Ponting wants more time
in middle before Ashes

MELBOURNE, Nov 13: Australian Captain Ricky Ponting has said he wanted to spend plenty of time in the middle to strike form ahead of the first Ashes Cricket test at the Gabba in Brisbane from November 23......more

Sporting tracks to greet
India in one-dayers

DURBAN, Nov 13: South Africa would prepare sporting wickets for the upcoming five-match one-day international cricket series against India, coach Mickey Arthur has said.........more

PCB rules out action
against Shoaib

LAHORE, Nov 13: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has ruled out any disciplinary action against mercurial speedster Shoaib Akhtar for his outburst against the anti-doping tribunal, which slapped him with a two-year ban for flunking a dope test....more

Lacklusture Sania
ends WTA season
as world No 66

NEW DELHI, Nov 13: A testimony to the drop in her form, Sania Mirza, who ended 2005 at a career best 31st, will end the current season as world number 66 in the latest WTA rankings issued today. Sania, who will be teaming up with Leander Paes for the Asian Hopman Cup starting November......more

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 Inter School Athletic
Meet concludes

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 13: The three day long district level Inter School Athletic Meet for U/14 boys and girls organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports Distt. Udhampur was concluded at Sports Stadium Udhampur.........more

State Kabaddi Association
nominates selection
committee

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Kabaddi Association has nominated the selection committee to select the state......more

DC Kishtwar, MAM College
register easy wins

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 13: Degree College Kishtwar and MAM College registered easy wins over their opponents in the........more

Abdullah inaugurates
GKR Memorial
Cricket tourney

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 13: Dr. Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister J&K today formally inaugurated the "GKR Memorial" 20-20 Cup Open Cricket Tournament at GGM....more
     
 

Ponting wants more time in middle before Ashes

MELBOURNE, Nov 13: Australian Captain Ricky Ponting has said he wanted to spend plenty of time in the middle to strike form ahead of the first Ashes Cricket test at the Gabba in Brisbane from November 23.

Ponting, named ICC player of the year and test player of the year early this month, was dismissed for 10 yesterday in their one-day loss to the State of Victoria at the MCG.

"I’m not great, I’m probably not setting the world alight at the moment. It would have been nice to spend a bit longer out there today and get a few runs under my belt, have something to do with the result of the game," he said.

Ponting said it was important to adjust quickly to the batting conditions in Australia after the champions trophy one-day tournament in India.

"(Being) back in Australia, the conditions are slightly different to what we had over there, so I think it’s important for all of us looking forward to the test match to make what we can from this next game.

"It would be nice if I got some time in the middle," he was quoted as saying by the `Herald Sun’.

Ponting said he had worked hard on his game in India and was looking forward to a good score in the first test.

"The last few months haven’t been my best batting. I had three low scores in the champion’s trophy and a couple of 50s in the middle.

"Hopefully some time in the middle will come for me and hopefully that’s in the next game," he said. (PTI)

Sporting tracks to greet India in one-dayers

DURBAN, Nov 13: South Africa would prepare sporting wickets for the upcoming five-match one-day international cricket series against India, coach Mickey Arthur has said.

However, the Indians could be greeted by fast and bouncy tracks in the three-match test series (December 15-Jan 6) to follow, given their susceptibility to pace.

"All we want are good wickets. For the test matches, they will be different, of course. We’ll get together to discuss it," Arthur was quoted as saying in the media today.

The Indians, who arrive tomorrow for their fourth official tour of the country, will take on rest of South Africa in a warm-up match in Benoni on Thursday before the first ODI on Sunday.

They are also slated to play a twenty 20 match slotted in between the fourth and fifth ODIs.

India do not enjoy a good record in one-dayers played in South Africa, having won only three of 15 one-day internationals.

The South Africans, led by Graeme Smith, would assemble in Johannesburg on Thursday to discuss their strategy for the tour, which assumes importance due to the fact that the World Cup is to be played in West Indies in March-April. (PTI)

PCB rules out action against Shoaib

LAHORE, Nov 13: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has ruled out any disciplinary action against mercurial speedster Shoaib Akhtar for his outburst against the anti-doping tribunal, which slapped him with a two-year ban for flunking a dope test.

Shoaib had questioned the credibility of the tribunal after being handed the punishment, following a positive dope test. The express bowler had claimed that the tribunal was out to destroy his career and raised doubts over it’s impartiality.

"I don’t understand why have I been given a two-year ban, while (Mohammad) Asif, who committed the same offence and was found to have a higher level of Nandrolone was given a lighter sentence," the pacer had said, referring to the one-year ban on Asif for failing the same test.

"This raises doubts over the credibility of the tribunal," he had further added.

Shoaib and Asif were withdrawn from the champions trophy in India following the doping scandal and were subsequently banned.

PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf, while refusing to react to the outburst, said the board was not planning to take any action against bowler for his comments.

He, however, did point out that the PCB has given the bowlers to prove their innocence by allowing them to appeat against the bans.

"The players were allowed to hire the services of lawyer or doctor to assist them before the Commission to prove them innocence," he was quoted by ‘The News’ as saying.

"Like Commission, the appeal committee is also an independent body and both Shoaib and Asif are appearing before it with their lawyers, so they have another chance to prove the innocence," he added. (UNI)

Lacklusture Sania ends WTA season as world No 66

NEW DELHI, Nov 13: A testimony to the drop in her form, Sania Mirza, who ended 2005 at a career best 31st, will end the current season as world number 66 in the latest WTA rankings issued today.

Sania, who will be teaming up with Leander Paes for the Asian Hopman Cup starting November 22, has 382 ranking points in the singles list, which is a big drop from her standings last season.

The Indian, however, has reason to smile as she has risen to a career-best 24th in the doubles list with 1070 points.

Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne, meanwhile, has regained the top spot to end the season as world number one overtaking French Amelie Mauresmo. This is the second time she has finished a season as the world number one player after her top finish in 2003.

"To end the season as no 1 in the world is very exciting and an accomplishment I’m very proud of, especially because there were three players who could have been no 1 at the end of the year," Henin-Hardenne was quoted by the WTA official website as saying.

"This season was full of great moments for me and to get the top ranking back makes it even better," the Belgian added.

Russian Maria Sharapova finished second followed by Mauresmo. Swiss Martina Hingis, who returned to action after a long injury layoff, capped a remarkable season with a seventh spot finish on the WTA list.

Meanwhile, the disappointing finish from Sania part, the other Indians in the WTA singles chart also could not make much improvement. The US-based Shikha Uberoi (129.75) dropped one place to finish 206th, followed by Ankita Bhambri (42.50) at 418. Veteran Lakshmi Chakravarthi (35.25) improved five places to end the season at 463rd position, followed by Sanaa Bhambri (18.25) at 633rd spot. Top 10: 1. Justine Henin-Hardenne (Belgium) 3998, 2. Maria Sharapova (Russia) 3532, 3. Amelie Mauresmo (France) 3391, 4. Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 2523, 5. Kim Clijsters (Belgium) 2215, 6. Nadia Petrova (Russia) 2189, 7. Martina Hingis (Switzerland) 2018, 8. Elena Dementieva (Russia) 1875, 9. Patty Schnyder (Switzerland) 1578, 10. Nicole Vaidisova (Czech Republic) 1391 (UNI)

Inter School Athletic Meet concludes

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 13: The three day long district level Inter School Athletic Meet for U/14 boys and girls organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports Distt. Udhampur was concluded at Sports Stadium Udhampur. About 298 athletes from various institutions of the district. Udhampur participated in the Athletic Meet. Ravi Singh, who is also the Joint Secretary of Sports Advisory Board Udhampur was the chief guest on the occasion and he gave away medals to the athletes. The results of final day’s events are:

BOYS SECTION:

Long Jump: Rajeev Kumar ( Little Angel H/S Gold), Razaq Ahmad (Govt. M/S Udhampur Silver) and Anil Kumar (H/S Chak Bronze) (Bronze).

Tripple Jump: Luxman (H/S Barta Gold), Sandeep Rajput (Amba Kids Silver) and Rajeev Kuma ( Bronze Little Angel)

Shot Put: Deepak (Little Angel Gold), Prem Singh (H/S Barta Silver) and Mohd. Yunus (H/S Chirayai Bronze).

Discus: Deepak Kumar (Little Angel Gold), Karnail Singh (B.M. High School Silver) and Mohd. Yunus (H/S Chirayai Silver).

GIRLS SECTION:

Long Jump: Anu Radha (M/S Barian Gold), Manisha (Amba Kids Silver) and Suman (H/S Barta Bronze).

Tripple Jump: Anita (H/S Barta Gold) and Manisha (Amba Kids Silver).

Shot Put: Neha Kumari (G.H.S. Udhampur Gold), Kanta Devi (G.H.S. Ramnagar Silver) and Kiran Kumari (G.H.S. Garhi Bronze).

Discus: Sushma Devi (H/S Barta Gold) and Neha Kumari (G.H.S. Udhampur Silver).

State Kabaddi Association nominates selection committee

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Kabaddi Association has nominated the selection committee to select the state team in junior boys and girls section.

Similarly, the selection committee for Senior, North Zone, Federation Cup, Beach and Circle Style would also be nominated separately. The committee is being constituted for 2006-07 and 2007-08 sessions and will be changed on rotational basis if required by the Association. The names of the selection committee members are:

Kuldeep Kumar Gupta (Chairman), Bhupinder Singh Tirthi (Convener), Dinesh Gupta, Dharamjeet Singh, Rakesh Sharma, Ankush Chib, Jasdev Singh and Manik Sharma (all members).

DC Kishtwar, MAM College register easy wins

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 13: Degree College Kishtwar and MAM College registered easy wins over their opponents in the ongoing Inter Collegiate Cricket Tournament being played at University of Jammu.

In the first match, DC Kishtwar defeated DC Kathua by six wickets. DC Kathua won the toss and decided to bat first. They were all out for 93 runs in 22 overs. Vishav Khajuria and Satwant Singh were the top scorers with 19 and 13 runs respectively.

For DC Kishtwar, Amit Sharma was the most successful bowler who scalped three wickets followed by Anil and Adil who took two and three wickets each.

In reply, DC Kishtwar chased the winning target of 94 runs in just 17 overs with Imran played a fine knock of 31 runs. Irshad and Vikrant also contributed useful 28 and 17 runs respectively. For DC Kathua, Rakesh and Simranjeet snared two wickets each.

In the second match, MAM College outclassed Degree College Doda by 76 runs in a pretty one sided contest. MAM College after winning the toss decided to bat first. They made formidable 207 runs in 27.1 overs.

Farooq and Anbit Bakshi were the top scorers with 58 and 46 runs respectively. Harmeet also contributed useful 30 runs. For DC Doda, Majid and Akhtar took four and three wickets respectively.

In reply, DC Doda managed just 132 runs in 29.5 overs. Mudassir and Sanjeet were the top scorers with 34 and 32 runs respectively.

For MAM College, Jarnail Singh bowled exceptionally well to complete a five wicket haul.

Varinder and Farooq also took two wickets a piece.

The tournament is being organised by the Deptt. of Physical Education Jammu University.

Abdullah inaugurates GKR Memorial Cricket tourney

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 13: Dr. Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister J&K today formally inaugurated the "GKR Memorial" 20-20 Cup Open Cricket Tournament at GGM Science College ground here today.

The tournament is being organised by KAWA Institute in collaboration with Roshni Cricket Academy and sponsored by Shree Toyota, Indian Oil Corporation, Pepsi, Sangari Motors and Jammu Motors. Thakur Kashmira Singh (Ex MLC), Aslam Ganai, Gurdeep Sasan, Chander Mohan Sharma, Surinder Singh Sangari, Surcha Singh, Ramesh Mahajan, Mohan Lal and Capt. K.S. Katoch were among others present on the occassion. M.S. Katoch, Chairman KAWA Institute delivered the vote of thanks.


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