Harmison vows to prove his worth

CHESTER-LE-STREET (England), Apr 15: England fast bowler Stephen Harmison has insisted he still has an international future, regardless of his growing band of critics.

The 29-year-old quick was dropped after a wretchedly wayward performance in the first test of England’s recent tour of New Zealand and now faces a battle to regain his place.

Former England opening batsman Geoff Boycott has said England should "forget" Harmison.

Meanwhile Harmison’s fellow seamer Andrew Caddick, still playing for Somerset several years after being discarded by England, has questioned whether the Durham man still wants to be a test player.

But Harmison, who will have to take wickets for his native Durham in the county championship if he is to force his way into the England side for the home series with New Zealand and South Africa, made it clear he wanted to return to the international arena. (AGENCIES)

Bollinger replaces Hilfenhaus on Aussie’s Windies tour

SYDNEY, Apr 15: Australia today called up paceman Doug Bollinger for the test squad to tour the West Indies next month after Ben Hilfenhaus was ruled out with a back injury.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Hilfenhaus had been diagnosed with a recurrence of a stress fracture to the lower back and needed a few months rest.

"Obviously, this is very disappointing for Ben," Hilditch said.

"However, given the amount of cricket facing the Australian side in all forms of the game over the next 18 months, a conservative approach to the management of his back injury is best to ensure he makes a full recovery."

Bollinger was last week included in Cricket Australia’s squad of centrally contracted players for the first time and Hilditch said it was a great opportunity for the left-arm quick.

But he said bollinger still needed to demonstrate he had recovered from a foot injury suffered during the domestic season before receiving the all-clear to tour the West Indies.

"This presents a great opportunity for Doug Bollinger who had a great season for New South Wales until injury ruled him out of the last couple of games of the season," he said.

Australia will play the first test in the West Indies in Jamaica on May 22, moving to Antigua for the second from May 30 and the final test in Barbados on June 12.

The tour includes one Twenty20 international and five one dayers, although Cricket Australia has a separate squad for these games in which Bollinger is not included. (AGENCIES)

Force India tries new tyres, aero package during testing

BARCELONA, Apr 15: Force India’s three-day testing at the Circuit De Catalunya got off to a hiccup-free start with Tonio Liuzzi putting to trial their ‘slick’ 2009 tyres and the new proposed aerodynamics package.

After three long haul races kicked off the season, yesterday was the first time the team tested at a European track since VJM01’s debut in February this year.

The team tested the ungrooved ‘slick’ 2009 tyres in preparation for their reintroduction next year.

Tonio focussed on establishing a strong baseline set-up with the 2008 aero package and tyres in the morning before moving over to compare the runs with the 2009 slicks and wings in the afternoon.

Throughout the day the car ran reliably with Tonio completing 91 laps in total with the best lap-time of 1min 22.846.

"Today was a good day of testing with quite a few kilometers and no real mechanical issues. The car was good from start to finish and responded well to the changes we made. In the morning we tested the 2008 configuration and then the 2009 aero package in the afternoon," Liuzzi said. (PTI)

Some US athletes say Beijing podium protests possible

CHICAGO, Apr 15: US Olympians began speaking out about China’s recent crackdown in Tibet and links to Darfur and other human rights issues, some predicting possible podium protests at the Beijing Olympics.

More than 125 US olympians gathered here to speak with reporters from around the world just days after protests disrupted the global Olympic torch tour stops in London, Paris and San Francisco.

"There will be protests but I don’t think it will brand the games," said 2004 bronze medal wrestler Patricia Miranda said. "I would have said no a month ago but the fact the protests started so early caught me off guard.

"I would say the protests are going to be smart, not just not showing up."

Some world leaders have talked of world boycotts or spurning the opening ceremonies, but Sheila Taormina, a two-time triathlete and 1996 swim relay champion trying to become a modern pentathlon Olympian, says it’s a bad idea.

"I’d be very disappointed if there was a boycott," she said. "I don’t think it would solve anything and it would shatter a lot of dreams. There are other ways that wouldn’t cause harm or take away from the spirit of the Olympics."

"It’s not that I don’t believe in human rights issues. But the Olympic Games are about the world coming together and putting all of our differences aside and feeling the goodwill.

"The Olympic Games is not a platform to take action on any human rights issues. It would be very hypocritical. It would be jumping on the bandwagon without feeling very passionate about it."

Paul Hamm, the 2004 Olympic all-around men’s gymnastics champion, agreed. (AGENCIES)

KSC selects probables for triangular Cricket tourney

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 15: Kashyap Sports Club (KSC) has selected 36 probables from the ongoing Rohit Dogra Memorial Cricket Tournament to participate in the triangular cricket tournament to be organised by KSC after the completion of the Rohit Memorial cricket tournament.

These probables will represent three teams-Kashyap Blues, Kashyap Red and Kashyap Greens.

After the tri-series, the probables would be reduced to 20 who will represent four affiliated clubs (5 in each team) of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).

The teams included Kashmir Cricket Club, Whites Cricket Club, Rainawari Cricket Club and Srinagar Cricket Club.

Teams for tri-series: Kashyap Blues: Ravi Pandita (captain), Suman Koul (vice captain), Rahul Chaudhary, Abinav Kaw, Amit Sharma, Rakesh Raina, Akshay Koul, Rohit Pandita, Vikram Singh Manhas, Ritesh Singh Manhas, Vinay Malhotra and Vishal Singh.

Manager: Rajiv Pandita

Coach: Sanjay Raina

Kashyap Reds: Rahul Mattoo (captain), Vikas Raina (vice captain), Sunil Bali, Sahil Kotru, Vinay Kumar, Nanu, Provin Bhat, Sahil Raina, Rakesh, Ajay Kumar, Deepu and Puneet Bhat.

Manager: Vinod Koul

Coach: Ajay Raina

Kashyap Greens: Sanjay Koul (captain), Ashu Bazaz (vice captain), Anku Chib, Deeraj Singh, Rakesh Bhan, Sheetal Singh, Anil Dhar, Rockey Raina, Veenu, Naresh Rakhwal, Vaneet Dhar and Luckey Singh.

Manager: Rakesh Pandita

Coach: M K Pandita

Physical Education Teachers stage protest

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 15: Physical Education Teachers held protest demonstration in support of their pending demand outside the office of Director Youth Services and Sports here today.

The teachers under the banner of All J&K Physical Education Teachers Association from various districts of the region assembled outside the office of Director Youth Services & Sports under the leadership of Ravi Sharma and Jugal Kishore this morning and shouted slogans in support of their demands.

Several employees’ leaders also addressed gathering and criticised the concerned authorities for causing delay in the adjustment of promotee physical education teachers. They said that for the last six months, the directorate has failed to issue adjustment order of these promoted teachers for the reason best known to those at the helm of affairs.

Supported by leaders of several teachers’ organisations including Ganesh Khajuria and others, a delegation of agitating physical education teachers later met the Director and discussed the issue with him. They also presented a representation. The director gave patient hearing and assured that their matter will be sorted out by April 19.

Prominent among others who accompanied included, Narain Singh, Banarsi Lal, Chamail Singh and Nirmal Singh.

Twenty20 will be face of cricket in future: Muralitharan

CHENNAI, Apr 15: The world’s highest test wicket-taker, Muttiah Muralitharan today said spinners will play a big role in Twenty20 cricket and the shortest format will be the face of cricket in the future.

The Sri Lankan spinner, with 735 wickets from 120 tests, emphasised that "T20 is the future face of international cricket" and he had no reservations in accepting it.

Spinners had a greater role to play in T20 game, Muralitharan, who is part of the Chennai Super Kings Indian Premier League team, told a press conference after a practice session at M A Chidambaram stadium.

Muralitharan said if people felt that spinners have a limited role in this format, the same held good for batsmen too as they also have little time to settle down.

Emphasising that spectators were looking for entertainment these days, Muralitharan said "however, as any cricketer would tell you, test cricket is the ultimate. But these days, not many people can spare five days to watch a test match. They need entertainment and that is what T20 is all about."

On motivation level of cricketers from other nations playing for a franchise, he said "we are all professional cricketers and as such, would love to win matches. That’s the way we were brought up and will be doing our best to win the tournament."

Muralitharan, who has 464 wickets from 309 ODIs and two Twenty20 wickets at the international level said "spinners can and will play a big role in T20. After all, the spinner stands a chance since the batsmen would be looking to play strokes.

"If you have the right strategy, it is quite possible to take wickets. But you also need to be a good spinner to make an impact."

He admitted that he had not played much of T20 cricket but "during my days with Lanchshire, I thought I did pretty well. So, I feel spinners can play a crucial role in this format."

On Chennai Super Kings’ prospects in the IPL tournament, the Sri Lankan spin wizard said "all the teams appear good since they all have the world’s best players. As for Chennai Super Kings, we have Mahendra Singh Dhoni as our captain. He has been lucky (in winning the test match in Kanpur, the T20 World Cup and the CB tri-series in Australia). I do hope he will prove lucky for our team (Chennai Super Kings)."

Muralitharan, who turns 36 on April 17, is part of the 16-member Chennai Super Kings team for the IPL commencing on April 18.

The team is scheduled to leave for Mohali early tomorrow morning to take on Kings XI Punjab on Saturday.

On his links with Chennai, Muralitharan said "my wife is from Chennai and I am a Tamil myself.. So, I feel it is an honour to represent a Chennai team and I feel motivated." (PTI)

Pankaj Advani felicitated for winning-Asian Billiards crown

BANGALORE, Apr 15: World billiards champion Pankaj Advani was felicitated today by Karnataka State Billiards Association (KSBA) for having won the Asian championship at Myanamar on Sunday.

KSBA vice president M C Uthappa presented Rs 15,000 cash to Pankaj, who is the first Indian to win the title for the second time.

Overwhelmed Pankaj said though he had teething problem in the beginning of the championship he regained his energy and reached upto finals.

"In the finals my country mate Rupesh Shah had upperhand as he was leading by 12 points in the final frame. But I could somehow pull off in the cliff hanger 5-4'’, he added.

He said that winning the title for the first time in 2005 was really thrilling but to win second time it needed lot of concentration and since there was lot of pressure.

In the championship players from 14 countries had participated.

Pankaj said his next tournament would be Asian Snooker championship to be held in Doha from May 3 to 11.

In the semifinals Pankaj had trounced Aung San Oo (Myn) 4-0 and Eupesh had defeated Praput of Thailand 4-3. (UNI)

India jumps to 24 in Davis Cup rankings

NEW DELHI, Apr 15: Following the 3-2 win over Japan in the Asia-Oceania group I tie, India has jumped two places to 24 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Davis Cup rankings.

Team India, however, did not get a seeding in the world group play-off to be held from September 19-21.

India will have to overcome one of the eight seeded teams - Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Israel, South Korea, Romania and Slovakia - to qualify for the world group.

The other unseeded teams in the play-off are Brazil, Chile, Britain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Peru.

If the Indians do manage to qualify, they will play in the world group after a gap of 10 years. (UNI)

Kirsten admits to uncertain loyalties

DURBAN Apr 15: Gary Kirsten’s first official assignment as India’s cricket coach happened to be against the team he was once part of, and the former South African opener admitted that their were moments before the drawn Test series when he was uncertain about his loyalties.

"Whatever I may have said previously, I’d be lying if I said I never had any doubts about my loyalties if the result of the series was delicately balanced," Kirsten was quoted as saying by ‘The Beeld’ newspaper here.

The Indians managed to draw the series 1-1 after winning the third and final Test in Kanpur inside three days on a turning track.

And Kirsten said despite the pre-series dilemmas, he had become very clear as to which team he wanted to support by the time India wrapped up the series.

"I’m happy to be able to say I wanted India to win the last Test," he said.

Kirsten was a part of the South African team till 2004 before retiring from international cricket. He took over India’s coach last month.

Kirsten said coaching an international team like India is tough and he draws inspiration from his late coach Bob Woolmer to deal with the high-pressure job.

"I remember how Bob lived for his job as international coach. Even though the players told him not to get worked up for nothing, he could not calm down," he recalled.

Kirsten said the first time he felt such an anxiety was during last week’s Kanpur Test when India, while chasing a mere 62 to win, lost a couple of early wickets.

"The possibility of two or three wickets in quick succession kept going through my mind all the time," he said. Apart from the on-field pressure, Kirsten said the Indian media’s clamour for a quote or two, even on days when he has nothing to say, is also hard to deal with.

"It is almost impossible to move outside the confines of the team’s hotel without television and newspapers reporters descending on you," he said.

The former opener has been instructed by the BCCI to speak to the media only during official press conferences and Kirsten said he tries to adhere to the diktat.

"I try to stick to that. With so many tv channels and newspapers, anything one says can be taken out of context," he quipped. (PTI)

Don’t think of giving up country for IPL, warns Bindra

LONDON, Apr 15: The ICC’s principal advisor is Bindra has warned cricketers against giving up their central contracts to participate in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), saying the Twenty20 event will not accept any rebel.

Bindra, also a member of the IPL governing board, urged players to be patient and wait for the league to adjust itself in the cricket calendar.

"That solution (players rejecting central contracts) is not acceptable to us," Bindra told BBC Sport.

"We will not have any player revolting against their establishment and becoming part of the IPL," he added.

His comments came in the wake of England Cricket Board’s refusal to allow its players to participate in the next edition of the IPL, which triggered speculation that the cricketers might revolt against the move.

Apart from this, a players’ survey in Australia also revealed that easy money on offer in IPL was too tempting for the cricketers to resist and they were willing to give up national duty for it.

However, Bindra said the IPL does not wish to be labelled a rebel tournament by allowing revolting players to participate.

Bindra said he would speak to ECB chairman Giles Clarke during the IPL inauguration in Bangalore to work out a window for English players.

"We don’t want to be a rebel league, we want to be part of the system with the support of the ECB. We are looking forward to meeting Giles Clarke and other members of the ECB during the inauguration in Bangalore," he said. (UNI)

Appellate tribunal head slams PCB for delay

KARACHI, Apr 15: Pakistan Cricket Board has been rapped on the knuckles by the chairman of the tribunal that will hear the appeal of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for delaying the proceedings on the matter.

The three-member appellate tribunal, headed by Justice Aftab Farrukh, a retired judge of the Lahore High Court, will hold the first hearing on April 17 on Akhtar’s appeal which challenged the five year ban imposed on him by the PCB.

But, this was not before Justice Farrukh sent a letter to the Secretary of the PCB chairman stating that he was not happy with the delay on part of the board in completing the proceedings of the hearing.

"Perhaps your staff may not be aware or conscious of their conduct in judicial/quasi judicial proceedings. They will be well advised to maintain their attitude as reserve and formal while giving the appellate tribunal the due dignity and respect," he wrote in the letter.

Justice Farrukh also said in the letter that the delay in providing the impugned judgement of disciplinary committee to Akhtar’s lawyers smacked of official red tape culture in the PCB offices and this has also contributed in delaying the proceedings.

PCB officials now confirmed that the judgement copy had now been delivered to Akhtar’s lawyers.

The five-year ban on the fast bowler has spiraled into a major issue in the country with the senate standing committee on sports also holding a hearing yesterday in Islamabad in which the PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf and Akhtar appeared to respond to queries from the senators. (PTI)