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

Sehwag rampage takes
India closer to SA total

From M R Mishra

KANPUR, Nov 23: Virender Sehwag gave a ruthless display of his stroke-making abilities as India’s top-order batsmen today hit form after a prolonged lean trot in the first cricket Test against South Africa which was headed for a tame draw. The hard-hitting Sehwag (164) not only notched up his eighth Test century but also achieved a number of individual milestones to steer India to a formidable 401 for four in their first innings at close on a fog-hit penultimate day...............more

No immediate plans
to take up coaching
assignment: Steve

NAGPUR, Nov 23: Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh today said he was open to taking up a coaching ..................more

ICC being
stupid: Akram

MOHALI, Nov 23: Wasim Akram today rubbished the recent research on bowling action by the International Cricket...........more

Indian Oil, BSF
advance to semis
in hockey tourney

NEW DELHI, Nov 23: Olympian Prabhjot Singh fired in two goals as Indian oil blanked South Central Railways.........more

Vijay Merchant U-17 Cricket
J&K trailing by 135
runs against Himachal
* Ajay Saklani completes unbeaten century

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 23: With 178 runs on board for the loss of six wickets, hosts J&K still has a trial of 135 runs against Himachal Pradesh in the three-day Vijay Merchant (U-17) cricket tournament.............more

Sports Council fails
to set example for
Associations

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 23: With less than month’s time left for the mega event of National Sports Festival for Women in Jammu, the apex sports body in J&K..................more

State Table Tennis
championship begins

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 23: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Air Tel Jammu, R V S Bhullar today declared open the 26th Stag State Table Tennis championships............more

JKFA Jammu wing
elections tomorrow

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 23: The much awaited elections of the Jammu wing of Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA)......more

Abhishek, Jarnail script MAM’s 264 runs win........

Advani continues winning streak in world snooker.....

3 J&K men in Indian Olympic Association .....

Ganguly hearing to take place on Nov 25......

Sehwag rampage takes India closer to SA total

From M R Mishra

The hard-hitting Sehwag (164) not only notched up his eighth Test century but also achieved a number of individual milestones to steer India to a formidable 401 for four in their first innings at close on a fog-hit penultimate day.

The home team’s middle order, most of whom have been woefully short of runs before the current series got underway, took the opportunity to regain their touch on a lifeless track at the Green Park Stadium.

Vice-captain Rahul Dravid was batting on 52 and VVS Laxman was giving him company on four at stumps with India trailing by 109 runs.

Newcomer Gautam Gambhir (96), Dravid and skipper Sourav Ganguly (57) got into the run-scoring groove on a day which saw just four wickets fall. Only 13 wickets have fallen in four days of play reflecting the placid nature of the track.

With the possibility of fog delaying the start of the last day’s play tomorrow, the match is heading towards a tame draw with the only point of interest being whether the home team can gain the first innings lead.

Play began one hour late from the scheduled start at 9 am today because of the fog but despite the heavy conditions, the South African pace bowlers could obtain no movement from the pitch which showed no signs of wearing down.

Resuming at the overnight score of 185 for no loss in reply to 510 for nine declared, the day clearly belonged to Sehwag who was first involved in a record 218-run opening partnership with Gambhir and then emerged as the highest individual scorer against South Africa at home.

The dashing Sehwag turned on the heat from the very second over producing a pleasing cover drive to the fence off Makhaya Ntini and then spanking Shaun Pollock to the boundary.

But he was at his belligerent best in the post-lunch session clobbering 54 runs off just 35 balls.

The two Delhi batsmen recorded the second highest opening partnership in Indian Test history when they crossed 213, the previous record by Sunil Gavaskar and Chetan Chauhan against England at the oval in 1979. It was the sixth 200 plus partnership by an Indian opening pair so far.

But Gambhir fell just four runs short of what could have been his maiden Test century.

The left hander, playing in his second Test since making his debut against Australia in Mumbai earlier this month, edged an away going delivery off Pollock to wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile. He occupied the crease for 246 minutes and faced 151 balls during his knock of 96 which included 11 boundaries and a six.

Sehwag launched a blistering assault on a clueless bowling attack which also helped him complete 1000 runs in a calendar year. He has hit three centuries from nine Tests played so far this year.

Sehwag broke loose immediately after the lunch break spanking the first ball by hall to the boundary and and kept up the tempo with a flurry of strokes in the extended post-lunch session much to the delight of the vociferous home crowd.

He rattled up 54 runs in just 35 balls after the lunch interval before falling leg before to hall who also scalped the prized wicket of Sachin Tendulkar (3) in the span of four overs.

The Delhi opener was particularly severe on hall smashing him for 18 runs in an over and then hammered medium pacer Zander De Bruyn and spinner Robin Peterson for 14 runs each in an over to dramatically accelerate the pace of scoring.

Sehwag occupied the crease for 326 minutes and faced 228 balls during his rollicking knock of 164 which contained 20 boundaries and two sixes.

His magnificent effort eclipsed Mohamad Azharuddin’s record individual score of 163 not out at this venue in 1996-97. Tendulkar holds the record of the highest score by an Indian against South Africa with 169 in the Johannesburg Test in 1996-97.

But Tendulkar never really looked comfortable during his 21-minute stay at the crease and returned to the pavilion when hall knocked off his middle stump with a superb in-swinger.

The pace of scoring dropped down considerably after Sehwag’s dismissal with Dravid and Ganguly playing cautiously.

Ganguly got a reprieve when on 12 with Martin Van Jaarsveld dropping a difficult chance at the mid off region, Peterson being the unlucky bowler.

The Indian captain was in a more attacking mood after the tea break unleashing some glorious shots on both sides of the wicket, picking up Ntini for special treatment by hammering him for two boundaries in the same over.

The South African captain Graeme Smith claimed the second new ball after 96 overs but there were no immediate results as Ganguly and Dravid had got used to the slowness of the track by then.

Ganguly notched up his 23rd half century but perished soon after with his short-arm pull landing straight into the hands of Peterson at fine leg, part-timer De Bruyn providing the breakthrough. (PTI)

No immediate plans to take up coaching
assignment: Steve

NAGPUR, Nov 23: Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh today said he was open to taking up a coaching assignment with India provided he gets a suitable offer.

Although he said he had no immediate plans to take up any such assignment either for India or for his home side, he did not rule it out either.

"I have no immediate plans to take up new assignment of coaching Australian team since I have lot of commitments including some social and charitable ones," Waugh told reporters here.

On whether he was open to the idea of coaching India, he said "John Wright is doing well," and added that he had no such offer from the Indian cricket board.

"If at all an offer comes from Indian side, it would all depend on the situation and conditions thereof. If the terms and conditions are suitable to me, I might accept it."

On the ‘walking’ debate, the Australian great felt that there was no need for players to walk out without waiting for the umpire’s decision.

"The umpire has got some responsibility and let him do it. Sometimes there is a possibility of an error of judgement on part of batsman and third umpire is the right person to give a correct decision."

On the just concluded India-Australia series which the Aussies won, Waugh said the pitches prepared for the matches were good, including the one at Mumbai.

Waugh is in the city to promote an Australian insurance company of which he is the brand ambassador. (PTI)

ICC being stupid: Akram

MOHALI, Nov 23: Wasim Akram today rubbished the recent research on bowling action by the International Cricket Council saying the game’s world governing body was "being stupid" in proposing that bowlers be allowed to bend their arms up to 15 degrees.

"ICC is being stupid. It’s a stupid theory. It (flexion) can’t be 11 degrees or 15 degrees. There seems to be no brains there," the legendary Pakistani all-rounder told reporters here on the sidelines of a programme that aims to create awareness about diabetes among children.

The 38-year-old former Pakistan captain said the ICC must not adopt an in-between path while dealing with players with suspect bowling action. "Either you chuck or you don’t."

While Akram had brickbats for ICC, he was sympathetic of controversial off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

"I think Murali is a great bowler. Sometimes you are unfair to him."

Akram was all praise for Indian paceman Irfan Pathan and rated the left-arm seamer as a better player than what he himself was during the early phase of his career.

"The talent is very much there. He is a better bowler than what I was at his age. He knows what is happening around him and he has many years to further improve himself."

Akram was critical of Indian spinners, particularly Harbhajan Singh for criticising the Kanpur pitch. "This is the problem with your spinners that they start expecting the pitch to turn from day one itself."

"Harbhajan is a great bowler and he should stop blaming the wickets. I think a test wicket should be like the one at Kanpur. It should not be like the Mumbai track where players like Clarke can take six wickets," he said. (PTI)

Indian Oil, BSF advance to semis in hockey tourney

NEW DELHI, Nov 23: Olympian Prabhjot Singh fired in two goals as Indian oil blanked South Central Railways, Secunderabad 5-0 to secure a semifinal berth in the ONGC-Nehru Hockey Tournament here today.

In the last four match, to be played tomorrow, Indian Oil will face Border Security Force who pipped Punjab and Sind Bank 3-2 in the other quarterfinal riding on Habil Topno’s golden goal.

Oil team had to shed too little sweat in dismissing the challenge of their opposition in the one-sided match at Shivaji Stadium.

The team took a strong hold of the match in the first half itself after Prabhjot Singh scored in the 22nd and 32nd minute.

There was no change in fortune for the Railways after the half time as Hamza added to the tally in the 41st minute. Deepak Thakur made it 4-0 four minutes later before Hamza hit the last nail in Railway’s coffin with a 50th minute strike.

BSF deservedly emerged the winner as they, continuing the good work, took a 2-0 lead by the 27th minute.

Marinus Lakra scored a field goal in the 11th minute before John Jojo swelled the lead further in the 27th minute.

But the bank team bounced back hard slamming home two goals — Navpreet Singh (31st) and Ajit Pal Singh (34th) — in a space of three minutes as the sides went to the breather with the scoreline reading 2-2.

A barren second half failed to deadlock following which the match went into the extra time four minutes into which Topno scored the winner. In another semifinal tomorrow, Bharat Petroleum will take on Punjab Police. (PTI)

Vijay Merchant U-17 Cricket
J&K trailing by 135 runs against Himachal
* Ajay Saklani completes unbeaten century

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

Resuming their innings from overnight score of 262, Himachal crossed the three hundred mark bringing the score to 313 in 115 overs including an unbeaten century from Ajay Saklani. Beginning his innings from overnight score of 99, Ajay added 37 more runs to make 136 runs studded with 10 boundaries.

Monty Sharma, who was playing at 21, lost his wicket at 30. Appnam Gupta, who was unable to get a wicket yesterday, bagged two wickets today that too in a single over he bowled (19-2-53-2). Amit Aziz also took a wicket.

In reply to Himachal’s big score of 313, J&K made a good start with first wicket added 48 runs. Thereafter, wickets felled on regular intervals and when stumps were drawn J&K were struggling at 178 for six in 70 overs they faced. Adil Rishi and Appnam Gupta were at the crease at the end of day two play with 53 and 3 runs in their respective accounts. Besides, Adil, Divya Pratap Singh also played fine innings of 40 runs including six boundaries. From Himachal, Vishal Sharma took two wickets.

SCOREBOARD

Himachal Pradesh first innings

Aditya Choudhary lbw Ram Dayal 3

Minesh Thakur b Mohd. Muddassar 19

Ashish Dhiman lbw Mohd Muddassar 0

Maninder Singh lbw Mohd Muddassar 2

Kushal Kirti c Divya Partap Singh b Aditya Partap Singh 5

Manik Mohil b Manik Gupta 39

Ajay Saklani not out 136

Tarun Dogra b Manik Gupta 0

Monty Sharma c Ram Dayal

b Amir Aziz 36

Vishal Sharma c Parvez Rasool

b Appnam Gupta 2

Ankur Dadwal c Parvez Rasool

b Appnam Gupta 0

Extras: (lb-8, b-9, nb-8, w-2) 27

Total (all out in 115 overs) 313

Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-21, 3-23, 4-28, 5-38, 6-202, 7-206, 8-296, 9-313, 10-313.

Bowling Analysis: Mohd. Mudassar 22-7-52-3; Ram Dayal 12-2-36-1; Aditya Partap Singh 3-1-5-1; Manik Gupta 33-4-86-2; Amir Aziz 19-5-46-1; Appnam Gupta 19-2-53-2; Parvez Rasool 7-2-18-0.

J&K first innings

Aditya Partap Singh st Ankur

Dhadwal b Vishal Sharma 9

Divya Partap Singh c Manik

Mohil b Ajay Saklani 40

Adil Rishi not out 53

Aditya Aima lbw Vishal Sharma 19

Parvez Rasool run out

Ankur Dhadwal 18

Ram Dayal c Minesh Thakur

b Aditya Choudhary 18

Manik Gupta b Monty Sharma 1

Appnam Gupta not out 3

Extras: (lb-3, b-6, nb-7, w-1) 17

Total (for six in 70 overs) 178

Fall of wickets: 1-48, 2-62, 3-93, 4-127, 5-151, 6-170

Bowling Analysis: Monty Sharma 12-4-41-1; Minesh Thakur 4-2-7-0; Vishal Sharma 27-8-42-2; Ajay Saklani 18-3-57-1; Aditya Choudhary 7-4-10-1; Ashish Dhiman 2-0-12-0.

Sports Council fails to set example for Associations

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 23: With less than month’s time left for the mega event of National Sports Festival for Women in Jammu, the apex sports body in J&K, the State Sports Council, has yet to finalise the teams for the competition.

Having been allotted three events of Hockey, Handball and Lawn Tennis with over 700 expected participants, the Council has not been able to even finalise various committees and identify the players who will be representing the State in these competitions.

National Sports Festival for Women is held annually by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), who also partly bears the expenses incurred on these competitions. In Jammu and Kashmir these events will be conducted from December 14 to 17.

Since Council supervised the activities of various affiliated sports associations in the State, it was expected from them (Council) to set an example for such sports association by hosting the event in a professional manner. But with exactly 20 days remaining for the start of these games on December 14 at M A Stadium, here, the Sports Council will not be able to conduct a 21-day pre-competition camp, which, otherwise is mandatory before any National level event.

Moreover, the highest chair in the Council after the Secretary— the Chief Sports Office when contacted by EXCELSIOR to get details, he was unable tell who is going to select the teams and date when and where the actual coaching camps will start.

State Table Tennis championship begins

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 23: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Air Tel Jammu, R V S Bhullar today declared open the 26th Stag State Table Tennis championships at Indoor Complex, M A Stadium, here under the banner of J&K Table Tennis Association (JKTTA).

The chief guest inaugurated the competition by knocking on the centre table with general secretary of JKTTA, Ajay Sharma. Earlier, he was introduced with the contingents from participating districts of Srinagr, Udhampur, Kathua, Poonch and Jammu in differnt age groups. He was accompanied by vice-president, Vicky Mahajan and organising secretary, Sheetal Gandotra besides Ajay Sharma.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bhullar expressed his pleasure young boys and girls actively taking part in sports activities in this trouble torn state of Jammu and Kashmir. He encourged the youngesters saying that there are lot of scope in sports if they decide to make it a profession in life.

This champioship is being co-sponsored by Air Tel.

Prominent among others present in the inaugural function were veteran badminton player, D D Sharma, district Poonch secretary, Salim Bandey, district Udhampur secretary, Devinder Sharma and Assistant Director Physical Education, University of Jammu, M M Sharma. Parents of the participants were also among the distinguished gathering in the table tennis hall.

JKFA Jammu wing elections tomorrow

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 23: The much awaited elections of the Jammu wing of Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) will be held on November 25 at Jammu Club, here.

According to the reports reaching here, the existing body, which was unanimously elected for the four-year term, this time facing a tough challenge from the young members, especially those from J&K Football Players Welfare Association.

The sitting members of JKFA Jammu wing are Sheikh Mehmood (vice-president), Shiv Paul Sharma (joint secretary) and Fiestus Sotra (resident treasurer).

In total, there will be 36 voting members including 21 representing affiliated clubs, three from district Poonch, four from other DFAs(district football associations) and eight direct members.

The elections will be held under the supervision of an observer from Jammu and kashmir Football Association.

Abhishek, Jarnail script MAM’s 264 runs win

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 23: Splendid century knocks by Abhishek Singh and Jarnail Singh today guided Government MAM College to a big 264 runs win over KC Law College in the inter-college cricket tournament being organised by Department of Physical Education at University grounds, here.

Batting first after winning the toss, MAM College set an unbeatable target of 423 runs for the loss of three wickets in the stipulated 40 overs. In reply, the whole side of KC Law College bundled out at a meager total of 158 runs in 34.5 overs.

Abhishek Singh made 115 runs in mere 63 runs studded with five six and 11 boundaries while Jarnail Singh completed his ton making 133 off 102 balls with the help of one six and 16 fours. Kapil Bhardwaj contributed 82 (off 50, 2x6, 13x4) runs and Amit Singh added 40 runs in just 16 deliveries including one six and six boundaries.

Batting second, KC Law College virtually surrendered before the bowling attack of MAM barring Manik Partap who made 76 runs including ten hits to the fence. Azim was other top scorer with 18 runs. From MAM, Sachin took three wickets while Jasbir Singh and Vikram shared two wickets each.

Semis line-up drawn in men hockey

JAMMU: Semi-finals position has been cleared in the ongoing inter-college men hockey competitions being held at University ground here today.

Those qualified for the last four stage are PG Arts, Degree College Poonch, Government MAM College and Degree College Kathua.

In the quarterfinals played today, Degree College Poonch outplayed Government SPMR College of Commerce 12-4 while MAM College got walkover PG Law and Sciences.

Half of the score for Poonch came through Pawan Kumar, who sounded the board in 3rd, 10th, 12th, 27th, 29th, 50th and 58th minutes. Mukesh Kumar struck in 37th, 44th and 48th minutes while Gurjeet Singh and Harmit Singh added one goal each in 22nd and 56th minute respectively.

In the third quarterfinal encounter, Degree College Kathua defeated GGM Science College 5-1. Sandeep Sharma scored in 6th and 7th minute while Mahesh Kumar converted three penalty strokes in to the goal in 47th, 57th and 59th minutes. From Science College, Arvind reduced the margin in 13th minute.

PG Arts thrashed Degree College Udhampur 12-2 to sail into the semi-finals. Rajinder Singh made four goals in 5th, 9th, 11th and 46th minute. Jaswinder Singh added two goals in 27th and 44th while Kamaldeep Singh netted the ball in 29th, 57th and 58th minute. Pritam Sigh too played a fine game in the second half adding three goals to the tally in 42nd, 59th and 60th minute. From Udhampur, Sanjeev Sharma and Karam Magotra added one goal each in 36th and 58th minute respectively.

Today’s quarterfinals were officiated by Joginder Singh, Jasbir Singh and Shishupal Singh. Hockey tournament is being organised under the supervision of PD Singh.

Advani continues winning streak in world snooker

NEW DELHI, Nov 23: Defending champion Pankaj Advani kept his clean slate on the third consecutive day as he defeated Thomas Fischer of Switzerland in the men’s Group F league event in the world IBSF snooker championship at the NH Koningshof Hotel in Veldhoven, the Netherlands.

Advani beat Fischer 4-2 in the first session of the day while breakup of his score in the best of seven frames’ match was not available.

Asian games gold medallist Rafath Habib played a very easy opponent in Egypt’s Ahmed El Fokiry in Group E and won 4-0. Rafath scored 74-10, 68-24, 71-43 and 71-8, according to information received here today.

However, it was not a very exciting day for Indian women as Meenal Thakur miserably lost to Australia’s Kathy Parasis 1-3 in her group LC tie. The Aussie won 58-14, 49-60, 70-5, 53-27.

In the group LD, Revanna Uma Devi failed to keep momentum and bowed out against Norwaygian Anita Rizzuti 1-3 in the best of five frames scoring 62-25, 48-57, 47-54, 25-66. The Indian had yesterday won a close encounter against Poland’s Malgorzataklys 3-1 (50-40, 56-64, 53-21, 54-43).

According to the format of the tournament, 88 players have been divided into eight groups with the top four making it to the knock-out stage in the snooker event.

A record 168 players from 40 countries around the world have registered to compete in the championships to be held at the 22-table venue till December 4.

Over 800 matches will be played in the group stages over the first 10 days, followed by 61 matches in the knock-out stages.

Asian snooker champion Alok Kumar, in the late session yesterday, scored an emphatic 4-0 victory against Belgian Peter Bullen. Alok simply outclassed his opponent capturing the frames 74-0, 94-33, 57-26, 106-0 in the Group G.

In the seniors’ category, BVS Murthy despite his efforts score a blank against Dene O’kane of New Zealand to be 0-3 at the end of their group SD match. Murthy had yesterday trounced Kieran Erwin of Northern Ireland 3-1 (36-58, 71-18, 75-26, 67-28). (PTI)

3 J&K men in Indian Olympic Association

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 23: Jammu and Kashmir has a seizable representation in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) with three men from the state making into the list of office bearers.

In the recently held IOA meeting at Delhi, president of J&K Olympic Association, Rangil Singh has been made associate vice-president while general secretary of the Association retained the position of joint secretary.

Another individual from the state, S M Bali, who is president of J&K Handball Association, was made joint secretary for the third term. Bali is also general secretary of the Handball Federation of India.

Ganguly hearing to take place on Nov 25

KOLKATA, Nov 23: The appeals commission of the International Cricket Council would hold a hearing via teleconference on November 25 to take a final decision on the two-match ban on Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly.

The hearing has been fixed on Thursday morning via teleconference for a final decision on Ganguly’s appeal, an ICC source confirmed to PTI over phone.

The teleconference would be held between ICC appeals commissioner Tim Castle in New Zealand, ICC match referee Clive Lloyd in London, Ganguly and a BCCI representative in New Delhi, the source said.

The timing of the hearing would be decided in consultation with the concerned parties.

Ganguly would be represented by eminent lawyer and former West Bengal Chief Minister Siddhartha Shankar Ray while BCCI legal adviser Ushanath Banerjee would represent the cricket board in the hearing, it was learnt.

This is the first time that in the hearing of a player the concerned cricket board has been allowed to be represented through its lawyer.

Ganguly was slapped a two-match ban after he was found guilty of breaching icc code of conduct for the second time in a year for failing to maintain the required over rate in the platinum jubilee one-day match against Pakistan here at Eden Gardens on November 13.

The match had ended more than one hour beyond the scheduled close of play.

The ban was to come into force with immediate effect, but the Indian skipper was allowed to play the first Test match against South Africa at Kanpur after he appealed against the ban and the ICC appeals commissioner decided to hold the hearing on his appeal after the first Test.

Apart from his formal appeal, Ganguly has also sent a detailed letter to the commissioner in which he has contended that an hour’s play was lost during the match due to dew and injuries to players.

The letter was sent after Ganguly, along with other experts, watched the entire video recording of the match here.

Ganguly’s basic contention is that time was not wasted intentionally but lost primarily due to the dew which played havoc with ground conditions.

Castle has already been provided with the video recording of the match and the report of match referee Clive Lloyd. (PTI)