J&K Ranji team selected for one dayers .............

J&K Korfball team wins bronze medal ...........

Wicketkeeper blunder cost Jehlum Industries match .........

Batsmen let down as India crash to 50-run defeat

ADELAIDE, Feb 17: Indian bowlers pinned down Australia but their famed batting colleagues made a mess of a modest chase as the visitors hurtled to a 50-run defeat in the cricket tri-series one dayer here today.

After their seamers had restricted Australia to 203 for nine wickets in 50 overs, India’s much-vaunted batting order proved a huge let down as they collapsed in just 41.2 overs for a meagre 153 against an Australian attack sans their spearhead Brett Lee.

Australia also managed to bag an additional bonus point from the win and are virtually assured of a place in the final.

The hosts lead the table with 17 points in the kitty from five matches. India remain second with eight points from as many games, while Sri Lanka have six from four outing.

India, chasing 204 for win, were always against it when they lost three wickets in a clutch to be 59 for four in the 16th over.

Irfan Pathan (14), Gautam Gambhir (34) and Rohit Sharma (1) departed within eight balls to leave India staring at defeat at a critical time.

Sachin Tendulkar went early for five off a dubious leg before decision but Gambhir and Pathan took the score to 55 without much trouble when the rot set in.

India were revived by the 56-run fourth wicket stand between skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (37) and vice captain Yuvraj Singh (26) and appeared to be back once again in the hunt.

yuvraj, who appeared set to play his first substantial innings of the tour, struck a big six off brad hogg and three pleasing fours before hitting a long hop from the left-arm spinner into the hands of the long-on fielder stuart clark.

It was a critical blow for the visitors as dhoni was hamstrung by a pulled thigh muscle and needed a runner to support him.

The end became a reality when Dhoni was run-out for 37, made off 50 balls with one four, as his runner Rohit Sharma failed to make it at the non-striker’s end.

All the frontline bowlers did a good job for the hosts with Mitchell Johnson (3 for 42) and James Hopes (2 for 16) being the stand-out performers.

Earlier, Michael Clarke played a lone hand in providing Australia with a fighting total.

The middle-order batsman held his ground while the rest keep falling from the other end as he compiled 79 in team’s total of 203 for nine in allotted 50 overs.

Indian fast bowlers, led by the impressive Pathan and the irrepressible Ishant Sharma, had Australia in complete disarray for most of the innings after the hosts had won the toss and chosen to bat.

Ishant took two for 32 and had Australia on the ropes early even though Irfan finished with the best figures of four for 41.

Opting to go into the game with five bowlers after resting Virender Sehwag, India did almost nothing wrong in the field from the very word go.

Sehwag, who had blasted a century against Australia at this very ground last month in the last Test, was put to the bench despite reporting almost fit from his back-strain.

Dhoni preferred to keep faith in his deputy Yuvraj rather than trust Sehwag as India took the big gamble in a critical game.

Australia had moved to 25 by the sixth over without much trouble when Ishant provided the breakthrough with Adam Gilchrist (15) inside-edging a cut on to his stumps.

Munaf Patel, who was carted over widish long on for a six by Matthew Hayden in his first over, was rewarded in his third over when out-of-form Ricky Ponting (10) slashed a cut to Rohit Sharma at point.

Australia were soon 43 for three when Hayden erred in cutting a bouncing delivery in Pathan’s first over into Dhoni’s gloves.

The hosts lost another wicket when Andrew Symonds (3) didn’t pull his bat out of the way of a rising Ishant delivery and a reluctant cut went to Robin Uthappa at point.

Australia’s scoring dropped as they had managed only 73 from 23-odd overs when Mike Hussey (5) gave Pathan his second wicket to leave his team stuttering at 73 for five.

Clarke then took roots and young James Hopes (19) was an able foil as 39 runs were realised for the sixth wicket before Harbhajan Singh broke the stand.

India have too many youngsters in their team: Ponting

ADELAIDE, Feb 17: Australian skipper Ricky Ponting felt the Indian side lacked experience as the hosts secured a 50-run victory in the tri-series one-dayer tonight.

"I guess a good balance of youth and experience is always welcome. In our teams, we try to have experience in important positions. This India hasn’t got. They have a lot of talented youngsters but they are in a rebuilding phase as they would be in tests soon," Ponting said in the post-match press conference here.

It did not stop the home captain from appealing to his batsmen to deliver the goods which they have not done in the series so far.

"We have not been playing anywhere near our best. It’s about the time batters did so. We have been winning and getting bonus points and if our batters hit the straps, we would be very difficult to beat." Ponting did not forget to mention his own form slump in the series so far.

"Let’s say I have played better. We have not been playing anywhere near our best. It’s unusual for our team. Two or three of our guys are in a slump.

"I am in a bit of a rough but runs would soon start to come."

Ponting was very surprised that bowlers were calling the shots in the series so far.

"It’s unusual in one-day cricket. Bowlers are dominating. Bowlers have been too good for batsmen."

"Still, the game was in the balance till Dhoni got run out. It was a good bit of fielding by Matty (Matthew Hayden)." (PTI)

Dhoni asks batsmen to take more responsibility

ADELAIDE, Feb 17: After an abject failure of his batting line-up, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni today minced no words in telling the Indian batsmen to take more responsibility.

The Indian pacers stuck to their task to restrict the strong Australian batting line-up to a modest 203 for nine but the batsmen messed it up as the visitors crashed to a 50-run defeat in the tri-series one-dayer here.

Dhoni said the batsmen should back each other and focus on not losing early wickets.

"It’s important that the batsmen take more responsibility. The guys must take the initiative when we are playing with five bowlers and one batsman short," Dhoni said after match.

"Especially in these conditions, it’s important not to lose any wicket till the 12th over. Because after that the kukaboora gets softer and comes on to the bat. It’s a learning experience that in international cricket you have to give your best," he said.

Dhoni defended the move to send Irfan Pathan up the batting order.

"It gives more depth to the batting as the rest of the order stays as it is. After him, Rohit comes at No.4, then Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh), me and Robin (Uthappa) at seven. I am happy with the order," he said.

Dhoni’s opposite number Ricky Ponting credited his bowlers for making up for his batsmen’s lapses.

"It’s a similar situation (like the previous game against India) with us not batting very well. We have not played as well. But our bowlers did well and we were sharp on the field and took early wickets. But they played one batsman short," he said.

Man of the match Michael Clarke, who scored a dilligent 79 to take the Aussie past the 200-mark, said he was disappointed to miss out on a hundred. (PTI)

Jodhamal Public School celebrates Annual Day

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 17: Jodhamal Public School celebrated its Annual Day in the school premises here today.

Mula Ram, Minister for Rural Development Department was the chief guest on the occasion while Prof Amitabh Mattoo, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University was the guest of honour.

G M Saroori, Minister for School Education presided over the function began with ceremonial Guard of Honour given by senior students of the school followed by March Past.

The senior girls staged Kathakali dance which left the audience spellbound.

Hoop, Dumbells and Taekwondo drills were the other highlights of the function.

Invention House bagged the Inter House trophy for Academics while Enterprise House earned top honours in Co-Curricular activities.

Challenge House clinched the Sports trophy.

Nandan Kuthiala, Trustee of the school delivered the welcome address.

Rita Lakhanpal presented the annual report of the school.

New Light School celebrates Annual Day

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 17: New Light Higher Secondary School celebrated its Annual Day in the school premises today.

Shamsher Singh Manhas, State general secretary, BJP was the chief guest on the occasion who inaugurated the function by lightening the lamp.

Sureshta Jamwal and Mohan Lal Sharma were the guests of honour. The students presented different cultural items.

D S Jamwal, Principal of the school read the annual report.

Later, the chief guest gave away prizes to the meritorious students. K P Kerni, Director school management presented the vote of thanks.

Triangular Snooker/ Billiards tourney begins

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 17: Triangular Snooker/Billiards Tournament organised by J&K Rural Sports Club in collaboration with International Gym and Pool commenced today.

Ashok Kumar Parmar, vice chairman, Jammu Development Authority (JDA) was the chief guest on the occasion who declared open the tournament.

Capt Manmeet Singh, Dr Rohit Gupta and Pritam Singh were the guests of honour.

Narinder Singh, President, J&K Rural Sports Club, Rajesh Dutta, Pitamber Lal Khauria, Yogesh Sharma, Gorav, Bunty and Rajesh Sharma were also present.

In the matches played, Tarun Tandon edged out Arjun Choudhary by 2-0 frames (51-33 and 64-18) in snooker category.

In another match, Ashwani Khosla defeated Vinod Sharma by 3-0 frames. The frame score was 51-15, 54-64 and 51-20.

In Pool category, Pankaj Mishra outclassed Sameer Gupta by 2-0 and Rahul Ganjoo beat Bopesh Maini by 2-1.

In 9 ball category, Chetan Gupta beat Sahil by 2-0 and Vaneet Gupta beat Vikram Sharma.

Anshul Gupta officiated as the match referee. All the matches were played under the overall supervision of Sandeep Dutta.

Abhishek slams ton as RCC crush YCC

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 17: Opener Abhishek Jamwal slammed a brilliant ton as Rehari Cricket Club (RCC) demolished Youth Cricket Club (YCC), Bhaderwah by whopping 202 runs today in the ongoing President Cup Knock Out Cricket tournament being played at GGM Science College Hostel Ground.

Abhishek struck 109 ball 107 containing 10 superbly driven hits to the fence and a towering six.

He played with great authority from the word go thereby exhibiting a brutal display of power hitting.

Ram Dayal (43), Hardeep Singh (35) and Shafqat Baba (27) were the other notable contributors.

RCC piled up challenging 266/9 in the allotted 40 overs.

YCC bowlers had no answer to Abhishek onslaught who put them on the leather hunt with great disdain.

Mosin Mohd and Majid took two and one wicket respectively.

Chasing 267 to win, YCC skittled for paltry 64 runs in just 21.2 overs to suffer the heavy defeat of the tournament.

Madassir and Ahmer were the top scorers with 19 and 12 runs respectively.

Dilbagh Singh was the wrecker-in-chief who triggered the batting collapse with a four wicket haul.

Sourav Chopra and Anoop Mangotra chipped in with two wickets each whereas Shafqat Baba took one wicket.

State Bench Press team selected for nationals

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 17: The All J&K Power Lifting Association has selected a 16 member team for the forthcoming Bench Press Power Lifting Championship slated to be held at Mumbai from February 22 to 24.

Rajeev Charak, senior vice president of the association and Ajay Sharma, joint secretary are accompanying the team as manager and coach respectively.

The Team: Sandeep Sharma, Narinder Pal Singh, Jai Kiran, Parvinder Singh, Varun Singh, Vijay Sharma, Rakesh Kumar, Vinay Sharma, Sanjeev Singh, Karnail Singh, Sunita Devi, Shub Pooja, Renu Sharma, Nidhi, Sunita and Hardeep Singh.

J&K Ranji team selected for one dayers

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has selected a 16 member team for Ranji Trophy one dayers.

Sami-ul-Ullah Beigh has been appointed as the captain while Sameer Khajuria his his deputy.

The other members included Vijay Sharma, Ian Dev Singh, Adil Reshi, Inderjeet Singh, Javeed Ahmed, Vimarsh Kaw, Asif Rasool, Ram Dayal, Zahoor Sori, Obaid Ahmed, Sandeep Singh, Raman Dutta, Sameer Ali and Hilal Ahmed Khan.

The Stand Byes are Amit Bloweria, Asif Jelani, Parvez Rasool and Ranjeeb Singh.

The selected players are required to report at GGM Science College Hostel Ground at 2 pm for net practice.

J&K Korfball team wins bronze medal

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 17: The J&K Korfball won bronze medal in the recently concluded 21st Senior National Korfball Championship held at Gurgaon (Haryana) from February 12 to 16.

In the semifinal, J&K lost to UP by 15-12 in a pulsating contest. In quarterfinal, J&K got the better of Chattisgarh by 16-13.

Haryana prevailed over UP by 15-12 in the final to clinch the title. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Haryana Chief Minister was the chief guest on the occasion.

In the hardliner match for IInd runner up position, J&K outplayed Uttarakhand by 9-6.

Skipper Manjeet Singh, Irfan Choudhary, Nishu Bhat, Riya Slathia and Shefali were the stand out performers throughout the tournament who have also been selected as probables for the forthcoming 2nd Asian Korfball Championship scheduled to be held at Hyderabad (AP) in June.

J&K team also topped their pool registering wins over Punjab, M P, Kerala, Gujarat and UP.

Wicketkeeper blunder cost Jehlum Industries match

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 17: Bajaj Allianz notched up a thrilling four wicket win over Jehlum Industries in the final ball today in a nerve wrecking encounter in the ongoing 2nd Annual Anand Rathi Corporate Twenty20 Cricket tournament being played at Jammu University Ground.

Jehlum Industries wicketkeeper’s blunder behind the wicket who failed to collect the ball cleanly resulting in four byes thereby gifting Bajaj Allianz team the match who needed 3 runs off the last ball.

Earlier, Jehlum Industries won the toss and elected to bat first. They were bowled out for 134 runs in 18.5 overs with Rajat Mahajan was the top scorer with 35 runs.

Kunal Choudhary and Vishal also contributed 19 and 25 runs respectively.

For Bajaj Allianz, Narinder took three wickets while Vishal grabbed two.

In reply, Bajaj Allianz romped home in the final delivery losing six wickets in the process.

Bhawnesh played an unbeaten knock of 46 runs studded with five boundaries.

In another match, ICICI Lambard trounced Hindustan Coca Cola by four wickets.