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| Gagandeep makes his way to Test squad KOLKATA, Dec 1: Punjab speedster Gagandeep Singh was today rewarded for his consistent performance in domestic circuit with a berth in the 15-member Indian Test squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh starting later this month............more India
eyeing Test series KOLKATA, Dec 1: India put themselves on course for their first home series win in two years as their famed spinners exploited a wearing track to push South Africa on the mat in the decisive second cricket Test here today..............more Our depth
in KOLKATA, Dec 1: Team India coach John Wright today said the hosts have to pace up their game tomorrow to win and it would be a good battle on the last day. "The match would probably depend more on the spin bowling. Our depth in spin bowling is more," he said.................more Pak will
struggle to KARACHI, Dec 1: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram thinks his team have only a very slim chance of winning their Test series in Australia starting this month. "I have been there (Australia) some 10 times in the last 20 years and I know how tough................more |
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Kuldeep, Sumesh enter junior snooker final Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: Kuldeep Sharma and Sumesh Turki today made it into the final of junior snooker in the ongoing 14th state billiards and snooker championship at Billiards Hall, M A Stadium, here................more Jammu
overall winner in Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: Jammu district bagged overall trophy after they secured highest medals in three age groups during the three-day inter-district athletics meet of Jammu Division which was concluded today at University ground.............more Sawhney
for close Excelsior Sports Correspondent Jammu, Dec 1: With a view to monitor and review the progress in implementation of various schemes of sports sector in Jammu division, a high level meeting.............more Skating
trials under Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: The much publicised dispute between two associations of roller skating in the state, allegedly not being handled properly by the Sports Council.......more |
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appreciates Handoo for winning medal in Asian meet...... World Cup 2006 attracts 20,000 would-be volunteers...... |
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Gagandeep makes his way to Test squad KOLKATA, Dec 1: Punjab speedster Gagandeep Singh was today rewarded for his consistent performance in domestic circuit with a berth in the 15-member Indian Test squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh starting later this month. The 23-year-old right-arm seamer, the only new face in the squad, got the nod in place of Ashish Nehra who was ruled out because of an abdominal strain. Bengal paceman S S Paul, who was picked in the Test squad for the recent series against Australia, was the only other uncapped player in the squad announced by cricket board secretary S K Nair after a meeting of the national selectors here. The selectors opted to go on the 22-day tour with three specialist spinners in Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and Murali Kartik and also made no changes in the batting line-up. "The physio (Andrew Leipus) submitted a report that Nehra had suffered an abdominal strain while bowling in the nets and would not be available for the first Test, so the selectors decided not to consider him for the Test series," Nair said. Paceman Laxmipathy Balaji was also not considered as he had not submitted his fitness report, he said. Team: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Mohd Kaif, S S Paul, Gagandeep Singh, Dinesh Kaarthick, Murali Kartik, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan and Zaheer Khan. Nair said the squad for the three-match one-day series against Bangladesh would be announced tomorrow. Young wicketkeeper Dinesh Kaarthick, who had replaced Parthiv Patel for the series against South Africa, and Delhi opener Gautam Gambhir retained their places by virtue of their performances in the ongoing Test series. Gagandeep, who has had an impressive season in the Ranji Trophy competition, has claimed 154 first class wickets from 34 matches at an average of 19.72. His best figures are six for 14. He took three wickets for 88 to help Punjab thrash Baroda by 110 runs in the Ranji Trophy elite Group B match only last week. The Indian team embarks on December 7 for Dhaka where the first Test begins on December 9. The second match would be played in Chittagong from December 16 to 20. The one-day series will be played on December 23 (Chittagong), December 26 and December 29 (both at Dhaka). (PTI) |
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India eyeing Test series win after a long time KOLKATA, Dec 1: India put themselves on course for their first home series win in two years as their famed spinners exploited a wearing track to push South Africa on the mat in the decisive second cricket Test here today. The home team managed to take a vital 106-run first innings before leaving the visitors tottering at 172 for five at close on the penultimate day with off spinner Harbhajan Singh doing the bulk of the damage. Harbhajan snared up the first four wickets as he ripped through the South African top order to completely change the complexion of the game after the visitors were 77 for no loss at one stage on a deteriorating Eden Gardens track which gave plenty of assistance to the slow bowlers. Jacques Kallis was batting on a gritty 52 and Zander De Bruyn was giving him company on nine before play was called off because of bad light with the tourists having a lead of 66 runs. Harbhajan (4/58) opened up the floodgates by getting rid of Andrew Hall (21) and then plotted the dismissals of dangerman Graeme Smith (71), Jacques Rudolph (3) and Hashim Amla (2) in quick succession to put the hosts in the driver’s seat. With most of their top batsmen back in the pavilion and with just a marginal lead, the South Africans now face a daunting task to save the match in what promises to be a pulsating final day’s play tomorrow. Earlier, the home team managed to stretch their first innings lead to a substantial 106 runs before folding up for 411 just at the stroke of lunch, adding 52 runs to their overnight tally. Anil Kumble claimed the wicket of Boeta Dippenaar to go past Richard Hadlee in the Test wicket ladder. Kumble now has 432 scalps and needs three more to become India’s highest wicket-taker ahead of Kapil Dev. The slow bowlers were well supported by some stunning close-in catching with Laxman’s blinding one handed catch to get rid off Smith standing out. India however had one crucial decision go against them when a bat-pad catch appeal against Jacques Kallis off Harbhajan was turned down by umpire Daryl Harper. Television replays showed a thick inside edge from Kallis who was on two then. But luck did not entirely desert Sourav Ganguly’s men. The deviation off Dippenaar’s bat beat wicketkeeper Dinesh Kaarthick’s gloves and hit his pads before Virender Sehwag held on to the ricochete on second attempt. It turned out to be a satisfying day for the Indians who had to bow to the clinical efficiency of the South Africans on day three when they could score only 230 runs and lost five wickets. Credit should go to Harbhajan Singh who turned around the match by claiming two wickets each on either side of the tea break and saw the visitors slide from a promising start of 77 for no loss. Harbhajan first claimed two wickets in the space of 12 balls to dismiss Hall and Rudolph. After Hall mistimed a sweep and gloved it to Kaarthick, the ‘turbanator’ had a successful appeal for leg before when Rudolph offered no stroke to his ‘doosra’ from around the stumps. The most important wicket though was that of captain Smith who added 45 runs with Kallis for the third wicket. Smith, who had survived a leg before appeal in the second session, was finally done in by the extra bounce and turn, and Laxman had to go full stretch to his left to pluck the thick fast edge off the shoulder of the bat. Debutant Hashim Amla (2) was a bit unlucky when he was adjudged caught bat-pad off the Harbhajan whereas replays suggested the second noise might have been that of the bat hitting the boot. As it were, the visitors lost five wickets for 70 runs to plunge into trouble. Kallis, who had hit a fine century in the first innings, was holding the forte with a fine display of batting against spin on a viciously turning track. If his sweep and drives showed his boldness in adversity, his shot selection pointed to his cricketing acumen. Earlier, South Africa managed to capture the remaining four Indian wickets inside lunch with Makhaya Ntini claiming four for 112. Ntini and Shaun Pollock bowled unchanged for 24 overs as they broke the lower order resistance with great efficiency. Any hopes of India building a massive lead evaporated once Ntini (4-112) had Irfan Pathan caught by Smith for 24 in the sixth over of the day. Overnight pair Kaarthick and Pathan, who had frustrated the visitors with a fine partnership, had difficulty in negotiating the second new ball. Pollock and Ntini held the batsmen in check deriving assistance from the wicket and the morning dew at the Eden Gardens. Pathan departed as he slashed at an outgoing ball from Ntini for a thick outside edge, and Smith took the high catch at first slip in reflex action. The Baroda-based player faced 75 balls and struck two fours during his 107 minute stay at the crease and put on 58 runs for he eighth wicket with Kaarthick. Ntini then snared Anil Kumble (8) with an accurate short pitched delivery before Pollock had the other overnight batsman Dinesh Kaarthick leg before. Kaarthick’s 46 came from 147 balls and contained six fours. Harbhajan Singh (14) and Zaheer Khan (11 no) then helped India cross the 400 mark and extend the lead above 100. Justin Ontong grabbed the last wicket in the last over before lunch when Harbhajan tried to reverse sweep him and ended up holing out to Dippenaar at point. (PTI) South Africa 1st innings: 305 India 1st innings: V Sehwag c Smith b Ntini 88 G Gambhir lbw b Pollock 7 R Dravid b Hall 80 S Tendulkar b De Bruyn 20 S Ganguly lbw b De Bruyn 40 V Laxman c Ontong b Ntini 38 D Kaarthick lbw b Pollock 46 I Pathan c Smith b Ntini 24 A Kumble c Kallis b Ntini 8 H Singh c Dippenaar b Ontong 14 Z Khan not out 11 Extras (lb-19, nb-10, w-6) 35 Total (all out in 150.1 overs) 411 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-144, 3-189, 4-238, 5-267, 6-308, 7-366, 8-382, 9-387. Bowling: Shaun Pollock 45-13-101-2, Makhaya Ntini 44-9-112-4, Justin Ontong 18.2-1-79-1, Andrew Hall 27-5-68-1, Zander De Bruyn 16-4-32-2. South Africa 2nd innings: G Smith c Laxman b Harbhajan 71 A Hall c Kaarthick b Harbhajan 21 J Rudolph lbw b Harbhajan 3 J Kallis batting 52 H Amla c Laxman b Harbhajan 2 B Dippenaar c Sehwag b Kumble 2 Z De Bruyn batting 9 Extras (b-8, lb-1, nb-3) 12 Total (for 5 wkts in 68 overs) 172 Fall of wickets: 1-77, 2-81, 3-126, 4-138, 5-147. Bowling: Pathan 5-1-17-0, Zaheer 5-0-22-0, Kumble 26-5-66-1, Harbhajan 22-3-58-4. (PTI) |
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Our depth in spin is strength tomorrow: Wright KOLKATA, Dec 1: Team India coach John Wright today said the hosts have to pace up their game tomorrow to win and it would be a good battle on the last day. "The match would probably depend more on the spin bowling. Our depth in spin bowling is more," he said. "South Africa have to play very well tomorrow in the morning if they want to win," said Wright. "It is up to us tomorrow. We have to pace up the match and have a good first hour. We should be hungry for wickets," he said. On the tension between Harbhajan and Kallis on an appeal for the exit of the latter, he said, "I personally would love to see passions and emotions on the ground but aggression should have to be controlled." (UNI) |
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Pak will struggle to beat Australia: Akram KARACHI, Dec 1: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram thinks his team have only a very slim chance of winning their Test series in Australia starting this month. "I have been there (Australia) some 10 times in the last 20 years and I know how tough it is going to be there," Wasim told today. "In the past we went there with better and more experienced sides and still struggled. Australia is the best Test side today and it is a different experience playing there." "Pakistan has a lot of talent and ability but they lack experience and the fast bowlers are struggling," Wasim added. Pakistan play Tests in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney against the all-conquering Australians, who have not lost a home series in 12 years. Wasim, who captained Pakistan in their last two Test series in Australia which they lost 2-1 and 3-0, thinks the team are moving in the right direction under new coach Bob Woolmer. "My advice to the players is to remain confident and relaxed and just to enjoy the cricket," he said. (AGENCIES) |
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Kuldeep, Sumesh enter junior snooker final Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: Kuldeep Sharma and Sumesh Turki today made it into the final of junior snooker in the ongoing 14th state billiards and snooker championship at Billiards Hall, M A Stadium, here. In the semi-finals played today, Kuldeep faced hardly any difficulty in sidelining Rashu Gupta. Kuldeep triumph in straight frame, including making it blank in the fourth frame. The score: 60-17, 55-42, 72-42, 147-0. The second semi-final between Sumesh Turki and Nishant Azad generated interest among the spectators sitting in the hall after the game stretched to six frames in best of seven frame match. Earlier, after winning first two frame, Sumesh lost third and forth thus allowing Nishant to level the frame score 2-2. However, Sumesh clinched the following two frames with good margin to enter the final. Now, an interesting contest is expected in the junior snooker final with the entry of two promising cueists Kuldeep Sharma and Sumesh Turki. Meanwhile, the first round of senior snooker competitions shall start from tomorrow at the Billiards Hall. |
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Jammu overall winner in Divisional athletics meet Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: Jammu district bagged overall trophy after they secured highest medals in three age groups during the three-day inter-district athletics meet of Jammu Division which was concluded today at University ground, here. Athletics from all the districts of Jammu Province took part in field and track events which were organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports. On the concluding day of boys events today, Divisional Officer, Madan Lal was chief guest. District Officer Jammu, B N Bhat and District Officer Doda, Mohi-ud-Din were present. Detailed boys results Under-14 yr: 200 mts: Sahil Bhat, Jammu, Ist; Sanjeev Kumar, Jammu, 2nd and Mohd Afzal, Poonch, third. 400 mts: Gautam Sharma, Jammu, Ist; Rahul, Jammu, 2nd and Devinder Kumar, Kathua, third. 4x100 mts relay: Jammu, Ist; Udhampur, 2nd and Rajouri, third. Under-17 yr: 200 mts: Harish Kumar, Poonch, Ist; Shyam Badan, Jammu, 2nd and Sahil Bhagat, Jammu, third. 400 mts: Vikram Singh, Jammu, Ist; Mohd, Shabir, Poonch, 2nd and Yasir Rafiq, Jammu, third. Triple Jump: Atul Kumar, Jammu, Ist; Anoop Gandotra, Jammu, 2nd and Sarabjeet Singh, Udhampur, third. Discus Throw: Rahul Kumar, Udhampur, Ist; Parveen Kumar, Kathua, 2nd and Ranjeet Singh, Udhampur, third. Shot Put: Devinder Singh, Udhampur, Ist; Parveen Kumar, Kathua, 2nd and Abdul Rashid, Doda, third. 4x100 mts relay: Jammu, Ist; Kathua, 2nd and Poonch, third. Under-19 yr: 200 mts: Pankaj Bhardwaj, Jammu, Ist; Oharvinder Singh, Kathua, 2nd and Jasmeet Singh, Jammu, third. 100 mts: Naresh Kumar, Udhampur, Ist; Devinder Singh, Kathua, 2nd and Jasmeet Singh, Jammu, third. 400 mts: Bhalwinder Singh, Jammu, Ist; Mohinder Singh, Doda, 2nd and Sajan Singh, Jammu, third. Triple Jump: Sourav Khajuria, Udhampur, Ist; Maninder Singh, Jammu, 2nd and Ashraf, Jammu, third. Shot Put: Naresh Kumar, Udhampur, Ist; Parinder, Jammu, 2nd and Amit Kumar, Rajouri, third. 4x100 mts relay: Jammu, Ist; Kathua, 2nd and Doda, third. |
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Sawhney for close rapport to implement sports schemes Excelsior Sports Correspondent Jammu, Dec 1: With a view to monitor and review the progress in implementation of various schemes of sports sector in Jammu division, a high level meeting of officers of Revenue, Education and Sports Departments was held here today under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports, Yogesh Sawhney. The meeting among others was attended by the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, B. R. Sharma, Commissioner Secretary Revenue, Mumtaz Afzal, Principal Secretary Higher Education and Sports, P. K. Tripathi, Secretary School Education, Manzoor Ahmed Bhat, Director Youth Services and Sports, Manoj Pant, District Development Commissioner, Jammu, Director School Education, Jammu, District Sports Officers and Chief Education Officers (CEO) of Jammu province. Threadbare discussion was held on various issues including implementation of centrally sponsored schemes, transfer of land for construction of youth hostels and stadia at district levels and utilization of 50 percent of game funds by educational institutions. On the issue of development of play fields under cent percent centrally sponsored schemes, the district sports officers were asked to intimate measures in this regard with the consultation of CEO’s concern in their respective districts and submit the project reports to Director Sports for onward submission to Union Government for immediate sanction. Discussing the utilization of 50 percent game funds, the Secretary Education, Manzoor Ahmed Bhat issued instructions to the officers of the department to make utilization of game funds within 15 days and asked the Director Education Jammu to issue guidelines in this behalf soon. With regard to transfer of land for construction of youth hostels stadium and development of play fields, the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu instructed the District Sports Officers to submit a list of land already identified for the purpose and to be identified in various districts so that the process for transfer could be initiated as soon as possible. Addressing the meeting, Sawhney stressed the officers of the three departments to maintain coordination with each other so that the measures for implementation of schemes could be initiated for construction of major projects to boost the sports sector at district level. He said that the Government has recently constituted District Advisory Sports Committee which will monitor sports activities. The Minister also instructed the officers of education department not to recognize such private schools having no facilities of play grounds in their institutions and take strict action against those private schools who are not depositing the game funds to the sports department. Sawhney suggested that one sports development period should also be introduced in the schools. |
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Skating trials under Council observation today Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: The much publicised dispute between two associations of roller skating in the state, allegedly not being handled properly by the Sports Council, today reached its climax when latter agreed to conduct selection trials here for the forthcoming national championship at M A Stadium tomorrow. Making an end to the undue criticism from skaters and their parents practising at M A Stadium, president, J&K Roller Skating Association, an affiliated unit of the Roller Skating Federation of India, G S Khurmi personally requested the Secretary, Sports Council, Manoj Pant to arrange joint trial for all the skaters. Agreeing upon the request of Mr Khurmi, the Secretary has reportedly called skaters for fresh trials tomorrow at 3.30 pm at M A Stadium, here. Earlier, the trials were scheduled for today at Shiva Roller Skating Institute, Pir Kho but a meeting between parents and the Secretary postponed the selection for tomorrow. DGP appreciates Handoo for winning medal in Asian meet Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: Director General of Police, Gopal Sharma and ADGP, Kuldeep Khoda have appreciated Sub-Inspector, Kuldeep Handoo for winning a bronze medal in 4th Asian wushu championship held at Yangoon, Myanmar. According to a handout issued here by Sports Officer, J&K Police, Dr N S Bhatial, Kuldeep has a number of medals to his credit at the international level and is national championship for the last seven years. World Cup 2006 attracts 20,000 would-be volunteers BERLIN, Dec 1: Around 20,000 would-be volunteers have offered their services for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, leaving organisers confident they will find the 15,000 they need to help out at the tournament. "We’re happy with the massive interest and we are also pleased with the quality of the applicants to date. A lot of young people with languages have applied, as well as highly qualified older football fans with much work experience," said Theo Zwangiger, vice-president of the World Cup’s organising committee. Organisers said a man born in 1927 was the oldest person to apply. The committee is seeking volunteers before and during the World Cup, which runs from June 9 to july 9, to look after the 32 teams, VIPs and media and to help out with transport, marketing and telecoms.(AGENCIES) Cricketers sign contract for graded payment KOLKATA, Dec 1: Top Indian cricketers finally entered into a contractual agreement with the cricket board today by signing the contract papers for graded payment system after a delay of two months. Twelve top cricketers out of a total of 17, who were offered the contracts earlier, signed the papers today, BCCI secretary S K Nair told PTI. The players who signed the contract today are: Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh (all of them in Grade-A), Mohammad Kaif, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan and Ashish Nehra (all in Grade-B) and Murali Karthik (Grade-C). The remaining five cricketers - Yuvraj Singh, Ajit Agarkar, Lakshmipathy Balaji (all in Grade-B), Parthiv Patel and Akash Chopra (Grade-C) - would be signing later after the contract papers are sent to them, board sources said. The one-year contract would be effective from October 1, 2004, and the list of the cricketers and their gradation would be reviewed after one year. As per the contract, players in Grade-A would get Rs 50 lakh per year, those in Grade-B Rs 35 lakh and in Grade-C Rs 20 lakh. Besides the annual contractual payment, players would also receive match fees as per usual practice. But it would be paid to only eleven players playing a particular match. The match fees at home would be Rs 2 lakh for a Test match and Rs 1.60 lakh for an ODI and abroad it would be Rs 2.40 lakh for a Test and Rs 1.85 lakh for an ODI. The cricket board had finalised the contract system in the last week of September. The players, however, could not sign the papers then as they left for holland to play in a tri-series and returned in October end after the Champions Trophy in England. Uncertainty within the BCCI due to controversy over its elections here on September 29 and 30 also delayed the process subsequently. The board officials here, however, held an informal meeting with the players here yesterday during which it was decided to complete the formality of signing the contract. (PTI) KARACHI, Dec 1: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif was banned for six months today by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for conceding a domestic match while captaining his team Karachi. "The chairman of the PCB has taken serious notice of the breach of playing conditions by Rashid Latif and given his past record has decided to impose a fine of 250 dollars on him and ban him for six months from all first-class cricket," PCB spokesman Abbas Zaidi told. The 36-year-old Latif, leading the Karachi Blues side in a match in Faisalabad, declared his team’s innings on 40 for four and conceded the match saying the pitch was too dangerous. Latif, who has played 37 Tests and 166 one-day internationals, captained Pakistan until November 2003. Latif described the decision as "very harsh" and said he would appeal. "I regret my decision and I may have acted impulsively but still such a ban will destroy any chances of a Pakistan comeback for me and ruin my career," he told. "I acted purely out of concern for my players and spoke to the match officials about the condition of the pitch. The board didn’t seek my viewpoint while making its inquiry," he added. Latif is now out of contention for the Test series in Australia starting this month and next year’s tours of India and West Indies. Latif has been no stranger to controversy during his career, which started in 1992. Among other incidents, he accused team mates of being involved in match-fixing in 1995, was banned for five one-day matches for wrongly claiming a catch in a game against Bangladesh last year and has criticised PCB selection policies. (AGENCIES) |
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