Daily Excelsior.........sports

CHITTAGONG, Dec 15: The picturesque M A Aziz Stadium, venue of the Indo-Bangla ties, and hotel Agrabad, where the teams are staying, are under unprecedented security cover for the second and final Test beginning here from Friday. .......more

Gavaskar more difficult
to bowl to: Akram

KOLKATA, Dec 15: Former Pakistan pace great Wasim Akram would include both Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar in his dream World XI but feels that the legendary former Indian Test opener was more difficult to bowl to. . ..........more

Rhodes declines offer to be coach at National Academy

BANGALORE, Dec 15: Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes has declined an offer by the National Cricket Academy here to be its fielding consultant, citing personal reasons. . ....more

Bangladesh will perform better, says Whatmore

CHITTAGONG, Dec 15: Despite the humiliating defeat in the first Test, Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore today expressed confidence that his side would perform better against India in the second Test to be played here from Friday. "The last game is history and we have learnt much from that. We are looking forward to do things better here," Whatmore told reporters after a tough workout at ............more

J&K’s fate to be
decided today

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 15: While with one win and one loss in two outings, hosts Jammu and Kashmir is looking for their next league tie against Gujarat tomorrow, the entry of Punjab and Madhya Pradesh into the knockout stage is certain with two wins each in their respective accounts in handball............more

Quarters line-up drawn

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 15: Barring the hosts Jammu and Kashmir, eight teams have qualified for the quarterfinals of hockey in the 30th national sports festival for women underway at two venues of MA Stadium and K K Hakhu Stadium,. ... .........more

Delhi, Gujarat enter final

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 15: Delhi and Gujarat today entered into the final of lawn tennis in the ongoing 30th National sports festival for women at M A Stadium, here. In the .........more

LCC wins in under-19 cricket

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 15: Lion Cricket Club (LCC) defeated Roshni Cricket Academy Udhampur (RCC) by one wicket in the under-19 cricket tournament being played at Science College ground here. . .......more

Wazir Janki Nath School wins overall trophy....

No change in team for second Test, says Wright......

Dalmiya still BCCI president!....

BCCI unaware of Leipus’ farewell party, mulls replacement......

Unprecedented security for second Test

A radical islamic group’s death threat to the Indian cricketers has forced the hosts to take tight security measures. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has already asked the spectators not to carry fruits, water bottles, fire crackers, bamboo sticks or iron rods, match boxes or any kind of fuel or explosives to the ground. Local police has also made elaborate arrangements for smooth holding of the test and the first one-dayer.

A four-member Indian security team visited the stadium and the hotel on December 8 and gave the necessary security clearance for the matches.

Local sources said about 1,000 security personnel, mostly in riot gear, and other law enforcing agencies had been deployed.

They said, at least eight close circuit televisions had been installed in the pavilion and the dressing rooms and security control rooms opened in the stadium and the hotel.

A coordination meeting among the organisers, the police and the administration was held here yesterday headed by the district magistrate and Chittagong Cricket Association president Dr S N Ahmed Rumi to review the situation.

The authorities have already banned general public from entering inside the stadium complex and restricted the movement of vehicles. They have also closed the road in front of the hotel for vehicular traffic.

The Chittagong Krira Sangstha had to shift the ticket-selling counters adjoining the pavilion to premises outside the stadium.

"The security here is even more stricter that what it was in Dhaka," a spokesman of the Sangstha said.

Meanwhile, authorities are giving final touches to the stadium and the ground. Pitch curator Badiul Alam Khokon inspected the wicket, which has some grass. Both the teams arrived here amid tightest ever security. Even mediapersons were barred from speaking to the two teams.

After their innings and 140 run victory in the first Test, India now only needs a draw to improve its International Cricket Council ratings from third to second behind leaders Australia.

The team management can make a few changes in the line-up and and give uncapped players a nod.

"There are a couple of youngsters in the team and we are thinking to give them an opportunity in the second Test and one-dayers," Ganguly said.

On the other hand, Bangladesh have lost 30 matches, 16 of those by an innings, of the 33 Test matches they have played so far, triggering a strong debate whether they should continue to have status of a Test playing nation.

However, Bangladesh chief coach Dav Whatmore said, "talents here are same as in other countries in the sub-continent. You need some more patience. The boys are really working hard."

Bangladesh may rest medium pacer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. (UNI)

Gavaskar more difficult to bowl to: Akram

"Gavaskar appeared to me as a more difficult batsman. He was more difficult to bowl at," Akram told newspersons here.

The former Pakistan skipper, however, lavished praise on both the Indian stalwarts saying, "I will include both of them in my World XI... They differed from one another. Gavaskar was an opener and Sachin a middle order bat."

Akram, who was here in connection with a diabetes awareness programme among school children organised by Roche Diagnostics India, said he got the chance to bowl to Gavaskar only in his early days as a cricketer.

"I was only 20 then. I got him out only once, and till date he remembers it," Akram said.

Asked whether he thought that Tendulkar would go this far when he bowled at him in the little master’s debut series in Pakistan in 1989, Akram said, "no. We only thought we have to get him out every second ball. He was a 16 year old kid then, and we were also quite young. However, we could see that he was extremely talented."

Akram also lauded Tendulkar’s 248 against Bangladesh in the recent Dhaka Test, saying it was more difficult to get a big score against a weak team. "The concentration level generally goes down when you are playing a weak side."

Queried about the tips he gave to Zaheer Khan after the Dhaka Test, Akram said, "I asked him to correct his wrist position. So, I told him to bowl from a wider, angular run up".

Akram said that he also spoke to rookie bowler S S Paul in the nets in Dhaka.

"I saw him briefly at the nets and asked Sachin whether he was more of a seam than a swing bowler. Sachin said yes. I told the youngster to look ahead and work hard. These are his early days in international cricket and he needs to be very competitive to be able to survive at the top level."

The legendary left arm seamer, who holds the distinction of bagging two hat-tricks in Tests, said he had a look at Paul’s bowling action, and "whatever flaw I found, I told him to set it right".

Recalling his chat with the other Indian pacer Irfan Pathan in Australia during the 2003-04 series, Akram said "apart from coaching tips, I told him about a few mental things. I told him that he should aim to play for 15 years and set a target of capturing more than 300 wickets in both forms of the game.

"One has to aim very high to do well in international cricket. I told him that I don’t want to see his feet off the ground after two years. When you are playing for your country, your feet need to be firmly rooted to the ground," he said.

Asked to comment on Anil Kumble’s feat of emerging as the highest Indian Test wickettaker, Akram said he considered the leg spinner on par with Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.

"He has been a match-winner for 15 years. I don’t know why people still don’t consider him on par with Warne and Muralitharan," he said. (PTI)

Rhodes declines offer to be coach at National Academy

BANGALORE, Dec 15: Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes has declined an offer by the National Cricket Academy here to be its fielding consultant, citing personal reasons.

Durban-based Rhodes, regarded as one of the greatest exponents of fielding, had been sounded by the NCA to take up a two-week coaching assignment to pass on fielding tips to the trainees but the cricketer has conveyed his unwillingness.

NCA sources quoted Rhodes, who last played his international match in February 2003, as saying that he had just started working for a bank in South Africa and was not in a position to spend a fortnight at a stretch in India.

NCA had pinned hopes on rhodes availability and expressed that his interactions on fielding aspects would immensely benefit the trainees.

Sources told PTI that Rhodes had also informed NCA that he was taking a break from cricket, had no plans to coach at the academy level anywhere and wants to learn the ropes in the corporate world.

But, the sources said, he hastened to add that cricket had always been his love and possibly he might get into coaching in future.

For the 35-year-old, who took 139 catches including 34 in Tests, family was a priority and spending time with his two young children was important, they said. (PTI)

Bangladesh will perform better, says Whatmore

"The last game is history and we have learnt much from that. We are looking forward to do things better here," Whatmore told reporters after a tough workout at the stadium.

Amid demands that Bangladesh’s Test status should be revoked, the coach said the team had the all the potential and should continue to play Test matches.

"You should have some more patience and give some more time to the team to perform better," he opined.

He said the team management had been thinking of promoting Mohammed Rafiq as a batsman, particularly after his performance in Dhaka.

"Yes, Rafiq might get a promotion and he deserves it," he said.

Whatmore also praised the wicket and said it was almost like the one in Dhaka.

"There will be some thing for both the batsmen and the bowlers," he added. (UNI)

J&K’s fate to be decided today

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

Winning their first match yesterday against Tamil Nadu 11-4, J&K women lost to Goa in their second league tie today 6-8. Perpasil and Trima were main scores from Goa with six and two goals respectively. From J&K, Deena (3), Bandhna (2) and Bhawna (1) were scorers.

Meanwhile the knockout stage of quarterfinals shall start in the afternoon after the remaining league matches are over in the morning session.

The results: Rajasthan bt Tripura 17-10. Mamta (4), Niti (4), Anita (5), Bagwati (3) and Preeti (1) scored for the winners while Rabiya (1), Malika (3), Samitra (1), Simritee (2) and Rajena (3) made goals for Tripura. Delhi got walkover Kerala; MP bt Tamil Nadu 9-2; Punjab got walkover Bihar, Punjab got walkover West Bengal; Andhra Pradesh got walkover West Bengal; Orissa got walkover Bihar; Punjab defeated Orissa.

Quarters line-up drawn

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

Those reached the last eight stage were toppers of their respective pools in the league rounds. The quarterfinalists are Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Orissa, Goa and Chandigarh.

Now, in the quartefinals, Punjab will take on Gujarat while Uttar Pradesh has been pitched against Orissa. Delhi to face Goa and Jharkhand will be playing against Chandigarh in other two matches of the knock-out stage.

Today’s results: Uttar Pradesh bt Madhya Pradesh 10-0 (UP: Samima 1, Kamini 1, Mini 4, Vasli 1, Rajeeta 1, Ganja 2. Jharkhand bt Bihar 9-1 (Jharkhand: Veelata 1, Anita 1, Monika 2, Suchita 2, Muni 2, Saroj 1; Bihar: Sheveeba 1). West Bengal bt Chattisgarh 2-1 (WB: Rajni 1, Sampa 1; Chattisgarh: Vidhia Khushuwaha 1). Orissa bt Manipur 3-1 (Orissa: Binita 3; Manipur: N G Roma 1). Delhi got walkover Assam. Jharkhand got walkover Kerala. J&K bt Rajasthan 4-1 (Radhika 4 for J&K while Vishaka reduced the margin from Rajasthan). Goa bt Rajasthan 1-0.

Fixture (M A Stadium): Punjab V/s Gujarat at 9 am; Uttar Pradesh V/s Orissa at 9 am; Delhi V/s Goa at 11 am; Jharkhand V/s Chandigarh 11 am.

Delhi, Gujarat enter final

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 15: Delhi and Gujarat today entered into the final of lawn tennis in the ongoing 30th National sports festival for women at M A Stadium, here.

In the semi-finals played in the afternoon, Delhi outplayed Karnataka 2-1 while Gujarat women trounced Punjab 2-0 in a tough contest. In the

Sania played a crucial role in Delhi’s victory and was instrumental in winning a doubles game and later clinched second singles. The results: Asha lost to Puja Shetty 6-1, 6-1; Sania and Jaya bt Puja Shetty and Bhanu Shree 6-0, 6-1; Sania bt Bhanu Shree 6-1, 6-0.

In the second semi-final, Gujarat managed win over Punjab but after a hard chase in the doubles match. The results: Dipinvita bt Gitanjali Sharma; Dipinvita and Ruchita Shetty bt Gitanjali and Navjot.

Quarterfinals results:

Gujarat bt Uttar Pradesh 2-0. Dipankita bt Naina 6-3, 7-6, 7-1; Ruchita and Dipankita bt Naina and Taru 6-3, 6-2.

Punjab bt J&K 2-0. Geetanjali bt Quleen 6-2, 5-0; Geetanjali and Navjot bt Quleen and Deepansh 6-0, 6-2.

Karnataka bt Tamil Nadu 2-0. Pooja bt Shalini 6-2, 6-1; Pooja and Shwetha bt Shalini and Bhaghya Laxmi 6-3, 6-1.

Delhi bt Madhya Pradesh 2-1.

LCC wins in under-19 cricket

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 15: Lion Cricket Club (LCC) defeated Roshni Cricket Academy Udhampur (RCC) by one wicket in the under-19 cricket tournament being played at Science College ground here.

Batting first after winning the toss RCC lost all their wickets for 132 runs in 24.5 overs of the 25 overs match, which, in reply, LCC chased in 23.3 overs with one wicket in hand.

Kulwant Singh scored highest 20 runs for RCA while Sahil contributed 19 and Sourab 11. From LCC, Deepak claimed five wickets. Deepu and Sunny shared two each.

Later, chasing the target, LCC reached the required target for the loss of nine wickets sparing 1.3 overs of their innings. Rocky was top scorer with 37 runs made with the help of a six and five fours. Rupesh contributed 24 including four hits to the fence. Sourab and Varinder Singh took two wickets each for RCA.

Deepak was later adjudged as man of the match. Pappu and Joginder Singh were umpires while Narinder Sanotra and B B Verma maintained score in today’s match.

Wazir Janki Nath School wins overall trophy

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 15: Wazir Janki Nath School lifted the overall trophy in the 6th Jammu district karate-do championship which was held at indoor complex, M A Stadium, here today.

School won highest 21 medals including seven gold and an equal number of silver and bronze.

In the closing function, Dr Sat Pal Dhiman, project officer, Rural Development Department was chief guest who also distributed prizes among the winners. Director New Style Fabricators, Himalni Singh was also present.

In all, about 150 karatekas participated in this two-day championship.

Competitions were officiated by Sanjeev Diwan, Manoj Mehra, Rohit Thakal, Zahida Khan, Rishabh Chaku.

No change in team for second Test, says Wright

CHITTAGONG, Dec 15: Despite skipper Sourav Ganguly’s hints that a few youngsters may get the nod in the second tie against Bangladesh, team India coach John Wright virtually ruled out any change in the squad for the Test to be played here from Friday.

"Possibly no change. We are taking nothing for granted," Wright told reporters today after a strenuous workout of the team members at the M A Aziz Stadium.

Wright said the players, particularly the youngsters, would have to win a place in the squad since they would be representing the country.

‘Md Kaif and Murali Kartik had played well against tougher sides but it is tough for them too," he said.

"Bangladesh would definitely learn a lot from Dhaka Test and they might be tougher here and it could be different from the previous match," Wright pointed out.

The India coach also praised the ground and the wicket here. "It’s a good wicket and lovely ground," he observed.

Wright said the team was thinking about promoting Zaheer Khan in the batting order because of his world record performance as the number 11 batsman in Dhaka.

"Zaheer Khan will be promoted and there will be tougher competition among the tailenders, I mean (Irfan) Pathan, Harbhajan (Singh) and (Anil) Kumble," he said. Wright also had word of praise for Dinesh Kaarthick and V V S Laxman.

"I think Dinesh is doing well behind the wicket. He needs lots of attention in the batting area. He made a good start," Wright opined.(UNI)

Dalmiya still BCCI president!

NEW DELHI, Dec 15: The Board of Control for Cricket in India today informed the Supreme Court that Jagmohan Dalmiya is discharging functions as the president of the board as the old board headed by him has not ended its tenure.

Appearing for BCCI, senior advocate A M Singhvi said as the AGM of the board at Kolkata on September 29 and 30 could not be concluded due to an interim order by a Chennai civil court, the old board under Dalmiya still continues to function.

The bench said "that means de jure today Ranbir Singh Mahendra is not the president of BCCI".

However, Singhvi requested the court to pass on order today itself for conclusion of the September 29 AGM, which had been adjourned due to the Chennai court order, so that Dalmiya can step down tomorrow itself.

The BCCI sought vacation of an interim order of the Supreme Court restraining Dalmiya from becoming the patron-in-chief of the cricket board.

Singhvi said "there is mischievous campaign in the press as well as in other quarters that Dalmiya would assume the de facto presidentship of the board by becoming the patron-in-chief.

The board gave an undertaking before the court that "the patron-in-chief has no official authority in the functioning of the BCCI which is controlled by the president and other elected members". (PTI)

BCCI unaware of Leipus’ farewell party, mulls replacement

NEW DELHI, Dec 15: Barely 48 hours after Indian cricketers organised a farewell party for team physio Andrew Leipus in Dhaka, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) feigned ignorance about it and exuded confidence of retaining the Australian.

Talking to UNI over phone, BCCI secretary S K Nair said the board would soon reach an agreement with the Australian but also added that BCCI would find a quick replacement in case Leipus turns down the offer.

"We were not aware of the farewell party though I have read about it. Leipus has not conveyed to us his unwillingness to continue. The board would try to finalise things soon. We would like to rope Leipus in but if he is reluctant, we would go for a replacement within a fortnight," he said.

On Monday, Indian cricketers had thrown a farewell party for Leipus in Dhaka.

When asked whether the board was considering former Bangladesh physio John Gloster — a name suggested by Leipus himself— Mr Nair said,’’ maybe he is one of the options. We have few names in our mind but I can’t disclose it right now. Everything will be clear within a fortnight.’’

Gloster, an englishman, has also worked with surrey.

"All I can say is that if we have to pick any replacement, he will be as efficient as leipus," Mr Nair said.

Earlier, Leipus wrote a letter to the board asking him to be relieved of the job for he wanted to complete a sports medicine course in Australia.

Leipus. Who found the job too demanding, also said he was missing his family. The Australian, however, expressed his willingness to rejoin the squad after completing the course even though he would like to share the responsibility with another full-time physio.

When asked if there was any possibility of Leipus rejoining team India after completing the course, Mr Nair said,"I can’t comment on that for he is still with us and the question of rejoining arises only when he leaves us."

Leipus had joined the squad in 1999 and has been instrumental in improving the fitness of the entire team. (UNI)