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| Country needs more fast bowlers: Kapil BANGALORE, Feb 20: Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev today felt that country has to go a long way in producing quality fast bowlers...............more New
Zealand hangs on to WELLINGTON, Feb 20: An injured Shaun Pollock, needing three sixes from the last three balls, hit only two as South Africa lost to New Zealand by five runs in a thrilling one-day cricket international today..................more Bedi
charges LAHORE, Feb 20: Spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi has charged Sri Lankan offie Muttiah Muralitharan of being a chucker and extended the tag to aussie speedster Brett Lee as well..................more Warne
makes SYDNEY, Feb 20: Leg spinner Shane Warne was today recalled in the Australian Test squad for the series against Sri Lanka, 10 days after completing the one-year suspension for using a banned drug. Warne, who resumed cricketing action on February 10, was selected in the 15-member squad after he made a successful.......more |
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J&K Police retains State Hockey trophy Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Jammu and Kashmir Police today retained Gajinder Memorial State Hockey Championship trophy beating Jammu Green in a one-sided contest at K K Hakhu Stadium, here.............more 49th
National U-19 Handball School Games Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Hosts Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala today joined Delhi in the super league round, to be played between three...........more Jakker
bags Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Jakker Hussain of Sarora in Bari-Brahmana lifted the Shivkhori Kesari 2004 title beating Pahalwan Lalli.........more JU’s
Inter-college Handball competitions Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Degree College, Udhampur in men and Government College for Women, Parade in women section won....more |
Country needs more fast bowlers: Kapil BANGALORE, Feb 20: Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev today felt that country has to go a long way in producing quality fast bowlers. Though a new crop of fast bowlers have emerged, "we have to go a long way in producing fast bowlers", he told reporters here. Worldover the emphasis was on fast bowling. However, India had not been able to produce enough quality fast bowlers. He said he was ready to help cricketers who sought suggestions from him. "How can I go to each and everybody and offer my experience. If anybody comes forward I am willing to share it," he added. Speaking at Baldwins boys school, the former captain called upon students to concentrate more on studies than on sports. "Education is far more important than sports. When I grew older I realised the mistake of not concentrating on education during my school days. I played for the country only for 15 years, but you live for more than 70 years and education, not sports, play an important role throughout your life," he added. He said that "my school days were the best time ever spent in life. No responsibility. Go to school and play. But now I realise that I should have studied harder". Kapil said that sports was important to maintain good health. "If you are healthy you can concentrate more on game and I feel sorry whenever I hear news about cricket players getting hurt and falling sick". Kapil, the set Max brand ambassador, advised students to eat only home cooked food and not to lie in the life. "I hate lying, if you start lying you come back to your life and you cannot be successful." Stating that the former Indian captain G R Viswanath was his guru in cricket, the Haryana hurricane said that " when I was young I used to collect autograph of Vishwanath because I liked his game and wanted to be like him one day. You should not seek autograph from all, seek autograph only from whom you think you can achieve better prospect in life". "Nobel laureate late Mother Teresa and former South Africa President Nelson Mandela are the other two personalities whom I liked more in my life. Mother Teresa was a kind heartedness lady and Mandela adopted forgiveness despite being jailed for nearly 25 years". (UNI) |
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New Zealand hangs on to win wild third one-dayer WELLINGTON, Feb 20: An injured Shaun Pollock, needing three sixes from the last three balls, hit only two as South Africa lost to New Zealand by five runs in a thrilling one-day cricket international today. Batting with a runner after suffering a groin strain, Pollock blasted three sixes among 21 runs in the last over as South Africa nearly scored an improbable victory. South Africa needed 27 runs from the last over to surpass New Zealand’s total of 254-5 in a match shortened to 38 overs per side by the effects of heavy rain. Pollock was given the strike when Ashwell Prince took a single from the first ball and took two runs, then hit a six to leave South Africa needing 18 runs - three sixes - from the last three balls. Such a finish seemed unlikely until Pollock hit each of the next two balls from medium pacer Kyle Mills into the grandstand for sixes, leaving six required from the final ball. A shaken mills regathered his composure to make the last ball of the match a slanting yorker. Pollock, who had stepped away to leg to give himself room, could only stab the ball back to the bowler. No run came and New Zealand hung on to win the match by five runs, to take a 2-1 lead in the six-match series. Pollock battered 29 runs from 17 balls and prince 45 from 38 but South Africa was ultimately unable to surpass a New Zealand total which had been inflated by similarly brilliant late-order batting. Brendon McCullum and Scott Styris put on 84 runs in 30 minutes, from 7.2 overs at the end of New Zealand’s innings to propel the home side to a total it only just managed to defend. McCullum made 41 from 24 balls, styris 45 from 27 and jointly the pair gave New Zealand’s total substance after South African captain Graeme Smith had won the toss and bowled. New Zealand had been 170-5 in the 31st over and had lost three quick wickets for seven runs when wicketkeeper McCullum and all-rounder Stryis came together. The pace of the Kiwi innings had begun to flag as South African captain used slow bowlers, himself included, to restrain New Zealand’s scoring after openers Stephen Fleming and Michael Papps had put on 100 for the first wicket. Captain Fleming scored 43 from 45 balls in a continuation of the fine form he has carried throughout the series. He scored 30 in the first match which was won by South Africa by five wickets and 108 in the second which New Zealand won by the same margin. Papps found his feet in his third one-day international and scored 67 from 100 balls in an innings which lasted into the 30th over. The quick loss of Jacob Oram when New Zealand was 163-3, Papps at 165-4 and Craig McMillan at 170-5, briefly slowed New Zealand’s progress. But the South African captain gave himself one over too many and McCullum and Styris began a batting raid. They raced to a 50 partnership in only 17 minutes and took 69 runs from the last four overs with six fours and five sixes. South Africa’s reply matched New Zealand’s innings. Smith and Herschell Gibbs put on 95 for the first wicket to lay a sound foundation but the innings fell away in its middle stages. After Gibbs was out for 69, Jacques Kallis for 16 and Smith for 43 - following on from his innings of 72 and 80 in the first two matches - South Africa lost five wickets for 21 runs, slumping to 153-6. The innings were partly restored by Nicky Boje, who made 24 before being run out by Prince, then the injured Pollock took charge. He put on 50 in barely 25 minutes with Prince but the task of hitting three sixes from the last three balls was ultimately beyond him. (AP) |
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Bedi charges Muralitharan, Lee of chucking LAHORE, Feb 20: Spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi has charged Sri Lankan offie Muttiah Muralitharan of being a chucker and extended the tag to aussie speedster Brett Lee as well. "To me cricket is a gentleman’s game but chucking is an unfair act and I believe Asian bowlers are more involved in it," Bedi told reporters here, adding that Muralitharan was a chucker and Brett Lee did it occasionally. In a meet-the-press programme here, Bedi urged the International Cricket Council to make strict rules to check the trend of chucking. "To me making the rules for the first or second stages of chucking by the ICC is unfair because chucking is chucking, and there should be no relaxation." He wondered how a bowler could rectify his action in a few weeks to avoid the second stage offence. Bedi, who formed part of the famed spin quartet, said he was a great admirer of former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan. "Imran was a true professional cricketer. As captain he led from the front in the field and also in the selection matters and he knew the importance of physical fitness," he said adding it would take decades to produce another player like Imran. The former India captain, who formed a part of the famed spin quartet, said the governments’ role in suspending cricketing ties between the two countries was unfair and that it should be stopped. Bedi admitted his team, which toured Pakistan in 1977-78 was not properly prepared as compared to the team which was to visit next month. "In 1977-78, India sent the team only on a goodwill tour on the instructions of the then Prime Minister, but the current team looks strong and well prepared," he said. (UNI) |
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Warne makes comeback in Australian Test squad SYDNEY, Feb 20: Leg spinner Shane Warne was today recalled in the Australian Test squad for the series against Sri Lanka, 10 days after completing the one-year suspension for using a banned drug. Warne, who resumed cricketing action on February 10, was selected in the 15-member squad after he made a successful comeback with Victoria, where he picked 4-51 and six wickets for the match. The 34-year-old spinner played the last of his 107 Tests against England in Perth in 2002 before testing positive for a diuretic just ahead of the World Cup early last year which earned him a 12-month ban. Fellow leg-spinner Stuart MacGill was also selected while seasoned batsman Darren Lehmann made a comeback after a fairly long injury lay off. Allrounder Andrew Symonds, a regular in the one-day outfit, and Wade Seccombe were the two uncapped members in the squad for the three-Test series beginning on March 8. National selection panel chairman Trevor Hohns said Warne’s inclusion was testament to his world-class qualities. "Despite his 12-month absence, Shane is still one of the best spin bowlers in the world, and I’m sure he’ll have an important role to play in Sri Lanka’s flat, turning wickets," Hohns said. "He’s clearly worked extremely hard on his fitness over the last few months, and we’ve been impressed with way he has bowled for Victoria since his return," he said. Warne, who has scalped 491 wickets so far, will compete with Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan, who has 485 wickets, for the 500 mark. Hohns appreciated MacGill’s performance in absence of Warne and said, "we’re lucky to have two leg spinners of the highest quality in the Australian squad. Stuart MacGill’s performances over the last 12-months have been second to none and we’re confident both players can work together in tandem". Lehmann, sidelined because of Achilles Tendon problem, will get the opportunity to play his first match since the first Test against Zimbabwe in Perth last year. Kasprowicz, who has been retained from Australia’s one-day team, returns to the Test squad for the first time in almost three years. His last appearance for Australia was during the epic second Test match against India in Kolkata in March 2001. "Andrew Symonds has had an outstanding year in the one-day arena, and we think it’s timely that he now gets his opportunity to prove himself in Test cricket," Hohns said. Hohns said, "Wade Seccombe has been included as cover for Adam Gilchrist, and at this stage we feel that he’s the more suitable Test match option, with Brad Haddin preferred for the one-day format. "Andy Bichel and Nathan Bracken are unlucky to miss out, and we still need to see Glenn McGrath bowl in first-class match conditions before he can be considered for selection," the national selector said. Team: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Michael Kasprowicz, Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Stuart MacGill, Damien Martyn, Wade Seccombe, Andrew Symonds, Brad Williams, Shane Warne. (PTI) |
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J&K Police retains State Hockey trophy Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Jammu and Kashmir Police today retained Gajinder Memorial State Hockey Championship trophy beating Jammu Green in a one-sided contest at K K Hakhu Stadium, here. The star-studded Police side inflicted a humiliating 7-2 defeat on the local club. Policemen were leading by 7-1 but thanks to a dying minute by Gurpreet Singh that reduced the margin. The score would have been much higher had J&K Police managed to covert penalty corners awarded in their favour. Police got four penalty corners as against just two in favour of Jammu Green, who, however, converted one of the corners into goal. Earlier, opening the account for Police in the 4th minute, youngest team member and international player, Mandeep Singh sounded the board again in the 12th minute. Surinder Pal Singh guided J&K Police to a big win with his contribution of three goals coming in 9th, 24th and 56th minute of the match. Kulwant Singh and Ind Pal Singh added one goal each to the score in the 26th and 53rd (penalty stroke) minute respectively. For Jammu Green, both the goals were scored by junior most player playing the final, Gurpreet Singh in the 18th (penalty corner) and 58th minute. Gurpreet Singh stunned the cops when he hit a power-packed hit from on the circle right into the goal sparing no time for the defenders to act. It was last goal of the match. Jagjeet Singh Jaggi was adjudged as best player of the championship, while Parminder Singh was declared best goal-keeper. Mandeep Singh was top scorer and Gurpreet Singh was given special prize for being junior most player playing the final. Baramulla Club was named as best team. All the individual prizes were sponsored by Ranbir Singh of M/s Surya Batteries. The final was witnessed by the Minister of State for Sports, Yogesh Sawhney, who was chief guest on the occasion. Before giving away winners and runners-up trophies besides other individual trophies, Mr Sawhney speaking to the gathering expressed his happiness over revival of India’s cricketing ties with Pakistan. He hoped that cricket series would be followed by the hockey competitions with Pakistan in the near future. Secretary, State Sports Council, Manoj Pant presided over the prize distribution function. This championship was sponsored by the J&K State Sports Council and organised by the J&K Hockey Association. Ashwani Kapoor Memorial final today JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Hockey Association has decided to organise the final of Ashwani Kapoor Memorial Hockey Championship at K K Hakhu Stadium, here tomorrow. The final will be played between Khalsa Club and J&K Police in the afternoon. |
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49th National U-19
Handball School Games Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Hosts Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala today joined Delhi in the super league round, to be played between three teams, to decide the fate of two finalists of the 49th National under-19 girls School Games here. In their second and last league match, played in the morning session, J&K overpowered Gujarat 16-11. Mehak Khajuria and Priyanka Salathia remained in highlight for their skills and scoring ability. Mehak made eight while Priyanka scored six goals to team’s score of 16. Raghani Rajput and Monika Sambyal added one goal each. For Gujarat, Gohil Vyomaba fought lone battle scoring eight goals, followed by Khatra Asmita two. However, in today’s first super league match, Delhi managed a 18-9 win over Kerala. Arti Chauhan was top scorer from Delhi, while Josna made six goals for Kerala. Clear picture would emerge only with the outcome of second league tie between Kerela and J&K tomorrow morning. And, if J&K win against Kerala and lose to Delhi in the afternoon, they will be in the final. So, to reach the final J&K has to play a do or die battle against Kerela. League results: Kerala beat Uttaranchal 20-10 and Madhya Pradesh beat Uttar Pradesh 12-4. They are in the team not to play: In a vizarre incident and virtually an example of prevailing quota system in sports, the Department of Youth Services and Sports included five girls from Kashmir in the present Handball team not to play but only to watch those from Jammu in action. The 16-member team, being accompanied as coach by Inder Prakash and R C Vaid as manager, looked tired in today’s tough match against Gujarat because they were facing short of appropriate replacements, said a senior Handball player watching the match at MA Stadium. These four girls from Kashmir are Ishrat Shazia, Nazia, Ishrat Irshad, Farzana and Rubeena. |
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Jakker bags Shivkhori Kesari title Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Jakker Hussain of Sarora in Bari-Brahmana lifted the Shivkhori Kesari 2004 title beating Pahalwan Lalli (junior gold medalist and Katra Kesri) of Amritsar in a tough bout that lasted for 25 minutes at Government High School, Ransoo in district Udhampur. Dangal was organised by the Indian Style Wrestling Association in collaboration with J&K Tourism Department and Katra hoteliers on the occasion of Shivratri. Winner of the main bout was given a cash prize of Rs 3100 in addition to traditional ‘silver gurj and patta’ by Vinod Kumar, general manager Kokan Railways and Shiv Kumar Sharma, president, J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association. Loser, Lalli Pahalwan of Amritsar, was presented a cash prize of Rs 2500. In all, 58 bouts were played. And, in the second main bout, Roshan Lal of Muthi in Jammu beat Sindha of Amritsar. Winner got Rs 2500 and loser given Rs 1500. Third main bout was claimed by Prahlad singh of Kalakote who beat Rabel Singh of Amritsar. Prahlad was awarded Rs 2100 and Rabel got Rs 1500 as cash prize. In the fourth attractive bout, Anil Kumar (Mahanu) son of Rattan Lal Magotra defeated Deepu of Amritsar in 17 minutes long fight. Anil was awarded Rs 2000 and Deepu Rs 1500. |
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JU’s
Inter-college Handball competitions Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Degree College, Udhampur in men and Government College for Women, Parade in women section won their respective matches to advance into the next round in the ongoing inter-college Handball competitions of Jammu University underway at University ground, here today. In men section, Udhampur defeated GGM Science College 29-3 to enter into the semi-finals. Sandeep was top scorer with six goals while Raju, Karan and Manju netted five goals each. In women group, the match remained a low scoring affair with GCW Parade beating Degree College Kathua 7-2 (ht 4-1). With today’s first win, Parade College has reached the final. Tamana and Jyoti made three and two goals respectively for the winners while Pooja scored both the goals for Kathua. Incomplete practical: Running a Bachelor of Physical Education Degree (BPED) course, the Department of Physical Education, University of Jammu often use the services of its students in officiating the inter-college competitions. But instead of teaching them the true basics, the Department is forcing them for incomplete practicals. In today’s women’s Handball competitions, one of the students, Mohan Lal officiating the match failed to give the names of scorers, the reason being he was not served with a sheet to separately note down the scorers name. Indian team's feel good exercise By Rahul Dravid Recovering physically, mentally and emotionally during tours has become as important as preparation nowadays. The physical recovery will start at the ground. Strecting exercises, an ice bath (3 sets of 3minutes in a tub of ice followed by a hot shower), not very pleasant but extremely effective. Loading up on carbohydrates in the "golden hour", one hour after any exercise, which is the best time to replenish the nutrients, lost by the body. Some days we may have a pool session or a massage. While you will hear a variety of groans and complaints while the trainer is trying to get everybody to do these recovery exercises most guys realize their importance and will get them done. The new fad nowadays is to sleep with figure hugging tights called skins, which apparently help in the flow of blood and thus recovery. Every few years there are new techniques and methods that are supposed to be better then what you’ve been doing earlier only to be replaced by different one’s a few years later. Not sure if they are all effective but it gives you the satisfaction of trying to get better anyway. I can hear former cricketers groan and laugh about all these new fancy terms and ideas that we come up with. Like a former cricketer who walked into our dressing room and saw how all the ice was being used and said "the only thing that needs ice therapy is the bottles of beer" .I’m sure we’ll do the same when the next generation come up with some new fancy ideas. It’s gone on for generation and will never change. Thankfully, the game remains the same though and you still have to score runs and take wickets whatever you may do. Recovering mentally and emotionally is equally if not more important .The intensity of the contest, the length of time away from home, the emotions of success and failure all take a considerable toll and one has to be able to bounce back. As most players will tell you if your not right mentally you have very little chance but if your mind is right you can get away not being in the best physical shape. One of the great things about touring is that it gives players a chance to escape from the confines of your hotel room and go out and see new places and eat out in relative anonymity. Indian, Italian and Thai are particular favorites with the boys and it’s also a great chance to spend time with your teammates in a relaxed and less pressurized atmosphere. In fact, it really helps in the learning process as invariably cricket gets discussed and thoughts are exchanged. It helps the less experienced members of the team break the ice and feel more comfortable. Teams nowadays encourage families to come along as they realize that it helps players tour much better .The Australians and the south Africans have actively encourage this and its no surprise that they are the best traveling teams in the world. Being able to see a movie, go shopping, a run in a park may seem trivial things but they all help in getting one’s mind away from the game and thus returning refreshed and hungry. Learning what works for you is a very important skill that a sportsman must posses. From what I am hearing and reading about our security arrangements it s probably going to be difficult to do these things in Pakistan which will be a shame as I’m sure it will have lots of interesting places to see and visit.(TCM) Sachin, Ganguly will come good in Pak: Patil MUMBAI, Feb 20: Former Test batsman and coach Sandeep Patil has said Pakistan wickets would have the right bounce for stroke play and that Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly would be back among runs on the upcoming cricket tour. Patil, who had visited Pakistan twice as a player, said "it will be very difficult to predict the outcome of the series but I can assure you that it will be a very exciting one". "I have been to Pakistan in 1982 and in 1984 and I can tell you the tracks over there are much harder and the ball comes on to the bat, which will help free stroking batsmen like Sachin and Sourav to flourish," Patil told PTI here today. "As we all know, form is temporary but class is permanent," he added, referring to the poor scores of the two batsmen in latter part of the recent tour of Australia. Patil first played against Pakistan as a 23-year old in the 1979-80 home series. He played in 11 Tests in all against the arch-rivals and scored 479 runs including a hundred and three half centuries. Speaking on the hosts’ talented pace attack, Patil said the good performance against the Australian bowling should infuse positive thinking in the minds of Indian batsmen. "After a good showing down under, V V S Laxman and Rahul Dravid too will be joining the party and the Pakistan bowlers will really be tested against one of the best batting line-up in the world," Patil said. "The batsmen played the Aussie quickies very well and I don’t think they will have any problem playing Pakistan speedsters on wickets where stroke play will not be dangerous." "I think first and foremost we should stop thinking negatively." The 47-year old, who coached minnows Kenya at the 2003 World Cup before taking over the reins of India ‘A’, put a positive spin on India’s depleted bowling strength, saying Harbhajan Singh’s absence due to injury and Anil Kumble being a doubtful starter gave the opportunity for fringe players to cement their places in the team.(UNI) U-19 World Cup DHAKA, Feb 20: Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan scored his second ton in the tournament as Indian colts swamped Bangladesh by 131 runs to march into the super league stage of the under-19 World Cup cricket here today. Man of the match Dhawan scored 120 to set the foundation for a huge Indian innings total, 309 for seven in 50 overs, before the bowlers skittled out the hosts for 178. The victory was India’s third in as many matches and top group C. Leg-spinner Abhishek Sharma and left-arm tweaker Praveen Gupta shared the bowling honours for the winners with three scalps apiece while Aftab Ahmed was the top-scorer for Bangladesh with a 29-ball 44. Put into bat, India were off to a flying start with Dhawan, who had scored 156 against scotland, putting on 135 runs for the first wicket with Robin Uthappa (59) in 24.1 overs. Uthappa’s dismissal was followed by the hosts snaring two more quick wickets, that of Ambati Rayudu (10) and Suresh Raina (2) in a space of seven overs to check the scoring rate. But the late order batsmen — Dinesh Karthik (25), Gaurav Dhiman (32) and Abhishek Sharma (23) used the long-handle to good effect to take the score past the 300-mark. Dhawan, who faced 148 balls and hit 14 boundaries, was castled in the 49th over by Nazlum Hossain. Nadif Chowdhury and Naeem Islam took two wickets each. Bangladesh started poorly losing two wickets in the first six overs before Naeem Islam (22) and Aftab Ahmed stepped up the scoring with some powerful blows. The duo took the score to 74 in the 11th over before Aftab became Gupta’s first victim — caught by Rayudu. Barring Dhiman Ghosh’s 26, rest of the host batsmen failed to rise to the occasion as the team was bowled out in the 41 overs. New Zealand, with two wins and a loss, move into the super league along with India from group C. Brief scores: India: 309 for 7 in 50 overs (S Dhawan 120, R Uthappa 59; N Chowdhury 2-45, N Islam 2-47) bt Bangladesh 178 all out in 40.3 overs (A Ahmed 44, D Ghosh 26; P Gupta 3-21, A Sharma 3-39) by 131 runs. (PTI) J&K Police finishes fourth in All Indoor Police Handball Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Jammu and Kashmir Police Handball team today lost to Border Security Force in the hard-liner to finish fourth in the All Indian Police Sports Meet at Dharmshala in Himachal. According to reports reaching her, in the first half, J&K Police were leading by 23-18 but they were overpowered by BSF men after the breather and claimed the third place bringing the score to 39-34 in their favour. The top scorer Dheeraj Nagpal (12 goals) was given a cash prize of Rs 2000 by Sports Officer, Sheikh Mehmood. Sat Pal added nine goals. Earlier, in the semi-final match yesterday, J&K lost to Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) 29-41 (19-17). |
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