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

DPS, SMVDU organise students rally ........

Tennis Ball Cricket tourney begins ...........

RCC wins Martyrs Memorial Cup ...........

I am a trouble-shooter in BCCI: Pawar ...........

Lanka loses as Aussies confirm final berth

MELBOURNE, Feb 22: Sri Lanka’s survival in the cricket tri-series hung by a slender thread after they lost to world champions Australia by 24 runs in a rain-curtailed encounter here today.

Chasing Australia’s modest score of 184 for seven, the islanders were 77 for four in 29.3 overs when rain forced a premature end to the proceedings with Sri Lanka well behind under the DuckWorth-Lewis method.

The two on-field umpires, Simon Taufel and Rudi Koertzen, waited for the rain to stop till the cut-off of 10.20 pm local time before calling off play. Since a minimum of 20 overs are required to constitute a game, Australia were declared winners and also got a bonus point.

The result of the rain-affected game dealt a huge blow to Sri Lanka’s quest for a berth in the best-of-three finals as they now need to win their remaining two matches to have a chance. They would also need India to lose to Australia in Sydney on Sunday.

With this victory, Australia confirmed their place in the finals and maintained their position atop the points table with 22 points from six games. India are second with 12 points from the same number of matches while Sri Lanka are at the bottom with six points from as many matches.

Sri Lanka did well to restrict the powerful Australian line-up to a moderate total but their batsmen once again let them down.

Veteran Sanath Jayasuriya continued his poor run and was out first ball edging Stuart Clark to Ricky Ponting at second slip with the team yet to score a run.

It became three for two when Dilruwan Perera, included in place of Chamara Kapugadera, was adjudged in front off Clark for a single.

The trusted pair of Kumar Sangakkara and skipper Mahela Jayawardene tried to repair the damage patiently but the captain threw his wicket away when he played a lazy waft outside off-stump against Nathan Bracken to be caught behind.

It put enormous pressure on Sangakkara but when he miscued a pull off James Hopes to be caught by Andrew Symonds, the writing was very much on the wall.

Earlier, Sri Lanka rode on the bowling of Farveez Maharoof (2-20) and Mutthiah Muralitharan (2-37) to keep the hosts in check after Mahela Jayawardene put the Aussies in under overcast skies.

Michael Hussey (64 not out) and Michael Clarke (50) rescued Australia by putting on 90 for the fifth wicket after they were reduced to 54 for four in the 22nd over.

The Australian batting continued to struggle in the tri-series with their top order failing to come to terms with the pitch as well as the tight Lankan bowling.

Adam Gilchrist went cheaply when he was bowled by left-armer Chaminda Vaas for six attempting an ambitious shot.

Opening partner Matthew Hayden and out-of-form skipper Ricky Ponting looked distinctly uncomfortable during their time in the middle and despite persistent efforts, failed to provide the required momentum to the innings.

Ponting, who was dropped by Tillakaratne Dilshan at backward point before he had opened his account, struggled to 11 before he was run out by Maharoof who reacted quickly on his follow-through to run the rival captain out, leaving the hosts 44 for three. (PTI)

Australia tour ‘most defining’ of career: Uthappa

SYDNEY, Feb 22: Promising Indian batsman Robin Uthappa today described the ongoing tour of Australia as the "most defining" of his career so far and a great learning curve for him and the other youngsters in the team.

Uthappa said he had grown as a cricketer by playing the world’s best team in their own backyard and would return home a better player.

"When I go back, I know I will be returning as a better cricketer. You are playing against the best team in the world in their home and it’s got to make you grow as a cricketer. This tour would be the most defining tour for most of us," Uthappa said.

On fetching a price of USD 800,000 at the Indian Premier League players’ auction, Uthappa said all this came with the cricketers’ ability in their craft.

"We play cricket, do the job we love and the money that comes with it is a perk," he said.

Uthappa said India was the only team which Australia need to be wary about going into the tri-series finals.

"We are the only ones who can beat Australia. We bowled them out for 200 and once on less than that. We know if our batting clicks, we would be there.

"Still, we need to remember that scoring 200 in Australia is probably scoring 280 in India. The size of the ground and conditions warrant this adjustment in the scoring pattern," he said. (PTI)

Roddick avenges Blake’s loss to Japanese teen

SAN JOSE, Feb 22: Top seed Andy Roddick blasted seven aces to beat Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-4 in the second round of the ATP SAP Open, avenging Nishikori’s stunning win over American James Blake last weekend.

The 18-year-old Nishikori shocked Blake, who was ranked 12th in the world at the time, in Sunday’s final at the Delray Beach tournament, becoming the first player from Japan to win an ATP tour event since Shuzo Matsuoka at Queen’s in June 1992.

But yesterday, American Roddick won four-of-eight break points, ousting Nishikori in an hour and three minutes.

Nishikori managed to win just 54 percent (19-of-35) of first-serve points against roddick.

He climbed from 244th to 131st in the world rankings after beating Blake and was able to carry that momentum into this event by posting a 7-5, 6-3 first-round victory over Diego Hartfield of Argentina.

The world’s No. 6 player, Roddick barely advanced to the second round, holding on for a 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/5) victory over Australian Chris Quccione on Wednesday.

But he returned to his true form against Nishikori, who at 18 years, one month and 18 days became the youngest winner of an ATP tournament since Lleyton Hewitt (16 years, 10 months) in Adelaide in 1998.

The second-seeded Blake posted a steady 6-3, 6-4 win over compatriot Jesse Levine during their second-round match.

Third seed Tommy Haas of Germany did not have the same luck as Blake, as he was upset, 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, by American John Isner.

Taiwan’s Lu Yen-Hsun and American Mardy Fish also advanced yesterday with victories over American Wayne Odesnik and German Denis Gremelmayr, respectively. (AGENCIES)

Sunitha, Betina bow out BOGOTA (Colombia), Feb 22: Sunitha Rao’s campaign ended in the doubles event of the USD 185,000 Copa Colsanitas Santander after her Argentine partner Betina Jozami and she lost their quarter-final tie here today. The unseeded Indo-Argentine combine lost 2-6 6-3 10-7 to top seeds Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic and American Bethanie Mattek in the clay court Tier III event. Sunitha, India’s second best woman player, was earlier ousted in the first round of the singles event of the tournament. (PTI)

Scouts & Guides observe ‘Thinking Day’ *Excelsior Correspondent* JAMMU, Feb 22: The J&K Bharat Scouts and Guides Association celebrated "Thinking Day" at its State Head Quarter, Gandhi Nagar today. About 200 Scouts and Guides of more than 22 schools of Jammu district participated. Member Parliament Madan Lal Sharma was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Member Parliament appreciated the role of the Scouts and Guides movement, and said this movement should enlarge its scope of activities to persuade more and more youth for social activities. He also donated a Maruti Van to the Association out of Local Area Development Fund (MPLADF) for promotion of Scouts and Guides activities in the State. Acting State Commissioner of the Movement I. D. Soni welcomed the guests and gave brief of the activities of the scouting and guiding movement and the importance of Thinking Day. The vote of thanks was presented by Nasreen Khan, State Commissioner (G). Among others, President, J&K Bharat Scouts and Guides Davinder Singh, Asstt. Director of Youth Services and Sports S. S. Bali Smt. Raj Sharma, Advisor and Prabha Jain were present on the occasion. National Winter Games conclude *Excelsior Correspondence* GULMARG, Feb 22: The 5th National Winter Games concluded here today. Medals were given away at a glittering function. Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Haji Nisar Ali, who was Chief Guest on the occasion. President Indian Olympic Association, Suresh Kalmadi, Secretary Tourism Nayeem Akhter, Director Tourism Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director SKIMS, Dr. Abdul Hamid Zargar besides a large gathering of sportspersons and tourists were present at the concluding function. During the five day event Army received 7 Gold, 3 Silver and 6 Bronze, GMVN received 3 Gold and 2 silver medals, Himachal Pradesh received 3 Gold, 4 Silver and 3 Bronze medals while Delhi team gathered 2 Gold, One Silver and 1 Bronze medals. Similarly, Maharashtra team received 4 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medal, J&K team received 3 Gold, 5 Silver and 9 Bronze medals while Andhra Pradesh received 3 Silver and ITBP received 1 Silver and 1 bronze medal in cross-country skiing, skating and Ice Hockey events. As per games-wise medal tally of the 5th National Games Army received 5 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze medals, Jammu and Kashmir received 2 Silver and 2 Bronze. Similarly, in Skating Jammu and Kashmir received 2 Gold, 3 Silver and one bronze medals. In Ice hockey, Jammu and Kashmir teams got one Gold, ITBP received one Silver and Army one Bronze. Press Club, JP World Group seal narrow wins *Excelsior Sports Correspondent* JAMMU, Feb 22: Press Club and JP World Group registered narrow wins today in a well contested encounters in the ongoing 2nd Anandrathi Corporate Twenty20 Cricket Tournament being played at Jammu University Ground. In the first match, Press Club edged out Chamber of Commerce by five runs in a thrilling contest. Press Club after winning the toss decided to bat first. They piled up 169/8 in the allotted overs with Pardeep played a scintillating knock of 65 runs studded with nine crispy boundaries and two monster hits for maximum. Vimarsh Kaw, Raman Dutta and Karan Dogra also contributed 32, 22 and 20 runs respectively. For Chamber of Commerce, Dilbagh Singh was the stand out bowler with five scalps while Prince and Anil took two wickets each. In reply, Chamber of Commerce put up a spirited fight with Monish Iqbal scored a gutsy fifty (52) containing six hits to the fence and two sixes. Vivek Singh and Anil also played well for their knocks of 38 and 20 runs respectively but that wasn’t enough as they managed 164 for the loss of nine wickets. Dilbagh Singh for his splendid spell was adjudged man of the match. In the second match, JP World Group trounced JKP by five wickets. Chasing 130 to win, JP World Group romped home in the final over with two balls to spare. Manish Dogra played a match winning knock of 50 runs followed by Irshad and Pranav who mustered 27 runs each. For JKP, Sunil took two wickets whereas Jatinder and Rajesh Gill shared a wicket each. Earlier, JKP was bundled out for 129 runs in 19.1 overs. Danny was the top scorer with 30 runs followed by Rajesh Gill and Akshay who made 27 each. For JP World Group, Pranav Mahajan snared three wickets whereas Parveen and Manik Gupta chipped in with two wickets each. Pranav Mahajan was adjudged man of the match. PCCC clinches Rural Cricket Championship *Excelsior Sports Correspondent* JAMMU, Feb 22: Pouni Chack Cricket Club (PCCC) got the better of Channi Himmat Cricket Club (CHCC) by 30 runs in the final to lift Annual Ghou Manasa, (Marh) Rural Cricket Championship played at Ghou Manasa Higher Secondary School, Marh today. PCCC won the toss and opted to bat first. They accumulated 157 runs in the stipulated 20 overs losing eight wickets in the process. In reply, CHCC was skittled out for 127 runs in 18.3 overs. Dheeraj Kumar of PCCC was adjudged man of the match while Amit of the same club was declared man of the series. Sonu Choudhary declared best batsman of the tournament. Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Players Association (JKCPA), vice president and JKCA working committee member, Ranjit Kalra was the chief guest on the occasion who gave away trophies to the winner and runner up teams. Rattan Lal, Rakesh Chib, Jambel Ram, Krishan Lal, L K Khajuria and Arvind Sharma were also present. DPS, SMVDU organise students rally *Excelsior Correspondent* JAMMU, Feb 22: The management of Delhi Public School (DPS) and Sri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Kakryal, Katra today organised a student’s rally in Katra town to generate awareness against the use of polythene bags. Manoj Diwedi, Chief Executive Officer, Shrine Board, Katra flaged off the rally. Ashok Sharma, SP Katra, C L Malhotra, President, Municipal Committee, Katra, R K Verma, Administrator, Suminder Singh and Vandana Sharma were also present. Speaking on the occasion, Diwedi appealed the people to stop using polythene bags in order to keep the town neat and clean. Tennis Ball Cricket tourney begins *Excelsior Sports Correspondent* UDHAMPUR, Feb 22: The Two-day long Open District Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament (boys and girls) commenced at Sports Stadium today. B N Bhat, District Youth Services and Sports Officer was the chief guest on the occasion who declared open the tourney. In the inaugural match, Aryan Tennis Ball Cricket Club beat Friend Club by 3 wickets in boys section while in girls section, Army School, Dhar Road emerged winner by defeating Brahm Rishi Bawra School by identical margin. In another match in boys section, Bhagat Singh Club beat Surya Club by four wickets whereas Brahm Rishi Bawra School outclassed Army School, Dhar Road by 11 runs. In the last match, Young Club beat United Club by 4 wickets. The matches were officiated by Parminder Manhas, Purshotam Sharma, Laxmikant, Ashwani Sharma, Raj Kumar and Som Dev Khajuria RCC wins Martyrs Memorial Cup *Excelsior Sports Correspondent* LEH, Feb 22: Rising Commando Club (RCC), Chulichan prevailed over Sunny Friends Club (SFC), Pargive by 7-0 goals in the final to clinch Kargil War Martyrs Memorial Cup played at Ice Hockey Rink today. Gulzar Hussain Khan, Executive Councilor for Horticulture and Agriculture was the chief guest on the occasion who gave away winner and runner up trophies to the teams. Councilor Hajiya Marzia alongwith Block Officers, Chitkan were also present. Total 12 teams participated in the tournament including two female teams organised by Kargil Ice and Snow Sports Club.
I am a trouble-shooter in BCCI: Pawar SHILLONG, Feb 22: BCCI president Sharad Pawar today said he avoided poking his nose into each and everything in the cricket administration. "I have appointed proper experts to handle the affairs of the BCCI. The experts in the field of cricket are more equipped to handle such matters," Pawar said. "I have set guidelines for them. I have confidence that they can deliver. And in case of any problem, I am always there as a trouble-shooter," he said in reply to a query at a press conference here on his absence at the much-hyped auctioning of cricketers in Mumbai on Wednesday during the Indian Premier League’s bidding process. Referring to IPL Chairman Lalit Modi and other cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar who are in the IPL panel, Pawar said, "I had no work in the ipl bidding. There are also eminent businessmen in the IPL panel to assist the cricketing experts in the exercise. He said "my working style is different. I believe in decentralisation. I head many organisations, but the actual executers are the experts in the particular field that I have appointed in the bodies". He said after returning to Mumbai this evening, he will be briefed by the IPL functionaries about the developments. (PTI)