beat Girls Middle School Dharati by four points.

Boys Under 17 years: Kabaddi: High School Salwa defeated MSS Mankote by 10 points. Volleyball: High School Keri Kangra beat High School Nakamanjree by two sets to nil.

Kho-Kho: HSS Mankote defeated HSS Mendhar by 2 points. Girls Under 17 years: Kabaddi: "Girls High School Harni defeated Girls High School Ari by 6 points. Volleyball: Girls High School Harni defeated Girls HSS Mendhar by 6 points. Kho-Kho: Girls High School Harni defeated Girls HSS Mendhar by 6 points and lift the third trophy.