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

KV No 2 win overall championship ........

Ranatunga warns of Sri Lanka talent drought .....

Akhtar undergoes MRI scan for back pain ..........

Chennai Superstars enter semis .........

Yuvraj, Ganguly hit tons as India stage
remarkable recovery

BANGALORE, Dec 8: Yuvraj Singh and Sourav Ganguly slammed centuries as India staged a remarkable recovery to put themselves in the driver’s seat in the third and final cricket test against arch rivals Pakistan here today.

The 25-year-old Yuvraj (169) unleashed an array of breathtaking shots to notch up his third test century and performed the salvage job with Ganguly (125 not out) to steer India to a comfortable 365 for five at close on the opening day.

Dinesh Kaarthick (3) was giving Ganguly company at stumps on an eventful day which saw the highest ever opening day total recorded in India.

Electing to bat, the Indians were tottering at 61 for four before the two left handers came to the rescue of the team with a scintillating 300-run partnership for the fifth wicket which has put the hosts on course for a mammoth first innings total.

Yuvraj, who sat out of the first two games and was drafted into the playing eleven only because of an injury to Sachin Tendulkar, proved a point to the selectors with his career-best knock which contained as many as 28 boundaries and a mighty six.

While the Punjab left hander set the M Chinnaswamy stadium ablaze with his blistering strokeplay, Ganguly also played a big part in the recovery job by cracking his second consecutive century in the series.

The batting heroics of Yuvraj and Ganguly has now given the home team the platform to further tighten the noose on their hapless opponents who again were handicapped by the absence of speedster Shoaib Akhtar who left the field because of a back spasm.

Akhtar bowled just 10 overs during the day and it did put a lot of workload on the three other specialist bowlers.

With the track easing out after the lunch break, the two Indian batsmen virtually plundered runs at will and created a new record of the highest first day total at the Chinaswamy stadium, eclipsing the previous best of 339 for three against Sri Lanka.

But the day began on a disastrous note for the hosts as debutant paceman Yasir Arafat (3/98) broke through the top order to leave them gasping at 65 for four at the lunch break.

Arafat accounted for Wasim Jaffer (17), Rahul Dravid (19) and VVS Laxman (5) while Mohammed Sami scalped Gautam Gambhir (5) who came into the team after Mahendra Singh Dhoni was ruled out because of a finger injury.

The complexion of the game changed dramatically after the lunch break as the Indians, looking to record their first test series win on home soil against Pakistan in 28 years, went about consolidating their position.

Sami finally broke the marathon fifth wicket partnership by getting rid of Yuvraj who top edged his shot and was caught by Faisal Iqbal towards the fag end of the day.

The 300 run partnership between surpassed the previous highest of 177 for the fifth wicket on Indian soil against Pakistan held by Polly Umrigar and Chandu Borde way back in 1960-61 and then eclipsed the previous best of 200 runs for the fifth wicket between two teams, scripted by Ravi Shastri and Sandeep Patil at Faisalabad in 1984-85.

But Arafat, who was sent to India before the Kolkata test as a cover for the injured Umar Gul, went on to have the huge wicket of Laxman for 5, the batsman defending a short of length delivery without bending low and taking the ball onto the stumps.

India 1st innings:

Wasim Jaffer lbw b Arafat 17

Gautam c Akmal b Sami 5

Draid c Misbah b Arafat 19

Ganguly not out 125

Laxman b Arafat 5

Yuvraj c Iqbal b Sami 169

Kaarthick not out 3

Extras: (b-9, lb-7, nb-6) 22

Total (for five wickets in 90 overs) 365

Fall of Wickets: 1-8, 2-44, 3-51, 4-61, 5-361.

Bowling: S Akhtar 10-3-23-0, M Sami 23-4-103-2, Y Arafat 22-2-98-3, D Kaneria 23-5-75-0, M Younis 2-0-14-0, S Butt 5-1-10-0, Y Hameed 5-0-26-0. (PTI)

Aggressive England look to square Sri Lanka series

COLOMBO, Dec 8: England coach Peter Moores wants his team to be streetwise and aggressive as the tourists bid for a series-levelling win in the second cricket test against Sri Lanka starting tomorrow.

England lost the first test in Kandy by 88 runs despite holding a first innings lead of 93 runs and failed to bat out an extra 30 minutes on the final day that could have drawn the match.

Moores said the lessons learnt from the Kandy test will help them match the formidable home team during the second match at the Sinhalese Sports Club, one of Sri Lanka’s favourite hunting grounds.

"We have to be a bit more savvy, a bit more streetwise and find different ways of attacking," said Moores.

"We have got to be able to sustain periods of pressure for longer with both bat and ball and, if we do those things, then we can make it hard work for them.

"One of the worst things we could do is chase the game. If we create pressure there is some fragility there we can expose."

England will be inspired by their 2001 predecessors under Nasser Hussain who fought back after losing the first test to win the next two and take the series 2-1.

England must choose between the experienced Steve Harmison and test rookie Stuart Broad to replace frontline strike bowler Matthew Hoggard, who is an unlikely starter after the back injury sustained in Kandy.

The injury-prone Harmison missed the opening test with back spasms, having just recovered from hernia surgery that forced him to prove his fitness playing first-class cricket in South Africa ahead of the Sri Lanka tour.

Sri Lanka have recalled 22-year-old opener Upul Tharanga to replace veteran Sanath Jayasuriya, who announced his retirement from test cricket after the Kandy match.

Left-handed Tharanga, who played his last of his 13 tests against Bangladesh in July, hit 112 and 86 in two practice matches against the tourists ahead of the first test.

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene said the rest of the team will be unchanged, meaning the hosts will play three seamers to support record-breaking spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

"The bowling combination will depend on the pitch but knowing the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) it will probably be three seamers and Murali," said Jayawardene.

Sri Lanka have won 10 of their last 12 tests at the SSC since losing to Hussain’s Englishmen in 2001.

The last time England played here in 2003 under current captain Michael Vaughan, Sri Lanka coasted to victory by an innings and 215 runs with Muralitharan grabbing seven wickets in the match.

England have much to fear from Jayawardene and the prolific Kumar Sangakkara, whose match-winning 152 in Sri Lanka’s second innings in Kandy took the match away from the tourists.

It was at the SSC in July last year that the Sri Lankan captain and his deputy compiled test cricket’s highest partnership of 624 runs against hapless South Africa with Jayawardene making 374 and Sangakkara 287. (AGENCIES)

Not playing India can end my test career, fears Hogg

MELBOURNE, Dec 8: Veteran spinner Brad Hogg fears his test career could be over if he does not get picked for the boxing day cricket match against India here.

Hogg, nursing an infected finger which prevented him putting his case forward in the second innings of the Pura Cup draw against Tasmania, said the injury would not keep him out of contention for test match selection, but selectors might.

"I was doing a few cosmetics, got stuck into the nail a bit too far and ripped it open. Then it got infected so I couldn’t put the ball on it the other day," Hogg was quoted as saying by ‘The Age’.

"I should be right in a couple of days, on the antibiotics, but it’s a little bit embarrassing. I think if I don’t get picked this time I think I’ve run my race for test cricket. We’ll see what happens. But I won’t give in. Whatever they go with I can’t complain. But this is the best time for me, this will be the time I will be most ready," he added.

With Stuart Macgill out of contention for the start of the Indian series because of carpal tunnel syndrome, Australia’s first-choice spinner anointed Hogg as his successor until he returned.

But in-form paceman Shaun Tait, who took a career-best 7-29 for south Australia in the Pura Cup last weekend - and wildcard victorian spinner Bryce Mcgain - have put selectors in a quandary ahead of December 26.

Hogg will be in the spotlight in the three one-day games against New Zealand starting next Friday, but said he did not think his ODI form would have much influence on the make-up of the test side. "One-day cricket is different to test cricket, and I don’t think will make too much of a difference," Hogg said. (PTI)

Clarke one of the options to succeed Ponting: Gilchrist MELBOURNE, Dec 8: Adam Gilchrist has said he was "reluctant to assume" that Michael Clarke’s elevation to captaincy for Australia’s Twenty20 match against New Zealand in Perth made the 26-year-old batsman an automatic choice to succeed incumbent Ricky Ponting. Gilchrist said he supported the decision of chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch about Clarke’s promotion but insisted that the team’s youngest batsman was only one of the candidates to replace Ponting in the long-term. "It’s not just Pup (Clarke). Mike Hussey was captain in the Chappell-Hadlee trophy earlier this year and is obviously a candidate," he said. "It’s a matter of the selectors exploring all the options as they plan for the future. They should certainly keep ‘huss’ in the loop and any other guys they think will be worthy of higher honours down the track. I’m reluctant to assume that he (Clarke) has automatically got the job and I don’t think he assumes that either," Gilchrist was quoted as saying by ‘The Australian’. A former Australia Under-19 captain, Clarke is the most obvious long-term candidate simply because of his age. The only other batsman under 30 in the Australian team is new test opener Phil Jaques, who has cemented his place after Justin Langer’s retirement and is not in the ODI side. Hussey, at 32, is only six months younger than Ponting, who turns 33 later this month. "It makes sense starting to invest in a few guys for the future. He (Clarke) has shown a real eagerness to learn all about leadership and enjoyed it in his younger days. He has a thirst to learn about the role and is quite an astute tactical thinker," Gilchrist added.(PTI)

Asif Ali, Zareena emerge best players *Excelsior Sports Correspondent* SRINAGAR, Dec 8: Asif Ali and Zareena Tabasum were adjudged best players in senior men and women sections respectively as the 13th State Cycle Polo Championship organised by J&K Polo Cycle Association concluded at Islamia College Ground here today. Mehboob declared best player in sub junior boys while Aqib Ahmad in junior boys. Dr Saleem Khan, Principal of the college was the chief guest on the occasion who distributed prizes among the winner and runner up players. M S Baba, Sports Officer, Kashmir, Altaf-ul-Rehman, Physical Director, Islamia College, Bhat, Nissar Anam and Rouf Khan were also present. Final Results: Senior Men: Srinagar beat Budgam 7-2 goals Junior: Srinagar beat Pulwama 1-0 goal Sub Junior Boys: Srinagar beat Budgam 7-4 goals Senior Girls: Srinagar beat Budgam 7-3 goals Junior Girls: Budgam beat Pulwama 6-3 goals Sub Junior Girls: Srinagar beat Budgam 2-1 goals Mudassir strikes as Goa tottering at 4/2 *Excelsior Sports Correspondent* JAMMU, Dec 8: A late two wicket burst by Mohammad Mudassir in the dying moments put J&K in commanding position against Goa on the opening day of the Cooch Behar U/19 cricket tournament being played at Dhruv Pandav Cricket Stadium, Patiala here today. At stumps, Goa were gasping at 4/2 in reply to J&K’s first innings total of 284 (86 overs). Earlier, J&K won the toss and opted to bat first. Aditya Partap and Parvez Rasool were the notable contributors for J&K who brought things back on track with a majestic 153-run partnership for the fourth wicket after J&K lost two wickets in quick succession. Both batsmen made 76 runs with Parvez Rasool struck nine hits to the fence and a six. Aditya on the other hand pierced eleven superbly driven boundaries. Ram Dayal and Imran Harun also chipped in with 36 and 23 runs while Manik Gupta mustered 22. State Level Athletic Meet begins *Excelsior Sports Correspondent* JAMMU, Dec 8: The Annual State Level Inter District Athletic Meet organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports began on a colourful note at Jammu University Ground here today. Pramod Jain, Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Youth Services and Sports/Technical/Higher Education was the chief guest on the occasion who declared open the meet. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jain lauded the efforts of Youth Services and Sports Department for organising such events to tap the promising talent in sports. He also stressed upon the need to conduct large number of Trekking related Nature Study camps in future under the joint venture between Youth Services and Sports and Youth Hostels Association of India. Earlier, a welcome address was presented by Ashok Kumar, Assistant Director, Youth Services and Sports and also the organising secretary of the mega event. He said 12 districts of the State namely Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba, Doda, Reasi, Baramulla, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Srinagar and hosts Jammu are vying for top honours in the sporting extravaganza. Meanwhile, the highlight of the inaugural ceremony was the cultural programme presented by the students of GGHSS, Mubarak Mandi, New Era Public School and DBN Talab Tillo which enthralled the audience. It is pertinent to mention here that DBN Talab Tillo had finished 2nd in All India National Youth Festival held at Bhopal. Prominent among others who were present on the occasion were S P Verma, Chairman, Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI), Sayed Wani, Deputy Director, Youth Services and Sports, Jai Raj, DYSS officer, Jammu, B N Bhatt, DYSS officer, Udhampur, Dr Tarun Singh, Secretary, YHAI, R S Katoch, Nodal officer, Ramban, Roshan Lal, Pushpa Sharma and other officials of DYSS department. G M Dar, Deputy Director, Youth Services and Sports presented the vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Sunita Goel. Results: Long Jump (U/14 girls): Suman Devi (Udhampur, 1st), Neena Parihar (Reasi, 2nd) and Jatoon Bi (Poonch, 3rd). Shot Put: Samit Kour (Jammu, 1st), Khatoon Akhter (Rajouri, 2nd) and Seema Devi (Samba, 3rd). 600mts: Kamlesh Kumari (Samba, 1st), Sonia Devi (Kathua, 2nd) and Diksha Sharma, 3rd). Jammu makes clean sweep in State Volleyball Championship *Excelsior Sports Correspondent* JAMMU, Dec 8: Hosts Jammu district proved their mettle by claiming both boys and girls titles as the 20th J&K State Volleyball Championship concluded at Mini Stadium, Parade Ground here today. In boys section, Jammu outclassed Kathua by straight 3-0 sets (26-24, 25-17 and 25-11) in a one sided affair. Manish Singh and Lalit Kumar were the stand out performers for the winner team. In girls section, Jammu staged a remarkable comeback after going down 1-0 to valiant Poonch to clinch the title. Both the winner teams were prepared for the championship under the supervision of Volleyball coach Onkar Singh Gill. The final set score was 3-1 (20-25, 25-15, 25-18 and 25-20). The finals were officiated by Rajesh Virdhi, Amarjeet Singh, Ashok Kumar, Mohinder Sharma, Yog Raj, Rattan Chand and Madhuri Jamwal Ramnik Singh and Gorav Sharma were adjudged best players in boys section for Jammu and Kathua respectively and were awarded a cash prize of Rs 1,000. Both the winner teams received a cash prize of Rs 2,000 each. Ramesh Chander Sharma, Minister for PHE and Irrigation was the chief guest on the occasion whereas Sham Lal Sharma, MLA Akhnoor was the guest of honour. Raj Daluja, President, Volleyball Association of J&K, Kuldip Magotra, general secretary, Siddharth Sharma, Joint Secretary, State Sports Council, Ashutosh Sharma, secretary, JKOA, Bal Krishan Magotra, Kiran Wattal, N S Chail, Dr Brij Beloria, H.S. Gill, Onkar Singh Gill and Romesh Sharma were also present. The tournament was organised by the Volleyball Association of J&K under the overall supervision of Kuldip Magotra.
KV No 2 win overall championship *Excelsior Sports Correspondent* UDHAMPUR, Dec 8: The students of Kendriya Vidyalaya No 2 Dhar Road, Udhampur won 24 medals including 9 gold, 7 silver and 8 bronze to clinch overall championship in the recently concluded 7th J&K State Matsogi-Do-Championship held at M A Stadium. Total 31 students of the school participated in the said championship. Brigadier Yashwant Singh, Station Commander has congratulated the students and coach Narayan Dass for their excellent performance.
Ranatunga warns of Sri Lanka talent drought COLOMBO, Dec 8: Sri Lanka’s legendary cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga today expressed concern about the lack of new talent emerging to replace the island’s ageing superstars. "We do not see any top talent coming up to replace great players like Muttiah Muralitharan and Kumar Sangakkara," Ranatunga said at a ceremony to commend Muralitharan on becoming the world’s highest test wicket taker. "They cannot go on forever and ever. We need players to replace them." Muralitharan is in the twilight of his career at 35 while both captain Mahela Jayawardene and prolific wicket-keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara are 30. Aggressive opener Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka’s highest scorer in both forms of cricket, retired from test cricket last week at 38. Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to its only World Cup win in 1996, also said that veterans had begun to feel the need to nurture local talent and want structural changes in the domestic game. The outspoken Ranatunga has often expressed dissatisfaction over the deteriorating standards of the game that he claims is the result of cricket administration falling into hands of businessmen. The left-handed batsman who retired after playing in 93 tests before entering politics is yet to realise his ambition of becoming the country’s sports minister. (PTI)
Akhtar undergoes MRI scan for back pain BANGALORE, Dec 8: Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar was taken to the hospital for an MRI scan after he complained of back pain during the opening day’s play in the third and final cricket test against India here at the Chinnaswamy stadium today. The Pakistan team management revealed that the scan report was clear and it was a case of muscle spasm, a painful and involuntary muscular contraction. Shoaib, who played with a chest infection in the second test at Kolkata, had discomfort in bowling during the Indian innings after the hosts elected to bat first. He bowled four overs in his first spell before leaving the ground after seven overs. After India lost their opener Gautam Gambhir to Mohammad Sami, the Akhtar came back to bowl the ninth over. But at the end of the 32nd over, he left for the hospital when the pain became unbearable. Akhtar, who has taken eight wickets so far the test series, took no further part in the day’s play and Pakistan team management will take a call on him again tomorrow before revealing whether he will bowl on the second day. (PTI)
Chennai Superstars enter semis PANCHKULA, Dec 8: Former Australian all-rounder Ian Harvey scored a quick fire 48 to help Chennai Superstars beat local favourites Chandigarh Lions by four wickets and seal a semifinal berth in the Indian Cricket League’s Twenty20 tournament here today. Needing nine runs from the last over while chasing a target of 147, the Superstars held their nerves to overhaul the target on the penultimate ball of their innings. The Superstars have won all three games they have played and are leading the points table with six points while Lions have four points from an equal number of games. Superstars, who were cruising at one stage, messed it up towards the final overs, losing wickets in quick secession. Lions’ Ishan Malhotra, who bowled the last over, proved expensive giving away 30 runs in 2.5 overs. Daryl Tuffey also came in for some hammering giving away 40 runs in his four overs. Earlier, electing to bat, Lions lost their openers Imran Farhat (2) and Hamish Marshall (2) quickly before T P Singh (47) and Manish Sharma (36) steadied the innings and weaved a partnership of 70 runs for the third wicket. Lions skipper and former Kiwi all-rounder Chris Cairns (3), failed with the bat but had impressive bowling figures (4-0-17-3) Lions will now have to win tomorrow’s match against Mumbai Champs, who are yet to taste a win in the tournament, to ensure a last four berth. (PTI)