McMillan, Astle dash
hopes of Indian victory

AHMEDABAD, Oct 12: A defiant unbeaten half century by Craig McMillan took New Zealand to an honourable draw in................more

Australia poised to
crush Zimbabwe in
first test

PERTH, Oct 12: World champions Australia, poised to crush Zimbabwe by an innings in the first cricket test here, will have to wait one more day to ................more

New Zealanders
showed resistance

By Ravi Shastri

New Zealand not only walked away with a draw m, but also the honours in the first Test. The last day’s play was difficult, make no mistake, with the ................more

Agarkar comes in
place of injured Salvi
for Mohali Test

AHMEDABAD, Oct 12: The national selectors today made just one change in the squad, bringing in Mumbai speedster Ajit Agarkar in place of injured Avishkar Salvi, for the second and final cricket Test against New Zealand, .........more

'Ajay Jadeja’s entry into J&K team almost confirmed'
Quota system spoiling cricket: JKCPA

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: From ags tehe prevailing ‘quota system’ in the games, ......more

10-day long basic course
for Scouts and Guides concludes

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: The basic course for Scout Masters, Guide Captains, Club Leaders and Flock Leaders organised ..........more

DBN shines in inter-school Fencing with overall trophy

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: Dewan Badri Nath (DBN) School bagged first place in all the individual .........more

Dogra Cup Football
Jammu Sports-B, NGR Club, Churchill Brothers, National Club win matches

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: Jammu Sports-B defeated New Dogra in .....more

Sumesh enters 3rd round of pre-QFs in senior Snooker.....

McMillan, Astle dash hopes of Indian victory

AHMEDABAD, Oct 12: A defiant unbeaten half century by Craig McMillan took New Zealand to an honourable draw in the first test against India at the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera, here today with the visitors finishing on 272 for six in their second innings after being set a victory target of 370 runs.

McMillan first put on a 64 runs with opener Lou Vincent for the fifth wicket before being involved in the fighting unbroken 103-run seventh-wicket partnership with Nathan Astle, who was suffering from a stomach ailment, to pull New Zealand out of the woods and salvage a draw after Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly had made a sporting declaration.

However, the Kiwi duo of McMillan and Astle, who came together at 169 for six, blunted the indian spin attack of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.

The Indian spinners, who were supposed to do the trick on the final day, did not get the required response from the pitch with there being only slow turn, which was negotiated well by McMillan and Astle and before them by vincent. Resuming at their overnight score of 48 for one, Vincent along with nightwatchman Darryl Tuffey safely negotiated the early overs.

The Indian captain, who started the day with spin from one end and pace from the other, brought on Kumble for the first time to employ a double spin attack in the 14th over.

This paid immediate dividends as Kumble struck with his first ball castling Tuffey with a faster one for eight.

This wicket suddenly lifted the Indians and there was more purpose among them. Harbhajan then got one to move away from the new batsman captain Stephen Fleming and the edge went to silly point where V V S Laxman did not make a mistake. Fleming made eight to leave his side on 85 for three.

One run later, Scott Styris was caught plumb in front of the wicket for zero and a quick Indian victory seemed all the more real.

However, Vincent and McMillan put their heads together to stem the rot, while not forgetting to punish the loose balls as they went about rebuilding the innings. Just as it was looking that these two batsmen would prove to be a headache for India, Vincent after striking two glorious fours off consecutive balls off Kumble tried to cut a ball from the leggie in the same over only to chop it on to his stumps. Vincent made 67 in 185 balls with the help of nine boundaries.

Jacob Oram also left soon after giving a tame catch to Rahul Dravid at first slip for only seven to leave the Kiwis on 169 for six.

However, Astle who came lower down the order due to a stomach ailment joined hands with his brother-in-law McMillan (both being married to sisters) to frustrate the Indian bowling attack.

The Indian skipper took the new ball immediately after it was available in a bid to break this partnership but Astle took up the challenge pulling L Balaji nonchalantly to the mid-wicket fence.

McMillan also soon brought up his 50 with a sweep off Kumble. It came off 100 balls and had five hits to the fence.

The last session totally belonged to these two batsmen as whatever thrown by the Indian spinners at them was met with a broad bat.

The two managed to frustrate the Indian attack for a total of 146 minutes with Astle also bringing up his 50 to follow up his century knock in the first innings. His half century came off 131 balls and was studded with eight boundaries.

For India, Kumble, making use of the bounce of the wicket on a pitch that was still playing true, picked up four wickets to be the most successful bowler.

However, Harbhajan Singh could not get enough turn and was negotiated well by the batsmen. He had to be satisfied with only two wickets.

Vice Captain Dravid, for his double century in the first and a quickfire fifty in the second, was adjugded the man of the match. (UNI)

Australia poised to crush Zimbabwe in first test

PERTH, Oct 12: World champions Australia, poised to crush Zimbabwe by an innings in the first cricket test here, will have to wait one more day to complete victory after rain severely curtailed play late today.

Heavy showers just after tea sent players scurrying from the field with Zimbabwe hanging on by a thread, with 247 for nine wickets in their second innings — still 249 runs behind Australia’s first innings 735 for six wickets declared.

After a 73-minute delay, play was resumed for 11.3 overs before further rain brought a halt with Zimbabwe 272 for nine wickets — 224 runs in arrears.

Last-wicket pair, skipper Heath Streak (42 not out) and Ray Price (17 not out) defiantly held up Australia for 47 minutes to force the match into a fifth and final day.

Following on 496 runs behind, Zimbabwe nosedived to 126 for seven wickets before the lower-order showed commendable fight.

Australia dismissed the tourists for a first innings 239.

Further rain is forecast for tomorrow.

Zimbabwe coach Geoff Marsh — the former Australian test opener — has not given up hope that his young and inexperienced team can save the match, with a bit of further help from the weather.

"We have already taken Australia to the fifth day — and not many sides can do that," he said.

Marsh was pleased with the spirit displayed by his players late in the day, but disappointed by the failure of the middle-order. (AFP)

New Zealanders showed resistance

By Ravi Shastri

New Zealand not only walked away with a draw m, but also the honours in the first Test. The last day’s play was difficult, make no mistake, with the pressure almost entirely on their batsmen. But despite a few hiccups, their resistance did not wilt, which puts the greater onus now on India to do something remarkable at Mohali.

It is not known yet how the Mohali track will play, but it is unlikely to be a slow turner like Motera, so the New Zealand batsmen can breathe easier. But if it has some pace and bounce, their bowlers could come into their own, and the Indian batsmen could find themselves in a spot of bother. In hindsight one can say that Ganguly perhaps left the decalaration till a little too late. In home conditions, he could afford to be a little bolder. I thought 340 could have been an equally challenging target for New Zealand and would have given his bowlers more time and overs. I know where Ganguly comes from, and admittedly it is based on sound reason and experience. He has seen Harbhajan’s strike power against Australia a couple of years ago. He has used him superbly too.

Harbhajan did not bowl badly, but batsmen on the international circuit are also constantly trying to counter India’s spinner in their own backyard, and the New Zealanders have obviously done a lot of homework. My belief is that India’s trump card at home is Anil Kumble – still. Remember, Anil did not play in the series against Australia, or he would have finished with a bagful. He was under some pressure to perform now, but proved yet again that on such wickets, he is the best. I sensed that the Indians got frustrated a little too early and surrendered thoughts of a win. Having been beaten 2-0 in the previous series by New Zealand, some more fire and ambition was warranted.

In a two-Test series, there is very little time to build up momentum; it has to come from day one. But credit is due to New Zealand for a long-drawn and brave fight. They were on the back-foot right from the first day, but at the end of the fifth, finished with their heads held high.

The bowlers too some stick, but stuck to their task admirably, and the batsmen showed fine temperament in tackling the Indian spinners. Astle and McMillan were top class in both innings, and Lou Vincent came up with a doughty knock in the second to keep the series open, and take their morale higher. The biggest lesson for India is that they now know it won't be easy to beat these guys.

Agarkar comes in place of injured Salvi for Mohali Test

AHMEDABAD, Oct 12: The national selectors today made just one change in the squad, bringing in Mumbai speedster Ajit Agarkar in place of injured Avishkar Salvi, for the second and final cricket Test against New Zealand, starting at Mohali on Thursday.

Agarkar made it to the side after the selectors, who had earlier announced an unchanged side for the second Test, realised Salvi had injured the webbing of his finger during practice this morning, cricket board joint secretary Ratnakar Shetty told reporters here.

Salvi did not play in the first Test here as Tamil Nadu’s Laxmipathy Balaji was named in the playing XI to handle the pace department alongwith left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan. The first Test ended in a tame draw today.

Team: Sourav Ganguly (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, V V S Laxman, Akash Chopra, Parthiv Patel (wicketkeeper), Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, L Balaji, Ajit Agarkar, Yuvraj Singh and Sairaj Bahutule. (PTI)

'Ajay Jadeja’s entry into J&K team almost confirmed'
Quota system spoiling cricket: JKCPA

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: From ages the prevailing ‘quota system’ in the games, especially in cricket has spoiled the true meaning of sports in Jammu and Kashmir. On the name of ‘balanced’ teams, players from the two regions of the state are taken, sometimes, with out considering their merits.

As done previously, the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, which has sent its teams, in various groups, to Srinagar for the final selection, may go for the traditional system of naming the team giving proper representation to both the regions this time too.

However, the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Players’ Association (JKCPA), which has become active this time, is expecting a true talent search from the new body in Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) for competitions in different age groups including the prestigious Ranji Trophy.

President JKCPA, Vikram Singh said, "there is difficult time ahead for the JKCA selectors to name the final 15 or 16 players out of nearly 40 probables attending the camps from both wings (Jammu and Kashmir). And the traditional ‘quota system’ will again be applied to select the Ranji Trophy team thus badly effecting the morale of the younger cricketers who deserve to be in the team".

Vikram Singh feels that with the application of the ‘quota system’, the benefit goes to selectors, senior players and the coaches, who defend themselves saying they could not field a good team because of the existing ‘quota system’.

"We hope the present set of office bearers of the JKCA and genuine selectors would not bow to the pressure tactics and must come out with a team of experience and fresh faces this Ranji season. Players like Kanwaljeet Singh, Ashwani Gupta, Surinder Singh, Vijay Sharma and Shammi Salaria possess calibre, who have already established themselves without any serious competition from the youngsters", said Vikram adding that every year atleast one youngster, if not two, should be included in the seniors so as to give them exposure. Ian Dev Singh, Sumit Silwal and Vimresh Kaw are the names who should be introduced in Ranji in a phased manner on the line of Indian cricket team trying Parthiv Patel during tough series.

There is need of providing youngsters some kind of specialised coaching by experts from outside, so that they may not think of leaving the state for exposure and advanced coaching like Mithun Manhas and Raju Sethi.

Now, when it has become almost confirmed that Ajay Jadeja will play for Jammu and Kashmir in Ranji Trophy, the morale of the state cricketers is high with a hope to qualify for the Elite-A group.

"Since Ajay Jadeja’s entry into the State cricket team is clearly visible, the final decision for his inclusion shall be taken in the working committee meeting of the JKCA to be held on October 19 at Jammu", disclosed Vikram.

There is no doubt about presence of Jadeja will boost the state team. Jadeja can help J&K beat teams like MP, Vidarbha, Tripura, Bihar and Haryana in Elite-B group and guide State to the Elite-A group, hoped the former Ranji player.