Tendulkar asks Yuvraj to bowl to find form ........

India will struggle to last five days at WACA: Chris Rogers...........

Federer, Henin handed kind draws for Melbourne .....

BCCI maintains tough stance

MELBOURNE/KOLKATA, Jan 11: Maintaining its tough stance, the BCCI has held out the threat that the Indian cricket team could be recalled from Australia unless the three-Test ban on off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was reversed.

The BCCI president Sharad Pawar was today quoted in the Australian media as having said that the threat of the team pulling out was "real".

Pawar said the BCCI would wait and watch what happened at the hearing of Harbhajan Singh’s appeal against the ban imposed by match referee Mike Procter following Australian team’s charge that he had called Andrew Symonds a "monkey". The ICC has appointed a New Zealand judge as Appeals Commissioner.

Asserting that allegations of racism against a member of the Indian team was not acceptable, Pawar, confirming that he had been empowered by the board to take any decision on the matter, said he would use the "power" in support of the off-spinner.

The ICC, which had yesterday expressed the hope that everybody will abide by the Appeals Commissioner’s decision on the appeal, declined to comment on the threat held out by BCCI.

Pawar, who was in Kolkata today, did not contradict the remarks attributed to him in the Australian media except to state vaguely "I have not heard anything about that."

Pawar said BCCI would want the hearing to be held between the Test and ODI series, which has strengthened speculation that India may not play the three-nation ODI series involving it, Australia and Sri Lanka after the Tests. (PTI)

Pollock announces Test retirement

DURBAN (South Africa), Jan 11: South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock has announced his retirement from international cricket following the second day’s play against West Indies here.

Pollock, 34, only returned to the South Africa line-up for the current Test against the West Indies having been overlooked by selectors for Test duty in recent months.

He took 4-35 in 11 overs in the first innings in the ongoing Test, but a day later Pollock announced his decision to retire.

"I’d like to thank Cricket South Africa for allowing me the opportunity of representing my country for the last 12 years," he said.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the honour and privilege of wearing the Proteas badge and take with me some remarkable memories having played against some great players.

"I realise I have been blessed by God and feel I have nurtured my talents to the best of my abilities."

Pollock, who was playing in his 108th Test, has also featured in 298 one-day internationals for his country. (AGENCIES) pri gen nat.Newdel del54court-boxernational-level boxer, 2 others get life term for murder

new delhi, jan 11 (pti) a city court has sentenced threepersons, including a national-level boxer and a suspendeddelhi police constable, to rigorous imprisonment for life formurdering an mnc official whom they had abducted for a ransomof rs 10 lakh.

Boxer vikram yadav, suspended constable neeraj kumarchaudhary, and rajender singh were sentenced to rigorousimprisonment for life by additional sessions jugde ravinderkaur yesterday.

The trio were accused of abducting ratan roy, a generalmanager with schneider electric india ltd, for ransom.

The victim was, however, thrown out from moving car whichled to his death in hospital on november 29, 2001 due to headinjuries. (PTI)

Sania upset over flag controversy: Bhupathi

MELBOURNE, Jan 11: Sania Mirza is "upset" over accusations that she disrespected the national flag and is giving a serious thought to whether she should continue with her tennis career as she frequently finds herself entangled in some or the other controversy.

"She is very upset. It is a major issue for her. At the end of the day, she is a 21-year-old girl trying to do her best by everyone," Mahesh Bhupathi, India’s doubles ace and her manager, was quoted as saying by ‘The Australian’.

"Everything is adding up and she is starting to wonder whether it is all worth it, but people close to her, they are telling her to hang in there," India’s doubles ace said.

Sania was recently embroiled in a controversy over the shooting of a commercial in the premises of the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad and tendered an apology in the matter.

Close on its heels comes the legal case filed against her by a Bhopal resident for allegedly showing disrespect to the tricolour.

Images of Sania putting her feet towards the flag while watching Rohan Bopanna’s match at Hopman Cup in Perth were flashed all over newspapers and television channels.

If found guilty under the prevention of insult to the national honour act, Sania could face a three-year term in jail.

Bhupathi said these issues were disturbing the tennis star.

"It is affecting her form. It is affecting her mentally. Not many people would know this, but I, as her manager, know that she turned down a six-figure sum from another event to play for her country in Perth.

"People don’t know what goes on behind the scenes, yet they make these irresponsible and ignorant accusations. You don’t turn down big money to play in another event if you don’t love your country," Bhupathi said.

All India Tennis Association has also come out in Sania’s support saying too much is being made of trivial issues and she should be kept away from controversies to allow her to play freely.

"It is most unfortunate that Sania Mirza’s name is being dragged unnecessarily from one controversy to the other. Such situations are affecting her performance," AITA secretary general Anil Khanna said. (PTI)

Four fencers qualify for Senior Asian Championship
Fencing Association felicitates players

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 11: The J&K Amateur Fencing Association today organised a function to felicitate the players who excelled in the recently concluded Senior National Fencing championship held at Trivendrum, Kerela by winning five medals including two silver and three bronze to finish third.

In individual sabre event (men), Ujjwal Gupta and Rashid Ahmed (JKP) won silver and bronze medals respectively while the team of Rashid Ahmed, Ujjwal Gupta and Maninder Pal and Ajit Singh fetched silver medal in sabre team event.

Shivani Hans clinched bronze medal in sabre individual event in women section whereas in men section, Sanjeev Suri (Commercial Tax Deptt) bagged bronze medal.

The association also announced that Rashid Ahmed, Ujjwal Gupta, Sanjeev Suri and Shivani Hans have been selected for Senior Asian Fencing Championship scheduled to be held at Bangkok (Thailand) in April.

Promising fencer Ujjwal Gupta has also been nominated for Junior World championship to be held at Italy in May.

Ravinder Gupta, Secretary, J&K State Sports Council was the chief guest on the occasion who honoured the fencers.

He congratulated the fencers for outstanding performance and also had a special words of praise for Chotu Lal and Rachna Jamwal (Fencing coaches) for their concerted efforts.

M J Sharma, president, J&K Amateur Fencing Association, Vijay Sharma, general secretary and Siddharth Sharma, joint secretary, J&K State Sports Council besides other dignitaries were also present.

M J Sharma, president of the association congratulated the team for their stupendous performance.

He also requested the Secretary, State Sports Council to provide a separate hall for State fencers.

Meanwhile, the state fencers has won as many as 23 medals including two gold, six silver and fifteen bronze medals in various national and international championships held in 2007.

Dr Verma conferred ‘Glory of India Award’

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 11: Dr K C Verma, Director, Jammu Heart Clinic, Trikuta Nagar has been conferred upon the prestigious "Glorious of India Award" and a Certificate of Excellence during in international conference organised by India International Friendship Society on the day of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas at New Delhi.

The main theme of the conference was "Role of Doctors in Modern India" which was attended by elite of Indian economy, polity, medical professionals besides delegates from foreign countries.

Former Prof in Cardiothoracic Unit of chest diseases hospital in Medical College, Jammu, Dr Verma has represented the State in many national and international cardiovascular conferences both as a speaker and delegate.

State Heroes Hockey Championship
AKSC wins thriller to enter final

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 11: Jammu University (JU) XI frittered away early advantage as Gurmeet Singh struck a vital blow in the final moments to help Akali Kour Singh Club (AKSC) notched up a thrilling 4-3 win in a nerve wracking first semifinal to enter into the final of the ongoing State Heroes Hockey Championship being played at K K Hakku Stadium here today.

JU started off in a brilliant fashion with Motinder Pal Singh drew first blood in the 13th minute to give his team early lead.

Akali Kour Club got their act together and scored equaliser through Sukhwinder Singh in the 16th minute by converting a penalty corner.

Akali Kour Club surged to a 2-1 lead as Narinder Singh produced a beauty to score second goal in the 20th minute. But JU XI had other ideas who drew parity in the 26th minute. Harminder Pal Singh was the scorer.

The match was evenly poised with both teams finished 2-2 at close of action packed first half.

JU again took lead in the second half through Mukesh Kumar (49th min) but their opponents were proved too good who took just four minutes to equalise the lead through Manjeet Singh in the 53rd minute.

With both teams at 3-3, it looks as if the contest might be decided in the extra time but then came a majestic display of hockey skills by center forward Gurmeet Singh who received a fine pass from Onkar Singh from left flank thereby making no mistake to score the all important goal in the 58th minute to seal the issue.

Despite an absorbing exhibition of stick play from both teams, penalty corner conversion remained a big worry throughout the match. Akali Kour Club converted one out of four while JU got just one penalty corner which they failed to convert.

The match was officiated by Karanjeet Singh, Parvinder Singh and Dinesh Kumar.

The second semifinal will be played tomorrow.

J&K to face UP for title clash

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 11: J&K will take on UP for summit clash in the ongoing 15th Junior Nati-onal Korfball championship being played at Pondicherry.

In the semifinals played today, J&K got the better of AP by 13-11 in a keenly contested first semifinal. Jatinder Singh and Ranvijay scored maximum three goals each followed by Deepanti Sharma and Kanvar-jeet Singh who chipped in with two goals.

Meetakshi scored one goal. J&K with this win has also topped their pool B with 8 points.

Besides J&K, other teams in pool B were Orissa, Pond-icherry, Delhi and Chandigarh.

In the second semifinal, UP edged out defending champion Haryana by 10-9 in a breathtaking contest.

On-field conduct showed Aussies were
desperate to win: Ganguly

CANBERRA, Jan 11: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly provided another perspective on the on-field behaviour of the under-fire Australian team, saying their conduct on the final day of the Sydney Test showed how desperate they were to win that match.

"I admired how desperate they were to win. That’s why they have won so many Test matches," Ganguly said on the sidelines of the practice game against the Australian Capital Territory Invitational XI at the Manuka Oval here.

"They sense a chance of a win and would do anything to get it," he said.

Ganguly, who has led India against Australia in a World Cup final, found a lot to admire in the way Ricky Ponting’s men played the game.

"When they came out on to the field for the World Cup final, they looked different. They play their cricket in a different way than the rest of the teams."

However, Ganguly said it was "not impossible" for the younger Indian players to develop that attitude.

Harbhajan Singh has been in the eye of the storm in the aftermath of the second Test with allegations of racial abuse, but his former skipper, who was not on the field when the altercation took place, doubted that the off-spinner made such a comment.

"I doubt he (Harbhajan) said that. But there is a lot of pressure in the middle during a Test match and things can come out," Ganguly said.

He was not surprised that it became a big issue once it was reported and stressed that personal abuse had no place in the game.

Australians were accused of not playing in the spirit of the game in Sydney, but Ganguly admitted he did not know what the term meant.

"I don’t know what ‘spirit of the game’ actually means. Unless you don’t make a fool of yourself on the field and don’t cross the line, you should be ok," he quipped.

Ganguly’s contentious dismissal on the final day of the second Test was perhaps the most controversial incident of the game.

"I edged it and immediately looked behind to see it fall short. But the umpire asked the fielder who said it was a clean catch.

"We had an agreement before the series to take the fielder’s word. But the umpire should have used his judgement also and asked (square-leg umpire) Steve Bucknor or the third umpire," he said.

Indians are 0-2 down with two Tests left in the series but Ganguly said it was a "happy" team and looking forward to show "how good we are" at the pace-friendly WACA ground in Perth. (PTI)

Tendulkar asks Yuvraj to bowl to find form

CANBERRA, Jan 11: Yuvraj Singh has been asked to bowl in order to improve his batting and he takes this advice rather seriously as it comes from none other than Sachin Tendulkar.

Tendulkar spent a great deal of time in the nets with the left-hander before the start of the three-day game in order to put the exciting stroke-player back on track.

Yuvraj has been an utter failure in the series so far, struggling to last a dozen deliveries, and Tendulkar believed his advice to the princely left-hander can no longer wait.

Tendulkar, it is now known, wanted Yuvraj to bowl a fair deal in the nets and in side games in order to gauge the bounce on Australian pitches.

Yuvraj still has not come to terms with the conditions in Australia and Tendulkar offered a lot of advice for him to overcome the problem.

The Punjab batsman has been adviced not to go for his shots as soon as he comes to the crease on these wickets.

Tendulkar apparently has told him that even he in 1991-92, allowed a lot of deliveries to go before starting to play aggressive shots.

Tendulkar cited the example of his unbeaten 154 in Sydney where he did not go for hook or pull shots even when he was in his 90s.

"At least, don’t go for your horizontal shots till you are truly in," Tendulkar is believed to have told Yuvraj.

The veteran cricketer has also noticed that Yuvraj’s front leg is going too much across towards covers which is leaving him locked at the point of playing shots.

The option to thrust his front leg forward towards mid-off has been suggested.

This particular problem of Yuvraj has been accentuated against the spinners. (PTI)

India will struggle to last five days
at WACA: Chris Rogers

CANBERRA, Jan 11: Visiting Indians have been warned that they would struggle to last five days at the WACA pitch in the third Test at Perth, starting January 16.

"I would hate to face the Australian quicks on that sort of wicket," said Chris Rogers, who is tipped to replace the injured Matthew Hayden as opener for the next Test.

Rogers, who indicated he was ready for the job with a confident half-century in the tour match here today, said it was difficult for guys at the top of the order to face the Aussie attack on a really quick wicket.

"My best at WACA has been 60 this season and I belong to western Australia," remarked Rogers "the ball really flies through after the first day."

The left-handed opener said because of the moisture on the first day, the pitch is not as hard as it usually becomes on subsequent days.

"You really have to play your best innings ever to survive on the WACA this season," opined the 31-year-old Rogers, who has an average of 47.93 in 104 first class games with 22 centuries.

"I would be surprised if the game goes into the fifth day."

His words would be a warning for the Indians, who are 0-2 down in the series and need a win in Perth to remain in the series.

Hayden’s inclusion in playing XI still in doubt

Australia retained it’s squad for the third Test against India but opener Matthew Hayden’s injury problem is far from over and his absence might hurt the team.

Hayden who has not missed a Test since Australia’s 2000 tour of New Zealand and has played 86 matches in succession, the seventh-longest streak in history, suffered a hamstring tendon strain during the second Test at Sydney.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said the Queenslander’s fitness would be monitored from the weekend.

Earlier, Australia’s team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris had said "it could take one week to heal, it could take five weeks. We are waiting to see how it looks in a few days.’’

"The thing with tendons is sometimes they don’t heal too well because the blood supply around them isn’t too good,’’ the physio added.

If Hayden is ruled out, west Australian left-hander Chris Rogers who was a contender to take Justin Langer’s opening position until a bout of appendicitis paved the way for Phil Jaques, could make his test debut on his home ground.

Rogers is currently playing a three-day match against the Indians in a warm up match at Canberra and scored a gritty 98 in ACT XI’s first innings.

Left-arm chinaman bowler Brad Hogg, has been cleared from a possible fracture to his right hand. But the spinner might not be able to reatin his place in the playing XI as the prospect of a fast, bouncy pitch at the WACA ground will boost the chances of Shaun Tait playing on Wednesday. (UNI)

Federer, Henin handed kind draws for Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Jan 11: World number one Roger Federer will begin the defence of his Australian Open title against Argentine Diego Hartfield after the draw was made at Melbourne Park today.

The Swiss, bidding for his 13th Grand-Slam title, was handed a kind draw in the early stages, though he could face a quarter-final against seventh seed Fernando Gonzalez of Chile, whom he beat in the final 12 months ago.

Federer had to pull out of the warm-up event at Kooyong because of a virus but is expected to be fully fit to play.

Third seed Novak Djokovic is his projected semi-final opponent, though Argentine David Balbandian, who beat Federer twice at the end of last year, is lurking in the same half.

Second seed Rafael Nadal, number six Andy Roddick, eighth seed Richard Gasquet and number nine Andy Murray are all in the opposite half. Nadal and Roddick will both play qualifiers in the first round, while Murray has a tough opening match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the world number 38 from France. Women’s top seed Justine Henin of Belgium takes on Aiko Nakimura of Japan in the first round. The Belgian, who won the French Open and US Open in 2007, has a seemingly clear path through to the quarter-finals, where she is scheduled to play fifth seed Maria Sharapova. (AGENCIES)