Darwin, July 20: Sanju Samson’s valiant 81-run knock was overshadowed by Kane Richardson’s five-wicket haul as India ‘A’ today lost by 28 runs to Australia ‘A’ in the first one-day of a quadrangular series, which also features South Africa ‘A’ and a local National Performance Squad (NPS).

Chasing 253 for a win in 50 overs, the Indians were bowled out for 224 in 46.2 overs with Samson’s knock being the standout effort in an otherwise disappointing batting performance.

Opting to bowl after winning the toss, the Indian bowlers did well to keep a check on the Aussie scoring rate in the first half but the hosts broke free riding Alex Doolan’s 101-ball 96, which was laced with nine fours and a six.

Doolan and Mitchell Marsh combined for a 117-run partnership that helped Australia ‘A’ recover from the regular fall of wickets.

Doolan blasted his way to his highest List-A score, while Marsh hit 63 as Australia A posted 252/7 from their 50 overs at the Marrara Oval. Marsh’s stay lasted for 62 balls with five fours and three sixes, including one towering shot that landed on the ninth green of the adjacent golf course.

For India, the pace duo of Mohit Sharma and Dhawal Kulkarni picked up three wickets apiece.

Getting behind a rather gettable target, the Indians faltered as none of their top-order batsmen managed to convert starts. The opening pair of skipper Robin Uthappa (25) and Unmukt Chand (23) were dismissed by Richardson, triggering a collapse.

However, Samson tried to fight through with some lusty hits during his 98-ball effort, which included six fours and a couple of sixes.

He found some help in Parveez Rasool, who scored a 19-ball 25, but could not find much support from others before becoming the last wicket to fall dismissed by Richardson.

Richardson signed off with brilliant figures of five for 31 from his 8.2 overs.

India ‘A’ will next play South Africa ‘A’ on Tuesday.

Brief Scores:

Australia A: 252/7 in 50 overs (Alex Doolan 96, Mitch Marsh 63, Dhawal Kulkarni 3/41)

India A: 224 all out in 46.2 overs (Sanju Samson 81, Kane Richardson 5/31). (PTI)

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, July 20: Rs 10,000 cash prize money open chess tournament, organized by Ace Chess Academy concluded here today.
Main attraction of the tournament was the participation of three blind players from Blind Home of Social Welfare Department.
It was a delight to watch for all the participants as the blind players showed great skills to give tough fight to other players.
As a special gesture Ace Chess Academy honoured one blind player Amarjeet with cash award.
Mr Koul, Area Manager, Fortune Oil was the chief guest on the occasion who contributed Rs 5000 for the organization of this event.
Ravi Sharma of Kathua won the championship by scoring 4.5 points out of 5, while Sumit Grover won the second prize and third prize went to Arushi Kotwal,.
The 4th, 5th and 6th prizes went to Pranav Sharma, Maxim Singh and Shivinder chib.
Best women player award went to Meenal Gupta, while Arushi Sharma won second best woman player award.
Divyam Gupta won Under-7 best player award, while Deewang bagged best Under-9 player award, Soham Kamotra won best Under-11 player award, while Arshdeep won best Under-13 player award.
Prominent among others present on the occasion were Atul Kumar Gupta, president “All J&K Chess Association, Rakesh Gupta, vice president, Taranvir Singh Gujral, Coordinator, Tej Choudhary, owner of Ace Academy, Vijay Choudhary, Director and Rajesh Gupta, businessman.

New Delhi, July 20: World Kabaddi League today announced its partnership with Li Ning, renowned sports brands, as the official apparel partner for its opening edition.

The Li Ning Company has been a leader in sports apparel and equipment globally. It will provide a wide range of clothing for the games related personnel, including the team kits.

World Kabaddi League is slated to kickstart on August 9.

With 94 matches and matches scheduled across three continents in UK, US, Canada, Dubai and India, WKL will follow F1 format.

WKL will present the sport to its fans in a completely new avatar by adding more action-oriented elements. The maiden Indian contact sport which has committed fan following across the globe will soon be pegged amongst the most followed game amongst enthusiasts. WKL will be played in Circle style which is the most popular Kabaddi format followed across 26 countries globally.

In the international arena, Li Ning Company has been a strategic partner of NBA, ATP and other top international event organizers and institutions offering its equipment and services to several eminent athletes like Shaquille O’Neal, Ivan Ljubicic, Jose Calderon, Asafa Powell, Yelena Isinbayeva, Andreas Thorkildsen, Marin Cilic, Ivo Karlovicto name a few.

Speaking on the association, Raman Rajeha, CEO, World Kabaddi League said, “It’s a matter of pride for World Kabaddi League to announce Li Ning Company as the official Apparel Partner for league. They are known for their professional approach & expertise in making apparel and sportsequipment as per international standards.

“We believe Li Ning will join our efforts and share the vision of delivering best game in World Kabaddi League. We hope this will be long and fruitful partnership.”

Speaking on the association, Ram Malhotra (Business Head LI-NING India) said, “World Kabaddi League provides athletes, from across the globe, with a unique and professional platform to showcase their talent and sportsmanship and to promote Kabaddi on an international scale.” (PTI)

Kanpur, July 20: Ending his 16-year-long association with Uttar Pradesh, Mohammed Kaif has decided to lead Andhra Pradesh in the upcoming Ranji season after striking a two-year deal with the state association (ACA).

The Allahabad-born player has accumulated 9277 runs, taken 143 catches and picked 20 wickets in his first-class career.

“It’s end of the road for me at Uttar Pradesh. Now we should give a chance to young players from the state. When players like Suresh Raina, Praveen Kumar and Piyush Chawla joined the UP team, we helped them learn the ropes of international cricket.

“Now it’s time that we help youngsters from other states (Andhra Pradesh) move to the next level,” Kaif, who now stays in his Delhi-based home, said Bhasha.

A terrific fielder and a solid middle-order batsman, Kaif, who represented India in 13 Tests and 125 one-day internationals, will kickstart his association from August 1.

Kaif, who shot to fame after a match-winning 87 not out and a historic partnership with Yuvraj Singh in the Natwest final against England in 2002, said that his move was long due after being in constant touch with the Andhra Pradesh Cricket Association (ACA) officials.

“ACA secretary Ganga Raju and senior official SSK Prasad have been in constant touch with me for over months regarding mentoring their state and many junior sides. They wanted me to hone talent in the state and finally I have agreed for a two-year deal,” said Kaif, who also led the India Under-19 side to World Cup triumph in 2000. (PTI)

Mumbai, July 20: Gopichand Academy trainees Ruthvika Shivani Gadde and Vrushali Gummadi stamped their class in the 3rd Gautam Thakkar Memorial All India Junior Badminton Tournament by overcoming higher-ranked rivals to clinch the under-19 and under-17 girls singles titles, respectively here today.

10th seed Ruthvika, who shocked top seed Reshma Karthik of Air India in the semi-finals yesterday, proved that her win was no flash in the pan when she outplayed fourth seed Shikha Gautam of Karnataka 21-15 21-8 in the under-19 girls singles final at the Bombay Gymkhana courts.

The 16-year-old 12th standard student of Jubilee Hills Public School, Hyderabad, showed excellent touch and totally dominated the contest after some initial sign of defiance by her rival.

In the first game the scores went level-pegging till 14-all and 15-14 in favour of Ruthvika, who then won five successive points to hold game point at 20-14.

Reshma managed to save one, before Ruthvika closed out the game winning the next point. The second game was a one-sided affair as Ruthvika hardly put a foot wrong before wrapping up the game and match in 30 minutes.

Later Vrushali, another Gopichand Academy girl from Andhra, emerged triumphant. The third seed Vrushali clinched the girls’ under-17 singles title.

The 16-year-old Vrushali toppled Air India’s top seed Shriyanshi Pardeshi in straight games in the final.

The class XII student of DAV Public School, Hyderabad, who had defeated second seed Shikha in the semi-finals yesterday, did well to stay ahead of her opponent in both games before sealing a 21-18 21-17 victory.

In the boys’ under-17 singles final, which was an all-Andhra affair, third seed Rahul Yadav tamed second seed Kanishq M, winning 21-13, 21-6. (PTI)

London, July 20: In a fresh twist to the alleged altercation between James Anderson and Ravindra Jadeja, it has come to light that there is no video evidence of the incident for which a preliminary ICC hearing will be conducted on Tuesday here.

According to a report in ‘ESPNCricinfo’, “Indian officials have questioned why crucial video footage that could have shed light on the alleged altercation between James Anderson and Ravindra Jadeja is not available.”

The incident occurred during the lunch break of the second day’s play in the opening Test in Nottingham. The Indians have alleged that Anderson pushed and abused Jadeja, while the English have also counter-charged the visiting all-rounder.

The hearing under the ICC’s Code of Conduct will be held over teleconference with Australian Gordon Lewis presiding over it.

“While players from both teams are set to provide conflicting evidence, India have requested that footage from a video camera situated just outside the dressing rooms where the incident occurred be made available.

“A Nottinghamshire spokesman confirmed that a camera had been installed in the relevant area but insisted that it had not been active at the time,” the website reported.

The Indians are not too amused but the England and Wales Cricket Board and Nottinghamshire have denied tampering with evidence, the report stated. (PTI)