India sweat it out as they prepare to take on proteas

CHENNAI, Mar 23: The Indian Cricket team sweated it out in hot and humid conditions at the M A Chidambaram stadium as they prepared for the three-test series against Graeme Smith’s South Africa starting here on March 26.

The Indians had a strenuous three hour practice session even as mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton was seen interacting with them on a one-on-one basis.

Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh were seen poring over slow motion clippings of their batting and bowling at the nets along with video analyst S Ramakrishnan.

Wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh, who were cleared for the series after fitness tests, were also seen undergoing the rigours throughout the session.

There has been a lot of talk recently about the relative merits of youth and experience as regards to team composition after the relative newcomers played a stellar role in the tri-series in triumph in Australia, but test skipper Anil Kumble denied there was any such division in the side.

"I can assure you that there is no question of junior-senior. It is all about ensuring that we play to our potential, be committed to our roles and work for the success of the team. That is what is happening in both formats of the game," Kumble said.

The veteran leg-spinner predicted a tough series saying the proteas were always difficult to beat.

"When they came to India last time for the two-test series, it was tough to beat them. After drawing the Kanpur test, we won at Kolkata through Harbhajan Singh’s excellent performance (7/87) with the ball," he told a press conference.

But Kumble hoped that the Indians can capitalise on home advantage.

"It is going to be a tough challenge this time around. They have great players in their rank. This time of the year is going to be hot. We have the experience and also quality. I am sure, we will be able to win the series," Kumble said.

"We have the advantage of playing at home. We have a fantastic record at home."

The Indian captain pointed out that both teams were coming into the series in good form.

"We have had a good series in Australia. South Africa have done well against Pakistan and Bangladesh," he added.

Smith, on his part, was looking forward to challenging India in their own backyard.

"It is going to be exciting. Indians are confident... We are also here with lot of confidence. Playing anywhere in the sub-continent is a challenge and we are confident we can meet the challenge," he told a press conference.

"This is the tour we have been looking forward to. It is crucial as we have two tough series coming up against England and Australia," Smith said, claiming the team would be able to deal with the controversies over selection matters.

Charl Langeveldt withdrew from the squad after he was included, presumably in place of Andre Nel, to fill the quota for coloured players in the side.

"It affects the team certainly. But we are a matured family and our job is to continue with cricket."

Smith was also prepared to tackle the spin-friendly conditions in India.

"When you come to the sub-continent, you expect the spinners to take wickets. We have prepared the whole year. Our bowlers are capable of taking 20 wickets."

Left-armers Paul Harris and Robin Peterson was the main spinners in the proteas side.

But he admitted that South Africa’s success in the series will depend on how they deal with India’s strong batting.

"India have a very talented batting line-up. The top six batters are in good form. They have scored millions of runs between them. We respect them, but we have got to go and beat them," Smith said.

Both captains hoped the series will be played in the right spirit without any sledging.

"We hope that the series will be played in good spirit. If we win the sledging battle and don’t win the cricket battle, nobody is going to remember us," the South African captain said.

Kumble also said he would prefer to focus on the cricket.

"As for sledging, we have no issues. The lines are demarcated clearly. We want people to remember the cricket we want to play. We had a tough series in Australia and we have really gelled as a team. Likewise, we are looking forward to the challenge ahead and ensure that we play good cricket," he added.(PTI)

England bounce back with Sidebottom’s best

NAPIER (NEW ZEALAND), Mar 23: An inspired spell of precision bowling by Ryan Sidebottom pulled England off the ropes and put them in charge of the third cricket test against New Zealand as 15 wickets fell here today.

After a day of fluctuating fortunes, England reached stumps on the second day of the series decider at 91 for two, holding an overall lead of 176.

As batsmen contrived to make the placid Mclean Park wicket look dangerous, England’s first innings folded for a seemingly inconsequential 258.

New zealand raced to 103 for one in reply before Sidebottom grabbed the initiative and New Zealand’s last nine wickets tumbled for 65 runs with the left-arm quick claiming a career-best seven for 47.

The carnage continued when England started their second innings with Chris Martin having Michael Vaughan caught behind by Brendon Mccullum for four in the first over.

Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss then put on 72 for the second wicket before Cook was caught behind by Mccullum leaving Strauss not out 40 and Kevin Pietersen on seven.

As momentum swung between sessions New Zealand were firmly in control in the morning, polishing off the last three England batsmen for 13 runs and then pounding the England bowlers, Sidebottom apart, to go to lunch at one for 93.

Central to the New Zealand batting onslaught was Stephen Fleming who joined Jamie How in the middle when Sidebottom removed Matthew Bell with the third ball of the innings.

Fleming, in his final test, was particularly harsh on James Anderson, and belted him out of the attack early as he raced to 59 off 72 balls, including nine fours and a six, before falling to Sidebottom three overs after lunch.

It was a disappointing end for Fleming — caught at second slip by Paul Collingwood — as he again failed to convert a half century into a 100.

He now needs 54 runs in the second innings to meet his goal of ending an 111-test career with an average of 40.

Fleming’s dismissal started the New Zealand slump as Sidebottom dominated the England bowling attack just as Kevin Pietersen did with his 129 when England batted.

How was next to fall, caught at slip by Andrew Strauss 44, and no other New Zealand batsman was able to settle in.

Sidebottom continued his rampage with the wickets of Mathew Sinclair (7), Grant Elliott (6), Brendon Mccullum (9) and Daniel Vettori (14) while Stuart Broad claimed Ross Taylor (2), Tim Southee (5) and Jeetan Patel (4).

Teenager Southee had earlier announced his arrival on the international scene with a five-wicket haul on debut as he wrapped up the England first innings.

When England resumed at 240 for seven, the 19-year-old Southee removed Stuart Broad with the first ball of the day, caught by Brendon Mccullum for a test-best 42.

He then finished the innings with Sidebottom caught by Mattew Bell at mid-off for 14, while in between the two Southee dismissals Chris Martin bowled Monty Panesar for one.

Southee returned an impressive five for 55 off 23.1 overs, the third best debut figures for a New Zealand bowler.(AFP)

Fish shocks Federer to book final berth

INDIAN WELLS, Mar 23: Mardy Fish pulled off a whale of an upset, stunning world number one Roger Federer 6-3, 6-2 to reach the final of the ATP Masters Series Pacific Life Open.

Fish, ranked 98th in the world, needed just 63 minutes to roll past the Swiss superstar, who mustered just one break point and couldn’t convert it.

The defeat leaves Federer still searching for his first tournament victory of 2008, the first time since 2000 that the 12-time grand slam champion has gone so far into a season without a title.

Fish sent a shock through the stadium-court crowd with his first break of Federer in the second game. He held for 3-0 and never looked back, taking the opening set in 39 minutes.

The American opened the second set with a break - firing a stinging service return on break point - and broke again in the fifth game for a 4-1 lead yesterday.

Federer fended off two match points against his own serve in the seventh game, but Fish took a 40-0 lead in the next game to give himself three more chances, and claimed the unlikely triumph when Federer netted a forehand.

Fish had lost all five of his previous encounters with Federer, winning just one set in the process.

"I’ve had a great record against him, always controlled matches against him," Federer said. "Today was different. He played great today, so congratulations. Fantastic."

Fish became the lowest-ranked player to beat Federer since then 101st-ranked Richard Gasquet of France beat him at Monte Carlo in 2005.

However, Federer said that was misleading, since Fish has been ranked as high as 17th in the world in March of 2004.

"We all know how good Mardy can be," Federer said.

While Fish had to battle through five tough rounds to reach the semi-finals, Federer enjoyed a first-round bye and then advanced from the quarters on a walkover when his scheduled opponent, German Tommy Haas, withdrew with a sinus infection.

"I was a bit deflated yesterday," Federer said. "I was ready to play against Tommy. But that’s not an excuse. Mardy played incredible."

Fish next faces Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, who ousted defending champion Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2.

Djokovic, the third seed, turned the tables on the second-seeded Spaniard, who beat him in the final here last year.(AFP)

Sharapova withdraws from Miami event

MIAMI, Mar 23: Hours after complaining of fatigue after her first loss of the year, Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova withdrew from the prestigious WTA and ATP Masters Series tournament in Miami.

Organizers of the tournament said Sharapova had informed them that she was pulling out because of a shoulder injury.

"We certainly wish Maria a speedy recovery and hope she is able to return to the court quickly," said tournament Director Adam Barrett.

"I know our fans will miss watching her on the court but I know she still plans on coming to Miami so they will still have the opportunity to see her on site and around town."

The 3.77 million-dollar event, which begins next week and runs through April 6, is considered a mandatory event by the WTA, meaning the 20-year-old Russian beauty would face punishment from the tour for skipping the event without a medical reason.

"My body is kind of hurting a little bit," Sharapova said. "I just want to be smart about the decisions I make, and after a good night’s rest have a little sit-down conversation.

"At this point of the year I can’t really be putting any pressure to myself and saying, `you’ve got to go out there and play next week. If I’m not going to be ready, I’m not going to be ready. No one’s forcing me to go out there and play."

Kuznetsova’s victory ended Sharapova’s 18-match winning streak to start the season, a run that included a victory in the Australian Open and at Doha.

In the wake of Doha last month, the former world number one pulled out of an event at Dubai with a viral illness.(AFP)

Competitions held in JK Montessorie School

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 23: JK Montessorie Senior Secondary School, Tirath Nagar, Talab Tillo in collaboration with KORES organized Clay Moulding, Drawing and Painting competitions in the school premises, here today.

Students from different city schools participated in the competition and they were categorized in three age groups. In first category (3 to 5 years) Vishesh Raina was adjudged first in Clay Moulding as well as in Drawing and Painting, while Shubangini was declared second in Clay Moulding whereas Vinayak in Drawing and Painting. Himanshika was declared third in Clay Moulding while Shubangini in Drawing and Painting.

In second category (6 to 8 years), Raghav was first in Clay Moulding while Rounak Bhat declared first in Drawing and Painting. Ojasvi Manhas and Dilraj declared second and third in Drawing and Painting respectively.

In third category (9 to 13 years), Preeti was declared first in Clay Moulding while Charanpreet in Drawing and Painting. Ramneek was declared second in Clay Moulding whereas Kusum Gupta in Drawing and Painting. Rajat stood third in Clay Moulding while Pragya in Drawing and Painting.

On the occasion, rich tributes were also paid to great freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.

Kashyap Rishi Cricket tournament
SCC, FCC register thrilling victories

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 23: Sangharsh Cricket Club (SCC) and Frontech Cricket Club (FCC) today registered thrilling victories on the third day of the ongoing Kashyap Rishi Cricket Tournament being organized by Kashmiri Pandit Sabha at MAM College Grounds.

In the first match of the day played between Sangharsh Cricket Club and Friends Cricket Club, the latter batted first and piled up 115 runs in allotted 20 overs. Arvind top scored with 27 runs, while Ajay claimed three wickets from bowling side.

The said total was overhauled by the SCC batsmen in 19 overs, as they scored 116/ 6 registering four wicket victory. Ajay of SCC was declared Man of the Match for brilliant all round display.

The second match was played between Frontech Cricket Club and Knight Riders Cricket Club. The latter batted first and scored just 78 runs in allotted 20 overs. The required total was chased by Frontech batsmen with a wicket to spare. Narinder from Frontech side was adjudged Man of the Match for contribution of 10 with bat and three wickets with ball. Large number of people including Vice president K. K.K. Khosa and Gen. Secretary H.N. Tikoo of K.P. Sabha Jammu were present. Kuldeep Raina and Sunil Koul maintained the Scoreboard.

State Football Championship
Zubair's triple strike seal finals berth for JKP

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 23: Triple strike made by Zubair Ahmed today sealed final berth for Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), which registered an easy 5-1 victory over District Football Association (DFA) Anantnag in the semi-finals of 19th State Football Championship held at Mini-Stadium, Parade, here today.

JKP will now take on Jammu and Kashmir Bank in the final of the championship to be played on March 25 at the same venue.

Earlier, in the match Vishal Bandral of JKP scored first goal of the match in sixth minute and that was followed by three consecutive goals from Zubair Ahmed, who scored in the 34th, 39th and 47th minutes of the match. Fifth goal of the match came through Gulzar Ahmed, who headed the ball into the net on a corner throw by Vishal Bhardwaj. DFA Anantnag opened their account through penalty kick in the 63rd minute.

Those officiated today's match included Suresh Dimple, Farooq Ahmed and Mohd Shafi.

Rob performs live show at Heritage School

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 23: Heritage School, Jammu organized a live performance by Harun Robert, popularly known as Rob in M.A.D show of POGO Channel, in the school premises, here today.

Hundreds of children from different schools of the city participated in the event and enjoyed every moment of the show which Rob had weaved with his seemingly effortless creativity, making things look simple with his expertise.

In the show, Robert presented demonstrations on several Art activities like thumb printing, straw painting, card painting, ink painting and also created artifacts from waste materials.

The paintings ranged from smiling faces, abstract drawings, silhouettes of buildings, while he used all kinds of painting mediums to generate spontaneity and vigor. It is to mention that the event such an event was organized in the State for the first time.

Later, Robert was presented with a memento by the school’s board of management. The management members also appreciated his creative performance.

Stop sledging, ICC tells Captains, Boards

NEW DELHI, Mar 23: India’s recent acrimonious tour of Australia has prompted the International Cricket Council to send a note to captains of all international teams and all ICC full members asking them to curb sledging.

Stressing on the need to shun "obscene, offensive or insulting language", the note signed by ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed and General Manager Dave Richardson pointed how it has become important to address the issue of sledging in the wake of India’s ill-tempered series down under.

"Recent events and, in particular, the series between Australia and India have highlighted the issue of `sledging’. We seek your support in learning lessons from these issues and moving forward in a positive way," the note read.

Confirming receiving the note, a BCCI source said, "the ICC has written a letter to all the 10 test captains and CEOs of the 10 full member boards, besides 7 match referees and nine elite panel umpires."

"Copies have also been sent to some other people and the letter stresses that it is necessary to adhere to the spirit of the game. It says the captain, as well as the team, should be responsible to ensure that the game is played in the true spirit and curbing sledging is the responsibility of the captain," the Board source told.

The letter pointed out that several controversial incidents stemmed from use of language or gestures "which are considered obscene, offensive or insulting."

India’s tour of Australia reached the boiling point in the Sydney Test where Harbhajan Singh was accused of racially abusing Andrew Symonds, an issue that snowballed into a huge crisis and India threatened to pull out of the series.

Harbhajan said he did retaliate after being provoked by the Australian all-rounder but denied racism charges.

Subsequently ICC appeals Commissioner too exonerated the Indian spinner from racism charges.

BCCI has already proposed a ban on sledging and the issue came up for discussion during last month’s ICC executive committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

The ICC note also urged players to show more respect to fellow players, umpires and referees.

"Players are asked to take their responsibility as role models seriously and to make an effort to improve their behaviour in this regard. Captains are requested to lead by example and to ensure that they keep tight control over the behaviour of their players," it said.

"There is no question that international cricket must be played with intensity and with no quarter asked nor given but within the bounds of mutual respect and the spirit of the game," the note added.

Admitting that it was difficult to define what actually amounts to sledging, the governing body has asked the umpires to use their "individual interpretation and judgments" to determine if any player had overstepped the line.(PTI)

Pawar ducks question on fate of
Ganguly, Dravid’s ODI career

NEW DELHI, Mar 23: Does the emphasis on youth means curtains on ODI careers of Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly?

BCCI Chief Sharad Pawar sidestepped questions on this, saying he did not get into selection matters and that performance was the criterion.

At the same time, Pawar told these players themselves had stepped out of Twenty20 to pave way for the youngsters.

Pawar recalled Sachin Tendulkar meeting him to convey that players of his generation would like to opt out when the selectors were about to announce the Indian team for the Twenty20 World Cup.

"Sachin met me and suggested ‘I know you don’t interfere with the team selection but you please tell the selectors not to include players of my generation in the Twenty20 squad.’ he said `my generation is not fit for Twenty20, so give opportunity to the youngsters’."

Specifically asked if Ganguly and Dravid stood any chance of returning to the one-day side, Pawar said, "I can’t really say one-day cricket is behind them. I don’t get into selection matters and it’s up to the selectors to decide.

"Anyway, it’s not like Twenty20 where selectors decided to give opportunity to the youngsters," he added.

Pawar also made it clear that Tendulkar would more or less sit out of the Twenty20 format but continue playing Test and One-day cricket.

"He might play a match here and there but I don’t think he would play in tournaments like Twenty20 World Cup. But he would continue playing Test and One-day cricket. He did well in the recent Australia tour too."

Pawar, meanwhile, showered praise on Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid and Anil Kumble, hailing their commitment.

"They are the players who encourage and motivate the youngsters. I don’t want to take names but one of the bowlers suddenly started batting well, scoring 30-40. I asked him how it was possible and he said `Sachin told me I can bat better."

Asked if Ganguly, like the way he did after being dropped from the Test side, sought his intervention following his axing from the ODI squad, Pawar said, "No. Even that time when he met me, it was for other personal reasons. Not only Ganguly, in fact no other cricketer has ever approached me seeking my intervention in selection matters.

"In fact, players like Sachin, Sourav, Rahul and Kumble will be the last ones to do that even if they are unhappy about it."(PTI)

IPL money will provide stability to young cricketers: Pawar

NEW DELHI, Mar 23: His father-in-law was paid five rupees to play in a Test match, India’s cricket supremo Sharad Pawar recalls, contrasting that with Mahendra Singh Dhoni being auctioned for Rs six crore.

The BCCI President is amused by the raging debate on whether India’s cricket stars are being paid too much money under his stewardship which has seen the launch of the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many cricketers hit the jackpot.

The big money is not going to spoil the country’s young cricketers, he argues, saying "the money will provide stability to their lives and help them perform better".

Pawar’s father-in-law, a googly bowler, Sadashiv Ganpatrao Shinde, better known as Sadu Shinde, played seven test matches for India with a best innings haul of six wickets against England in a Test match at Delhi in 1952. That was the time when players were paid Rs five per Test, travelled by boat outside India, stayed at class three hotels or school hostels, Pawar recalled during an interview to PTI.

Shinde returned from a tour of England and after landing headed straight to Shivaji Park in Mumbai to play a match in more than 40 degree celsius. He died of sunstroke at 31.

Shinde left his family, including four little daughters, without much support and Vijay Merchant, under whom he had played, organised a benefit match which raised Rs 10,000. Half the amount was spent in education and marriage of the four girls.

The BCCI President says with considerable pride that a newcomer like Ishant Sharma today gets something like Rs 3.8 crore, thanks to the money that has poured into the game.

"You can see boys like Ishant Sharma (USD 950,000), Manoj Tiwary (USD 675,000) or take the case of Praveen Kumar. I know Praveen comes from a poor family and he too got contracted with the Delhi team for some Rs 1.8 crore. Harbhajan (Singh) got Rs 3 crore, while (MS) Dhoni got Rs 6 crore. We are collecting the money but it is spreading in so many sections," Pawar said.

Thankfully, things have changed for good and with the board initiating a pension fund for the former players, cricketers don’t need to worry anymore, Pawar said.

"We have also decided to foot the medical bill of the retired players. Players like Polly Umrigar, a former captain, suffered from cancer and his annual medical bill would be around Rs five lakh. It was not possible for him to pay the amount, the Board did.

"Now the Board is looking after the retired players, while ensuring a bright future for the youngsters as well," Pawar said.

He dismissed notion that the money flowing from all direction was filling only the Boards coffers.

"The general impression that money comes to the Board is not correct. For instance, whatever money we got from franchise auction, 80 percent of it goes to the State Association to develop infrastructure.

"Besides, we have also allotted Rs 50 crore for Olympic sports every year to groom players who are either number one or two in the country. The Board is thus helping other sports and spending the money for good cause," Pawar said.

The BCCI Chief also confessed that despite the entertainment provided by limited-overs cricket, he remained a purist with liking for Tests.

"I like Tests. I belong to that generation. When the one dayers started we said what is this nonsense?"

Pawar said he might be heading the BCCI but he believed in delegating the work to experts as was the case in the IPL.

"We have given full authority to (Sunil) Gavaskar, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Ravi Shastri and asked them to take decisions about the IPL. They are the experts of the field, they understand the game and are dedicated people. I am the trouble shooter. I come (in the picture) when there is a crisis," he said.

Pawar, who is also the Union Minister for Agriculture and the President of Nationalist Congress Party, said he believed in using his influential position for the benefit of the game.

"I have been associated with many sports organisations... If we have some position in public life we should use it for the benefit of games.

"This position should be used to build up good infrastructure. Nowadays we also have the important job of providing employments to players.

"We should not be the captains but select excellent people to do the job. We have a good team in the BCCI," he said.

Pawar said he believed in giving opportunities to youngsters and cited the example of Twenty20 World Cup win.

"They got World Cup without proper practise just because we gave them opportunities," he said, adding that the squad for the 2011 home edition of the World Cup would be selected from the pool of current 30-35 players.(PTI)