Martyn’s ton throws
match wide open

CHENNAI, Oct 17: The second cricket Test between India and Australia was poised on the knife’s edge at the end of the penultimate day’s play here today after Damien Martyn led a remarkable fightback with a gritty century to leave the home team a target of 229 to level the series. .............more

Humpy, Mohota guide
India to victory over Cuba

MALLORCA (Spain) Oct 17: Grandmaster Koneru Humpy and Women Grandmaster Nisha Mohota guided India to a 2.5-0.5 triumph over Cuba in the second round of the women’s section of 36th Chess Olympiad at Gran Casino here..........more

Kumble upbeat about Indian victory

CHENNAI, Oct 17: After having played yet another sterling role with a match haul of 13 wickets, ace leg spinner Anil Kumble today gave India a decent chance of winning the second cricket Test against Australia. .......more

J&K holds Nagaland goalless draw MP upset Delhi in Santosh Trophy

NEW DELHI, Oct 17: Delhi’s hopes to advance to the quarterfinals suffered a big blow when they lost to Madhya Pradesh by a solitary goal in the Santosh Trophy football tournament here today. The all important goal was scored by striker Sonu Razak in the 17th minute for Madhya Pradesh, who played with 9 CRPF men, in a cluster II match played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex........more

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CISF, Navy wrestlers
show domination

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 17: The opening day of the 3rd Federation Cup wrestling championship was dominated by the wrestlers from Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Indian Navy at Swami Vivekanand sports stadium at Katra, 43 kilometers from here yesterday............more

QFs line visible as
4th seed upset

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 17: Quarterfinal line-up has become visible with the entry of six cueist in the last eight state in the junior snooker in the ongoing 15th Jummu District Billiards and Snooker Championships underway at MA Stadium, here.. ........more

Family means the
world to me

By Shane Warne

We have been working so hard to keep India under pressure here in Chennai that it hasn't really sunk in yet that the world bowling record is mine. Perhaps it will after this Test match, but I guess ...........more

Anil is a match winner

By Rahul Dravid

Congratulations to Shane Warne and Anil Kumble on their great achievements over the last few days. For great players like these two personal milestones are not as important as team's victory but these records are a credit to their consistent performance over the last decade or.....more

Target of 100-130 should be safe: Kaif.......

Bhupathi, Bjorkman in Kremlin Cup final......

Indian team for next matches to be picked today..........

Martyn’s ton throws match wide open

CHENNAI, Oct 17: The second cricket Test between India and Australia was poised on the knife’s edge at the end of the penultimate day’s play here today after Damien Martyn led a remarkable fightback with a gritty century to leave the home team a target of 229 to level the series.

After being at the receiving end on the first three days, Australia changed the complexion of the game as they rode on Martyn’s eighth Test century to post 369 in their second innings.

In reply, Virender Sehwag (12) and Yuvraj Singh (7) saw off the three overs to take India to 19 for no loss at close on the penultimate day.

The hosts now have a daunting task at hand to score the remaining 210 runs on a wearing fifth day track at the M A Chidambaram Stadium.

Resuming at the overnight score of 150 for four, the 32-year-old Martyn struck a resolute 104 and shared a record 139-run sixth wicket partnership with nightwatchman Jason Gillespie (26) to not only frustrate the hosts but steer the team to a relatively safe position.

The Australian batsmen showed a lot of character as they countered the two Indian spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh quite well to give themselves a chance of taking a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

The sixth pair of Martyn and Gillespie tormented the home team for close to four hours before both of them perished in quick succession shortly before the tea break with Harbhajan Singh providing the breakthrough.

But Michael Clarke (39 not out) and Darren Lehmann (31) came up with useful knocks to ensure that the visitors had a sizeable lead.

Kumble, who turned 34 today, was again the pick of the Indian bowlers with six wickets for 133 to return a match haul of 13 for 181, an effort which saw him climb to the seventh position in the list of highest Test wicket-takers. Kumble, who has now 415 wickets, overtook former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram (414).

It was Kumble’s 26th five-wicket haul and the match haul of 13 for 181 was the sixth time he had taken 10 or more wickets.

Lehmann became his first victim of the day when he under-pulled a rank bad delivery to be caught behind.

Kumble then had Shane Warne caught at silly point before rapping Michael Kasprowicz on the pads.

Finally, Harbhajan Singh bowled Glenn McGrath to end the Aussie innings.

Clarke remained unbeaten on 39, and his 62-run stand with Lehmann was worth its weight in gold.

Although it came late in the day, Kumble’s strikes made sure the Australian tail did not wag too long and the target remained achievable.

But a tailender did frustrate the indians early in the day. Gillespie batted for more than four hours and denied them a wicket the whole of morning session.

Gillespie’s contribution in his record fifth wicket partnership with Martyn was only 26 but their combined resistance drove the Indians to despair until Harbhajan struck twice in an over before tea to bring the hosts back into the match. Dravid took the catch on both the occasions.

Martyn eschewed flair as he registered his eighth Test hundred that put the Aussies in a healthy situation which seemed distant when captain Adam Gilchrist (49) was dismissed yesterday.

Martyn, whose 104 came from 204 balls, hit 11 fours and a six during his 261-minute stay at the crease.

Martyn showed his maturing batsmanship against the slow bowlers as he used the width of the crease and judged the length perfectly to rock back and play his pull shots against both Anil Kumble and Harbhajan.

His resistance meant it was the turn of the Indians to toil under the hot sun. Although the maximum temperature read in the mid-30s outside the stadium, inside it registered well above 40 degrees, making Chepauk a hot furnace.

But coming as he does from Western Australia, Martyn coped with the Chennai heat well. Two consecutive fours off Harbhajan saw him reach 50 from 111 balls and also cross the 3000-run mark in Tests.

By the 86th over, the Australian lead was worth 100, and the 250 came in the 92nd over.

Martyn then stepped out to Kumble and perched the leg spinner into the fifth tier at long off to reach his century.

In the meantime, India’s fielding nightmares continued.

Patel conceded five penalty runs after failing to gather Zaheer Khan down the leg and the ball hit the fielder’s helmet.

The youngster also missed a stumping chance to dismiss Gillespie off Kumble while Harbhajan Singh failed to hold on to a return catch of the nightwatchman.

Rahul Dravid’s two catches then came as a huge boost of confidence for the Indians.

They also gave Harbhajan Singh his 50th wicket against the visitors in seven Tests.

Indians started off their chase confidently with first innings centurion Sehwag hitting three fours off McGrath, two of those came in the last over of the day. (PTI)

SCOREBOARD

Australia 1st innings: 235

India 1st innings: 376

Australia 2nd innings:

J Langer c Dravid b Kumble 19

M Hayden c Laxman b Kumble 39

A Gilchrist b Kumble 49

S Katich lbw b Zaheer 9

D Martyn c Dravid b Harbhajan 104

J Gillespie c Dravid b Harbhajan 26

M Clarke not out 39

D Lehmann c Patel b Kumble 31

S Warne c Laxman b Kumble 0

M Kasprowicz lbw b Kumble 5

G McGrath b Harbhajan 2

Extras (b-19, lb-15, nb-4, w-3, p-5) 46

Total (all out in 133.5 overs) 369

Fall of wickets: 1-53, 2-76, 3-121, 4-145, 5-284, 6-285, 7-347, 8-347, 9-364.

Bowling: Pathan 12-3-39-0, Zaheer 22-6-36-1, Harbhajan 46.5-12-108-3, Kumble 47-7-133-6, Sehwag 1-0-5-0, Yuvraj Singh 2-0-7-0, Ganguly 3-1-2-0.

India 2nd innings:

Yuvraj Singh batting 7

V Sehwag batting 12

Total (for no loss in 3 overs) 19

Bowling: McGrath 2-0-18-0, Gillespie 1-0-1-0. (PTI)

Humpy, Mohota guide India to victory over Cuba

MALLORCA (Spain) Oct 17: Grandmaster Koneru Humpy and Women Grandmaster Nisha Mohota guided India to a 2.5-0.5 triumph over Cuba in the second round of the women’s section of 36th Chess Olympiad at Gran Casino here.

Germany, Kazakhstan and Latvia won their respective contests emerging joint leaders with 6 points each from as many games in this 14-rounds event being played under FIDE’s Swiss rules for team competition.

As many as six teams — top seed China, Netherlands, Vietnam, Slovenia, Sweden and Russia — share the next spot in the standing list with 5.5 points.

The Indian eves, after their back to back win, are next in the points table along with Bulgaria, Serbia Montenegro, Poland, United States and Hungary with 36 more games to go.

Koneru Humpy again turned out to be the most reliable in the team as she overpowered Arribas Maritza from the black pieces yesterday.

On the second board for India, teenager Dronavalli Harika opened her Olympiad score after settling for a draw with Marrero Yaniet while Nisha Mohota had to work very hard to get the better of Vivian Ramon on the third board. (PTI)

Kumble upbeat about Indian victory

CHENNAI, Oct 17: After having played yet another sterling role with a match haul of 13 wickets, ace leg spinner Anil Kumble today gave India a decent chance of winning the second cricket Test against Australia.

"210 runs in 90 overs tomorrow is achievable and we have a decent chance of winning the match," Kumble told reporters after India ended day four of the match needing 210 runs more for a series-levelling victory with all their wickets intact.

However, the champion spinner, who moved to the seventh place in the top test wickettakers’ list, said it was important that the batsmen played well in the first session tomorrow.

"It is important that we get a good start. Invariably the pitch has helped the batsmen most during the first session of last four days and we have a good chance to overhaul the required target," said the bowler, who turned 34 today.

"If we go into lunch placed comfortably, India have a very good chance of winning the Test," he said.

Kumble, who saw a few chances being miffed by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel off his bowling, defended the young Baroda stumper saying it was tough to keep in such conditions.

"Lot of things have been said about him. But it is not easy to keep wickets in such conditions where the ball hits the rough. But when such incidents are shown and repeated on television, it makes it look worse. No doubt it is a tough job to keep wickets on such pitches," he said.

On his own bowling which saw him pick six second innings wickets, Kumble said "it was a tough day. Martyn and Gillespie batted well, particularly Martyn batted brilliantly. I hope our batsmen will perform well tomorrow.

"On my own performance, I must say that it is great to perform like this, particularly against a world champion side. To get wickets against them is always satisfying."

All praise for Damien Martyn who scored 104 to steady the Aussie innings, he said, "he played well by waiting for the ball to come up and also played on the back foot punishing the loose balls. There was low bounce and I had to pitch up the ball. Overall, it was a pretty hard and tough day."

Asked whether it would be difficult to bat tomorrow against Shane Warne, Kumble said "he is, no doubt, a great bowler but our batsmen have done well against him in the past. It all depends on the first session performance."

Kumble did not think that he was introduced late in the attack.

"In fact I bowled all through the day and when spinners bowl it is important that there is support from the other end. I thought Zaheer Khan bowled very well giving support to the spinners." (PTI)

J&K holds Nagaland goalless draw MP upset Delhi in Santosh Trophy

NEW DELHI, Oct 17: Delhi’s hopes to advance to the quarterfinals suffered a big blow when they lost to Madhya Pradesh by a solitary goal in the Santosh Trophy football tournament here today.

The all important goal was scored by striker Sonu Razak in the 17th minute for Madhya Pradesh, who played with 9 CRPF men, in a cluster II match played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex.

Meanwhile, Punjab thrashed Tripura 7-0 in cluster V to smoothen their progress to the next round. This was the second big win for the former champions who had defeated Chhattisgarh (5-0) in their first match.

Overall it was a day of upsets in the 59th edition of the national championship as Gujarat and Chhattisgarh bounced back after going down tamely in their first encounters.

Gujarat, who lost to Delhi (0-6) in the inaugural match, defeated Assam 3-2 in cluster II and Chhattisgarh hammered Meghalaya 5-1 in cluster V.

In cluster VI matches played at Chhatrasal Stadium, Karnataka beat Himachal Pradesh 4-0 and Haryana got the better of Rajasthan 3-1.

Meanwhile,in a first round match played yesterday, Jammu and Kashmir held Nagaland to a goalless draw. (PTI)

CISF, Navy wrestlers show domination

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 17: The opening day of the 3rd Federation Cup wrestling championship was dominated by the wrestlers from Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Indian Navy at Swami Vivekanand sports stadium at Katra, 43 kilometers from here yesterday.

Earlier, the competitions were declared open by the former Union Minister, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, who was chief guest in the inaugural function. Speaking on the occasion, he assured his support for the promotion of wrestling in the State.

Prof Gupta was happy to see top wrestlers of the country, representing departmental and state teams, competing at the holy town of Katra. He had all praise for the organisers for hosting a mega event during the Navratra Festival.

Prominent among those present in the opening function included president of Indian Style Wrestling Federation of India, Ramashrey Yadev, working president, Baba Saheb Landge and general secretary, Roshan Lal.

Federation Cup is being organised by J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association under the supervision of Shiv Kumar Sharma, chairman organising committee.

Results: 51 kg: Harish (Punjab) bt Romesh (Haryana), Rajesh Patel bt Paramjeet (J&K), Tushar Kadam (Maharashtra) bt Pawan Delhi, Sandeep Singh (CISF) bt Sushil Kumar (J&K). 55 kg: Amarjeet Singh (Haryana) bt Rashid (Railway) and Virender (CISF) bt Sanjay Kumar(UP). 60 kg: Bajrangi Yadav (Navy) bt Deepak Singh (UP), Satpal (CISF) bt Kulwant (J&K), Navin (Delhi) bt Rakesh Kumar (Haryana) and Prem Kumar (J&K) bt Dhananjay (Maharashtra). 66 kg: Guru Lal Singh (Punjab) bt Rajesh Singh (UP), Jagbir bt Anil Kumar (Mohnu) (J&K), Dharmendra (Navy) bt Dharmendra (Delhi) and Deepak Patil (Maharashtra) got walkover. 74 kg: Mahesh Muhal (Maharashtra) bt Jammed Lal (J&K), Anil (Haryana) bt Vinayak Yadav (UP), Suresh Kumar (Navy), Tejinder Singh (Punjab) and Jitender Singh (CISF entered the second round. 82 kg: Deen Dayal Dixit bt Vikas Muhal (Maharshtra) and Anil Kumar bt Vijender Singh (Navy).

QFs line visible as 4th seed upset

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 17: Quarterfinal line-up has become visible with the entry of six cueist in the last eight state in the junior snooker in the ongoing 15th Jummu District Billiards and Snooker Championships underway at MA Stadium, here.

Those who have made it into the quarterfinals were Sahil Arora, Sohail Plassar, Ankush Gupta, Sumesh Turki, Ishan Chowdhary and Nikhil Kapahi.

Second day of the competitions too witnessed a major upset when fourth seed Ishuk Chowdhary was beaten by Sahil Arora in the pre-quarters encounter today.

Now, in the quarterfinal starting from tomorrow, Sumesh will take on Ankush Gupta while Sohail Plassar will be playing against Sahil Arora and Ishan Chowdhary to face Nikhil Kapahi.

Meanwhile, according to organising secretary of the championships, Sheetal Gandotra the junior Billiards competitions shall start from October 20.

The detailed results: Prequarters: Sahil Arora bt Ishuk Chowdhary 58-38, 65-37; Sohail Plassar bt Manik Basotra 55-16, 61-21; Ankush Gupta bt Sunil Gupta 60-41, 47-51; 63-13; Sumesh Turki bt Neeraj Gupta 77-35, 18-53, 74-36; Ishan Chowdhary bt Ritesh 65-20, 54-51; Nikhil Kapahi bt Yuvraj Singh 48-28, 55-31.

First round: Vidit bt Sunny 59-29, 66-31; Yuvraj Singh bt Sachin Samnotra 38-27, 26-53, 82-45; Nikhil Kapahi bt Gurdev Singh 65-17, 63-49; Mohit Mohajan bt Jatinder 78-13, 86-12; Ishan Chowdhary bt Akhil Tandon 64-55, 51-48; Sahil Sharma bt Sourav Gupta 50-15, 18-45, 59-23; Kuldeep Chowdhary bt Kamal Kapahi 74-29, 64-21.

Family means the world to me

By Shane Warne

We have been working so hard to keep India under pressure here in Chennai that it hasn't really sunk in yet that the world bowling record is mine. Perhaps it will after this Test match, but I guess with all the talk there's been surrounding the milestone, it's a nice relief to have finally passed the mark.I worked hard to put any thoughts of the record out of my mind during the first Test in Bangalore, but despite my best attempts, human nature probably took over a bit and I over-cooked things slightly towards the end of my spell. That's the way it goes I guess, but here in Chennai, I felt far more at ease. The record-breaking wicket itself was a bit of a blur, but I'm sure I'll see the big Queenslander, Matt Hayden, take that catch on replays or in photos over time and it will bring back some pretty special memories. Mostly of the mateship I have been so lucky to have experienced since first playing for Australia back in 1991-92. At home most of us start out playing sport to compete and spend time with our mates, and even though I am now playing at the highest level, that hasn't changed at bit.This might be an individual record, and one that I am very proud about, but it is still something that all of those who have worn the baggy green during my international career can feel a part of.

The only way that I have been able to achieve this mark is because of the great teams that I have played in. There's no way that I would be in this situation now without the faith of my captains Allan Border, Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist who on countless occasions had the confidence to back me to take a bag of wickets. It gives me a great feeling to know that I have been able to repay their faith. Thanks fellas.The same can be said about Ian Healy and Gilly's work behind the stumps.

Both of these guys have made me look good, whilst our quicks such as Glenn McGrath, Craig McDermott, Jason Gillespie, Paul Reiffel, Michael Kasprowicz and Brett Lee have over time, tied up ends and given me the chance to take wickets for Australia. My debut against India in Sydney feels like only yesterday, and at that point, little did I think that one day I would be placed at the top of the list for the number of Test wickets. Topping the list for the most runs conceded was probably closer to my thinking after that match, but it's amazing how things change, and the lesson of 'never giving up' is one that I try and pass on to the young blokes in our squad who get pretty down on themselves if things don't quite go according to plan. I guess throughout my entire career, things haven't quite gone to script. There's been plenty of high's and low's, but this is certainly up there with one the great moments, and it meant so much to me that my wife Simone was here to see it happen.Simone, our kids, my parents and brother Jason mean the world to me. This one's for you guys.Now before I go any further, I want to clarify the story about the new bowling boots. They're not a publicity stunt, they're simply the most comfortable pair of runners I have ever worn. I had a pair just for the fitness component of our training, such as running and gym, and they were so comfortable that I had them 'spiked-up' before the first Test.

Unfortunately they didn't arrive until the final day of the Test, but had they been there earlier, I would have worn them straight away. A number of the Indian players have been enquiring where they can get a pair, and we noticed at training the other day, that even Sachin had a new pair of boots with a splash of red on them.

Perhaps I've started a trend! Our focus now is to continue to apply the breaks on India during this Test. It's nice to have broken the record, but it would pale into insignificance if we could go 2-0 up in this series. It's tough going, a real battle, but you can rest assured that this Aussie XI will never give up.(TCM)

Anil is a match winner

By Rahul Dravid

Congratulations to Shane Warne and Anil Kumble on their great achievements over the last few days. For great players like these two personal milestones are not as important as team's victory but these records are a credit to their consistent performance over the last decade or so and also to the fitness level that they have managed to maintain.

Both these spinners are very different from each other but they have been equally effective over the years. In own ways they have been able to contribute a great deal in revival of spin bowling in. Anil started his career slightly before Warne but both of them got established at highest level at the same time in 93'. Shane and Anil both are fighters to core and never give up, both of them had career threatening injuries in past but came back strongly to help their teams cause.

Not many bowlers have won so many test matches for their team as Anil has, but some how people always overlook his contributions when celebrating a test victory.

I have known Anil from the time when we used to share the dressing room for Karnataka. I have always been marvelled by this champs great ability to come back. Nothing bogs him down; he knows exactly what he has to do and does it in the best way possible. Apart from being a great player, he is a lovely person, with a warm heart and not many people know that he has a good sense of humour too!!!

The best thing about playing cricket at the highest level is that one gets to play against the best in the world, and Shane is definitely one of them. I am proud to play against such a world class spinner and the day I hang up my boots, will look back at interesting contests with him over the years with a smile.

Sachin and Ponting both have missed the first two test matches of the series and no one more that these two must be feeling bad about missing the same. They are both great players and I am sure that both of them will be eager to get back on field as soon as possible.

Coming to the ongoing test match, at the end of day 2, Chennai test is interestingly poised. Anil and Sehwag are the two guys because of whom we have come back in the match strongly.

It was good to see Sehwag back in form , hitting the ball as crisply as he generally does .But we know that the Australians are world champions and will come back strongly at us. We will have to play sensibly over the next three days to get a desired result.

HSS Marheen boys bag U-17 relay gold

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

KATHUA, Oct 17: Higher Secondary School, Marheen boys today bagged 4x100 meters (under-17) relay gold in the inter-school athletic meet of district Kathua, here.

Second position went to High School, Koota while HSS Kathua finished third.

In under-19 year boys group, HSS Rajpura clinched first position while HSS Budhi and HSS Kathua shared second and third place respectively.

Detailed results

Under-17 boys: High Jump: Mohd Anjum, HSS Malhar, Ist; Balwinder Singh, HS Shepur, 2nd and Mushtaq Ali, HS Lakhanpur. Discus Throw: Parveen Kumar, HS Parlivand, Ist; Bharat Bhushan, HS Chhanrorian, 2nd and Naresh Kumar, HS Galak, third. Long Jump: Vinod Singh, Unique Model Academy, Ist; Rakesh Kumar, HS Chaksadda, 2nd and Raj Kumar, HS Nachla and Ram Krishan, HSS Hiranagar shared third place. 3000 meters: Balwinder Singh, HS Sherpur, Ist; Ram Kumar, HSS Sallan, 2nd and Safaj Ahmed, HSS Malhar, third. 1500 mts: Mohd Sharif, HSS Hatli, Ist; Ravi Kumar, HS Lakhanpur, 2nd and Mohd Iqhaq HSS Kathua, third.

Under-17 girls: 1500 mts: Meena Devi, HS Nagri Parole, Ist; Rajni Sharma, HS Ghagwal, 2nd and Sapna Devi, HS Chhan Arorian, third. 3000 mts: Suman Bala, HS Nichla, Ist; Rajni Devi, HSS Rajpura, 2nd and Razida, HS Kharote.

Under-19 boys: 1500: Bhupinder Singh, HSS Hatli, Ist; Altaf Hussan, HSS Malhar, 2nd and Suresh Kumar, HSS Rajpura, third. Discus Throw: Shah Nawaz, HSS Bilawar, Ist; Pankaj, HSS Hiranagar, 2nd and Rakesh Kumar, HSS Jakhbar, third.

Under-19 girls: 1500 mts: Komal, HSS Rajpura, Ist; Shabnam, HSS Romakot, 2nd and Anu Devi, HS Nichla.

Malik reported for suspect action

LAHORE, Oct 17: Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik has been reported for a suspect bowling action in the final of a triangular one-day tournament, sources close to the team said.

The sources said match referee Jeff Crowe had informed the Pakistan team management about Malik, who has been reported by umpires Simon Taufel and Aleem Dar after Pakistan lost the final to Sri Lanka.

"I can’t make any official comments. The international cricket council will make any announcement if any," Crowe said today.

The sources said all rounder Malik, who bowls off spin and has been one of Pakistan’s success stories in recent matches, was reported after his spell of 10-0-56-1 in the final. (AGENCIES)

Bhupathi, Bjorkman in Kremlin Cup final

NEW DELHI, Oct 17: Indian ace Mahesh Bhupathi and his Swedish partner Jonas Bjorkman got themselves just a step away from clinching the doubles title in the $2.3 million Kremlin Cup ATP tennis championship by moving into the finals in Moscow.

The top seeded Indo-Swedish pair overcame a tough second set battle to tame Zimbabwean duo of Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett in straight sets in the semifinals yesterday.

Bhupathi and Bjorkman won the contest 6-2 7-6 (8-6) to set the title clash with Russian pair of Ivor Andreev and Nikolay Davydenko, according to information received here today.

Andreev and Davydenko cruised into the finals after getting a walkover from Czech Republic’s Leos Friedl and Radek Stepanek in the second last four match. (PTI)

Indian team for next matches to be picked today

CHENNAI, Oct 17: The Indian team for the third and fourth cricket Tests against Australia will be announced tomorrow.

The selection committee headed by Kiran More, who is here for the ongoing second Test, indicated that the team will be picked tomorrow for the next two tests to be played at Nagpur and Mumbai.

The selectors had earlier picked the squad for only the first two Tests. It was also indicated that one or two changes could be made to the squad.

While, captain Sourav Ganguly was believed to be in favour of recalling Tamil Nadu opener S Ramesh, the selectors want to give Akash Chopra another chance. (UNI)

 

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