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Tongues wag over Tendulkar’s demotion MELBOURNE, Dec 28: Sachin Tendulkar’s non-emergence from the dressing room towards the fag end of third day’s play left tongues wagging at the Melbourne cricket ground today. Tendulkar did not take his customary position at number four at the fall of Virender Sehwag’s wicket and it led to ..........more India beat Pak to set up final date with Lanka KOLKATA, Dec 28: Dinesh Mongia slammed an unbeaten 48 to steer India to a four-wicket victory over Pakistan in a thrilling encounter between the ...........more Still
there is a chance By Ravi Shastri At the end of the third day of this absorbing Test, India were left to rue the one hour of bad cricket on the second morning which let Australia off the ......more Australia
tighten grip MELBOURNE, Dec 28: Australia tightened its grip over the third cricket Test after yet another double century by Ricky Ponting and cheap dismissals of both the Indian openers at the end of the third day’s play here today. ..............more |
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By Sanjeev Sharma JAMMU, Dec 28: Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has send wrong singles of otherwise hospitable people of Jammu by not attending the ..........more JAMMU: In the fifth and last match of this year’s Ranji season, Jammu and Kashmir today held Madhya Pradesh to a draw at MA Stadium, here.....more Avnish breaks jinx to become new State Badminton champion Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: Avnish Sharma today broke the jinx at the top beating ......more Jammu
girls win Excelsior Sports Correspondent KATHUA, Dec 28: Jammu girls won the State Volleyball trophy beating defending champion, Udhampur 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-20) in the final played .....more |
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| Khalsa Club blanks Stadium XI in
opening Hockey match..... Injured Zaheer left out of one-day team...... |
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Tongues wag over Tendulkar’s demotion MELBOURNE, Dec 28: Sachin Tendulkar’s non-emergence from the dressing room towards the fag end of third day’s play left tongues wagging at the Melbourne cricket ground today. Tendulkar did not take his customary position at number four at the fall of Virender Sehwag’s wicket and it led to speculation the little master did not want to put himself under Test in tense final moments of the day’s play. Tendulkar has scores of 0, 1, 37 and 0 from four innings of the series and the word gained ground he was not keen to risk his wicket at that moment of day’s play. Australia’s captain-in-waiting Ricky Ponting termed Tendulkar’s absence "surprising". "I would say I was a bit surprised." "No doubt he is under a lot of pressure. But then if the team does well tomorrow, the decision would appear a good one," said Ponting. Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble said the decision to hold back Tendulkar was captain Sourav Ganguly’s. "It was the captain’s decision (to hold him back)," said Kumble, a reaction which was endorsed by team manager Shivlal Yadav. Whatever may have been the thought behind Tendulkar’s coming down the order, Ponting was disappointed that his bowlers could not have a go at the maestro today. "We have got to get him out sometime. It would have been nice if we had him out there tonight, but it was not to be, so we will have to wait until he comes out tomorrow and hopefully get him out cheaply."(PTI) |
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India beat Pak to set up final date with Lanka KOLKATA, Dec 28: Dinesh Mongia slammed an unbeaten 48 to steer India to a four-wicket victory over Pakistan in a thrilling encounter between the archrivals in the Kenstar Asian A teams’ cricket tournament here today. India a will now clash for the title with Sri Lanka A, who made it to the title round as the second placed team garnering 11 points, seven less than the hosts. Pakistan finished on seven points. Electing to bat first after the entire morning session was lost due to rains, which reduced the match to a 25-over-a-side affair, Pakistan failed to negotiate the Indian bowlers who bowled well in overcast conditions and fell victim to poor shots to be skittled out for 97 in 22.2 overs. In reply, the hosts overcame a mid-innings slump to reach 99 for six in 22.2 overs, leading to celebrations among the around 30,000 spectators at the Eden Gardens here. Pakistan’s young pacer Junaid Zia (5-0-12-3) triggered the collapse in the Indian innings picking up three wickets, including two in one over, to reduce the hosts to 69 for six in the 16th over. But Mongia (61b, 3x4, 1x6) and Bahutule (8 not out) prevented any further damage to see India through with 16 balls to spare. India seemed comfortably placed at 52 for one with Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Mongia in the middle, when the drama, so characteristic of the glorious game of cricket, began. The dashing Yuvraj, who struck three exquisite boundaries, was foxed by a delivery from off spinner Muhammad Hafeez which turned viciously and wicketkeeper Amin-ur-Rehman removed the bails in a flash, with the batsman out of the crease. Leggie Mansoor Amjad then saw the back of skipper Hemang Badani (0) as the home side slumped to 64 for 3 before zia, who bowled at a searing pace in bowler-friendly conditions, took centre-stage, taking wickets of consecutive balls in his fourth over. The shaven-headed Zia first bowled Sanjay Bangar (0) with a low delivery, before getting Rohan Gavaskar (0) plumb leg before to be on a hat-trick. But the Pakistani missed the personal feat, bowling the next delivery wide outside the off-stump to cause no trouble to Ajay Ratra. He struck a further blow, removing Ratra (2) with the last ball of his next over. The ball was virtually unplayable, as it pitched outside the off-stump, and cut sharply in to dislodge the wicket-keeper batsman’s bails. But Mongia, who came as an opener and looked shaky in the beginning, gained in confidence as overs went by, and played without much fuss to bring India A slowly closer to victory. He eased the pressure by dispatching Hafeez for a six over mid-wicket in the 20th over to take India to 89, before Bahutule got the winning runs off pacer Muhammad Khalil with a boundary past long off. Earlier, only four of the Pakistan batsmen reached double figures, with Bilal Asad (23) being the top scorer on a difficult wicket. (PTI) |
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Still there is a chance for India By Ravi Shastri At the end of the third day of this absorbing Test, India were left to rue the one hour of bad cricket on the second morning which let Australia off the hook. When you have top sides on the mat, it is critical that you don't surrender your momentum or lose focus. After the opening day, India were so clearly on top that even their body language spoke of confidence. At that point, I think it was important that the top players of the team had sat down and spelled out the gameplan completely. India should have aimed to bat Australia out of the match, not take them on by scoring quick runs. Once a couple of early wickets fell on the second morning, Australai sniffed blood and went in for the kill. Since then, they haven't looked back. Well as Virender Sehwag played for his 195, I think the timing of his dismissal, with the second new ball due, might just be the turning point of the match. Australia's mammoth score was built around a magnificent double hundred from Ricky Pointing, and his big second wicket partnership with the other centurion, Matt Hayden. Ponting is playing the best cricket of his life, and now that he knows he will be Australia's Test captain within a few weeks, is batting with even greater responsibility. The hallmark of Ponting's batting has been the way he manages his innings. At Adelaide, he was all aggression, here he batted with circumspect control. His footwork has been decisive, and he plays shots all round the wicket, which means bowling sides have no respite. He has clearly put Australia in the driver's seat. India were badly affected with Zaheer Khan's hamstring playing up again. With Ashish Nehra still not hundred percent, the captain really had only two bowlers to tunr to - Agarkar and Kumble. Agarkar bowled well in the circumstances, but Kumble was fantastic. He was unflagging in line, length and commitment. India missed a bowler like Harbhajan on this track. In the second innings, Australia struck two early blows, but I would still see this Test wearing an optimist's spectacles. In the previous Tests, the Indian team has shown a lot of spirit and character, and I wouldn't be too surprised if they ball all through Monday. The pitch is still good, and I expect it will hold till the final day. The talking point of this series has been Sachin Tendulkar's lack of runs, but I differ from popular opinion. I think he is 20 minutes away from a big innings. More than being out of form, I think he has failed to get a start. If he can get past 20-3o nerve-wracking minutes, Tendulkar is the one batsman (with Sehwag dismissed) who can take the attack to the bowlers. The Australians obviously hold the advantage, but I am not prepared to write off this Indian team. They had a bad session on the second morning, but there is a chance to atone for that on the fourth morning, and after that, a heck of a lot to play for.(TCM) |
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Australia tighten grip over third Test MELBOURNE, Dec 28: Australia tightened its grip over the third cricket Test after yet another double century by Ricky Ponting and cheap dismissals of both the Indian openers at the end of the third day’s play here today. Seeking to level the series after its shock defeat at Adelaide, Australia first took a lead of 192 by notching up 558 of which Ponting made 257, his second double century of the series and third of the year. Batting for 11 overs of the day, Virender Sehwag, whose magnificent 195 had propelled India to 366 in the first innings, as well as Aakash Chopra fell early to leave their side vulnerable. The Indians were precariously placed at 27 for two and face a herculean task of saving the match with two days left on a Melbourne cricket ground track which was expected to deteriorate. Rahul Dravid (6) and captain Sourav Ganguly (6) survived some anxious moments to remain unbeaten at stumps with India still trailing by 165 runs on a day which saw the world champions maintaining their stranglehold. Ponting, who had scored 242 in the second Test at Adelaide, plundered runs at will against the modest Indian bowling attack to join Don Bradman as the only players in the history of Test cricket to score three double centuries in a calendar year. The Australian vice-captain is also now leading run scorer for 2003 with 1472 runs from 11 Tests at a staggering average of 98.13. He needs only nine more runs from a possible Australian second innings here to move past Michael Vaughan (1480 in 2002) in the all-time leading runs scorers in a calendar year. The Indians were precariously placed at 27 for two and face a herculean task of saving the match with two days left on a Melbourne cricket ground track which was expected to deteriorate. Rahul Dravid (6) and captain Sourav Ganguly (6) survived some anxious moments to remain unbeaten at stumps with India still trailing by 165 runs on a day which saw the world champions maintaining their stranglehold. Ponting, who had scored 242 in the second Test at Adelaide, plundered runs at will against the modest Indian bowling attack to join Don Bradman as the only players in the history of Test cricket to score three double centuries in a calendar year. The Australian vice-captain is also now leading run scorer for 2003 with 1472 runs from 11 Tests at a staggering average of 98.13. He needs only nine more runs from a possible Australian second innings here to move past third-placed Michael Vaughan (1,480 in 2002) in the all-time leading runs scorers in a calendar year. Viv Richards heads the list with 1,710 runs in 1976 followed by Sunil Gavaskar on 1,555 in 1979. Anil Kumble toiled hard for his six for 176 from a marathon 51 overs. But the day’s other highlight after Ponting’s virtuoso knock was Australian captain Steve Waugh coming in twice to bat in the same innings in his final Test at the MCG. Waugh was struck on the left elbow by Agarkar off the second ball he faced and had to retire for treatment. But he came out to again at the fall of Simon Katich (29) to another standing ovation at the venue where he made his Test debut 18 years ago against the same opposition. Waugh’s farewell knock in front of a Sunday crowd of the boxing day Test though was a scratchy 19. He survived two confident shouts for leg before wicket before umpire David Shepherd ruled him out the third time he padded up to Kumble. Ponting meanwhile showed immaculate concentration in his near ten-hour knock that consumed 458 balls and contained 25 fours. His stay at the crease began in the first session yesterday and finished in the final session today when he was stumped off Kumble. Ponting shared two crucial partnerships with Damien Martyn (31) and Simon Katich (29) that left the hosts as firm favourites to win the Test. First, the tasmanian extended his overnight partnership with Martyn to 78 runs before the latter snicked Ajit Agarkar to wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel. He then added another 64 with Katich for the fifth wicket. Waugh could have been out to the first ball he faced from Kumble but umpire David shepherd rejected the shout and the Australian captain stayed for 63 balls more before a similar appeal was withheld. Kumble then had Brett Lee (8) caught at silly point and Ponting stumped long way down after the batsman had given a charge in order to wrest the strike. Kumble thus had three wickets in the final session which yielded 78 runs. It was his second successive five-wicket haul following his 5 for 154 in the second Test at Adelaide. Sachin Tendulkar tried to make up for his batting failure with the ball and induced a simple return catch from Nathan Bracken. Stuart MacGill was out leg before to Agarkar off the very first ball he faced. Zaheer Khan bowled only eight overs in the morning in two spells but looked clearly in discomfort. But even before their relief at finally bowling out the hosts could sink in, the tourists lost both the openers in the last one hour of play. Aakash Chopra (4) was unlucky to be given caught out behind the stumps when the ball from Nathan Bracken had brushed his pads while Virender Sehwag (11) was brilliantly caught at square leg by Brad Williams off Brett Lee. Interestingly, captain Sourav Ganguly came in to bat at number four instead of Sachin Tendulkar who was out for first ball in the first innings on Friday. (PTI) |
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By Sanjeev Sharma JAMMU, Dec 28: Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has send wrong singles of otherwise hospitable people of Jammu by not attending the guest team from Madhya Pradesh during their four-day long Ranji trophy against Jammu and Kashmir. Right from the day one, when MP landed at Jammu in the mid-night and the last day of their stay, guests never given attention by the hosts, JKCA. Due to late train, MP team reached Jammu at 1 pm and when inquired about their booking at Vivek Hotel, near bus stand, they were told, ‘there is no booking stands against their name’. However, the tired team took refuse at hotel KC Residence on their own. And now, when the match ended in a draw on the coldest day the season today, former Test cricketer, Narinder Hirwani, skipper, Amay Khurasiya and other team members were seen looking for auto-riksha with kits on their shoulder. "It was a bitter experience for the whole team. On day one of our reaching Jammu, we could not find any body to attend us and help us in finding space to stay’’, told team manager, Ramesh Bhatia to EXCELSIOR, adding, "and today, on the last day of the match, we had to walk all the way to the main gate to find an auto-riksha to reach the hotel." Madhya Pradesh skipper, Amay Khurasiya talking to EXCELSIOR said, "there was nothing good in the beginning. The tents were not proper, the breakfast not good. However, when complained they improved the things only after first two days play." He further said that he was in Jammu for the first time but had to undergo a bad experience. " It was my first visit to the State and what I had heard was the people of North India, especially Jammu, are very hospital, but it was contrary. I should say that these people (JKCA) should learn to respect the players and must learn how to handle the guests, it is bad on their part," mentioned Khurasiya. "We had to sit in half-ten, open to the public, in 10 degree temperature at the Stadium. There should have been a proper dressing room", expressing his concern Amey said. |
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JAMMU: In the fifth and last match of this year’s Ranji season, Jammu and Kashmir today held Madhya Pradesh to a draw at MA Stadium, here. Needing 294 runs to save follow-on, J&K lost all their wickets for 263. But instead, Madhya Pradesh played for the second innings and when the match was called off after mutual agreement between the two skippers at 4.30 pm with score on board 190 for the loss of two wickets in 37 overs. MP batsmen played freely and made quick runs. While, Abbas Ali remained unbeaten at 100. Naman, who lost his wicket to Jagtar Singh, made 65 runs. Both the wickets were taken by Jagtar Singh. Earlier, resuming their innings from overnight score of 170 for five, J&K brought the score to a better position with the help of 119 runs contribution from skipper, Kavaljeet Singh. Kavaljeet, who stood like a rock against the bowling attack of MP, hit 12 boundaries. Majid Dar, who had an overnight score of seven, lost his wickets at 26. From MP, Sanjay Pandey bagged another wicket of Kavaljeet today to make it a haul of six. Remaining six wickets were taken away by Narinder Hirwani. In this season, Jammu and Kashmir had just one win against Bihar while they lost to Haryana and Vidharva. In two other games, J&K held Tripura and Madhya Pradesh a draw. JKCPA announces cash prize for Kavaljeet JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Players Association (JKCPA) today announced a cash prize of Rs 5,000 for skipper Kavaljeet Singh for hitting the only century of this year’s Ranji season in the fifth and and last match against Madhya Pradesh. Giving information in this regard, JKCPA vice-president and spokesman, Ranjeet Kalra said that Kavaljeet has been playing pivotal role in J&K’s batting line-up for the past one decade. And, in last match of season he stood like a rock at one end leading the J&K team to a respectable total against bowling attack that had international players like Narinder Hirwani, Harvinder Singh Sodhi and Amay Khurasiya. |
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Avnish breaks jinx to become new State Badminton champion Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: Avnish Sharma today broke the jinx at the top beating defending champion, Rahul Sharma in men’s singles final of the 16th State Badminton Championship concluded today at MA Stadium, here. It was a straight sets victory for Avnish over Rahul 15-8, 15-13. However, the coveted women’s singles trophy was retained by Samarika Manhas, who defeated Bandana in straight sets final 11-6, 11-8. Men’s doubles trophy went to the pair of Rahul and Avnish, who outplayed Gurvinder and Vishal 2-1 ( 4-15, 15-9, 15-2. Meanwhile, the organisers, Jammu and Kashmir Badminton Association, honoured two veteran shuttlers, Som Raj Gupta and Vijay Dewan for representing Indian in the world veteran Badminton meet. In today’s finals and prize distribution function, Vijay Bakaya, Commissioner Secretary, Planning and Finance, was chief guest. The final results Mini girls singles: Vandana beat Akanksha 11-5, 11-8. Doubles: Akanksha and Surbhi beat Maneesha and Sulakhani 15-11, 15-6. Mini-boys singles: Varun Saini beat Aditya Manhas 15-6, 15-2. Doubles: Varun and Suliqshan beat Amit and Abhijit 15-12, 15-6. Sub-Junior girls singles: Deksha beat Harleen 11-4, 11-2. Doubles: Vandana and Nishu beat Kanika and Akankasha 15-8, 15-11. Junior boys singles: Vikram Saini beat Vipul Saini 15-6, 15-11. Doubles: Vikram and Vipul beat Gagandeep and Atul 15-2, 15-3. Sub-Junior boys singles: Vipul beat Gagandeep 15-10, 15-3. Doubles: Vipul and Anurag bet Gagandeep and Sameer 15-13, 15-10 |
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Jammu girls win State Volleyball trophy Excelsior Sports Correspondent KATHUA, Dec 28: Jammu girls won the State Volleyball trophy beating defending champion, Udhampur 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-20) in the final played today at Government High School, Gurah Mundian, Hiranagar, here. The men’s trophy went to Udhampur, who outplayed district Kathua in straight sets 25-10, 25-21, 25-14. In the finals and prize distribution function, Sports Minister, Haji Nisar Ali was chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, Minister announced a grant of Rs one lakh for upgradation of playing field at Government High School, Gurah Mundian. Khalsa Club blanks Stadium XI in opening Hockey match Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: Khalsa Club, Gole Gujral blanked Stadium XI for a big 8-0 win over Stadium XI in opening match of the Ashwani Memorial Hockey Tournament being organised by J&K Hockey Association here today. Onkar Singh made four goals (7th, 21st, 42nd and 45th) for Khalsa Club converting a penalty stroke and a penalty corner into the net. Other two goals came through Gurpreet Singh (16th) and Surinder Pal Singh (47th). In the second match of the day, Khalsa Blues down Akali Kour Singh Sports Club 4-3. Ranjit Singh made three goals (9th, 13th and 47th) for the winners while Gurpreet sounded the board in the 10th minute. From Akali Kour Singh Club, Manmeet Singh (21st), Sakinder Pal Singh (44th and 59th) were the scorers. Today’s matches were officiated by Vijay Vaid, Harmanan Singh, Jasbir Singh, Joginder Singh, M S Reen and P D Singh. Injured Zaheer left out of one-day team KOLKATA, Dec 28: Injured left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan has been left out of the 16-member Indian one-day squad announced here today for the next month’s tri-series cricket tournament in Australia. The team: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virendra Sehwag, V V S Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mohd. Kaif, Parthiv Patel, Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Murli Kartik, Irfan Pathan, Ashis Nehra, L Balaji, Sanjay Bangar and Hemang Badani. (PTI) Board going ahead with Pak tour KOLKATA, Dec 28: The Indian cricket board today denied any security scare among the players for the proposed Pakistan tour and re-affirmed that it was going ahead with the logistical details for the test and one-day series in the neighbouring nation. "As far as the BCCI is concerned, we are going ahead with the Pakistan tour," BCCI secretary S K Nair told newspersons here today. Asked to comment on reports that some senior players had reservations about the tour due to security reasons, he said "these (the reports) may have been brought out on the basis of hypothesis. There’s no basis of such reports." "Details of the Pakistan tour are being worked out. It is one of the agenda in the working committee meeting to be held here on January four," Nair said. Reports from Melbourne had yesterday said that concerns over their safety seemed to be weighing on the minds of some of India’s top cricketers ahead of the Pakistan tour. However, skipper Sourav Ganguly has gone on record that there was no truth in such rumours. "I have also heard such rumours. There is no truth in it," Ganguly told PTI yesterday. Nair said that there was also ‘no truth’ in reports that the Indian players were planning to write a letter to the board voicing security concerns. (PTI) Six wicket haul for Butler as Kiwis corner Pakistan WELLINGTON, Dec 28: A devastating six-wicket bag by young speedster Ian Butler destroyed the Pakistan first innings and put New Zealand firmly in control of the second cricket Test at the Basin Reserve here today. Butler, 22, took his last five wickets for just 12 runs as Pakistan folded to be all out at tea for 196 on the third day, in reply to New Zealand’s first innings 366. At stumps New Zealand in their second innings were 75 for three for an overall lead of 245 with two days remaining. Playing in only his seventh Test, Butler produced a withering spell with the second new ball as Pakistan lost their last six wickets for 28 runs, and their last four wickets for only two runs. Pakistan had started the day with intentions of batting their way to safety and from a slow start had reached the comparatively comfortable total of 134 for four at lunch. Yousuf Youhana, who struggled early in his innings, gained in confidence in the after lunch session and moved to 60 in 246 minutes at the crease before popping a simple catch to Stephen Fleming off Daniel Vettori and Pakistan were 168 for five. (AFP) |
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