NAGPUR, Nov 9: India were once again overpowered by the newly-found batting might of the West.............more

Expert Comments
Hooper's young
brigade is in action

By Michael Holding

The West Indies would have gained a great deal of confidence from their victory in Jamshadpur, chasing what is normally considered a formidably target of 284 runs. But it was obvious that........more

J&K score 194
for two against
Bihar in Ranji

JAMSHEDPUR, Nov 9: A century stand for the opening wicket helped Jammu and Kashmir score 194 for two in their first.........more

HSBC is official sponsor
of Indian team

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Nov 9: HongKong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) has come forward to sponsor the Indian team taking part in the World Cup..........more

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 9: It was a day of shifting of crown after four long years of undisputed claim of Kamal Rohmetra on the Snooker title. Today his friend and master of Snooker, Vishal Abrol overpowered Kamal to become new State Snooker champion in the 12th edition of the State Billiards...........more

All India Air Force Hockey Championship
WAC all set to reach semis

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 9: With yet to play their third and last league match scheduled for tomorrow, host Western Air Command (WAC) is all set to qualify for the semi-finals from Pool-A of the ongoing All India Air Force Hockey Championship ...........more

Semis position cleared
in Jammu Distt Korfball

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 9: Semi-finals line-up has been drawn in the two-day Jammu District Korfball Championship, which begun at Government..........more

Cricket Tourney ends....

District Jammu Wrestling meet today....

Kawa holding sports meet......

Gayle guides West Indies to a 2-0 lead

NAGPUR, Nov 9: India were once again overpowered by the newly-found batting might of the West Indies as the tourists took a 2-0 lead in the seven-match one-day series with a comprehensive seven wicket victory in the second game here today.

Chris Gayle struck a brilliant 103 as West Indies overtook India’s 279 for nine with four balls to spare in a match reduced to 47 overs a side.

Put in to bat, India posted a decent score thanks to fine contributions from V V S Laxman, skipper Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. Laxman missed his second one-day hundred by just one run but put up century partnerships with Ganguly and Dravid who scored 78 and 51 respectively.

But for the second time in this series, the bowlers failed to defend a high total as the West Indians flourished on a perfect batting track. Marlon Samuels struck 52 runs while Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul remained unbeaten on 39 each to complement the effort of Gayle.

The match, which was reduced to a 48-overs a side following a 30-minute delayed start due to overnight dew, once again witnessed crowd trouble which held up the game for about 15 minutes. The disruption, which came in the 16th over when some missiles were thrown at Ramnaresh Sarwan, forced the reduction of the game by one more over per side.

Unlike in Jamshedpur where they had snatched a last-ball victory after stumbling in the final overs, West Indies sailed smoothly this time with all the batsmen chipping in with useful scores and building partnerships.

Gayle put on 42 runs for the opening wicket with Wavell Hinds, who made 27, and 134 runs for the second with Samuels.

India suffered once again due to the failure of the two spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh to make any impact. The two bowlers were given only six overs each of which Kumble conceded 33 runs and Harbhajan Singh went for 35. Both were heavily punished by Gayle, who struck eight fours and three mighty sixes in his 116 ball knock.

After Srinath, who finished with two wickets for 35 runs from 9.2 overs, had dismissed Hinds, Gayle and Samules belted the Indian attack and gathered easy runs.

Samuels, who struck his seventh one-day half-century with six fours and a six, was dismissed by part-time spinner Virender Sehwag when the batsman hit straight into the hands of Mohammad Kaif at mid-on.

Gayle, who brought up his second one-day hundred off 111 balls, and Sarwan, hero of the win at Jamshedpur, then added 45 runs for the third wicket, keeping the required run rate within manageable limit.

Srinath raised hopes of a fightback for the home team when he clean bowled Gayle with a ball that straightened after pitching at the West Indian total of 221.

But Sarwan and Chanderpaul poured cold water over India’s hopes with a fine unbeaten 59-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Chanderpaul showed a lot of aggression in compiling 39 runs from just 32 balls. He repeatedly walked across the stumps to hit the bowlers in the mid-wicket region.

It was, however, Sarwan who once again came up with the winning runs as he scampered for a single after hitting Srinath to mid-on.

Earlier, the Indians recovered from the early loss of two wickets to post a competitive score. Opener Sehwag and Agarkar, who was promoted to number three once again following his impressive knock at Jamshedpur, were out with just 20 runs on the board before Laxman and Ganguly came up with a record partnership for the third wicket.

Ganguly and Laxman put on 128 runs, a new record for an Indian third wicket pair against West Indies to take the score to 148. Ganguly was dismissed by leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo when he was caught by Vasbert Drakes while attempting a big hit.

The Indians experimented by sending Harbhajan Singh at number five but the move backfired as the off-spinner returned to pavilion with just two runs to show for his effort.

Laxman and Dravid were then associated in an entertaining partnership of 105 runs for the fifth wicket. Dravid was unusually aggressive and scored his 51 runs off just 42 balls with six hits to the fence.

Dravid was always looking to score and even improvised at occasions, like the reverse sweep he played against Gayle for a boundary.

Laxman raised his seventh half-century in 64 balls with the help of three boundaries while Dravid reached the milestone off just 39 balls.

Laxman, who was on 98 when Dravid raised his fifty, hit Gayle to long-off and Dravid rushed for a two in order to complete his partner’s hundred. The throw from Drakes found Dravid way out of his crease and left Laxman stranded at 99.

India lost their fifth wicket at the score of 260 in the 44th over.

Just two balls later, Laxman missed a widish delivery from Gayle and was stumped by Jacobs to miss his second one-day hundred by a whisker.

Yuvraj Singh (1), Javagal Srinath (2) and Anil Kumble (2) fell cheaply in quick succession in a bid to accelerate the scoring.

Mohammad Kaif remained unbeaten on 12 while Ashish Nehra was not out on two.

The two teams now move to Rajkot for the third one-dayer on Tuesday. (PTI)

Expert Comments
Hooper's young brigade is in action

By Michael Holding

The West Indies would have gained a great deal of confidence from their victory in Jamshadpur, chasing what is normally considered a formidably target of 284 runs. But it was obvious that they just didn’t just seat back on their laurels and think that winning meant everything is alright. It was very clear to most concerned that the fielding could have been improved upon and that they did in this Second One Day game.

There were only two days in between the games and one would have been taken a by travelling from one venue to another. It took members of our commentary team fully eighteen hours to complete that journey and one would assume, that team would have had a similar journey. They must have really put in some hard work on that one available day. Of course, a high confidence level would mean a more spectacular performance on the field but although this performance was not perfect, it was a healthy improvement on the first game.

If the fielding is getting better, a lot more can be said about the batting. The top three batsmen have given the team excellence start on both occasions and without taking too many risks. They have looked very composed at the crease and almost always in control. It must be very pleasing to the Captain Hooper to able to sit back and relax in the dressing room and watch the younger brigade get the job done.

Indian though, Captain Ganguly and coach Wright, must be scratching their heads and wondering what has gone wrong. Is this the same team that they so easily worked all over in the first two test? Well firstly, they will have to realise that the Windies are growing in confidence and playing better cricket.

But they have to take a seriious look at their tackties it was a good moov to include Srinath in the final eleven, as in the first game, they lacked and an attacking bowler capable of taking wickets at crucial moments. But what about the batting order? How can you justify Agarkar at number 3, and Harbahjan Singh at no. 5 while batsmen of the caliber of Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh and Mohmmad Kaif are left to twiddle their thumbs in the dressing room. You may say Agarkar was a success in the first game but I would seriously question ascertion. He got 95 off 103 ball, promoted as a "pinch hitter". That is not good enough Rahul Dravid could have done that job batting at number 3. If your promoting some as a pinch hitter he has to score a run a ball or better, otherwise send a normal recognised batsman.

Eventually when Dravid got to the crease, he scored 51 runs from 42 balls, whats wrong with that? As far the Harbahjan Singh move, the less said, about that the better. Poor Yuvraj and Kaif, very few balls to get lots of runs by the time they do get to the crease. No wonder India have fallen apart at the end on both occasions so far. (TCM).

J&K score 194 for two against Bihar in Ranji

JAMSHEDPUR, Nov 9: A century stand for the opening wicket helped Jammu and Kashmir score 194 for two in their first innings on the opening day of the four-day Ranji Trophy match against hosts Bihar at Keenan Stadium here today.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Jammu and Kashmir opener Sabir Kant (40) and Vikrant Daggar (57) gave the tourists a flying start as the hosts attack hardly disturbed the two openers.

Playing on the recently relaid track at Keenan, the openers executed some brilliant drives taking the score to 60 without loss at lunch.

Debutant leg spinner Sashibhusan Chowbey, who was brought into the attack by Bihar skipper Rajiv Kumar before lunch, struck twice within short interval claiming both the openers at the same score of 101 in the post-lunch session.

While Chowbey had Sabir Kant caught by Rajiv, he took a brilliant return catch of Vikrant who notched up 57 with help of six hits to the fence.

Following the departure of the openers, Kanwaljit Singh and Ashwini Gupta took charge of the innings and have so far put on 93 runs for the unfinished third wicket.

At close, Kanwaljit was batting on 52 with the help of eight boundaries and Ashwini 40 including five hits to the ropes.

Brief scores - J&K first innings: 194 for two (Sabir Kant 40, Vikrant Taggar 57; Sashibhusan Choubey 2/68). (PTI)

HSBC is official sponsor of Indian team

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Nov 9: HongKong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) has come forward to sponsor the Indian team taking part in the World Cup Cricket for the blind-2002 to be held at Chennai from December third to December 14. The World Cup is being dedicated to late Madhavrao Scindia, who was patron of the organising association—Association for Cricket for the Blind in India, right from its early years in 1990.

In this second World Cup Cricket for the blind, India alongwith five other cricketing nations which include Australia, England, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka will battle it out for eleven hard days to snatch the world from the reigning champions, South Africa.

Game is played with a white ball made of plastic and filled with tiny ball bearings that rattle when the ball moves. Each team comprises of the conventional 11 players and apart from a few modifications all the normal rules of regular cricket apply.

Prior to this World Cup, HSBC had also sponsored the Mobile Cricket Clinic for the blind called the HSBC Mobile Cricket Clinic. The ACBI was formally established in 1996 to take care of the administration and promotion of game in India. The first World Cup, which was an eye opener, was held in New Delhi in the year 1998.

12th State Billiards, Snooker Championship
Kamal loses to Vishal in Sr Snooker

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 9: It was a day of shifting of crown after four long years of undisputed claim of Kamal Rohmetra on the Snooker title. Today his friend and master of Snooker, Vishal Abrol overpowered Kamal to become new State Snooker champion in the 12th edition of the State Billiards and Snooker Championship, the final of which was played at Billiards Hall, M A Stadium, here.

Vishal, who is defending champion in Billiards and presently no more in the race to retain the trophy, earlier held Kamal to 2-2 draw. But soon Kamal took the lead he tilted the score to 3-2 in his favour.

However, Vishal, who is basically a Snooker player, fought back and won the sixth frame amidst unscheduled power cuts which interrupted the final at a crucial stage.

Again finding himself at a moment from where he could have conquered the crown, Vishal fired from all cylinders and clinched the deciding seventh frame, thereby becoming the new State Snooker Champion for the first time in his career. The final score: 50-40, 34-48, 28-59, 81-46, 39-48, 55-46, 55-48.

Prior to this final, Kamal clinched the senior Snooker title for three consecutive terms and his (Kamal) hat-trick of double title was halted by none other than Vishal Abrol, who had clinched Billiards title last year from Kamal.

Now, to keep him at the top, Kamal has to beat Gautam Lakra, another senior cueist and former champion, who has returned to form and is all set to give Kamal a tough fight. The two-hour final shall take place at 4 pm, followed by the prize distribution function at 6.30 pm.

In the recently held district championship, Kamal had a tough time while taking on Gautam in the Billiard final winning the final a margin of just eight points.

The final was witnessed besides others by Secretary, State Sports Council, Sheikh Fazal Ahmed, Joint Secretary, B K Magotra, Siddarth Sharma, president JKBSA and Ajit Singh, sports officer.

In tomorrow’s prize distribution function, Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma will be the chief guest, while Ram Sahai, president Chamber of Commerce and Industries, shall be the guest of honour.