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Champions Trophy to unfold from today

MOHALI (PUNJAB), Oct 6: As organisers and host venues continue to bicker over profit-sharing matters, the focus will now shift to on-field action as cricket’s second most coveted title —the Champions Trophy —begins here tomorrow with Australia starting as the favourites.

The Australians have never managed to win this tournament, billed as a ‘Mini World Cup’ and it remains to be seen whether the three-time world champions can break the jinx this time around.

The high-profile event, to be staged at four venues in the country, begins with a day-night qualifying match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the PCA stadium tomorrow but the tournament will generate more excitement when the group stage matches begin from October 15.

As per the format introduced for the first time, four teams —Sri Lanka, West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe —which were placed at the bottom of the ICC one-day rankings, would play in the qualifying matches.

The two top teams in the qualifiers then move into the tournament proper.

Although the event has generated much media hype, several unresolved oganisational issues between the organisers the International Cricket Council and the BCCI as also the staging associations has infused an element of uncertainty and confusion.

The Punjab Cricket Association and Rajasthan Cricket Association have not yet signed the host venue agreement although it should have been done before the tournament started.

The PCA has even warned that it could consider pulling-out if the ICC did not accept their conditions related to ticket money.

Clearly, many of the organisational and contractual matters have been allowed to linger for much too long which have only served as a distraction.

For the moment, the PCA is geared up to host the inaugural game between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh which understandably has evoked a lukewarm response from the fans here.

The Lankans should not find the going tough against the minnows, who barring a couple of upset wins against fancied teams, have not really set the cricket field ablaze with their heroics.

But then, the islanders can hardly take their opponents lightly and new captain Mahela Jayawardene has reminded his players that no team could be regarded as push overs in competitive cricket.

The Lankan top order, which includes veterans like Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu and Kumar Sangakarra, did not fire in yesterday’s warm-up match against Punjab XI which the visitors eventually won by a comfortable 84-run margin.

But captain Jayawardene is not unduly bothered by the failure of his top order batsmen, sayng just one failure on a difficult track was not a cause for concern.

"It’s not about top order, the middle order or the lower order. It’s about 11 guys doing their job and about team effort. We can win only if there is a collective effort," Jayawardene said.

"We are a bit rusty. It’s been a month since we played our last match. The boys have set high standard for themselves in various departments and we would like to continue with it. There are some grey areas and we will address them," Jayawardene said.

The Lankans, who were thrashed 6-1 by India during their last tour, are in a better form this time and the presence of a number of talented all rounders in their ranks has given the squad a lot more balance.

"We have learnt from our mistakes. When we came here last time, we faced initial difficulties following new rules [powerplay and super sub which gave so much importance to the toss, but I think we have improved since then."

Sri Lankan coach Tom Moody had a similar view.

"A lot of water has gone down the bridge since then. We are not the same team that visited India last time. We are now a better, stronger unit," Moody said.

"A lot of young guys have come and done well in international cricket. There is a significant improvement, especially in fielding," he said.

The islanders will be largely depending on their experienced batsmen to deliver the goods on tracks which were expected to be a nightmare for bowlers. Jayasuriya can be devastating on such tracks and the 37-year-old swashbuckler is keen to make his presence felt.

The Bangladeshis, on the other hand, have nothing to lose as the pressure will be on their rivals.

Coach Dav Whatmore, who has a good idea about the Lankan game having being their coach for a long time, has expresssed confidence of a better showing from the Bangladesh team who have a couple of talented players.

"We have prepared well for the tournament and have done our home work on the rival teams. If the players can execute all the plans we have discussed, we should do well", Whatmore said.

"The problem is that we are not being able to execute the plans on the field. I hope we can do it this time around".

The teams:

Sri Lanka (from): Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Upul Tharanga, Tillaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedara, Ferveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ruchira Perera, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga, Malinga Bandara.

Bangladesh (from): Habibul Bashar (capt), Shahriar Nafees, Khaled Mashud, Mohammed Rafique, Mohammed Ashraful, Mashrafe Mortaza, Rajin Saleh, Abdur Razzak, Aftab Ahmed, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain, Farhad Reja, Saqibul Hasan, Mehrab Hossain.

Umpires : Steve Bucknor (West Indies) and Darryl Harper (Australia). Third umpire : Simon Taufel (Australia).

Match referee; Mike Procter (South Africa)

Hours of play : 2.30 pm to 6 pm and 6.45 pm to 10.15 pm. (PTI)

India seek quick return to top 3 of ICC ODI rankings

DUBAI, Oct 6: A good showing in the ICC Champions Trophy will push team India to the coveted place of top three in the LG ICC ODI Rankings behind Australia and South Africa.

Team India have the same number of 111 rating points as Pakistan and New Zealand but sits below both sides at fifth spot as they dropped two places after failing to reach the final of the DLF Cup Tri Series in Malaysia.

But as hosts of the high profile event, India will nurse hopes of leaving these teams behind and moving up the list.

Australia had a lead of just four rating points over second-placed South Africa at one stage during the DLF Cup but after winning the trophy, they have now widened the gap with seven points and are comfortably perched at the top.

ICC Champions Trophy holders West Indies stands seventh in the table, three points clear of England and five rating points behind Sri Lanka.

After an outstanding series in Malaysia, Australian batsman Michael Hussey sits on top of the player rankings for odi followed closely by compatriot Adam Gilchrist.

Hussey is still six innings short of qualifying for a full ranking so he could yet extend his lead at the top provided he maintains his form into the ICC Champions Trophy.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be keen to put behind his poor series last month and move up from his current position of eighth. India has two other batsmen in the top 20. Yuvraj Singh is on 13th while skipper Dravid is five places lower down.

South Africa’s Shaun Pollock is world’s top-ranked bowler and all-rounder in ODIs. Australian Brett Lee is second following an excellent tournament in Malaysia where he took 12 wickets in three games. (PTI)

Bowl out to be adopted in case of tie in semis or final

MUMBAI, Oct 6: Absence of bonus points, a win fetching only two points as compared to four or five in a regular ODI series featuring more than two countries and a bowl out to determine the winners in case of a tie in the semis or final are some of the novelties which would be seen during the ICC Champions Trophy commencing tomorrow.

Another condition states that an hour before start of play, the rival teams should provide a list of the eleven players and the nominated 12th man in writing on the team-sheet provided by the ICC for this purpose to the ICC event co-ordinator.

But the teams are entitled to change their players at any time prior to the toss provided it is done so in writing to the ICC event co-ordinator or the ICC match referee.

Immediately prior to the toss, the ICC match referee shall check with both team captains that the players nominated on the team sheets are correct. But no player may be changed after the toss without the consent of the opposing team captain.

A win in the league phase would be worth 2 points while a tie or no result would fetch one point.

In first round matches, in the event of teams finishing on equal points, the order of finishing will be decided in the following order of priority:

1. The team with the most number of wins in the first round matches will be placed in the higher position.

2. If there are teams with equal points and equal wins in the first round matches, then in such case the team with the higher net run rate in the first round matches will be placed in the higher position.

3. If following the net run rate calculation above there are teams which are still equal, then the team with the higher number of wickets taken per balls bowled in the first round matches in which results were achieved will be placed in the higher position.

4. If still equal, the team which was the winner of the head to head match played between them will be placed in the higher position.

5. If the deadlock continues, it will be broken by drawing lots. In the second round, in case of teams finishing on equal points, the semi finalists would be determined in the following order of priority:

A. The team with the most number of wins in the second round matches will be placed in the higher position.

B. If there are teams with equal points and equal wins in the second round matches, then in such case the team with the higher net run rate in the second round matches will be placed in the higher position.

C. If following the net run rate calculation there are teams which are still equal, then the team with the higher number of wickets taken per balls bowled in the second round matches in which results were achieved will be placed in the higher position.

D. If still equal, the team which was the winner of the head to head match played between them will be placed in the higher position.

E. If the deadlock continues it would be broken by drawing lots. However, if a semi-final or the final is tied, the teams shall compete in a bowl out to determine which team progresses to the final.

In case of a no result, the team with the highest net run rate in the second round matches would advance to the final. If still equal, the finalist shall be determined by draw of lots.

In case of a no result in the final, the teams will be declared joint winners. (PTI)

India not under home pressure: Dravid

MUMBAI, Oct 6: Skipper Rahul Dravid has brushed aside suggestions that Indian players would be weighed down by the pressures of performing in front of home crowd in the Champions Trophy, saying his team was looking forward to the ten-team event beginning tomorrow.

"The Indian team and the whole country is really excited about the ICC Champions Trophy and we cannot wait to get into the competition, to play and see the excitement of the crowds and the public," Dravid was quoted as saying by the ICC’s `cricket quarterly’.

"It’s exciting to be the home team in an event of this magnitude but we don’t look on that as creating added pressure. All we are looking to do is play good one-day cricket and achieve the right results," the Bangalore stalwart said.

But the Indian skipper is wary of putting the cart before the horse, by focusing on the end result before they start their campaign (at Jaipur against England on October 15), which he thinks might put unnecessary pressure.

"Lifting the ICC Champions Trophy on home soil would be exciting, but doing that is a lot of matches away.

"All the teams want to do exactly that and if we start thinking about the end result before we start, then that will just create unnecessary pressure.

"The passion and love for the game here is unmatched to anywhere else in the world and the fact that it is the first ICC event in India for 10 years means it is even more special," Dravid said.

India’s form in the run-up to the tournament has been far from impressive in the limited overs form of the game following 1-4 series loss to the West Indies in the Caribbean and the failure in the tri-nation event in Malaysia.

One of India’s main rivals in lifting the elite trophy Australia, has the wherewithal to lift the one major silverware missing from its owerflowing cup-board, feels their selection panel chief and former opener Andrew Hilditch.

"Australia has been successful in one-day internationals for a long time, but we haven’t won the ICC Champions Trophy and we’ve picked a side that we believe is capable of winning it," Hilditch said.

Glenn McGrath, Australia’s bowling trump card, ominously has warned the batsmen of all rival outfits by saying his body felt as good as it ever had in spite of having returned to big-time cricket only in Malaysia after a seven-month lay-off to nurse his ailing wife.

"The body is feeling as good as it ever has, with no aches, no niggles, no anything," the gangling seam-up expert has told the ICC’s magazine.

New Zealand’s ace paceman Shane Bond, also making a comeback to cricket after a long knee injury-induced break, echoed his trans-tasman rival McGrath saying his body "feels great and I’m raring to play". (PTI)

Mussoorie Roller Skating Championship
J&K becomes overall champion

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 6: Jammu and Kashmir won overall championship in the recently concluded 3rd All India Open Roller Skating Championship held at Mussoorie from September 30 to October 1, 2006.

J&K team won 106 medals including 51 golds, 27 silver and 28 bronze by participating in the Rink Race, Relay Races and Roller Hockey.

In 0-6 age group of girls, Ishita Singh bagged two gold in R-I and R-II events while in 0-6 age group of boys, Aryan Gupta bagged one gold in adjustable, Aryan and Shashwat bagged one gold and one silver in R-I and R-II.

In 6-8 age group of boys, Ashad Iqbal bagged one gold and one silver in R-I and R-II while Nachiket bagged two gold in R-I and R-II events. Ashish Gupta bagged one silver in R-I while Bhanu Khajuria bagged two bronze in R-I and Roller Hockey. Vidant Gupta bagged one silver in R-II while Mayank Khajuria bagged one bronze in Roller Hockey. Mahim Sharma and Sawant also bagged one bronze each in Roller Hockey.

Divay bagged one gold and Ankita bagged one silver in Adjustable event. Mahima Khajuria bagged three bronze and one silver in Adjustable, Roller Hockey, R-I and R-II in the girls category of this age group. Shruti Gupta and Simran Gupta bagged two gold and two silver in R-I and R-II events in 6-8 years girls category.

In 8-10 years boys category, Urchit bagged one gold in Adjustable while Adish Gupta bagged one gold and one silver in R-I and R-II. Rahat bagged one silver and one bronze in R-I and Roller Hockey while Janam Gupta bagged one gold and two bronze in R-I, R-II and Roller Hockey. Yashwant Pathania and Apoorav clinched one bronze each in Roller Hockey.

In 8-10 years girls category, Prakriti bagged one silver in adjustable while Vidushi Gupta bagged two gold and one silver in R-I, R-II and Roller Hockey. In these events, Rupam Kour bagged one silver and two bronze medals. In 8-10 years boys category, Raghav bagged one bronze in Roller Hockey.

In 10-12 years boys category, J B Ankush bagged one bronze in adjustable while Kunwar clinched one gold and two bronze in R-I, R-II and Roller Hockey events. Chander bagged one bronze in Roller Hockey while Aditya Gupta clinched one silver and one bronze in R-II and Roller Hockey.

In 10-12 years girls category, Kriti Soni bagged one gold, one silver and one bronze in Adjustable, R-II and Rolley Hockey while Ragni Kour clinched two silver in Adjustable and Roller Hockey. Shreya Mahajan bagged one silver and one bronze in Adjustable and Rolley Hockey. Antra Mahajan clinched two gold and one silver in R-I, R-II and Roller Hockey. In this events, Shreya Sharma bagged three silver medals.

In 12-14 years boys category, Rahil Gupta bagged one gold and one silver in Adjustable and Roller Hockey events. In these events, Bhurnesh bagged one silver and one bronze. Ram bagged one silver in Roller Hockey.

In R-I, R-II and Roller Hockey events of this age group, Rahul bagged two gold and one silver, Shiva clinched three silver medals and Shubam bagged one silver and two bronze.

In 12-14 years girls category, Kavneet Kour bagged two gold and one silver in R-I, R-II and Roller Hockey while Shreya Basim bagged two silver in R-I and R-II. Aishwarya clinched one silver and two bronze in R-I, R-II and Roller Hockey events. In these events of 14-16 years boys category, Abhishek Gupta clinched two gold and one silver.

Arun bagged one silver in Roller Hockey while Sahil clinched three silver medals in R-I, R-II and Roller Hockey in above 16 years boys category.

Inter-Collegiate Men Boxing
MAM College emerges as overall champion

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 6: MAM College lifted Inter-Collegiate Men Boxing Championship organised by Directorate of Physical Education, University of Jammu.

Government Degree College Poonch and Commerce College Jammu shared second position by securing 21 points each as against 24 of MAM College. KC Law College Jammu bagged third place by securing 11 points.

Detailed results:

In Light Fly category, Parampreet Singh of Government Degree College Poonch emerged as winner while Talvider Singh of MAM College as runner-up.

In Fly category, Rajinder Singh of Government Degree College Poonch (first) and Ravinder Kesar of Commerce College (second).

Mahesh Verma of Commerce College emerged as winner while Simranjeet Singh of Government Degree College Poonch as runner-up in Bantom category.

In Feather category, Gourav Sharma of Government Degree College Poonch (first) and Rakesh Sharma of MAM College (second). In light welter, Pardeep Parihar of MAM College emerged as winner while Ronik Sharma of KC Law College as runner-up.

In the Welter Weight category, Sandeep Singh of MAM College (first) and Abdul Qayoom of Government Degree College Poonch (second). In Light Middle Weight, Raj Gourav of Commerce College emerged as winner while Abhinav Sharma of KC Law College as runner-up.

In Middle Weight category, Jigmet Samstan of MAM College (first) and Sanjay Singh of GGM Science College (second) while in the Heavy Weight Category, Pardeep Singh of KC Law College emerged as winner and Jehanzeb Syed of Commerce College as runner-up.

In Super Heavy Weight category, Arjun Wadhera of Commerce College (first) and Akash Kumar of MAM College (second).

Deshmash Club lifts Distt Budgam Hockey Championship

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 6: Deshmash Club Budgam defeated AS College Srinagar by four goals to one in the final match of the District Budgam Hockey Championship organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Hockey Association.

The half time score was 1-1 but in the second half Deshmash Club scored three goals one after another in 58th, 63rd and 69th minutes respectively.

The lone goal of the AS College was scored by Jagmeet Singh while for the Deshmash Club, Gurmeet Singh scored two goals while Arunpal and Bahadur Singh scored one goal each.

Principal of AS College was the chief guest at the prize distribution function. She announced that a hockey tournament will be sponsored by AS College for the promotion of hockey among the players.

Sheikh Mohd Maqbool, Senior Vice-President of Jammu and Kashmir Hockey Association and G S Bakshi, resident secretary were among others who attended the prize distribution function.

55th All India Police Games to begin on Oct 9

JALANDHAR, Oct 6: The 55th All India Police Games will begin at Punjab Armed Police campus here on October nine.

Around 1200 sportspersons from different State Police and para military forces would participate in five disciplines including boxing, gymnastics, judo, weightlifting and wrestling, Rajan Gupta, Additional Director General of Police and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the games told reporters.

To conduct the games smoothly, several committees of police officials have been made and for the first time the games would be held in newly built in-door stadium of the campus, he added.

Gupta said two more disciplines — archery and shooting — would be included in the games. (PTI)