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

Ponting wins two ICC awards, India draw a blank

MUMBAI, Nov 3: Indicative of the steep slump in their form, India drew a blank at the ICC Annual Awards for 2006 that saw the world champions Australia steal most of the honours with captain Ricky Ponting claiming two awards, including the most prestigious ‘Player of the Year’ award at a glittering function here today.

Ponting won the Garfield Sober’s Trophy presented to the best cricketer besides bagging the Best Test Player of the Year award.

Indian skipper Rahul Dravid was in the running for the Captain of the Year honour while Yuvraj Singh had been nominated for the One-Day International Player of the Year award, but both lost in the race to Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene and Australian middle order batsman Michael Hussey, a late bloomer on the international circuit, respectively.

The ICC’s Annual Awards night was expectedly dominated by the Australians, who captured five of the 10 awards on offer with Simon Tauffel, winning the ‘Umpire of the Year’ award and Karen Rolton winning the newly-introduced ‘Woman Player of the Year’.

Dravid, however, had a consolation prize in store by being named the captain of the ICC’s dream ‘Test’ team, a selection of star performers from various countries.

But the team did not include any other Indian cricketer, although the ODI team of the year with Jayawardene named to lead it had in its ranks three Indian youngsters Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan.

Dravid expressed his disappointment at the team’s recent stumble but said the upcoming tour of South Africa affords it a great chance to get things back on track.

"It feels great to be back here, accepting an ICC Award. It’s the second time I have got into this team and it is a huge honour and privilege. I think to lead this time would be a pretty easy job you would just have to throw the ball to someone and they would do the rest," the Indian skipper said.

"We had some very good results for a while and we have stumbled since then a little so the upcoming tour to South Africa will be a great opportunity to get things back on track for India.

"I am a little disappointed that we are not in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy it would be great to be feeling nervous ahead of that final on Sunday," he said. West Indian captain Brian Lara gave away the Emerging Player of the Year award to England batsman Ian Bell who beat back the challenge from compatriots Alistair Cook and Monty Panesar, apart from dope-tainted banned Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif.

Ponting praised his team members for lifting themselves up after having a hard inward look after losing the Ashes series to England last year.

"The last 12 months have been very satisfying to me as captain of the team. Some of the teams work I did and some of the runs I made were for my teammates. We enjoy each other’s successes. I am really thrilled to be recognised by the present captains, players and past players through this award.

"The Ashes was long gone and it was important for us to move on, to lift ourselves. We had to show our courage at the first opportunity.

We all looked back at ourselves and managed to play some good cricket".

Jayawardene also lauded his team members on getting the Captain of the Year award.

"The award is not for myself but for the entire team. I don’t believe that a captain can do well without the team’s contribution.

A captain is only as good as the team. It’s a triumph for teamwork over the last 6-8 months," he said. (PTI)

Final is not going to be easy for either side

By Chris Gayle

As we journeyed from Jaipur to Bombay on Friday to play the final of the ICC Champions Trophy against Australia on Sunday, I could not help recalling how few gave us a chance to last till the very end of the tournament. Well, here we are. In Bombay and ready to give off our best in the title clash against the World Champion.

In Jaipur on Thursday, it was another good all-round performance by the team that saw us home.Our bowlers did a very good job of restricting South Africa to 258 on what was a good batting wicket. Jerome Taylor has been bowling really well while Ian Bradshaw has been brilliant as well. Dwight Smith and Dwayne Bravo have handled their overs effectively while I have liked the experience of bowling on the Indian tracks, enjoying the chance of being able to contribute to the team's cause in whichever way.

When we set out chasing 260, the idea was not to lose early wickets to South Africa's new ball bowlers Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock because they are the kind of bowlers who can peg teams back with their early strikes. We did not want to try and win the game as early as possible but Shivnarine Chanderpaul and I managed a good partnership until he developed cramps and had to retire.

It was nice to be able to keep the South Africans at bay until Ramnaresh Sarwan fell with the target not too far away. I am enjoying the current run of form, having picked up my second straight century but I can't tell you enough how delighted a batsman would feel if he has helped his side to win a match. Dwayne Bravo, Brian Lara and Runako Morton's fall in the space of four overs meant I needed to stay at the crease and carry on till the end I am pleased I did that.

We are looking to deliver one more good show in the final against Australia. We have beaten the Austalians a couple of times in the last few weeks but we also remember that we lost the DLF Cup final quite badly. I reckon both teams will come out in Mumbai on Sunday wanting to finish on top. It is not going to be easy for either side since we are both competitive.

We realise that our top order batting has to do the trick but you must give Brian Lara credit for not only battling pain but also dropping down the batting order so that we do not have the hiccups in the middle order. His captaincy has been exceptional and he has given confidence to the line up with his decision to bat at No. 6. Hopefully the middle order will chip in if necessary in the final.

As we prepare for the final, I must share how lovely it is to have former captain Clive Lloyd in the dressing room. The team has warmed up to him and he has been of help to the guys in whichever way he can. With the coach Bennett King sharing his insight during our planning sessions, we must say we have done well to be here but we know there is work to be done and it would be lovely to beat the Aussies again. (TCM)

Unpredictable, yes we are but take us seriously: Lara

JAIPUR, Nov 3: After thrashing title favourites South Africa en route to final of the ICC Champions Trophy, West Indies skipper Brian Lara demanded little more respect saying he did not mind the ‘unpredictable’ tag but time was ripe to start taking his team more seriously.

"We are said to be very unpredictable. That may be right in a sense but after performances like this, I think we need to be taken slightly more seriously," Lara said.

"Frankly, I don’t mind what tag we are given. We have always been a good one-day team and just need some finetuning. We know what we are capable of," he added.

He showered rich praise on his batmen and bowlers to pull off a sensational win over the higher ranked opponents.

"It was a good start for us. (Chris) Gayle and (Shivnarine) Chanderpaul transferred the pressure back on the South Africans. Earlier we did well to restrict them for a gettable total of 258."

"Given that wicket was good to bat on for 100 over, our bowlers did fairly well. I think it was a good toss to lose," he added.

Lara also said playing qualifiers was a blessing in disguise and helped his team to gain some momentum.

He hailed Gayle, who played a match winning knock of 133, as an exceptional talent and said the batsman, notwithstanding his "comical" acts, took his cricket seriously.

"Chris might do things sometimes that look comical but he’s very serious about his cricket. Today he just never let them settle down in the middle," Lara said

On Sunday’s final against Australia in Mumbai, Lara said the Aussies are not the same team that the West Indies defeated earlier in the tournament.

"Of course we have beaten them earlier. But they have gained a momentum ever since. They are a buoyed lot now and it will be a tough match against them."(UNI)

Jeev eyes place in top-50, invitation for US Masters

FUKUOKA, Nov 3: After his stunning triumph in the Volvo Masters, ahead of the likes of Sergio Garcia, Jeev Milkha Singh has reassessed his goals for the remainder of the season with one eye on the world’s top-50 ranking and another on the US Masters.

Jeev is on a high with his brilliant victory at the Volvo Masters in Spain, edging European heavyweights Garcia, Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald to become only the third Asian to win in Europe.

The triumph, his second of the year, propelled Jeev to a career high 77th on the official world golf ranking and the Indian star is now looking to scale greater heights.

"A goal of mine now will be to get into the top-50 in the world, which will also earn me an invite to the US Masters," said the Indian who is also Asian tour’s UBS order of merit leader.

"I’ve just won a major event in Europe, now I want to play well in the majors," announced the golfer who is playing in the Asahiryokuken Yomiuri Asoiizuka Memorial Open here.

Jeev will have two stabs at qualifying for the masters, first by being inside the top-50 in the final 2006 world ranking or the week prior to the 2007 masters.

And if he succeeds in his mission, Jeev would be the first indian to play in the masters. The majors and World Golf Championships will be on his agenda next season. His 16th place finish on the 2006 European tour order of merit comes with the reward of a maiden trip to the British Open in Carnoustie, Scotland next year.

Winning the Volvo Masters also earned the Indian star an exemption into the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone invitational. Other lucrative events on the horizon include the WGC-accenture match play, limited to the world’s top-64 players, WGA-CA Championship and the US PGA Championship, the year’s fourth and final major.

To achieve his major ambitions, Jeev, son of flying Sikh Milkha Singh, will have to show the endurance of a marathon man as he has pencilled down six more events for the year, which will take his season’s tally to a high of 38 tournaments. (UNI)

Inter-Collegiate Women Cricket
GCW Parade beat PG Deptt

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: Government College for Women (GCW) Parade registered impressive victory over Post Graduate Departments of Jammu University in the Inter-Collegiate Women Cricket Tournament being played at University of Jammu grounds.

Post Graduate Departments of JU won the toss and elected to bat first. They scored a total of 108 runs in stipulated 30 overs by losing four wickets.

Alvin Kaur made highest 57 runs in 74 balls with the help of four hits to the fence. She was followed by Satika, who made 29 runs in 61 balls with the help of one four.

The bowlers of the Government College for Women Parade contributed 15 runs to the total of PG Departments through extras.

For GCW Parade, Jyoti and Priyanka clinched one wicket each in their six overs spell.

Parade College chased the intended target in 17.1 overs that too without losing any wicket. Payal made 61 runs while Priyanka scored 24 runs by facing 47 and 48 balls respectively. Payal’s 61 runs include nine hits to the fence.

Both the batswomen played freely and continued to loft the ball near and wide to get scores. Their marvelous batting shattered the bowlers of PG Department badly which can be evident from the fact that the latter gave 28 runs through extras.

Roopali Slathia and Sanjay were the umpires while Vijay Chowdhary was the scorer.

Tomorrow, Government College for Women Gandhi Nagar will take on Government Degree College Udhampur.

Annual Athletic Meet of Girls concludes

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

AMMU, Nov 3: Annual Athletic Meet of Dansal, Bhalwal, Jammu, Gandhi Nagar and Satwari zones for Under-14, 17 and 19 years girls concluded at MA Stadium today.

The Meet was organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, District Jammu under the overall supervision of B N Bhat, District Youth Services and Sports Officer Jammu.

In 400 metres event for Under-14 years, Diksha of BSF Paloura, Heena Chowdhary of HSS Bahu Fort and Priyanka of SOS Gole Gujral bagged first three positions while in 400 metres event for Under-17, Deeksha of HSS Bahu Fort, Sonam Sharma of SOS Gole Gujral and Shamim Chowdhary of GHS Gandhi Nagar secured first three positions.

In 200 metres event for Under-19 years, Mandeep Kour of GHSS Shastri Nagar, Rashmi of CBHSS Jammu and Rajni of HSS Marh bagged first three positions while in 4*100 metres relay for Under-17 years, Monika Zutshi of KC Public School, Bandana Rani of SSS School and Komal of BSF Paloura clinched first three positions.

In 4*100 metres Relay for Under-19 years, GHSS Shastri Nagar, BSF Paloura and GHSS Mubarak Mandi clinched first three positions while in 4*100 metres Relay for Under-14 years, KC Public School, HSS Bahu Fort and BSF Paloura bagged first three positions.

In 100 metres event for Under-14 years, Monica of KC Public School, Bandana Rani of SSP HS and Priyanka Bhat of SOS Gole Gujral clinched first three positions.

Mandeep Kour of HSS Shastri Nagar, Kiranjot Kour of Carmal Convent and Anu Priya of BSF Paloura bagged first three positions in 1500 metres event for Under-19 years while in 1500 metres event for Under-17 years, Deepika of HSS Bahu Fort, Mahak Pandita of SOS Gole Gujral and Anuradha of HSS Jhajjar Kotli bagged first three positions.

In 1500 metres event for Under-19 years, Mamta Gupta of BSF Paloura, Lovely Sharma of HSS Canal Road and Preeti of HSS Shastri Nagar secured first three positions while in 200 metres event for Under-17 years, Monica Chalotra of KC Public School, Bharti of BSF Paloura and Harleen Kour of Carmel Convent secured first three positions.

In 200 metres event for Under-19 years, Mandeep Kour of GHSS Shastri Nagar, Pooja of GHSS Canal Road and Ruksana of KC Public School bagged first three positions.

In Discus Throw event for Under-19 years, Reeta Khajuria of GHSS Shastri Nagar, Kiran Kumari GHSS Marh and Jaspreet Kour of CBHSS Jammu secured first three positions while in Discus Throw event for Under-14 years, Poorvee of Army School Kaluchak, Neha of KC Public School and Deepika of SOS Gole Gujral bagged first three positions.

Bishnah Zone: In 100 metres event for Under-14 years, Sunny Kumar of MS Rehal bagged first position and Rahul Kumar of MS Chak Jaralan clinched second position.

In 200 metres event for Under-14 years, Pardeep Kumar of MS Chak Jaralan, Sahil Sharma of MS Chak Bana and Sanjay Kumar of MS Khojipur secured first three positions while in 500 metre event for Under-14 years, Sanjay Kumar of MS Chak Murar, Romesh Kumar of MS Rehal and Raj Kumar of MS Chak Bana secured first three positions.

SCC wins Major Ajay Singh Jasrotia Cricket Tourney

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: Sonnet Cricket Club defeated Junior Karan Nagar Cricket Club by 27 runs to win 6th Major Ajay Singh Jasrotia Memorial Cosco Ball Day-Night Cricket Tournament 2006.

SCC won the toss and decided to bat first. SCC scored 112 runs in stipulated 12 overs. Suresh was the highest scorer for SCC. He contributed 52 runs in 26 balls with the help of seven hits over the fence whileas Shashi scored 38 runs in 27 balls.

For KNCC, Anil and Shoukat Bawa clinched three and two wickets respectively. KNCC could not chase the target and fell 27 runs short.

For KNCC, Shoukat Bawa and Nannu scored 19 and 17 runs respectively. Ankush and Shashi were the main wicket takers claiming three wickets each.

Suresh was declared Man of the Match while Shashi was adjudged as Man of the Series.

Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma and MOS Revenue Prem Sagar were the chief guests on the occasion and they distributed cash prize of Rs 7000 and Rs 3000 among the winner and runner-up.

Nikhil Kapahi lifts Junior Billiards title

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: Nikhil Kapahi today lifted the Junior Billiards title in the 16th Jammu District Open Billiards and Snooker Championship being played at Billiards Hall of MA Stadium, here.

Nikhil defeated Sumesh Turki in the final of the Junior Billiards today. Nikhil scored 405 points as against 345 points of Sumesh to lift the title.

Tomorrow, Sumesh Turki to lock horns with Ishuk Chowdhary for the title of Junior Snooker.

The Championship is being organised by Jammu and Kashmir Billiards and Snooker Championship.