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

Reality check for Team India

JAIPUR, Oct 14: Under-pressure India will launch their campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy with a day-night match against England here tomorrow, hoping that all their experimentations of the past few months will bear fruits when it matters most.

The Indians have not been in the best of forms going into the high-profile tournament and the players will be banking on their familiarity with home conditions to be able to make a mark in what is billed as a ‘Mini World Cup’.

The action gains momentum as the biennial event moves from the qualifying round to super eight stage where two groups of four teams each compete in the league format to decide the semifinal line-up.

While the cricketers are busy preparing themselves for the multi-lateral tournament that kicks-off a busy season which includes the World Cup in six months’ time, the administrators have taken up cudgels against the ICC, the game’s world governing body.

Issues about marketing, ticketing and seating area have jostled for news space with the debate over the form, or the lack of it, of Irfan Pathan and the batting order.

Defeats in the Caribbean and Malaysia have seen the critics go up in arms against what coach Greg Chappell and captain Rahul Dravid but positive results against strong sides like world champions Australia could silence them.

The chief concern for the team has been Irfan Pathan’s declining bowling form. The Baroda left-arm pacer has shown little signs of rediscovering the form of two years ago when he troubled the batsmen with his swing.

The finger has been pointed at the team management’s decision to send him up the batting order. His success with the bat prompted all and sundry to tout him as a genuine all-rounder and the successor to Kapil Dev.

But with his bowling coming apart at its seams, the question now being asked is whether too much burden has been placed on him?

Whatever the answer to that, the fact is that Pathan, alongwith Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has been a pillar of strength for India the last season when they defeated Sri Lanka at home, Pakistan in their soil, and England again at home, to move to number two spot in the ICC ODI team rankings.

Only South Africa managed to hold them when they visited late last year. It hasn’t helped that Sreesanth, who has been impressive in recent months, has been left out for the Champions Trophy while Pathan has been whacked around in the warm up games and practice sessions.

Another issue that confronts the team’s think-tank is the Virender Sehwag’s position in the batting order.

The Delhi batsman, who started his career as a middle order bat but has played as an opener in the major part of his international career, was moved down the order in Malaysia but failed to score in double digits in the three innings that he batted at No. 4 and 3.

The team management has shrugged off the losses to the Windies and in the tri-series in Kuala Lumpur as irrelevant. "What happened in the past two months will have no bearing what is going to happen tomorrow," Chappell said at the start of the tournament.

"It is the performance on the day that matters and the failures in the past won’t matter in the next tournament.

"I am happy with the way things have gone so far. The players know their job, they know why they have been asked to do certain things," the former Australian captain said.

Dravid felt there was no clear-cut point where a team could stop experimenting, which he said was necessary to build a side.

"Winning is important, but results are critical. You can’t take away the fact that you have to develop the squad," the skipper said.

England have their own problem to sort out. The visitors have given the impression that their focus is more on the upcoming Ashes than this event. The questions at the press conferences have revovled around playing the Aussies in the group stage and no mention has been made about the team’s chances of clinching the trophy.

The players themselves have denied it though.

"There are two separate squads for (Champions Trophy and Ashes series), although a few players are there in the both the teams and a few purely in the one-day squad," wicketkeeper Chris Read said.

England’s major decision would be on whether or not to ask skipper Andrew Flintoff to bowl, and who should open the batting in the absence of Marcus Trescothick.

The all-rounder is coming back from a three-month break following an ankle surgery, and has said that he would not bowl against India. (PTI)

Inzamam refused permission to visit India

KARACHI, Oct 14: The new regime in the Pakistan Cricket Board has denied Inzamam-ul Haq the permission to visit India and commentate on television during the Champions Trophy in line with its policy to keep tight control on the players.

Even as Inzamam was packing his bags to leave for India, he was told that it was not the best time for him to visit India.

PCB’s concerns are primarily twofold. At a time when Pakistan Cricket is shrouded in controversies, PCB thinks any ill-judged comment by Inzamam could add fuel to the fire.

Also, Inzamam was to return home only on November 7 and just four days later Pakistan are due to meet West Indies in the first test in Lahore.

PCB apparently has also denied stand-in captain Younis Khan the permission to write columns in Indian newspapers.

The present dispensation in PCB, under Naseem Ashraf, is keen to enforce discipline among players following reports that the players had enjoyed too much powers during the regime of Shaharyar Khan.

The air now seems to be blowing against Inzamam who just the other day brooked no opposition in Pakistan cricket’s set-up.

Inzamam has been confirmed captain for the forthcoming series against the West Indies but PCB has said his captaincy would be reviewed after the home series.

"After the home series against the West Indies, we will sit down and review things and the person who has form and fitness would be named captain for the tour of South Africa and the World Cup," Ashraf had said. (PTI)

Punjab crush J&K by Innings in Inter-State Cricket

PATIALA, Oct 14: Punjab inflicted a crushing Innings and 128 run defeat on J&K, in the three-day Inter-State Under-22 cricket match here today at the Dhruv Pandove Cricket Stadium here today.

On the second day, Punjab resumed their innings at 167 for three. The overnight not out batsmen, Gaurav Gupta and Uday Kaul sent the J&K bowlers on a leather hunt, scoring centuries.

While Gaurav Gupta scored a breezy 170 in 224 balls, hitting 25 fours, Uday Kaul scored a painstaking 100 in 154 balls, which contained eight fours. Gupta and Kaul were associated in a mammoth partnership of 256 runs.

J&K bowlers toiled hard throughout the afternoon session, with Sameer Ali and Adil Misgar being the only bowlers who met with some success. Both captured two wickets each, conceding 99 and 87 runs respectively.

Punjab declared its innings after it had piled up 398 for the loss of four wickets.

A lead of 260 was enough for Punjab to bowl out J&K in their second Innings, which they did admirably.

In their second Innings, J&K again floundered and their wickets fell like nine pins. They were all out for 132. Of all the J&K batsmen, only U Bashir stood like a rock, scoring 60 invaluable runs.

For Punjab, Hardevinder Singh took four for 43, while Ankur Jund captured 3 wickets, giving away 14 runs.

Punjab will now play against unfancied Himachal Pradesh on October 29 here at the Dhruv Pandove Cricket Stadium. (UNI)

12th NZ Sport Climbing Competition
J&K retains Champions Trophy

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 14: Jammu and Kashmir retained the Champions Trophy of the 12th North Zone Sport Climbing Competition held at Spring Dales School, Amritsar from October 7 to 10, 2006.

Unlike last year, this year no State could match J&K’s might. Completely dominating the Championship, J&K won 31 points against 20 points secured jointly by Delhi (7 points), Punjab (6 points), Uttaranchal (4 points) and Haryana (3 points).

In men’s category Lead Climbing, Delhi made a clean sweep by winning the first three positions while Uttaranchal and Haryana shared the honours in the Speed Climbing. J&K came back strongly to clinch almost all the medals in Lead as well as Speed Climbing in other categories of women, boys and girls.

In Lead Climbing event of women’s category, J&K created the biggest upset by defeating Anshika Khanna of Delhi, who was the champion for the last 10 years. Shivati Koul, Bhawna Sharma and Rohini Chib of J&K secured first three positions pushing Anshika to 4th spot.

In the Speed Climbing of women’s category, Shivati Koul of J&K generated good speed to retain her title. Rohini Chib and Bhawna Sharma again upset Anshika Khanna to claim second and third positions.

In Lead Climbing of boys category, both Suraj Singh of J&K and Amitoz Chinna of Punjab topped the wall and tied at the first place. However, in the super final, Suraj Singh again topped the wall and retained his title. Amitoz of Punjab and Gurpreet Singh of J&K secured the second and third places.

It was in the Speed Competition that Suraj Singh rose to great heights. In all the four rounds, he defeated his opponents by generating excellent speed. Rakshak of Punjab finished second and Gurpreet Singh of J&K third.

However, the darling of the crowd turned out to be Shivani Raj Kaith of J&K. She impressed all by his aggressive climbing and won both the Lead and Speed titles of the girls category. Harjot Kour, a national silver medalist bagged silver medal while Primary Choudhary of J&K won bronze medal alongwith three climbers from other States.

In all, J&K won six gold out of total eight, four silver out of total eight and five bronze out of total 11 medals. The J&K climbers collected cash prize amounting to Rs 11,300.

The J&K team was sponsored by J&K State Sports Council. It was led by Shivati Koul. Sumit Khujuria was the Manager and Dr Shyam Magotra, a Clinical Tropical Medicine Specialist, was the Medical Officer and overall incharge of the team.

Distt Level Rural Sports Meet concludes

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 14: District Level Rural Sports Meet concluded today at Sunderbani. In the Meet, a total of 11 schools and two clubs participated.

In Kho-Kho final, HS Channiprat defeated Shiva Club by 10-6 while in the Kabaddi, HS Channiprat remained runners-up and HS Thandapani declared winner.

In boys Kabaddi final, HS Channiprat defeated MS Saleri by 15-8 while in the Volleyball, HS Channiprat defeated HS Dharoon by 2-0.

The Athletics results: Jasbir Singh of HS Channiprat bagged first position, Anil Kumar of HS Siot second and Panjab Singh of HS Channi third in 100 metres boys.

In 100 metres girls, Nisha of HS Channiprat bagged first position, Sarita of MS Massiote second and Neelam of HS Thandapani third. In the 200 metres boys, Satish Kumar of HS Channiprat bagged first position, Liaqat Ali of HS Dharoon second and Sunil Sharma of HS Dharoon third.

Headmaster of the HS Channiprat School Satpal Sharma gave away the prizes.

J&K to take on Haryana in Junior National Korfball final

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 14: Defending champion J&K will take on Haryana in the final of 14th Junior National (Under-21 years) Korfball Championship at Agra tomorrow.

In the semi-final, J&K defeated Andhra Pradesh by 11-8. Half time score was 6-4 in the favour of AP. Sunil Singh, Irfan Choudhary, Mohd Shadab and Kawardeep were the main scorer from J&K.

Earlier, in the quarter-final match, J&K defeted Himachal Pradesh by 19-11. Half time score was 10-5 in the favour of J&K. Irfan, Sunil, Kawardeep, Mohd Shadab and Deepanti were the main scorers.

In the league matches of Pool A, J&K beat Dadar Nagar Haveli by 23-3, Rajasthan by 11-5, West Bengal by 16-2 and Delhi by 11-8.

J&K and Delhi qualified for the quarter-final from Pool A.

Rural Sports Meet concludes at Mandi

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

POONCH, Oct 14: Second phase of Rural and Women Sports concluded at Boys Higher Secondary School Mandi. The events were organised by J&K State Sports Council in collaboration with District Sports Advisory Board Poonch.

Volleyball, Kabaddi, Tug of War and Athletics events were organised for boys while Volleyball, Kho-Kho and Athletics events were organised for girls. More than 300 boys and girls from 20 schools, local clubs and hilly areas of Mandi Zone participated.

Incharge Principal Government Higher Secondary School Mandi Yousaf Sheikh was the chief guest while Prem Parkash and Ved Prakash, members of the District Advisory Board Poonch were guests of honour.

In Volleyball, High School Chandak defeated High School Mandi by 25-23, 24-22 and 22-19 while in the Kabaddi, Rajpura Club Mandi beat Jallian Club Mandi by 30-25. In Tug of War, local club Sawjian defeated MS Chaktroo.

The chief guest distributed prizes among the winner and runner-up teams.