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

HS Sherpur emerges overall winner in U/17 boys ...........

Kick Boxing Championship commences ...........

SA, Valley cricketers play Twenty20 matches.........

Painting contest held at Lawrence Public School...........

KOLKATA, Dec 1: Sourav Ganguly and V V S Laxman cracked fluent tons to propel India to a mammoth first innings score, helping India take command of the second cricket test on the second day of the match here today.

Local hero Ganguly (102) shook off his Eden Gardens jinx to get to his first three figure score on the ground while also partnering stylish batsman Laxman (112 not out) to a 163-run fifth wicket stand, before skipper Anil Kumble declared the Indian innings at 616 for loss of 5, an hour into the post tea session.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni also contributed to India’s total, being 50 not out.

In reply, Pakistan were 50 for one in 16 overs when stumps were drawn early with bad light stopping the play.

Opener Yaseer Hameed was foxed by Anil Kumble’s flipper as early as in the eighth over to demoralise the visiting side in chase of the huge score. Pakistan is struggling in tests after one-day series defeat against India.

Salman Butt was batting 26 and Younis Khan was on 3 at close.

Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 352 for 3, Indian batsmen continued to pile on the misery on the tourists, with Wasim Jaffer achieving a well-deserved double century in the morning.

Stand-in skipper Younis Khan was at his wit’s end to check the marauding Indian willowers on the dry track, as the visitors’ partially fit pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar could manage to bowl only in short spells.

Ganguly was particularly severe on pacer Sohail Tanvir, and hit the youngster for four delightful boundaries in the 100th over of the innings after India crossed the 400 mark in the previous over.

Ganguly, however, departed a short while after posting his hundred, when he tried to hoist Salman Butt over mid wicket but failed to time the shot properly to finish in the hands of Sohail Tanvir.

Ganguly’s innings included 14 boundaries during a 246-minute stint, during which he faced 156 balls.

It was a memorable day for both Ganguly and his countless admirers here as the Prince of Kolkata reached his 14th test hundred by pushing Kaneria to mid off for a single 85 minutes into the post lunch session.

The entire Eden Gardens erupted in celebration as Ganguly raised his willow and almost jumped in joy.

The elegant Laxman (264 mins, 178 balls) also seemed in blazing form as he executed several sweetly timed strokes during his aggressive knock studded with 15 hits to the fence.

Laxman took a single to get to his hundred in the post tea session with a single from a short arm pull to deep midwicket of leg spinner Danish Kaneria

The Hyderabadi’s 11th hundred in 85 tests came of 158 balls after a 233-minute stay in the middle.

SCOREBOARD

India 1st innings:

(overnight 352 for 3)

Jaffer c Akmal b Tanvir 202

Kaarthick c Younis b Tanvir 1

Dravid c Akmal b Kaneria 50

Tendulkar b Kaneria 82

Ganguly c Tanvir b Butt 102

Laxman not out 112

Dhoni not out 50

Extras: (b-8, lb-5, w-1, nb-3) 17

Total: (for 5 wkts decl in 152.5 overs) 616

Fall of Wickets: 1-2, 2-138, 3-313, 4-375, 5-538

Bowling: Shoaib Akhtar 24-2-84-0, Sohail Tanvir 39-6-166-2, Mohammad Sami 29-2-99-0, Danish Kaneria 50-7-194-2, Yasir Hameed 4-0-24-0, Salman Butt 6.5-0-36-1.

Pakistan 1st innings:

Salman Butt batting 26

Hameed lbw Kumble 21

Younis Khan batting 3

Extras: 0

Total: (for 1 wkt in 16 overs)50

Fall of Wickets: 1-38

Bowling: Zaheer Khan 1.2-0-2-0, Munaf Patel 3-0-22-0, Harbhajan Singh 6.4-0-14-0, Anil Kumble 5-1-12-1. (PTI)

Decks clear for Kirsten

DURBAN/KOLKATA, Dec 1: It is all clear for Gary Kirsten to take over as India’s new cricket coach with the board virtually finalising his name and the former South African cricketer indicating he would accept it by Monday with only the official announc-ement remaining to be made.

"The appointment of Kirs-ten is more or less confirmed," BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah told reporters after the board’s executive committee’s meeting at the Eden Gardens here.

"Some nitty-gritty are yet to finalised. It will take another eight days to make a formal announcement," said a cautious Shah, apparently in the backdrop of the episode invo-lving Graham Ford, who back-ed out from taking up the job at the eleventh over.

It is expected that the announcement is likely to be made around the time when the third test between India and Pakistan takes place in the second week of this month at Bangalore.

The board meeting was chaired by its President Sharad Pawar and attended by Niranjan Shah, vice-president Rajiv Shukla, Treasurer N Srinivasan and CEO Ratnakar Shetty among others.

Vice-president Rajiv Shukla later said that as Kirsten has informed the board that he would not be fully available till the Australia tour, lalchand Rajput would be assistant coach for that tour.

"It has also been decided that Robin Singh will remain the fielding coach and Venkatesh Prasad the bowling coach," Shukla said.

Kirsten said in Durban that his job in India was very much a "reality" and the deal would be "signed and sealed" by Monday.

"They (BCCI) have given me a week to make a decision but it’s pretty much a reality. By Monday, it will be pretty much signed and sealed," he said.

"I have turned down numerous coaching opportunities due to family reasons in the past but this one is such an esteemed one that I have to take a different look at it," Kirsten said.

"It’s something I always wanted to do and to be offered such an esteemed job is mind-boggling. It’s something I am proud to have," he added.

India can expose Aussie weakness to spin

Even before joining as the new coach of Indian cricket team, former South African batsman Gary Kirsten has warned the Australians, saying the subcontinent players could expose their weakness to play spin and also capitalise on it.

Kirsten said uncertainty surrounding Stuart Macgill’s availability, coupled with the relative inexperience of his would-be replacement Brad Hogg could prove a boost for the tourists.

"They’ve obviously had Shane Warne there for many years, and he was able to fill a lot of jobs for them, most notably his ability to strike and take wickets in all conditions and situations," Kirsten said.(pti)

India begin with 1-1 draw

NEW DELHI, Dec 1: Shubhadra Pradhan’s equaliser five minutes from time saved the day for India as the hosts drew 1-1 with Malaysia in their first round robin league match of the four-nation Shastri Women’s Hockey Tourna-ment here today.

India eves dominated most part of the match at the Shivaji stadium but conceded a goal early in the second half (39th), scored by Malysian forward Hashim Norbaini and had to toil hard before Pradhan (65th) saved India the blushes with the last-gasped goal.

The hosts got two scoring chances in the goal-less first half but in both occasions seasoned Saba Anjum failed to find the target.

First, Anjum’s reverse flick from the top of the circle in the 14th minute went wide and in the second attempt she failed to slam home from a narrow angle near the right post of Malaysia goal three minutes from the breather. (UNI)

Chennai Superstars beat Kolkata Tigers

PANCHKULA, Dec 1: Chennai Superstars defeated Kolkata Tigers by six runs in a Twenty20 match of the Indian Cricket League here today.

Put into bat, the Superstars set a target for 141 and restricted Kolkata Tigers to 134 for seven.

The superstars lost two quick wickets with the scoreboard reading 13. Iklak Ahmed removed Ian Harvey (3) and C Hemanth Kumar (5) before Law (33) and Arnold (38) took control and put on a 76-run stand.

R Sathish (23) and S V Sarvanan (22) scored some quick runs at the end, setting the opponents a target of 141.

The tigers started the chase badly with Lance Klusener (0) and D L Maddy (8) falling to Shabeer Ahmed.

Shabeer, Harvey and T Kumaran took two wickets each. The Tigers required 19 in the final over and the opponents managing 134/7.

For Tigers, captain Craig MacMillan (25) and promising talent Abhishek Jhunjhuwala (30) were among the run getters.

Mumbai Champs lose to Hyderabad Heroes

West Indian legend Brian Lara fell for a first ball duck as Hyderabad Heroes defeated Mumbai Champs by 33 runs in the third match of the ICL Twenty20 tournament at Tau Devi Lal stadium here tonight.

Chasing a target of 122, Mumbai Champs, led by Lara, suffered a batting collapse and were bowled out for just 88 in 19 overs.

Champs’ Kiwi import Nathan Astle (32) tried to rescue his team before being a victim of his country mate Chris Carris. Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who is leading the Hyderabad side, took a stunning catch to send back the dangerous-looking batsman.(PTI)

Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq claimed opener Vikram Solanki (5) to make early inroads and his former test colleague Azhar Mahmood trapped Lara in front and removed opener Robin Morris (12) to push the Mumbai side to back foot.

At one stage, the Mumbai Champs were tottering at 4-27.

Earlier, Hyderabad Heroes won the toss and choose to bat. Mahmood, who opened the innings, failed to click with the bat and departed for only two runs.

The Heroes’ other opener South African Nicky Boje (13), youngster Ambati Rayudu (14) and Razzaq (2) fell to impress as the Hyderabadi team lost wickets at regular intervals to slip into trouble with the scoreboard reading 4-55.

However, Inzamam played a crucial knock of 42 not out and bailed out his side. His knock, which came off just 28 balls, was studded with four hits to the fence and two sixes.

For the Champs, Avinash Yadav made the maximum damage claiming three Heroes wickets. (PTI)

Sachin slams ton as Haryana takes control on day 1

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 1: Glovesman Sachin Rana struck a fine hundered as Haryana comfortably placed at 247/4 in 57 overs against J&K at close of day one in the Ranji Trophy plate group B match being played at GGM Science College Hostel Ground here today.

Sachin Rana was unbeaten on 108 while Sunil Vishwanathan batting on 28 as Haryana poised to put up a big score.

Earlier, the match had a delayed start of two hours due to wet outfield and hazy conditions.

J&K won the toss and put Haryana to bat. The hosts tasted success early as skipper Vijay Sharma drew first blood by removing Mithun Beerola for naught with the score reads just 5.

He was caught by Ian Dev Singh. The skipper continued his fine exhibition of speed and swing scalping two more wickets to push the visitors back to the wall.

After losing three wickets in quick succession, Jharkhand looked in all sorts of trouble but then came a 82 run third wicket partnership between Sumit Sharma and Sachin Rana that really saved the visitors from blushes.

Sumit Sharma was eventually bowled by Samiullah Beigh but not before he made a well compiled 81 ball 50.

Sachin Rana, on the other hand was unperturbed by the fall of wickets at other end as he continued to play delectable strokes in all corners of the ground.

He faced 160 deliveries for his 108 studded with 13 hits to the fence and two towering sixes.

He alongwith Sunil Vishawanthan who joined him after the dismissal of Sumit Sharma played cautiously to steadied the innings.

Both batsmen have put on an unbeaten 102 run fourth wicket partnership.

J&K bowlers failed to capitalize after making early inroads to grab three wickets at 54.

Apart from Vijay Sharma who had match figures of 17-2-50-3 no other bowler was able to restrict the free flowing strokes of the Haryana batsmen. Samiullah also chipped in with a wicket.

Brief Score:

Haryana 1st innings: 247/4 (in 57 overs)

Sachin Rana (108 n.o) and Sumit Sharma (50)

J&K bowling: Vijay Sharma 17-2-50-3 and Samiullah Beigh 16-2-61-1.

Fall of Wickets: 1/5, 2/34, 3/54, 4/156.

Inter School Athletic meet concludes

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 1: The three day long Inter School Athletic for U/14, U/17 and U/19 boys organised by the department of Youth Services and Sports concluded at Jammu University here today.

Jai Raj, District Youth Services and Sports Officer was the chief guest on the occasion and gave away medals and certificates to the winners.

Assistant Director, Physical Education, Jammu University, PEM Tirath Ram and other department officials were also present.

Final Results:

1500mts (U/19): Ashwani Kumar (1st), Sunil Singh (2nd) and Pankaj Saini (3rd).

400mts (U/14): Mohd Sadiq (1st), Kuldeep Singh (2nd) and Ashval Gupta (3rd).

400mts (U/19): Raghav Sharma (1st), Vinod Kumar (2nd) and Sandeep Singh (3rd).

4x100mts relay (U/17): Sonu Sharma, Ram Kumar, Arjun Kumar and Ranjeet Singh (HSS Jourian, 1st), Mohd Sadiq, Arun Sharma, Parveen Kumar and Rakesh (HSS Ghou Manhasa, 2nd) and Gurmeet Kumar, Raman Kumar and Fareed Ahmed (HS Gole Gujral, 3rd).

4x100mts relay (U/19): Ragav Sharma, Karan Singh, Sahil Sharma and Narinder. Kumar (HSS Marh, 1st), Sudershan Kumar, Vinod, Chamail and Arjun (HSS Jourian, 2nd) and Sukhsagar, Sumeet, Vijay and Shatragun Sharma (HSS Narariwala, 3rd).

4x100mts relay (U/14): Rohit Singh, Bhanu Partap, Zuhaib and Rajat Singh (KC Public School, 1st) and Ravjot, Stanzin, Vasu and Shubam Sharma (MHAC Nagbani, 2nd).

Auxiliary Police seal convincing wins

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 1: Auxiliary Police (Srinagar Zone) sealed an emphatic 6-0 win over Homeguards (Jammu Zone) in the inaugural Football match in the ongoing HG/CD/AP sports meet at Gulshan Ground here today.

In the second match, Auxiliary Police (Jammu Zone) got the better of Homeguards (Kashmir Zone) by 2-0 goals.

In Volleyball, Auxiliary Police (Kashmir Zone) and Auxiliary Police (Jammu Zone) emerged winners.

In the first match played in morning session, Auxiliary Police (Kashmir Zone) prevailed over Homeguards (Jam-mu Zone) by 3-0 sets while Auxiliary Police (Jammu Zone) trounced Homeguards (Jammu Zone) by 2-1 sets.

In the evening session, Civil Defence (Kashmir Zone) outplayed Auxiliary Police (Kashmir Zone) by 2-1 sets whereas Civil Defence (Jammu Zone) again emerged victorious defeating Auxiliary Police (Jammu Zone).

In Kabaddi, Civil Defence (Kashmir Zone) edged out Homeguards (Kashmir Zone) in the first match of morning session whereas Auxiliary Police (Jammu Zone) beat Civil Defence (Jammu Zone).

In the evening session, Civil Defence (Kashmir Zone) defeated Homeguards (Kash-mir Zone) while Auxiliary Po-lice (Jammu Zone) overwhel-med Homeguards (Jammu Zone) in the second match.

Dr Kamal Saini, DIG, HG/CD, T Punchok, Comman-dant, Auxiliary Police 2nd Bn, Ghulam Sarwar Chouhan, SSP, and Manjit Kour, Dy Cont-roller, Civil Defence were present during the events.

Tawi Trekkers announces cash prize for medal winners

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 1: Tawi Trekkers has decided to award cash prizes for the climbers who bagged four medals in the recently concluded National Sport Climbing Championship held at Uttarakashi.

This was announced by Anil Goswami, Chairman of Tawi Trekkers during his interaction with the medal winning trekkers at his residence today.

The prize winners shall be honoured on January 6, 2008 at Abhinav Theatre on the occasion of Silver Jubilee function of the club.

Shivani Raj Kaith, the new national sub junior girls champion in "Lead" climbing and also bagged silver medal in "Speed" climbing would be awarded with a cash prize of Rs 10,000 while Rajeev Sharma, bronze medalist in sub junior boys category will be presented with a cash prize of Rs 5,000.

Mr Goswami further announced a cash prize of Rs 25,000 for any climber who wins a gold medal in any international event while Rs 20,000 and 15,000 for silver and bronze medalist.

Ram Khajuria, general secretary of the club said all the climbers of J&K irrespective of their club will be eligible for the awards.

HS Sherpur emerges overall winner in U/17 boys

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

KATHUA, Dec 1: HS Sherpur emerged overall winners in U/17 boys as the Inter School Athletic meet of district Kathua concluded at District Police Lines here today.

Ravi Kumar of HS Sherpur was also adjudged as the best athlete in U/17 age group.

In girls section, HS Galak claimed the overall title whereas in U/19 boys, HSS Kootah finished first.

In U/19 girls, HSS Hatli notched up top honours.

Babu Singh, Minister of Youth Services and Sports was the chief guest on the occasion who distributed medals and trophies among the winner and runner-ups.

JP Singh, SSP Kathua, Ram Chand, DYSS officer, Kathua, Khalil Poswal, DySP, S D Singh, PETs, prominent citizens and large number of students were also present.

About 1500 students drawn from different schools competed in the said meet organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Kathua.

Kick Boxing Championship commences

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 1: The 1st District Jammu Kick Boxing Championship commenced at Police Stadium, Gulshan Gro-und here today.

More than 150 players in sub-junior, junior and senior weight categories are competing in the championship.

Rafiq-ul-Hassan, SSP (JKP) inaugurated the championship. Sa-ndeep Wazir (SP), Faisal Qureshi, DySP and Kuldeep Handoo, general secretary were also present on the occasion.

Results:

14kg (Boys): Aayush (1st), Priyansh (2nd), Vansh and Sarthak (3rd).

16kg: Gurjot Singh (1st), Aayush (2nd), Rahul and Vansh (3rd).

18kg: Naman (1st), Bhup-esh (2nd), Darshdeep and Sha-swat (3rd).

Below 22kg: Mantej (1st), Rudraksh (2nd), Vishwa Jeet and Abishek (3rd).

15kg (Girls): Khushi (1st), Jasleen (2nd), Eshriya and Shr-uti (3rd).

20kg: Niyati (1st), Anu-shika (2nd) and Pranavi (3rd).

Below 25kg: (Boys): Sahil (1st), Abishek (2nd), Prabjot and Rohinesh (3rd).

Below 20kg: Taseen (1st), Akhil (2nd), Aryan and Balji-nder (3rd).

SA, Valley cricketers play Twenty20 matches

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 1: A group of twenty nine junior cricketers, who are on a holiday trip to India today played two twenty- twenty cricket matches in valley. The friendly cricket matches were played with local students.

Tourism Minister, Mohammad Dilawar Mir, who inaugurated the cricket match, said such type of events will be fruitful for sports tourism. "Cricket is an entirely old game in Kashmir but playing cricket with international clubs will provide exposure to our own young cricketers", he added.

The players aged between 14 and 19 were from Help Mekaar College, Johnsberg South Africa. "We are on a holiday trip to India and my boys have already played friendly cricket matches with Delhi boys. Now we are here from a week now and are moving to three other places in India," said Klaus Konig, school principal of SA cricketers.

The local students who played the friendly cricket with South African players were very excited about it. "For us, it is a big chance to play SA team on our soil. It is a dream come true for us," said captain of Kashmir's cricket eleven Aatif Nabi.

Painting contest held at Lawrence Public School

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 1: Bahrat Scouts and Guides New Delhi in collaboration with J&K Bharat Scouts and Guides, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu organized a painting contest at Lawrence Public School here today.

Scouts and Guides from different schools participated in the competition. Renowned artists Mr. Chander Shekhar Raina and Sanjogta from K. V. School were the judges.

Mr. Anil Saraf, HOD Applied Arts of Fine Art School was the chief guest on the occasion.

The topics on which the children painted included scouting and community, cultural heritage, campaign (literacy), free time amusement and entertainment and "I revive Mahatma Gandhi".

Three entries which were adjudged as Ist, 2nd and 3rd include Miss Kanika Chowhan from Oriental Academy, Ms. Aasha Sohail of Lawrence Public Higher Secondary School and Ms Sumiya Akhtar from Jagriti Niketan Higher Secondary School respectively.

Vote of thanks and piece of advice was delivered by the Principal Mrs. Shakuntla Joshi of the host school with light refreshment to the participants.