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South Africa demolish India by nine wickets

Centurion, Dec 3: India were outplayed by a clinical performance from South Africa who inflicted a huge nine-wicket defeat on the visitors for a 4-0 whitewash in the one-day cricket series here today.

After restricting India to 200 for 9 on an easy-paced track, the South Africans overhauled the target without breaking a sweat in just 31.2 overs at the Supersport Park.

Ab De Villiers, promoted to open for the first time in the series, remained unbeaten on 92 while skipper Graeme Smith finally struck form to score 79 to make a mockery of the seemingly competitive target.

The show of these two batsmen completely overshadowed the efforts of Sachin Tendulkar who laboured to a 97-ball 55 and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (44) — the duo ensuring India touched the 200-run mark for the first time in the series which was nothing short of a disaster for them.

The comprehensive win in the fifth and final match of the series, the first tie of which was washed out, ensured South Africa would go into the three-test series, starting on December 15, with their confidence sky high.

Also boosting their morale would be the fact that all their four wins were facile with the victory margins being 157, 106 and 80 runs before today’s humiliation.

Shaun Pollock, for his brilliant bowling in the match and throughout the series — a haul of 10 wickets at a very low cost — was named both Man of the Match and the series.

Smith, so far a cold turkey against Zaheer Khan in the series, came on to his own in sunny conditions and a flat pitch by belting 79 runs from 85 balls with seven fours and three sixes.

The captain, who chose not to face the first ball by Zaheer, departed in the 29th over, hoisting Harbhajan Singh to long-on fielder but by then it was all over for the Indians.

It was De Villiers though who cut loose from the very beginning, driving and pulling Indian medium-pacers to desperation though he had a slice of luck when dropped by Mohammad Kaif at covers off S Sreesanth on 8 runs.

So cracking was the pace set by the home openers that 50 of the innings was raised in the 7th over.

Stand-in captain Virender Sehwag turned to his spinners as a last resort as early as in the ninth over. But both Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Sade little impression.

Smith was to find his feet soon and once came down the track to loft Harbhajan for a six, followed by two more during his entertaining knock.

De Villiers clobbered 12 fours and a six in his 98-ball knock.

Irfan Pathan was badly exposed on a slow batting wicket and was collared for 48 runs in his six overs. Only Zaheer in his seven overs threatened to take a wicket.

Put in to bat, India were reduced to 18 for 2 before being rescued by Tendulkar’s gritty half century.

Tendulkar put on 85 runs from 149 balls with Dinesh Mongia (41) for the third wicket but that proved hardly enough.

In fact, the Indians could touch the 200-run mark, for the first time in the series, due to Dhoni whose 49-ball knock with two fours and two sixes gave some urgency to the innings.

Pollock was once again at the forefront with figures of 2 for 17 from his 10 overs and was well supported by the pace duo of Makhaya Ntini (3 for 32) and Andre Nel (1 for 34).

India were rocked early in their innings by Pollock who picked up Virender Sehwag (11) and VVS Laxman off successive balls to reduce them to a shaky 18 for 2.

Sehwag, unable to make of an early missed chance against the same bowler, departed when he flashed a catch behind the stumps to Mark Boucher.

Laxman, brought in specially for this game, was out to a first ball duck when he tamely edged an outswinger into the hands of Smith at first slip.

Tendulkar and Mongia then dropped anchor but the scoring dropped almost to a trickle with only one run coming between the 10th and 15th over of the innings.

Tendulkar blossomed with the introduction of left-arm spinner Robin Peterson and hit him for four fours in five overs. In between, there was a sharp blow on his left-forearm from Nel which needed medical attention on the field.

But he was once again jittery when pacemen were introduced from both ends and was brilliantly caught in the covers by De Villiers after making 55 from 97 balls with eight fours.

Mongia dug in there but was dismissed in the 38th over after making 41 from 89 balls with three fours.

Dinesh Kaarthick (11) appeared innovative in his brief knock of 11 from 15 balls with two fours before slicing a catch to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher off Andre Nel.

Jacques Kallis then cleaned up Pathan (7) who backed away and found his stumps rattled by a straight delivery.

India were kept going at the other end by Dhoni who once straight hit Nel and later hooked Kallis for big sixes.

However, he was out to an outstanding catch at widish long on by Nel who dived to his right after the batsman had a go at Ntini.

Zaheer hit an enormous six off Ntini in the final over to make the visitors touch the 200-run mark for the first time in the series. (PTI)

Opener may be easy but daunting task ahead for India

Doha, Dec 3 : Two-time champions India open their campaign taking on minnows Bangladesh but have a daunting task ahead in their bid to book a berth in the final of the Men’s Hockey competition of the 15th Asian Games which begins here tomorrow.

Having finished a lowly 11th in the 12-nation World Cup in Germany in september, the eight-time Olympic Champions have substantially revamped their squad, axing six players from that side.

Kanwalpreet, Prabodh Tirkey, Nitin Kumar, Vikram Pillay and Gagan Ajit Singh were axed while experienced midfielder Viren Rasquinha was surprisingly dropped from the 16-member squad at the last minute.

India, gold medalists in 1966 and 1998, are in pool-B along with Korea, China, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Oman. Pool-A consists of Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei. (UNI)

Jharkhand struggling at 133 for 5

Jamshedpur, Dec 3: Jharkhand were struggling at 133 for five in their second innings after conceding a 77-run first innings lead to Jammu and Kashmir on the penultimate day of the four-day Ranji Trophy plate group ‘B’ match at Keenan Stadium here today.

Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir faced 9.2 overs in the post-lunch session before their innings folded up for 319 in reply to Jharkhand’s first innings total of 242.

Resuming at 208 for three, unbeaten overnight batsmen Majir Dar, who was on 41, and Dhrub Mahajan, batting on 30, started the day on a cautious note and added 29 runs to the overnight score when Jharkhand skipper-seamer Sumit Panda struck to have Dar caught behind for 51 inclusive of four fours.

Panda, who made an impressive comeback and bowled a fiery spell in the company of S S Rao at the other end, struck again four overs later to send back middle-order Shammy Salaria cheaply. Salaria was adjudged leg before for four.

After Salaria’s departure, J and K wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals as they lost five wickets within a space of 19 overs. The visitors, who were on 296 for nine at lunch, lost the last wicket for 319 in the post-lunch session facing 56 deliveries.

Seamer Rao, who bowled a tidy spell, emerged the most successful bowler bagging five for 69 while Panda finished on four for 87. Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem scalped one for 70.

Vijay Sharma and abid Nabi chipped in with 17 runs each while Sami-Ul-Lah remained on 29 studded with five boundaries for J and K.

Jharkhand’s second essay suffered a major jolt after openers Manish Vardhan (40) and Ratan Kumar (36) gave a good start.

Off-spinner Sameer Khajuria, who maintained an accurate line and length right from the start, troubled the hosts’ batting line up and finished the day with three for 19. Khajuria dismissed Ratan Kumar, Arun Vidhyarthi (25 - 5x4) and Manish Kumar (7).

Vardhan and Ratan Kumar stitched 64 runs for the opening stand when spinner Khajuria struck the first blow having Ratan Kumar caught off Arshad Bhatt behind the wicket and then had Arun Vidhyarthi bowled. Vidharthi and Vardhan paired for 38-runs for the second wicket.

Jharkhand lost their last four wickets for 25 runs off 17.4 overs.

At close, Saurabh Tiwary, who had four centuries in the ongoing Cooch Behar Trophy (under-19), was batting on five while Sumit Panda was on three. (PTI)

Ponting, Mike lead a home recovery on 3rd day of 2nd test

Adelaide, Dec 3: Ricky Ponting became Australia’s pinnacle test centurion with his 33rd hundred and Mike Hussey narrowly missed a ton to lead a home recovery on the third day of the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval today.

The skipper cashed in after being dropped on 35 to reach 142 as the Australians moved within 40 runs of the 352-run follow-on target in reply to England’s imposing first innings of 551 for six declared.

At the close, Australia were 312 for five with Michael Clarke on 30 and Adam Gilchrist on 13.

It was 31-year-old Ponting’s 10th century in his last 13 tests — he has played in 107 in all — and took him past previous captain Steve Waugh’s 32 centuries off 168 tests.

"We were clawing our way back into the game and for me to get out when I did was disappointing, but I think Michael Clarke has looked terrific and Gilly’s (Gilchrist) started off really well so the first hour tomorrow is going to be crucial for us," Ponting said.

"If they can get a good partnership then we’re going to be right back in the game.

"We just have to keep batting and get a little way in front and try to bowl them out is the best way (to win) at the moment. If we can get somewhere near their total or maybe a little bit in front that would be great."

Ponting now ranks outright all-time fourth behind Sachin Tendulkar (35), Brian Lara and Sunil Gavaskar (both 34) as the scorer of most hundreds in tests.

Hussey, bowled for 86 in Brisbane, had the anguish of missing out on another deserved century when he played on and was bowled by seamer Matthew Hoggard for 91 in almost five hours with 30 minutes left to stumps.

The West Australian left-hander, who survived a line-ball run-out decision on 70, lifted his impressive batting average to 77.41 in his 13th test.

Ashley Giles felt the pain of Ponting’s century more acutely than others in the England team after dropping him on 35 off Hoggard with the Aussies at 78 for three.

Giles, positioned square just inside the boundary ropes, leapt high for the two-handed chance but could not hold the catch in a major let-off. Ponting went on to score 107 more runs.

"It’s disappointing to have a dropped catch but you can back Ash to catch 99 times out of a 100. If you didn’t have catches dropped in cricket it would be boring old game, it’s not anything personal," Hoggard said.

Ponting and Hussey restored the Australian innings with a 192-run partnership after the loss of two wickets had them a nervous 65 for three.

It was 22 runs short of Australia’s record fourth partnership at the Adelaide Ground, set in 1988-89 by Dean Jones and Allan Border.

Ponting, who has been the bane of the England bowlers in the series with scores of 196 and 60 not out in the first Brisbane test, was finally out caught behind in Hoggard’s first over of the second new ball.

That swelled his series tally to 398 runs at an average of 199 and lifted his career test average of 60.06 in his 107th test match.

Only Hussey has a greater test average among contemporary test cricketers.

Ponting, who batted for 353 minutes and faced 245 balls with 12 boundaries, was also close to being run out on 46 when Paul Collingwood’s direct throw just missed the stumps at the bowler’s end, with the Aussie skipper well out of his ground.

Hoggard also claimed the wickets of Matthew Hayden (12) and Damien Martyn (11) and following yesterday’s wicket of Justin Langer (4) finished the day with 4-76 off 27 overs.

"We know it’s still going to be hard work, we’ve got 250 runs to play with, we’ve got five wickets to get, it’s been hard work to get wickets on that wicket, so it’s going to have to be a good professional performance tomorrow," Hoggard said.

"We will be trying to get five wickets reasonably quickly and then we have to reassess from there.

"I don’t think the noose is quite tight at the moment. The wicket is very placid and it takes a long time to bowl people out.

"We’ve had 11 wickets now in three days and there’s still two days left so I don’t think it’s going to be a massive disappointment if we don’t win from here."

Hayden, who struggled in last year’s series with 318 runs, inflated by his 138 in the fifth test, followed an outswinger and edged to wicketkeeper Geraint Jones leaving Australia 35 for two.

Martyn, whose test place is under growing pressure following his 29 in Brisbane and a poor Ashes series last year, followed in the 23rd over when he was snapped up low down by Ian Bell in the gully. (AGENCIES)

32nd National Women Sports Festival 2006
J&K loses in Volleyball, Kabaddi

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: Hosts J&K suffered defeats in Volleyball and Kabaddi disciplines on the second day of the ongoing 32nd National Women Sports Festival (Group IV) being played at M.A Stadium today.

In Kho-Kho, they (J&K) performed slightly better by winning their two league matches played in morning and evening sessions.

In Volleyball, J&K lost to Delhi by 2-0 sets in a one sided affair.

The final set score was 25-17 and 25-06. Defending champion U.P. on the other hand, continued their superb run by registering a convincing win over Bihar by 2-0 sets 25-1 and 25-4.

Last year runner up West Bengal outclassed Mizoram quite convincingly by 25-17 and 25-12.

In Kabaddi, Bihar humbled hosts by 56-19 as the state eves failed to put up any fight against Bihar.

In Kho-Kho, J&K trounced Bihar by one inning and 14 points in their first match played in the morning session while in the evening session, they (J&K) defeated Chandigarh by 1 inning and 8 points.

Today’s Results:

Kabaddi: Gujarat beat West Bengal, Kerala beat Orissa, Maharashtra beat Andhra Pradesh by 31-22, Delhi beat Himachal Pradesh by 18-8, Karnataka beat Punjab by 20-17, Maharashtra beat Tamil Nadu by 69-15, Delhi beat Gujarat by 58-26, West Bengal beat Madhya Pradesh by 45-44, Himachal Pradesh beat West Bengal by 57-18, Chandigarh beat Orissa by 50-19 and Bihar beat Jharkhand by 44-18.

Volleyball: Karnataka beat Tamil Nadu by 2-1 (25-13, 13-25 and 25-13), Himachal Pradesh beat Chattisgarh by 2-0 (25-7 and 25-4), West Bengal beat Mizoram by 2-0 (25-17 and 25-12), Punjab beat Haryana by 2-0 (25-10 and 25-20), Gujarat beat Rajasthan by 2-1 (25-22, 14-25 and 25-19), Mizoram beat Jharkhand by 2-0 (25-14 and 25-14), Chandigarh beat Haryana by 2-0 (25-18 and 25-17), Orissa beat MP by 2-1 (17-25, 25-22 and 25-17), Tamil Nadu beat A.P. by 2-0 (25-9 and 25-7, Karnataka beat Chandigarh by 2-1 (2025, 25-20 and 25-12), Orissa beat Chattisgarh by (25-13 and 26-24), Gujarat beat Bihar by 2-0 (25-4 and 25-0, Chandigarh beat Punjab by 2-0 (25-19 and 25-22) and Tamil Nadu beat Maharashtra by 2-0 (25-18 and 25-3).

Kho-Kho: Delhi beat U.P. by 4 points, Kerala beat Chandigarh by 10-1, M.P. beat Orissa by 11-2, Tamil Nadu beat Gujarat by 13-6, Punjab beat U.P., West Bengal beat Kerala by 12-3, Rajasthan beat Tamil Nadu by 7 points, Orissa beat Jharkhand by 14 points, A.P. beat Gujarat by 15-9 points, Assam beat Delhi by 18-7 and M.P. beat Jharkhand by 16 points.

Vishal, Ashok, Ishuk enter semis in Senior Snooker

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: Vishal Abrol, Ashok Raphael and Ishuk Choudhary have stormed into the semifinals in Senior Snooker in the ongoing 16th J&K State Billiards and Snooker Championship being played at Billiards Hall, M.A. Stadium today.

In the quarterfinal league matches played today, Ashok Raphael defeated Umar Farooq by 3-1 frames in a keen contest. The frame score was 54-66, 84-23, 69-42 and 55-14.

Umar Humayun beat Ishuk Choudhary by 3-2 frames in an eventful contest. Umar took the first frame by 54-48 but lost the second by 56-68. He then again went on to win the third frame by 73-46. Ishuk made a fine comeback to clinch the next frame by 66-37. In the fifth and final frame, Umar kept his cool to eventually win the frame by 72-47.

Nikhil Kapahi also had to work hard to beat Ashok Raphael by 3-2 frames 66-6, 69-53, 18-64, 48-57 and 76-28.

In other matches played today, Sumesh Turki beat Nikhil Kapahi by 3-1 frames 43-68, 68-38,65-26 and 54-32, Vishal Abrol beat Umar Humayun by 3-0 frames 65-29, 63-12 and 52-40 and Ishuk Choudhary beat Avish Sharma by 3-1 frames 55-14, 24-73, 69-2 and 69-23.

The semifinals will be played tomorrow. However, the Senior Billiards matches shall commence from December 5.

The officials in the match were Rakesh, Surjit Singh and Shanker Dass.

The tournament is being organised by the J&K Billiards and Snooker Association and sponsored by J&K State Sports Council.

Kabaddi selection trials on Dec 6

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: The J&K Amateur Kabaddi Association would conduct selection trials on December 6-8 for Junior Boys and Junior Girls at Kabaddi Stadium in the premises of M.A. Stadium.

The selection trials will be held to select the Junior State Teams for the forthcoming 33rd Junior National Kabaddi Championship scheduled to be held at Ichalkaranji, Maharashtra from December 27-31.

Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, President, J&K Amateur Kabaddi Association has directed all the affiliated districts and clubs of the state to send their players along with their original Date of Birth Certificates.

Only eligible Boys below 19 yrs who are born on or after 31-12-1987 and below 60 kg are allowed to participate in the selection trials.

For Girls, the age limit is 17 yrs born on or after 31-12-1989 and below 50 kg.

The selection trials will be held under the supervision of Kuldeep Kumar Gupta, General Secretary, J&K Amateur Kabaddi Association.

The other members of Selection Committee are S.Bhupinder Singh Tirthi, Dinesh Gupta, S. Dharamjeet Singh, Rakesh Sharma,, Ankush Chib, Jasdev Singh and Manik Sharma.

JKP XI trounces JDA XI

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: JKP XI thrashed JDA XI by nine wickets in an exhibition cricket match played at GGM Science College Ground today.

JDA skipper Ashok Parmar Vice Chairman, JDA won the toss and decided to bat first. They accumulated 120 runs in the stipulated 25 overs.

Ravinder was the top scorer with 22 runs. He struck four well timed boundaries. Harish and skipper Ashok Parmar also chipped in with 17 and 14 runs respectively.

For JKP XI, skipper SSP Mukesh Singh led from the front by bowling a splendid spell to scalp 4 wickets. Rajesh Gill also grabbed three wickets.

In reply, JKP XI chased the target in just 13.3 overs by losing just one wicket.

Rajesh Gill and Sajjad Butt were the top scorers with 42 and 34 runs respectively.

Rajesh Gill for his excellent all round performance was declared the Man of the Match.

The umpires in the match were Pappu Dogra and Santa Singh. The scorers were Mohit Puri and BB Verma.

Prof. R.L. Sharma, Principal, GGM Science College was the chief guest in the match, who gave away winner and runner trophy to the teams.

Sanjay Kotwal (SP North), Ashok Sharma (SDPO), Vinod Bakshi (Physical Director, GGM Science College) and MS Katoch, Chairman, KAWA Institute were also present on the occasion.

The match was organised by the Roshni Cricket Academy.