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| India looking to submerge Bangladesh in
run deluge CHITTAGONG, Dec 17: India will look to pile up a huge first innings score to back their bowlers on a flat, lifeless track in the second and final cricket Test against Bangladesh, vice-captain Rahul Dravid said here today.........more India
seize initiative, on CHITTAGONG (Bangladesh), Dec 17: India put themselves in a commanding position after centuries from Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid ensured the visitors another huge total against Bangladesh in the second and final cricket Test here today............more Shoaib
Akhtar fined 40 pc LONDON, Dec 17: Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has been fined 40 per cent of his match fees for his aggressive gesture after dismissing Matthew Hayden in the first Test against Australia at Perth today......more BCCI will
help MUMBAI, Dec 17: The cricket board today said it will provide immediate financial assistance to needy ex-Test cricketers, including Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare. "We have already started helping needy cricketers. In fact, the board has already released an ad-hoc amount of Rs two lakh for the treatment of ailing former Indian...........more |
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Dy CM offers next sports festival at Srinagar Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 17: Jammu and Kashmir has once again offered to the Sports Council to play host to the next National Sports Festival for Women with Srinagar being the venue.............more By Sanjeev Sharma JAMMU, Dec 17: Championship trophies in the 30th national sports festival for women (group-II) went to Gujarat in lawn tennis, Chattisgarh in handball and Orissa in hockey on the concluding day of the 4-day long competitions at MA Stadium, here today..........more MAM,
ASCOMS win matches Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 17: Government MAM College and ASCOMS won today’s first round matches in the ongoing inter-college football competitions at University ground, here.........more Kathua XI
wins by 79 Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 17: Kathua XI won their tie against RCC Paloura XI by 79 runs in the under-19 cricket tournament being.......more |
India looking to submerge Bangladesh in run deluge CHITTAGONG, Dec 17: India will look to pile up a huge first innings score to back their bowlers on a flat, lifeless track in the second and final cricket Test against Bangladesh, vice-captain Rahul Dravid said here today. Although Bangladesh struggled the whole day without much luck on a batsman-friendly track at the M A Aziz Stadium, Dravid said Indian bowlers would be better-placed provided the team managed to put up a big score. "We have four really quality bowlers who are bowling well at the moment. If we have a big score on board, whatever kind of wicket you are playing on, and if we could keep the opposition on the field for over five sessions, you are going to have them in trouble," he said after the first day’s play which saw India score 334 for two. "It takes a lot to come back after you have been on the field for five sessions. It might start turning later on, there are some cracks and it might get interesting for Harbhajan and Anil," said the batsman who achieved a personal landmark in scoring his 18th ton. Dravid’s 145 not out made him the only batsman in the world to have scored a ton in all Test playing nations. However, the modest cricketer that he is, Dravid said the achievement needed to be looked from a perspective since many of the past legends did not get to play against as many teams. "You can only look at it from the time in the era in which people played, a lot of people didn’t play Bangladesh or Zimbabwe and some great players didn’t even tour South Africa. You can only look at it based on the number of tours people could make at that time." Nevertheless, Dravid felt happy about his effort that put him in the "elite and respected company" of Steve Waugh, Gary Kirsten and Sachin Tendulkar. While the other three have scored against all opposition, Dravid is the first to do it in in all 10 Test playing countries. "Having said that, from my point of view, I had to score a hundred here to complete the set. It’s good company to be in - elite and respected company. It’s nice to have completed the set. To have got a hundred in every Test playing country is important. "It’s not what you play for but when these things do come along, you sit back and feel quite happy about it. "I’m sure people would have done it before but a lot of great players in the past would not have played (in countries that did not have test status before)," he said. Dravid was full of praise for Gautam Gambhir (139) who registered his maiden Test hundred, saying the way he played helped him pace his innings the way he usually does. "He is a positive player and played really well. Runs were coming at a fairly decent clip. So it gave me an opportunity to settle in and bat the way I generally I tend to bat. It’s good to see him score his first hundred, I’m really happy for him and I hope it is the first of many." Gambhir himself was relieved to have got his first ton, especially after falling short of the milestone by just four runs against South Africa in Kanpur recently. "Honestly I am very, very happy. Obviously it is a dream to get a first hundred. I was still nervous because it was my first Test hundred. Thank god that I got my first hundred," the Delhi opener said. (PTI) |
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India seize initiative, on course for a big total again CHITTAGONG (Bangladesh), Dec 17: India put themselves in a commanding position after centuries from Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid ensured the visitors another huge total against Bangladesh in the second and final cricket Test here today. Left-handed opener Gambhir (139) cracked his maiden Test hundred while vice-captain Dravid his 18th to become the first batsman ever to score centuries in all ten Test playing countries as India reached 334 for two at close on the first day. Dravid was unbeaten on 145 with Tendulkar 36 not out at the other end at close on the opening day but it was Gambhir’s rollicking innings that put the team on a roll after Sourav Ganguly elected to bat on a pitch that shone like marble in the morning sun. While the Indians made merry with their top order batsmen feasting on the easy-paced track at the M A Aziz Stadium, it turned out to be a day of hard toil for the hosts. Dravid’s century also meant that he surpassed Dilip Vengsarkar (17 centuries) to perch himself on the fourth place in the list of most century makers for India. Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar (both 34) and Mohammad Azharuddin (22) top the charts. Gambhir slammed 19 fours during his 196-ball knock that compensated for his cheap dismissal in the first test when he was run out after a mix up with Sachin Tendulkar in Dhaka. His opening partner Virender Sehwag was the only batsman to miss out on the party when he edged Mashrafe Mortaza to Habibul Bashar at first slip in the fifth over of the innings. But Gambhir’s unrestrained shotmaking quickly took this initiative away from the hosts and his partnership for the second wicket with Dravid, worth 223 runs from 346 balls, negated Bangladesh’s early advantage. Dravid was content to allow his younger partner enjoy the limelight but smoothly accelerated to his 18th hundred with 14 fours from 196 balls and 226 minutes. Bangladesh celebrated their 34th Independence Day yesterday, but there was no light at the end of the tunnel for the beleaguered Test minnows as the Indians sent them on a leather hunt. The bowlers struggled to find the right line and length on a pitch that promised tons of runs while the fielders failed to lift their standards and conceded quite a few extras. Mortaza lacked support at the other end as 17-year-old Nazmul Hossain, making his maiden Test appearance which also turned out to be his first-class debut, failed to impress much although he did succeed in bowling out Gambhir later in the day. Another medium pacer Talha Jubair, playing his first match after a gap of nearly 14 months following an injury, proved no better while left-arm spinners Mohammad Rafique and Manjural Islam Rana acted as mere cannon fodder for the marauding Indians. From the moment Gambhir struck four fours off right arm pacer Talha Jubair early in the innings, it became clear the hosts were in for a long day at office. The Delhi batsman reached his 50 with a boundary to point fence from 60 balls with 10 fours and kept playings his strokes without inhibitions. The left-hander was severe on Rafique whom he repeatedly drove through the on side. Gambhir, who had got out on 96 against South Africa at Kanpur earlier this season, was not to be denied today. A single to mid off gave his first Test hundred and the youngster celebrated with some fist pumping. Dravid was solid as ususal and he played a sensible knock, leaving the run making mostly to Gambhir but also not wasting the loose balls, which were plenty on offer today. The century helped Dravid break a bad patch and gave him his first century this season in eight Tests. His driving was impeccable and although he looked tired towards the end of the day, he retained the concentration to play some sweep and pull shots. Tendulkar, who scored his record 34th century in Dhaka, seemed to continue from where he left off as he struck six fours to race to 36 from 54 balls. The run rate hovered around four throughout the day and probably dipped a bit after the dismissal of Gambhir. Earlier, the Indians retained the team that won the first Test by an innings and 140 runs in Dhaka while the hosts made three changes. Seventeen-year old Nazmul Hossain came in for medium pacer Tapash Baisya, who was down with a sore back, for his maiden Test appearance. Aftab Ahmed and Talha Jubair replaced Rajin Saleh and Mushfiqur Rahman in the other two changes. (PTI) SCOREBOARD India 1st innings: V Sehwag c Bashar b Mortaza 10 G Gambhir b Hossain 139 R Dravid batting 145 S Tendulkar batting 36 Extras (b-1, w-2, nb-1) 4 Total (for 2 wkts in 90 overs) 334 Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-273 Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 16-3-38-1, Nazmul Hossain 16.3-3-66-1, Talha Jubair 14-1-72-0, Mohammad Rafique 27-1-94-0, Manjural Islam Rana 12.3-0-49-0, Aftab Ahmed 4-0-14-0. (PTI) |
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Shoaib Akhtar fined 40 pc of match fee for ‘gesture’ LONDON, Dec 17: Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has been fined 40 per cent of his match fees for his aggressive gesture after dismissing Matthew Hayden in the first Test against Australia at Perth today. Shoaib, who claimed five wickets in Australia’s first innings, pointed Hayden back to the pavilion which ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle found a breach of the section 1.6 of the ICC code. According to an ICC release here today, the pacer was charged by umpires Billy Bowden, Rudi Koertzen and Steve David (third) with the breach and Madugalle later announced the findings of a disciplinary hearing held under the ICC’s code of conduct. Section 1.6. Reads:"Pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion in an aggressive manner by a bowler or other member of the fielding side upon the dismissal of a batsman." The offence fell into level one of the ICC Code of Conduct and after due consideration of the evidence and the players’ previous record, match referee Madugalle imposed a penalty of 40 per cent of the players’ match fee, the release added. (UNI) |
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BCCI will help needy ex-Test cricketers MUMBAI, Dec 17: The cricket board today said it will provide immediate financial assistance to needy ex-Test cricketers, including Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare. "We have already started helping needy cricketers. In fact, the board has already released an ad-hoc amount of Rs two lakh for the treatment of ailing former Indian skipper Vijay Hazare and likewise we will surely help Mushtaq Ali as soon as he or his family gets in touch with us," a BCCI official told PTI here today. "We can sanction upto Rs three lakh towards the treatment of ailing cricketers or an ad-hoc sum of Rs two lakh once the cricketer concerned or his family members contact us," the official added. (PTI) |
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Dy CM offers next sports festival at Srinagar Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 17: Jammu and Kashmir has once again offered to the Sports Council to play host to the next National Sports Festival for Women with Srinagar being the venue. Stating this at the concluding day of the 4-day long 30th National Sports Festival for Women at M.A. Stadium here this evening, Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma said that organizing of national level meets in the State provide much needed exposure to the state's talent to prove their mettle and skill. Minister for Youth Services and Sports Haji Nissar Ali and Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports Yogesh Sawhney were also present on the occasion. With the city of temples playing host for the first time in the sports history of the State to hold national level meet for women sportsperson, such a sporting activity in ensuing summer season at the picturesque Srinagar is bound to make Jammu and Kashmir the most sought after destination for holding to such national championships. On the imperativeness of sports meets, the Deputy Chief Minister said that besides providing avenues to the sportsperson to display their talent, such activities also generate economic surplus by boosting tourism and commerce. The Deputy Chief Minister said that the healthy participation of women sportspersons from 22 states of the country has another dimension also- namely the feeling of normalcy and peace in Jammu and Kashmir. 'Be messengers of peace in Jammu and Kashmir to the world', he asked women sportspersons that competed with each other in the three disciplines of hockey, handball and lawn tennis. In the hockey competition, women sportspersons from Orissa clinched the gold while the team from Chandigarh and Punjab bagged silver and bronze. The newly carved out State of Chattisgarh managed to win the handball competition with the North-Eastern Manipur bagging silver while the team from neighbouring Punjab scored bronze for them. In Lawn Tennis-Singles competition girls from Gujarat proved their mettle and superiority by winning both the Gold and bronze while Karnataka has be satiated with silver. In doubles Gujarat once again retained its superior claims by bagging gold while the pair from Delhi clinched silver. The girls from Karnataka had to be satisfied with bronze in their bag. The host contingent of Jammu and Kashmir won the gold in March Past competition while the contingent from Goa was declared second and awarded silver medal. Later, a colourful cultural programme was presented by the school students that enthralled the audience. |
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Orissa, Chattisgarh, Gujarat
lift championship trophies By Sanjeev Sharma JAMMU, Dec 17: Championship trophies in the 30th national sports festival for women (group-II) went to Gujarat in lawn tennis, Chattisgarh in handball and Orissa in hockey on the concluding day of the 4-day long competitions at MA Stadium, here today. Organised by the J&K State Sports Council in collaboration with Department of Youth Services and Sports of the state, this sports festival was held under the aegis of Sports Authority of India (SAI). The valedictory function was marked by a colourful cultural show presented by the school children and entertaining demonstrations by young judokas and gymnasts of Regional Coaching Centres of Jammu. Judo demonstration, wherein 12 boys and girls took part, was supervised by Judo coaches, Suraj Bhan Singh and Ritika whereas Manisha Gupta had prepared young gymnasts for Artistic show. Meanwhile, the visiting players, most of whom were on a maiden tour to J&K, had all praise for the hospitality extended by Jammuites and the caring organisers of the competitions. Troops from Goa, Assam and Tamil Nadu when contacted by EXCELSIOR, soon after the valedictory function was over to take their feed back regarding various arrangements made for them, appreciated the comfortable stay and tasty North Indian dishes. Most liked food among the South Indians was ‘halwa’, which they said was ‘excellent. However, Assamese girls and their counterparts from Tamil Nadu were missing their traditional foods. The only complaint from the guests was distance between the place they were staying and the venue of competitions. They regretted that some time they had to wait for long for the bus to carry and take them back to their place of stay. Orissa wins hockey trophy Orissa girls finally emerged winners of the championship beating Chandigarh by two goals to nil. Pravaseen and Sareeta netted one goal each. Third place in hockey went to Punjab, who blanked Delhi 4-0. Meena (2), Arunbala and Vandana (one each) were scorers from Punjab. Chattisgarh bags handball trophy Chattisgarh lifted the handball trophy pipping Manipur 27-20 in the final. Scorers: Meenakshi (1), Anita (15), Pushpa (5), Anamika (1), Juliet (3), Krishma (2) from Chattisgarh and Sandia (1), Anita (5), Apabi (1), Renuka (3), Dimple (1), Sujata (3) and Quefa (6) from Manipur. Third place went to Punjab, who outplayed Assam 26-21 in the hard-liner. Earlier, in semifinals, Chattisgarh pipped Punjab narrowly 24-23 and Manipur defeated Assam 14-9. Gujarat’s Deepanwita bags tennis singles trophy Deepanwita of Gujarat clinched the singles title in open lawn tennis competitions. She defeated Pooja Shetty of Karnataka 9-5 in best of 17 sets. Third place again went to Gujarat when Ruchita outplayed Harpreet of Madhya Pradesh 8-3 in the hard-liner. Deepanwita-Ruchita pair lifts doubles title Gujarat’s Deepanwita and Ruchita pair sidelined Asha and Shama to take home the doubles title too beating latter badly 9-0 in best of 17 sets. Third place was claimed by Karnataka when Pooja and Shweta downed Roshni and Navchetan 7-6 in the match for third position. |
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MAM, ASCOMS win matches in inter-college football Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 17: Government MAM College and ASCOMS won today’s first round matches in the ongoing inter-college football competitions at University ground, here. In the first match, MAM defeated Degree College Kathua 2-0. Sukesh Salathia netted both the goals dotting in 25th and 85th minute of the match. The second match was won by ASCOMS who beat PG Arts 4-2. Though first goal was scored by PG Arts, ASCOMS equalised the lead and then took away the match making two goals in the last 25 minutes. Gagan made the first blood in 20th minute of PG Arts which was equalised by Rajandeep in 30th. Again PG Arts went ahead with Gagan’s second goal in 50th minute only to see ASCOMS leveling the score 2-2 with Wasim making a goal in the 55th minute. ASCOMS, who were better in stamina added two more goals to their tally and won the match 4-2. In another scheduled match, both Degree College Poonch and Bhargwa could not turn-up. Matches were officiated by David, Daljeet Singh, Dr Gajinder and Dr Brij Balowria. Today’s fixture: Bhargwa College V/s MIET; GGM Science College V/s Law School (JU); KC Law College V/s SPMR College of Commerce. |
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Kathua XI wins by 79 runs in U-19 cricket Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 17: Kathua XI won their tie against RCC Paloura XI by 79 runs in the under-19 cricket tournament being played at Science College ground, here today. Earlier, Kathua XI won the toss and decided to bat. They made 127 runs in the allotted 18 overs for the loss of eight wickets. Nishu was highest scorer with 37 runs including six boundaries while Rompy contributed 24 and Rampaul 12. From RCC Paloura XI, Ajay and Abhinav shared three wickets each. Batting second, Paloura XI could not chase the target and conceded their defeat when team’s score was 48 for nine in 9.2 overs. Ajay played fine innings of 22 runs with the help of two fours while Ankush added second highest 13 runs including three hits to the fence. Six batsmen could not even open their accounts while other two added just one run. Rompy was most successful bowler from Kathua XI with four for 3 in 2.2 overs. Rampaul (senior) and Ajay shared two wickets each. Rompy Sharma was later adjudged as man of the match for his four wickets haul and 24 runs. Today’s match was officiated by Pappu and Joginder. Meanwhile, the organisers—Roshini Cricket Academy is organising the final of third round of qualifying round tournament tomorrow at 10 am. The final will be played between Vishal Cricket Club and FFCC. Udhampur volleyball meet from Dec 21 Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 17: Volleyball Association of District Udhampur is organising district championship for both boys and girls at Master Madan memorial volleyball complex, here from December 21. Competition in girls group shall be held at Nehru memorial Higher Secondary School, here, a handout issued here today said. All the interested clubs and teams can submit their entries to Sunil Sharma, general secretary of the Association. Jammu Distt weightlifting meet from Dec 21 Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 17: Jammu and Kashmir Weightlifting Association is conducting district weightlifting championship at indoor complex, M A Stadium, here on December 21. Those interested to take part in the said competition can submit their entries with Lakhvinder Gill and Daljit Singh at weightlifting hall of M A Stadium. Kasprowicz snares 5-wkt haul, Australia takes control PERTH (Australia), Dec 17: Michael Kasprowicz snared five wickets today as Pakistan was bowled out for 179, giving Australia a 202-run first innings lead and control of the first cricket Test. At stumps on the second day, Australia was 15 without loss in its second innings - an overall lead of 217 - with Matthew Hayden (7) and Justin Langer (3) surviving three overs before the close. Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami held the Pakistani lineup together with bat and ball, taking a wicket each in the first session to wrap up Australia’s innings at 381 and then combining for an invaluable 60-run rearguard partnership after the top order collapsed. They batted together for 105 minutes, boosting Pakistan from 111 for eight to 171 while a frustrated Ricky Ponting rotated his bowlers trying to pick up the last two wickets. Akhtar had a major reprieve on 27, with Pakistan on 167-8, when Ponting dropped a regulation chance at second slip off Glenn McGrath. But Akhtar didn’t add to his score before getting an edge to Shane Warne at first slip in McGrath’s next over. Needing 182 to avoid the follow-on, Pakistan was all out three runs short when Sami swiped at Kasprowicz and miscued to Michael Clarke, who took a running catch over his shoulder at backward point. The final wicket gave Kasprowicz his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests. He returned 5-30 in 16.3 overs, while Shane Warne had figures of 3-38. McGrath and Jason Gillespie picked up a wicket apiece. Ponting gave his bowlers a break by electing not to enforce the follow-on. But that didn’t give the Pakistani pacemen any breaks. Akhtar bowled one full over and three in his next before he limped off the field in the over before stumps. He was to face a hearing with match referee Ranjan Madugalle for breaching the code of conduct in the first innings when he pointed Hayden to the pavilion after dismissing the Australian opener. Earlier today, Akhtar (5-99) took his 10th five-wicket haul in Tests when he dismissed Kasprowicz in the second over of the morning. Sami then picked up the wicket of Langer (191) to end the Australian innings at 381 and return 3-104. Langer, 181 overnight, fell nine runs short of posting double hundreds in back-to-back Tests when he slashed at sami and got a thick edge to Younis Khan at backward point. He stroked 19 boundaries and clobbered three sixes in his 21st Test century. He started the match with 1,138 runs this year and overtook Brian Lara (1,178) as the leading Test scorer in 2004. Kasprowicz, who had Salman Butt (17) caught behind in the morning session, bowled skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq (1) and had Yousuf Youhana (1) caught behind in consecutive overs just after the lunch interval as Pakistan slipped to 60 for four. Warne broke a 48-run fifth-wicket partnership when he had Younis Khan (42) caught by Gillespie at mid-on and then bowled Abdul Razzaq (21) in his next over, reducing Pakistan to 110 for six. Razzaq’s ill-conceived charge down the wicket exposed Pakistan’s fragile lower-order. (AP) |
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