KOLKATA, Oct 20: Hoping to avail of batting genius Sachin Tendulkar’s services in the third Test against Australia at Nagpur from next week, Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly today expressed the confidence that the three-month lay-off would not have any bearing on the Willower’s performance once he was fit...............more

Indian men beat Armenia
in Chess Olympiad

MALLORCA, Oct 20: A brilliant Surya Shekhar Ganguly propelled the Indian men’s team to a 2.5-1.5 victory over 4th seeded Armenia in the fifth round of the 36th Chess Olympiad here at Gran Casino.............more

Samaraweera stands firm
against fiery Pak pacers

FAISALABAD, Oct 20: Thilan Samaraweera overcame cramps today to close in on century after Pakistan’s pace attack made short work of the Sri Lankan top order batsmen in the first cricket Test..........more

It’s deliver or perish
time for Rach

NEW DELHI, Oct 20: Chief coach Gerhard Rach could face the axe if India fail to finish in the top four in the Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan in December, Indian hockey federation sources said here today..........more

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

KATHUA, Oct 20: Manjeet Singh of Middle School Jarai was declared best athlete of the district level inter-school athletics meet which was concluded at sports stadium, here today..............more

Sumesh, Nikhil, Kuldeep,
Mohit in Billiards semis

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 20: Sumesh Turki, Nikhil Kapahi, Kuldeep Sharma and Mohit Mahajan have made it into the semi-finals of the junior billiards in the 15th Jammu district billiards and snooker championship currently underway at MA Stadium......more

SAI holding selection
trials from Nov 5

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 20: Sports Authority of India in collaboration with Directorate of Youth Services and Sports is conducting selection trials (for boys) to induct inmates........more

Jammu man performed
as observer for
NZ kabaddi

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 20: Kuldeep Gupta has returned from his official assignment as observer in the 16th North Zone kabaddi championship held at Chandigarh......more

Indian eves hold Poland in chess Olympiad......

Lay-off will not affect Sachin’s performance, says Ganguly

KOLKATA, Oct 20: Hoping to avail of batting genius Sachin Tendulkar’s services in the third Test against Australia at Nagpur from next week, Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly today expressed the confidence that the three-month lay-off would not have any bearing on the Willower’s performance once he was fit.

"I don’t think the lay-off will be a problem. He is a cricketer par excellence. He will be able to get back into rhythm straightway," Ganguly told newspersons here.

But the captain said that he had not spoken to Tendulkar, who was recuperating from a painful tennis elbow, for the last two-three days. "So, I don’t know the latest situation pertaining to his fitness".

Ganguly had during the past two days expressed optimism about Tendulkar taking the field in the Nagpur Test beginning October 26.

Tendulkar has missed the Holland tri-series, Natwest Trophy and Champions Trophy due to the injury on his left elbow. He is now recuperating under the supervision of Dr. Anant Joshi and team physio Andrew Leipus.

On the reasons for persisting with wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel despite his poor performance in the Chennai Test, Ganguly said, "he has been keeping well generally. Yes, he did not do well at Chennai. But then, anybody can have a bad game."

Asked whether he would prefer to have Yuvraj Singh or Mohammed Kaif in the final eleven for the third Test, Ganguly said, "I’ll think about it once I reach Nagpur after the Durga Puja".

He also disagreed with Aussie pacer Glen McGrath’s view that Australia would have won the Chennai Test had rains not played spoilsport on the final day.

"The situation was such that the game could have gone either way. Moreover, it is next to impossible to make such predictions in cricket. I’m not bothered with what McGrath has claimed," Ganguly said.

The skipper said he wished to soak in the puja spirit to the full for the next three days.

He is scheduled to leave for Nagpur on October 23. (PTI)

Indian men beat Armenia in Chess Olympiad

MALLORCA, Oct 20: A brilliant Surya Shekhar Ganguly propelled the Indian men’s team to a 2.5-1.5 victory over 4th seeded Armenia in the fifth round of the 36th Chess Olympiad here at Gran Casino.

While Ganguly’s win over Gabriel Sargissen was the lone victory for the Indians in the fifth round, the other games were drawn with some very exciting fights.

On the top board world rapid champion Viswanathan Anand gave another display of his superior defensive skills to draw with former world junior champion Levon Aronian and Krishnan Sasikiran salvaged a completely lost position to hold veteran Rafael Vaganian. On the third, Harikrishna signed peace with Smbat Lputian after a struggle.

Second seed Ukraine’s winning run was finally halted by third seed Israel as they settled for draws on all four boards in a balanced clash. (PTI)

Samaraweera stands firm against fiery Pak pacers

FAISALABAD, Oct 20: Thilan Samaraweera overcame cramps today to close in on century after Pakistan’s pace attack made short work of the Sri Lankan top order batsmen in the first cricket Test.

Samaraweera batted with a runner after developing cramps in his legs during the last session and finished the first day undefeated on 97, with 10 fours off 230 balls.

His knock lifted Sri Lanka from a precarious 9 for 3 to a fighting 233 for seven as bad light stopped play five overs before schedule.

Number nine batsman Ranagana Herath (28 not out), who hit six fours, was not out on 53 runs for the eighth wicket with Samaraweera.

The 28-year-old Samaraweera, who scored a century in his debut Test against India in 2001, held on for nearly five and a half hours after paceman Shoaib Akhtar’s (3-55) double blow in his first 12 deliveries had rocked Sri Lanka to 6 for 2. Three runs later paceman Mohammad Sami (3-66) had Mahela Jayawardene caught behind.

Samaraweera helped the innings to a brief recovery when he put on 68 runs with Sanath Jayasuriya (38), then added 65 more with Jehan Mubarak (34). He brought up his seventh half century off 131 balls in the second session, hitting five fours before Akhtar and Sami struck back.

Mubarak edged Sami’s short delivery to Inzamam-ul-Haq in the slips while Chaminda Vaas hit five fours in his 22 but miscued a pull shot and gave a simple catch to Yousuf Youhana at mid-on.

Despite losing three wickets in the last session, Sri Lanka managed to lift its run-rate and scored 91 runs after tea.

Earlier, Jayasuriya - twice dropped - was the only wicket to fall in the second session. He brought up his 6000th Test run with a powerful cover boundary before Asim Kamal snapped a catch on the second attempt in the covers.

Jayasuriya, playing in his 93rd Test match, is now his country’s second highest Test scorer after Arvinda De Silva (6361).

Earlier, Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu’s decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired on a wicket which has a tinge of grass and suited Pakistan pacers in the first half an hour.

Akhtar had Atapattu LBW off the third delivery of the match before he induced an edge of Kumara Sangakkara’s (2) bat in the next over to a diving Imran Farhat in slips.

Sami had Jayawardene caught behind for a duck as Sri Lanka limped to 9 for 3 in the first 4 overs, before Jayasuriya and Samaraweera played cautiously and took Sri Lanka to 58 for three. (AP)

It’s deliver or perish time for Rach

NEW DELHI, Oct 20: Chief coach Gerhard Rach could face the axe if India fail to finish in the top four in the Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan in December, Indian hockey federation sources said here today.

Rach, who took charge of the team just a fortnight before the Athens Olympics, is perhaps facing the toughest time of his career as IHF said the German-born coach would have to deliver the goods in the prestigious event or take the exit route.

"He has to deliver or this could be his last assignment as the national coach," the sources told PTI here.

"However a good performance will bring rewards for him as his stint may be extended by another two years, may be till the 2006 World Cup," the sources added.

After Rach assumed charge, the Indians have played in the Olympics and against Pakistan in an eight-Test series.

The team was far from impressive at Athens where it finished seventh, but it showed fighting qualities against Pakistan even though they lost the series 2-4.

It may not be a tough task for the IHF to find a replacement for rach as several renowned coaches, including the famous Richard Charlesworth, are keen to take up the post.

"We have got several applications including, from four Australians. Ric Charlesworth’s application is also lying with us," the sources said.

"It’s not difficult to get a replacement. But it’s too early to say anything now since the Champions Trophy is yet to start." (PTI)

Manjeet adjudged best athlete

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

KATHUA, Oct 20: Manjeet Singh of Middle School Jarai was declared best athlete of the district level inter-school athletics meet which was concluded at sports stadium, here today.

Overall under-19 trophies in both boys and girls went to Higher Secondary School, Rajpura. In under-17 category, Higher Secondary School (boys) Kathua bagged boys trophy while girls title went to High School, Nichla. Overall under-14 boys trophy was claimed by Middle School Jarai while Middle School Paranjali bagged girls trophy.

Athletes who gave best performance were Devinder Singh and Anil Kumar of HSS Kathua, Shabnam of HSS Ramkot and Bandana Devi of Middle School Katli.

Member Parliament, Lal Singh was chief guest in the final, who distributed prizes among the winners in different age categories. Deputy Commissioner Kathua, D K Nargotra was guest of honour. Among others present were V K Slathia, SSP Kathua and P P Singh (DySP).

In the valedictory function, students of Modern Public Higher Secondary School, Hiranagar presented a colourful cultural programme.

Earlier, District Youth Services and Sports officer, Ram Chand in his welcome address briefed the distinguished guests about the achievements of district in various sports disciplines at the state level. Programme was coordinated by Jarpal Singh, PEM HSS Budhi.