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India inflict huge DHAKA, Dec 13: India completed the formalities, thrashing Bangladesh by an innings and 140 runs in a one-sided contest to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test cricket series here today. It was a commanding performance by the Indians who notched up a huge first innings total of 526, built around a career-best.......more Ganguly credits win to Tendulkar, Pathan DHAKA, Dec 13: Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly credited his team’s huge win against Bangladesh here today to outstanding performances by Sachin . ..........more Defensive
tactics By Pargat Singh The Indian team raised hopes only to dash them once again to the ground. They got into early lead but then gave it all away with a defensive approach that is becoming hard to understand in a team that is capable of playing flowing hockey.. ..........more Australia wary of inconsistent Pak, says Gilchrist SYDNEY, Dec 13: Australia vice-captain Adam Gilchrist says the world champions are wary of the danger posed by Pakistan before this week’s first Test in Perth. Australia are overwhelming favourites to win the series opener starting on ...........more |
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Under-19 cricket Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 13: Organised by the Roshini Cricket Academy, the prestigious under-19 cricket tournament was today declared open jointly by youngest upcoming cricketer Gokul Baru and vice-president, J&K Cricket Players Association, Ranjeet Kalra at Science College ground, here..........more Excelsior Sports Correspondent RAJOURI, Dec 13: The IRP 5th won the final of Police-Public Kabaddi tournament beating Thanamandi team 54-33 in the final which was held at Police Lines Rajouri, here today. This tournament was part of the various sports activities being organised by Police Public Welfare Society of which, DIG Poonch-Rajouri, S S Sahai is chairman.. .........more Akram
gives tips to DHAKA, Dec 13: Wasim Akram, who had helped Irfan Pathan fine-tune his bowling during the Australia tour, came to the assistance of the Indian pacers.........more Australian women’s team beat India by 3 wickets MYSORE, Dec 13: Australia defeated India by three wickets in the second ODI match of the women’s cricket series here today. The visitors reached the target of 172 in 49.2 overs with . .......more |
India inflict huge defeat on Bangladesh DHAKA, Dec 13: India completed the formalities, thrashing Bangladesh by an innings and 140 runs in a one-sided contest to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test cricket series here today. It was a commanding performance by the Indians who notched up a huge first innings total of 526, built around a career-best unbeaten 248 by sachin Tendulkar, and bundled out Bangladesh twice for less than 200 to romp home with almost two days to spare. Resuming at 170 for eight and needing another 172 to make the visitors bat again, Bangladesh were bowled out for 202 in the sixth over of the morning session on the fourth day here at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. This was Bangladesh’s 30th defeat in 33 Test matches. The overnight pair of Manjural Islam and Tapash Baisya made a last ditch attempt as they struck six boundaries between them today, extending their brave stand to 69 runs. But their efforts proved too little, too late as left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan, declared man-of-the-match for picking 11 wickets in the match, snared Baisya (29) with a short pitched delivery for a simple catch to Sachin Tendulkar at midwicket. Two balls later, Islam (69) tried to hook Zaheer Khan but ended up with a faint edge to wicketkeeper Dinesh Kaarthick. For Bangladesh, it was a further plumbing of depths. It was their 19th loss by a margin of innings and runs, and fourth such on the trot. The two Bangladeshi innings by themselves would have made an interesting one-day contest, since they lasted just a little more than 110 overs put together on a flat track. If anything, the wicket helped Pathan claim his first 10-wicket haul in a match as the 20-year old left arm pacer sliced through the Bangladesh top order. The dampness in the wicket at the start of opening day’s play did not help the cause of Habibul Bashar and his players. To the captain’s bad luck, his counterpart Sourav Ganguly called the coin right for the first time in five matches this season. The Indians then proceeded to make it a party of their own with Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble scaling the summit of their respective careers. Tendulkar’s knock was not only his personal best but also was his 34th hundred, placing him on par with former captain Sunil Gavaskar in the list of most Test centuries. The knock also gave him a rare feat of scoring tons against all nine test nations, achieved so far only by South Africa’s Gary Kirsten and Steve Waugh of Australia. It was not an entirely unblemished innings, but it was clear that Tendulkar was determined to get a big score under his belt after coming out of a three-month’s injury layoff. His 371-minute stay at the crease showed he had significantly recovered from the tennis elbow that forced him to miss three one-day competitions including the Champions Trophy besides two Tests against Australia at home. Kumble has nothing left to prove after claiming his 435th Test scalp and going past Kapil Dev to become India’s leading wicket-taker. Kapil Dev had held that record for 17 years since 1986-87 when he overtook Bishen Singh Bedi’s tally of 266, and the throne has a worthy successor now. Zaheer Khan’s whirlwind innings of 75, a world record for any number eleven batsman, and his Indian best partnership of 133 runs with the batting maestro rubbed salt into Bangladesh’s wounds. But the hosts did not enhance their reputation when they reprieved Tendulkar at least three times, when he was yet to cross his 50. The one positive feature of Bangladesh in the match was the performance of its seamers Tapash Baisya and Mashrafe Mortaza. The right arm pacers, aged 22 and 21 respectively, gave some horrid time for the Indian batsmen. They were simply unplayable on the second morning when they bowled in helpful conditions. Mortaza, coming back from an year-long injury lay off, was particularly impressive as when he knocked Rahul Dravid’s off stump. It has been a surprising development for Bangladesh who began with a score of 400 in their first innings in the inaugural Test against the same opposition at the same venue. Now, four years later, it is their bowling and not batting that seems to be their strong point. Their batsmen, of course, have one more chance to redeem their image in the second Test beginning in Chittagong on Thursday. (PTI) SCOREBOARD Bangladesh 1st innings: 184 India 1st innings: 526 Bangladesh 2nd innings: J Omar lbw b Pathan 4 N Iqbal lbw b Kumble 54 H Bashar c Zaheer b Pathan 12 R Saleh lbw b Pathan 0 M Ashraful lbw b Pathan 0 K Mashud c Kaarthick b Pathan 5 M Islam c Kaarthick b Zaheer 69 M Rahman c Dravid b Harbhajan 6 M Rafique c Sehwag b Kumble 11 T Baisya c Tendulkar b Pathan 29 M Mortaza not out 0 Extras (lb-5, w-2, nb-5) 12 Total (all out in 53.2 overs) 202 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-24, 3-24, 4-24, 5-36, 6-100, 7-117, 8-133, 9-202. Bowling: Irfan Pathan 15-5-51-6, Zaheer Khan 13.2-2-60-1, Anil Kumble 13-4-42-2, Harbhajan Singh 12-3-44-1. (PTI) |
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Ganguly credits win to Tendulkar, Pathan DHAKA, Dec 13: Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly credited his team’s huge win against Bangladesh here today to outstanding performances by Sachin Tendulkar and Irfan Pathan. Ganguly said the left-arm seamer bowled very well in picking a match haul of 11 wickets while Tendulkar also played a big part in the win with his record knock of 248 not out. "He (Pathan) bowled pretty well," Ganguly said while praising the track at the Bangabandhu National Stadium after India beat the hosts by an innings and 140 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series. "It was a very good Test wicket. There was help for the seamers and some turn for the spinners as well. There was a bit for everybody, even the batsmen could score some runs if they put their heads down and focused on the job at hand." Singling out Tendulkar for special praise, Ganguly said, "Sachin batted outstandingly well." On his knock of 71, the skipper said the big scores had been eluding him for some time but he was happy to put a partnership on the board when the team was struggling at 68 for three. "I have got some good starts but I have not been able to convert these into big ones. But it was good to put a partnership when we were three down for 68," said the captain who could not come out to field yesterday as he was suffering from fever. Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar said it was the top order which had been invariably letting the team down. "The top order has not scored runs, this is one area where we really need to improve," said the skipper. Bangladesh were bundled out for 184 and 202 to suffer their 30th defeat in 33 Test matches. Bashar also admitted that the two dropped catches of Tendulkar proved quite costly. "If you drop catches like that, you will have to pay for those," he said adding had the team taken those chances, it could have made a big difference. He also praised Pathan saying the youngster posed a big threat to his batsmen throughout the match. Pathan said he just concentrated on putting the ball in the right areas. "We got a very good wicket on the first day, the wicket was a bit damp and I just focused on putting the ball in the right areas," said the Baroda bowler. "In the second innings, the wicket had got a bit harder so I tried to bowl more bouncers to put the batsmen on the backfoot. Then I resumed bowling normally," he said. Pathan also said he was expecting another flat wicket at Chittagong where he hoped to get more wickets in the second Test beginning there on Thursday. (PTI) |
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Defensive tactics spelling India’s doom By Pargat Singh The Indian team raised hopes only to dash them once again to the ground. They got into early lead but then gave it all away with a defensive approach that is becoming hard to understand in a team that is capable of playing flowing hockey. The trademark of sub-continental game from India and Pakistan is smooth, aggressive and attacking hockey. And that is precisely what India is not playing right now. They have forgotten their own strength and falling back all too often, and unnecessarily at that. The net result of this was a 2-3 defeat in the bronze medal play-off match against Pakistan yesterday. This was the third successive time that Pakistan had beaten India in a bronze medal match at the Champions Trophy. The final was won by Spain who stunned a somewhat over-confident Dutch side and halted their march to a hat-trick of Champions Trophy titles. Both Spain and Holland are playing wonderful hockey and have shown great preparation with an eye on the long term, like the 2006 world cup and the 2008 Olympics. While one tries to figure out what is wrong with Indian hockey at this stage, one also needs to emphasise that Pakistan too are having problems in becoming a world-beating side. However, at the same time, Pakistan are sticking to their basics, of flowing hockey and attacking. Sure they are conceding goals, but they are also scoring a lot. One must admit that the Indians are severely lacking forwards, and, worse, we are playing with just three or four forwards whose firepower in any case is rather weak. The Indians are missing too many chances upfront, and then leaving too many gaps in the rear. So, the defensive tactics are clearly not working for us. When a new coach comes to take care of the team, there is always this gestation period, and he needs time to settle down and understand the nature of hockey the boys play and are capable of. So, surely, the team management has by now realised that Indians are always vulnerable when they go on the defensive. Time and again, we have seen that Indian teams are unable to hold on to the lead when they go on the backfoot. Add to that the lack of ability to score and we have a lot of problems in hand. It is easy to pass on the excuse that this is a young team that is being built up for the future. But that is what everyone has been saying for a long time. Each time a new coaching set-up comes, that is what we get to hear. Many of the players from this team will be representing India at the junior World Cup next year. And when these players, who have now been asked to play defensive hockey, combine with other juniors, who are playing attacking hockey, we will once again have a lot of problems as there will be a clash of styles within the same team. Whatever kind of hockey a country plays, it has to be similar in nature across all age groups, the juniors and the seniors. Simply because it is the juniors who are expected to fill into the shoes of the senior team when the time comes. Coming back to Champions Trophy, India’s hopes of emulating their only medal finish in 1982, were dashed by the 2-3 defeat against Pakistan. Sandeep Singh scored both goals for India while Sohail Abbas, Rehan Butt and Mudassar Ali Khan struck for Pakistan. Pakistan conceded the first goal because of a lapse in defence as they gave away a penalty corner, which Sandeep converted. But Pakistan got back the goal through Sohail soon after. Goalkeeper Adrian D’souza was said to have recovered from his hamstring injury and was brought back into the game, but he was more subdued and not as effective as in the previous matches. Though they were glimpses of vintage Indo-Pak hockey, the fact of the matter is both teams are struggling in defence and strikepower. They are missing chances and allowing too many gaps at the back. The Indian defence conceded seven penalty corners in the match. However Pakistani stalwart Sohail Abbas could not manage more than one, and Mudassar converted one towards the end. They also missed many chances on the field. India, on the other hand, scored twice through set pieces, but wasted many other chances. One word about that brilliant goal by Rehan Butt. He showed remarkable presence of mind and speed while connecting a rising and powerful cross from Shakeel Abbasi and deflecting it in. Also, there was news that Sohail Abbas is calling it a day. May be he feels with the next Asian Games two years away and Olympics four years from now, he may not last it. Anyway going out at the top is better than being sent out unceremoniously as many senior and good talented players have learnt in the Indian sub-continent. Now, with no major big event slated for seniors in near future, it is time for the hockey officialdom to sit down and chalk out a road map for the future. (PTI) |
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Australia wary of inconsistent Pak, says Gilchrist SYDNEY, Dec 13: Australia vice-captain Adam Gilchrist says the world champions are wary of the danger posed by Pakistan before this week’s first Test in Perth. Australia are overwhelming favourites to win the series opener starting on Thursday after the touring side were badly beaten in their final warm-up match against Western Australia. Gilchrist, however, believes Pakistan are an unpredictable team who should not to be taken lightly. "All of us have seen pakistan be hot and cold, whether it’s a tour match or an international game, so we’ll be wary of them still," Gilchrist told Australian Associated Press in Perth. Gilchrist singled out Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar as the biggest threat. Shoaib only averages 40 runs a wicket against the Australians but his express pace is sure to trouble the home team on the bouncy WACA pitch. "He’s done it to us before," Gilchrist said. "You give him a bowling spell where he can come on, particularly with reverse swing at his pace he can take five for 20 in one spell and totally end an innings. "So that’s an example of how dangerous they are and from what I’ve seen of their batting, their batting has that flair where they can take it away from you in a short space of time." (AGENCIES) |
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Under-19 cricket tourney begins Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 13: Organised by the Roshini Cricket Academy, the prestigious under-19 cricket tournament was today declared open jointly by youngest upcoming cricketer Gokul Baru and vice-president, J&K Cricket Players Association, Ranjeet Kalra at Science College ground, here. Gokul played the first ball bowled by Ranjeet amidst claps from spectators. Before start of the match, both were introduced with the team members. Mahant Bachiter Singh Cricket Club (MBSCC) won the inaugural match beating S D Sabha Cricket Club (SDSCC) by a big margin of 179 runs. Batting first after winning the toss, MBSCC set a big target of 258 runs for the loss of three wickets in the stipulated 25 overs, which, in reply, SDSCC could not chase and bowled out for 79 runs in 17.3 overs. Magnificent innings by Atul Puri, who hit a century making 129 runs off just 78 balls including 20 boundaries, guided MBSCC to a big score. Amit contributed 75 runs off 61 balls studded with seven fours. Both Amit and Atul had contributed 230 runs for the first wicket partnership. From SDSCC, Rakesh took the only wicket while two other batsmen were run out. Batting second, SDSCC made a good start with first wicket contributing 30 runs on the board but loss of three wickets on the same score of 38 diminished hopes of achieving the tough task. The whole side bowled out for 79 runs in 17.3 overs. Arun was top scorer with 16 runs while Raghunandan and Sahil Bharati added 12 and 10 runs respectively. From MBSCC, Viqar, Mithul, Kashish and Deepkiran shared two wickets each. Atul Puri was adjudged man of the match for his century. Next match: Tiny Tots (Sainik Colony) Higher Secondary School will take on S D Tara Puri Public School, Gandhi Nagar on December 16 at 10 am. |
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Excelsior Sports Correspondent RAJOURI, Dec 13: The IRP 5th won the final of Police-Public Kabaddi tournament beating Thanamandi team 54-33 in the final which was held at Police Lines Rajouri, here today. This tournament was part of the various sports activities being organised by Police Public Welfare Society of which, DIG Poonch-Rajouri, S S Sahai is chairman. In all, 14 teams, representing belt forces of CRPF, J&K Police and local clubs, took part in these competitions held on knock-out basis. Later, prizes to the winners and runners-up were given away by Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Mohd. Abbas Dar. Others present were SSP Rajouri, S A Mujtaba besides Commanding Officers of CRPF and IRP. The organisers, Police-Public Welfare Society was also present a cash prize of Rs 10,000 by the State Bank of India for the participating teams. Chief guest, Mr Mujtaba also promised an equal amount to the Society. This tournament was organised in memory of DySP Varinder Singh of IRP who lost his life while fighting the militants at Shahadra Shrief last year. |
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Akram gives tips to Zaheer, Pal and Singh DHAKA, Dec 13: Wasim Akram, who had helped Irfan Pathan fine-tune his bowling during the Australia tour, came to the assistance of the Indian pacers and again offered them valuable tips after the first Test against Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here today. Invited by little master Sachin Tendulkar, Akram came to the nets, which began shortly after India’s innings victory over Bangladesh in the first Test here. Akram was in the net for about half an hour during which he corrected Zaheer Khan’s action for better inswingers and also spoke to the pacer at length. Akram also spoke to rookie pace duo of Shib Shankar Pal and Gagandeep Singh and watched them bowling at the net and later was seen discussing with them about the finer aspect of the trade. (UNI) |
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Australian women’s team beat India by 3 wickets MYSORE, Dec 13: Australia defeated India by three wickets in the second ODI match of the women’s cricket series here today. The visitors reached the target of 172 in 49.2 overs with vice-captain Karen Rolton scoring an unbeaten 62. Lisa Sthalekar made 30. Earlier, sent in to bat, the hosts made 171 for seven in their allotted 50 overs with Anju Jain making 51. Anjum Chopra made 43 as the two added 101 runs for the second-wicket. Australia are now leading the seven-match series, 2-0. India had lost the first odi by 14 runs on Saturday. The third ODI will be held in Mumbai on December 16. (PTI) Whatmore pleads for patience from fans DHAKA, Dec 13: After Bangladesh suffered yet another crushing defeat, coach Dav Whatmore today pleaded the country’s fans to have some more patience with the team. "We came a whisker close in Multan (of a victory against Pakistan), I can understand the frustration of all in Bangladesh. But I plead with everyone to have some more patience," Whatmore said after his team was thrashed by an innings and 140 runs by India in the first Test here. "The boys are working hard and there has been some degree of improvement," said the coach who had led Sri Lanka to World Cup victory in 1996. Whatmore rubbished criticism that Bangladesh did not deserve their Test status. "It is absolutely rubbish, it is a shallow view. People need to understand the game and Bangladesh cricket, those are dangerous comments," he said. Indian captain Sourav Ganguly also had some encouraging words for the hosts. "They played well in patches. They bowled well on the second morning. As I said before, it is still a learning curve for them, early days in international cricket. We have to give them more time," he said. Whatmore also rebutted the charge that his team was short of quality batting skills. "Contrary to what many people think, the talent here is the same as in other countries in the Asian subcontinent. What we need is competition, and to cut out shots of indiscretions." Both Ganguly and Whatmore felt that the Bangabandhu track proved to be a good wicket and hoped for the same in Chittagong, venue of the second Test starting on Thursday. Whatmore said losing the toss did not matter as his team would have batted first anyway. "The new ball did the damage. That was the start of it (downward trend) and it was always going to be difficult to play catch up with a quality opposition. "The team needs to try and not hand the advantage to the opposition early. They have to fight and keep it for a while." "On the second day, we picked up three wickets in the first session. Had we picked two more, it would have been five down," he said. Ganguly said one or two youngsters in his team might get an opportunity in the second Test and the three one-dayers. "We have had a thought about it. There are a couple of youngsters in the team, we need to give them an opportunity. We have not spoken about it but there is a possibility," he said. (PTI) Gopichand, Aparna Popat win crowns LUCKNOW, Dec 13: Champions Pullela Gopichand and Aparna Popat won the men’s and women’s singles categories respectively on the final day of the Syed Modi memorial international prize money tournament at K D Singh Babu Stadium here today. In the singles final, Gopichand dislodged former champion Chetan Anand in a nerve-breaking final at 15-12, 12-15 and 15-13 while Popat packed her Malaysian rival Mew Choo Wong at 11-3,11-1. With the wins, Gopi took home a purse of Rs 1.10 lakh while Popat collected Rs 90,000 as prize money. The runners up in both the categories bagged Rs 55,000 and Rs 45,000 respectively. In the men’s singles, Chetan forced Gopichand to remain in a shell and took a lead of 4-0 in the first set but soon Gopi forced his way to the first point smashing a return from Chetan. At one stage of the match went upto the score tied at 10-10. The set ended at 15-12 in favour of the winner.(UNI) Patiala legendary cricketers’ meet CHANDIGARH, Dec 13: Dronacharya Sports Promoter Association is organizing a convention and get-together of legendary cricketers produced by the princely state of Patiala. The former Patiala cricketers who had donned the state colours from 1953 to 1963 have been invited for the forum meeting and function to be held in Patiala on December 19 and 20 at the Baradari international cricket ground, known as Dhruv Pandove Stadium, according to DSPA president Desh Prem Azad. Former Patiala Ranji Trophy captain and international player major Harcharn Singh, group captain RS Chouhan, Dronacharya awardee Gurcharan Singh, DP Azad, captain Chaman Lal Malhotra and former member of senior selection committee of Board of Control for Cricket in India are among those who have already confirmed their availability and participation. About a dozen first class cricketers of that era have also confirmed their entries. The association will also felicitate Mr Somnath, a worker of Patiala Cricketer Association, who has made a significant contribution in maintaining the ground and playing facilities under the supervision of late Lala Amarnath. A three-member committee has been formed for this purpose. Major Harcharan is the organizing secretary, cold Des Raj Bhatiani and DP Azad as conveners. Punjab Chief Minister captain Amarinder Singh and Mr Malwinder Singh and Indian Olympic association secretary general Randhir Singh are also likely to attend the function. The invities will also be visiting their old schools and colleges Government High School, SD School and Mohindera College. (UNI) |
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