Diberdayakan oleh Blogger.

Popular Posts Today

Aus eye fifth straight Champions Trophy

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 30 November 2012 | 22.58

MELBOURNE: An unexpected failure to land gold at the London Olympics is driving Australia to go after an unprecedented fifth straight title at the Champions Trophy, starting in Melbourne on Saturday.

In the first major field hockey tournament since the London Games, the eight-nation event will kick-start the next Olympic cycle as teams begin to plan for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The 'Kookaburras' have an exceptional record at the tournament and with the most experienced line-up of any competing team, including 10 members of the London Olympic squad, are looking to create history by becoming the first to win the title for five straight years.

Kookaburras star and five-time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer said the hurt of losing out in London, where they went in as hot favourites only to come away with bronze, would drive the players throughout the tournament.

"It's great to be playing in Melbourne again, the team have fond memories of the 2009 Champions Trophy and after London that hurt definitely drives and makes you appreciate winning even more," Dwyer said.

Defending champions Germany staged a thrilling fightback to defeat world champions Australia 4-2 to reach the Olympic men's hockey final last August.

"We watched the game a couple of nights ago in Perth when we had a team meeting about the London Olympics, and watching it hurt," Dwyer said.

"It makes you appreciate what we'd done for three years before that; winning the World Cup, winning the Commonwealth Games, Champions Trophy, and not to take those wins for granted.

"It definitely drives you. That hurt makes you want to have success and appreciate winning more."

Teams will be using the tournament to introduce new players to the rigours of international field hockey, with former powerhouse countries India and Pakistan out to re-establish themselves on the global stage.

After finishing in last place at London, India have selected a strong squad led by Sardar Singh, while Pakistan have chosen a younger team, aiming to win the country its first Champions Trophy medal since 2004.

While the Germans are reigning Olympic champions, their young squad could be vulnerable. However, the likes of penalty corner specialist Christopher Zeller will ensure they are in the firing line for honours.

The Netherlands will also be looking to continue their good form from the Olympics where they took silver, however the Dutch now find themselves without their recently-retired long-time goal scoring machine Teun De Nooijer.

England will also rate their chances after making the Olympic medal rounds, while outsiders New Zealand and Belgium cannot be underestimated following their steady climbing of the ranks throughout recent major tournaments.

In the opening day matches, the Netherlands face Pakistan, Germany take on New Zealand, Australia play Belgium and England oppose India.

The tournament finishes on December 9.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

India confronted with test of character

MELBOURNE: Returning to Champions Trophy hockey tournament after six years, India are confronted with a test of character as they take on England in the lung-opener on Saturday, aiming to wipe off the bitter memories of their London Olympic debacle.

India's return to the Champions Trophy for the first time since 2005 comes through a wildcard invitation, and the team is well aware that their performance at the State Hockey Centre will be under scrutiny.

The Champions Trophy marks the first international assignment for the Indians after the London Olympics, apart from the nine-a-side International Super Series in Perth on way to Melbourne.

The Indian team's lone victory in Perth was a 5-2 triumph against Pakistan in the league encounter. But Pakistan turned the tables to prevail by an identical score-line in the bronze medal playoff that left India bottom-placed in the four-nation tournament.

The wildcard status for India comes a year after the team lost a chance to play in the Champions Trophy as hosts when the International Hockey Federation (FIH) moved the event out of New Delhi to Auckland citing governance issues in Indian hockey.

India's coach Michael Nobbs and captain Sardar Singh are hopeful of a decent show despite the absence of several senior players who lost their berths in the national squad in the aftermath of the bottom spot at the Olympics.

Nobbs, a former Australian international, obviously wants to forget about the disastrous outing London turned out for his team. He wants his young wards to gain from the experience this Champions Trophy outing would provide them.

"We obviously had some problems with our game structure in London and that's something no one would like to remember, but we have to look ahead now," said Nobbs.

"The Champions Trophy provides a big opportunity for the youngsters, who will be up against the best players in the world. On our part, we need to provide them the opportunity to develop, and this is a fantastic chance to do so," added Nobbs.

Sardar, the team's star player, is back in the captain's role and should be an inspiration for the youngsters, who have come into the side after several seasoned players were left out.

Penalty corner ace Sandeep Singh and ex-captain Shivendra Singh were dropped at the team selection after the preparatory camp. Others losing out on national selection were goalkeeper Bharat Chetri, who led the team in the Olympics, and the seasoned trio of Ignace Tirkey, Tushar Khandekar and Gurbaj Singh.

"We need to produce our best hockey to be competitive here," said Sardar.

"To start with, the team needs to gel well. There are several youngsters who will be striving to make a mark, and they've worked hard in the training sessions," said Sardar, whose team had an early morning training session at the venue this morning.

Sardar's deputy, VR Raghunath, will find himself in the role of the penalty corner shooter in the absence of Sandeep in the tournament where the preliminary league matches will be of little consequence in the final standings as all eight teams will move into the quarterfinals.

India are placed in Pool A along with reigning Olympic champions Germany, England and New Zealand, while hosts Australia, the Netherlands, Pakistan and Belgium feature in Group B.

World Cup holders Australia have won the past four editions of the Champions Trophy, Rankled by their inability to add the Olympic title to their collection, Australia are expected to come out charging to start their campaign against Belgium tomorrow.

In other matches, the Netherlands will play against Pakistan and Germany will meet New Zealand in the opening round.

India's pool fixtures are against England, New Zealand (December 2) and Germany (December 4).

Although all four teams will get to play in the quarterfinals, a good show and some points in the three group games will boost the confidence of the Indian team. It can also earn easier quarterfinal opponents.

India's lone medal in the elite Champions Trophy was a bronze they won in 1982 at Amsterdam.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

3rd Test: SA strike back with late wickets

PERTH: South Africa hit back with two wickets after Australia's second-string pace attack dismissed the Proteas on a dramatic opening day of the third and final Test at the WACA Ground on Friday.

Scorecard

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Proteas were bundled out for 225 despite more heroics from Adelaide Test hero Faf du Plessis in a match that will decide the top-ranked nation in Test cricket.

However, the Proteas quickly struck back with a vengeance, claiming two Australian wickets in the hour before stumps.

Opener Ed Cowan was caught in slips by Jacques Kallis off pace spearhead Dale Steyn for a first-ball duck, before Shane Watson (10) was given out lbw to Vernon Philander on a decision review, after umpire Asad Rauf had turned down the initial appeal.

At the close, the home team was 33 for two, with David Warner on 12 and night watchman Nathan Lyon surviving a torrid examination from Steyn in the final over of the day to be seven not out.

Batting at number seven, second Test hero du Plessis again played a lone hand in the South African first innings with an unbeaten 78 off 142 balls that helped add vital late runs after they had slumped to 75 for six when they lost five wickets for 14 runs either side of lunch.

Australia were forced to completely revamp their fast bowling line-up for the match, with their three pacemen from the drawn Adelaide Test -- Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and James Pattinson -- all ruled out.

Left-armer Mitchell Johnson was recalled for his first Test in 12 months, Mitchell Starc was promoted after being 12th man for the first two matches in the series, and John Hastings was handed his Test debut.

All were in the wickets as they decimated the South African top order.

It was the returning Watson (1-22) who claimed the initial breakthrough, having Graeme Smith caught at first slip by rival skipper Michael Clarke for 16.

Watson made a welcome return from a calf problem, having missed Australia's last eight home Tests with various injuries, by finding a thick outside edge from Smith to remove the Proteas skipper.

Just before lunch, Starc (2-55) struck two telling blows.

Starc removed opener Alviro Petersen (30) when he bowled the right-hander with a full delivery and then found a way through the defence of Kallis (2), who overcame a hamstring injury to take his place in the match, with a similar ball.

Already struggling at 63 for three at lunch, the Proteas crumbled after the resumption, with Hashim Amla (11), AB de Villiers (4) and debutant Dean Elgar (0) all falling in quick succession.

Amla was run out by a brilliant direct hit from David Warner in the covers, de Villiers became Hastings' first Test scalp when caught at first slip by Clarke and Elgar gave Johnson (2-54) a well-deserved first wicket when he was caught behind.

Robin Peterson (31) and Philander (30) offered support to du Plessis, while Lyon picked up late wickets with his off-spin to claim 3-41.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bhanot's elections triggers controversy

NEW DELHI: Tainted sports administrator Lalit Bhanot's unopposed election to the post of Indian Olympic Association's secretary general on Friday created a fresh controversy but the IOA justified its decision by saying that he has yet not been pronounced guilty by the court of law.

Bhanot, who spent nearly a year in jail last year in connection with the Commonwealth Games corruption case, was elected secretary general of the IOA along with Virendra Nanavati (senior vice-president) and N Ramachandran (treasurer) after the three-member IOA Election Commission, headed by Justice (retd) Anil Dev Singh, put up the final list of candidates.

Abhay Singh Chautala has also been elected unopposed as the president of the IOA after all the candidates contesting the key IOA posts withdrew from the elections.

Chautala's election as president had become clear last Sunday when his rival Randhir Singh withdrew his nomination for the post but the official declaration came after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended last evening.

Chautala, while defending the candidature of Bhanot, told mediapersons here that any person, until convicted by the court, was free to contest a election.

"In our country, there are several important figures against whom cases are registered. A lot of cases have been registered on political grounds against politicians like Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav, J Jayalalitha, Om Prakash Chautala, Prakash Singh Badal and many others. They are running the state governments of their respective states.

"The point I am trying to make here is that it's up to the court to decide whether a person is guilty or not. A person until convicted is free to contest. Bhanot has not been proven guilty as yet," said Chautala.

"One thing I would like to clarify in the case of Bhanot is that the IOC did not write any letter to the IOA directly. Jagdish Tytler had written a letter to the IOC asking whether Bhanot can contest the elections or not. The IOC replied to the letter addressing it to Tytler and not to the IOA", he said.

"The IOC's reply was forwarded by Tytler to everyone from his personal mail id. In this whole case, Bhanot did not receive any letter from the IOC but it was Tytler who had raised questions on his contesting the elections," Chautala said.

Bhanot, who was jailed along with former IOA president Suresh Kalmadi and VK Verma in connection with the CWG corruption scam, was elected unopposed despite serious objections from the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC Ethics Commission's recommendations stated that tainted officials like Bhanot cannot be part of the Olympic movement.

Bhanot, who spent 11 months in jail and later released on bail, was the only candidate in the fray after Volleyball Federation of India Secretary General K Murugan and Judo Federation of India General Secretary Mukesh Kumar decided to withdraw their candidature.

The IOA may have elected its new office bearers, but the threat of them being banned by the IOC still exists. The IOC had said it will propose the suspension of the IOA at its executive board meeting on December4-5 in Lausanne if its elections were held under the Sports Ministry's code.

Meanwhile, an official associated with Bhanot's camp, on Friday justified his election to the post of secretary general, stating that the matter is sub judice.

"Everyone favoured his candidature as he is still not convicted of any charges. He is not a convicted person as the charges against him have not been proved. He will resign from the post if proven guilty by the court. He has always helped in the upliftment of sports. He has been wrongly projected as a tainted person in the media," he said.

Bhanot's election came in for sharp criticism from Randhir Singh, who withdrew his nomination for the post of president in view of the code dispute, and former Indian Hockey Federation chief K P S Gill.

"They have defied the IOC's guidelines. Tainted officials like Bhanot should not have contested, but they are just interested in occupying posts", Randhir said.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bhanot's elections triggers controversy

NEW DELHI: Tainted sports administrator Lalit Bhanot's unopposed election to the post of Indian Olympic Association's secretary general on Friday created a fresh controversy but the IOA justified its decision by saying that he has yet not been pronounced guilty by the court of law.

Bhanot, who spent nearly a year in jail last year in connection with the Commonwealth Games corruption case, was elected secretary general of the IOA along with Virendra Nanavati (senior vice-president) and N Ramachandran (treasurer) after the three-member IOA Election Commission, headed by Justice (retd) Anil Dev Singh, put up the final list of candidates.

Abhay Singh Chautala has also been elected unopposed as the president of the IOA after all the candidates contesting the key IOA posts withdrew from the elections.

Chautala's election as president had become clear last Sunday when his rival Randhir Singh withdrew his nomination for the post but the official declaration came after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended last evening.

Chautala, while defending the candidature of Bhanot, told mediapersons here that any person, until convicted by the court, was free to contest a election.

"In our country, there are several important figures against whom cases are registered. A lot of cases have been registered on political grounds against politicians like Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav, J Jayalalitha, Om Prakash Chautala, Prakash Singh Badal and many others. They are running the state governments of their respective states.

"The point I am trying to make here is that it's up to the court to decide whether a person is guilty or not. A person until convicted is free to contest. Bhanot has not been proven guilty as yet," said Chautala.

"One thing I would like to clarify in the case of Bhanot is that the IOC did not write any letter to the IOA directly. Jagdish Tytler had written a letter to the IOC asking whether Bhanot can contest the elections or not. The IOC replied to the letter addressing it to Tytler and not to the IOA", he said.

"The IOC's reply was forwarded by Tytler to everyone from his personal mail id. In this whole case, Bhanot did not receive any letter from the IOC but it was Tytler who had raised questions on his contesting the elections," Chautala said.

Bhanot, who was jailed along with former IOA president Suresh Kalmadi and VK Verma in connection with the CWG corruption scam, was elected unopposed despite serious objections from the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC Ethics Commission's recommendations stated that tainted officials like Bhanot cannot be part of the Olympic movement.

Bhanot, who spent 11 months in jail and later released on bail, was the only candidate in the fray after Volleyball Federation of India Secretary General K Murugan and Judo Federation of India General Secretary Mukesh Kumar decided to withdraw their candidature.

The IOA may have elected its new office bearers, but the threat of them being banned by the IOC still exists. The IOC had said it will propose the suspension of the IOA at its executive board meeting on December4-5 in Lausanne if its elections were held under the Sports Ministry's code.

Meanwhile, an official associated with Bhanot's camp, on Friday justified his election to the post of secretary general, stating that the matter is sub judice.

"Everyone favoured his candidature as he is still not convicted of any charges. He is not a convicted person as the charges against him have not been proved. He will resign from the post if proven guilty by the court. He has always helped in the upliftment of sports. He has been wrongly projected as a tainted person in the media," he said.

Bhanot's election came in for sharp criticism from Randhir Singh, who withdrew his nomination for the post of president in view of the code dispute, and former Indian Hockey Federation chief K P S Gill.

"They have defied the IOC's guidelines. Tainted officials like Bhanot should not have contested, but they are just interested in occupying posts", Randhir said.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indo-Pak series: 3,000 visas for Pak fans

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 29 November 2012 | 22.58

NEW DELHI: India will be issuing 3,000 visas to Pakistanis to watch the upcoming Indo-Pak cricket series from December 25 to January 6.

Pakistani fans applying for the visas will have to compulsorily attach proof of their confirmed return journey tickets, hotel bookings for their stay in India as well as the match tickets. No arrivals by crossing the Wagah border checkpost on foot will be allowed.

According to sources in the Union home ministry, the proposal for having an Indian sponsor for every Pakistani spectator has been dispensed with.

This was done keeping in mind concerns expressed by Islamabad and the Pakistani Cricket Board, who opposed the mandatory sponsor rule for being skewed against genuine cricket fans who are unable to get a sponsor in India.

The number of visas to be issued is based on the match tickets that the BCCI intends to issue to Pakistanis.

The highest number for visas, 1,000, will be issued for the match at Delhi, the venue closest to Pakistan, while 500 Pakistanis each can watch the matches at Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Kolkata.

Incidentally, a Pakistani will technically be able to get multi-city visa for all the five venues, provided he has the match tickets for all the five matches.

This is the first time a Pakistani will be issued visas for five cities, as proposed in the new bilateral visa regime that is yet to be operationalised.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Can't force Sachin to follow Ponting'

NEW DELHI: Ricky Ponting's decision to call it quits might have added fuel to the fire in the raging debate over Sachin Tendulkar's retirement, but India opener Gautam Gambhir feels his senior teammate still has a lot to offer.

"Nobody can force anyone to retire. Each individual knows when is the best time to retire. Ponting retiring doesn't mean that Sachin also has to quit now. It's an individual decision. They are from two different countries, two different individuals. So there is no question of a comparison," Gambhir said.

At a time when the 39-year-old Mumbaikar's place in the team has been questioned by critics, Gambhir went to the extent of saying that Tendulkar still has the "capability to make lots of runs for India".

"His presence in the dressing room itself is a big thing for the country. I am sure he will come out of it. Everybody goes through ups and downs. It's the sheer joy of playing the game, he loves playing.

"He is the greatest cricketer India has produced. Not just on the field, as a mentor he contributes off the field too. He still has the capability to make lots of runs for India," Gambhir said at an event here.

Coming back to Ponting, who today announced that he will retire from Test cricket after playing in the third Test against South Africa in Perth, Gambhir called him Australia's "best ever captain".

"He is a legend of the game. He has played cricket on his own terms, he is retiring on his own terms. His record in all three formats speaks for itself. He has been Australia's most successful captain ever."

Gambhir came out in support of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and saw nothing wrong in the skipper asking for a turning wicket.

"A captain should get the kind of wicket he wants. There is nothing wrong in it. We all should support him instead of making it an issue. If he thinks he can win on a particular sort of wicket we should support him.

"After all he is your captain and he will only think about victory. All the former captains would ask for turners. I think during Mohammad Azharuddin's time we used to play on turning tracks, nobody had raised a question then."

The Delhi player also felt that he and his teammates should not be blamed all the time for defeat.

"What amazes me is that we never appreciate the opposition. We should also praise the opposition rather than criticise our own players.

"The opposition does play good cricket. They are not here to just make up the numbers. The series is tied 1-1, we haven't lost it yet and we can still come back. Any country can bounce back today," said Gambhir.

Asked how crucial was his second-inning half century in the Mumbai Test from his career's point of view, Gambhir said, "Any knock is important for me. Every run I score for my country is very satisfying.

On the English spinners' performance in Mumbai Test, he said, "They bowled very well, both (Graeme) Swann and (Monty) Panesar, but that doesn't mean we can't tackle spin well.

"England can win anywhere, they have got the quality in batting and bowling. But remember we were world number 1 and have won Test matches in Australia, South Africa.

"We are looking forward to the Kolkata Test. We need to be positive. Would look to dominate them."

Gambhir was here as the face of the Hindustan Times' 'You Read, They Learn' campaign where he played cricket with the kids and talked more about his contribution to the project.

"Kids have to go to school for overall development, discipline. My biggest motivation is to contribute something for my country, like educating the kids so that they can take their own decisions," said Gambhir.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Give Sachin his emotional space: Kumble

NEW DELHI: Amidst the growing debate over Sachin Tendulkar's retirement, former India skipper Anil Kumble on Thursday hit out at critics questioning the veteran batsman's place in the team, saying he should be left alone and given the "emotional space" and respect he deserves.

Tendulkar's prolonged lean patch led many people to question his place in the Indian team but Kumble says it's not the time to point fingers at him but support him.

"There have been instances when he has been the sole reason for India's wins, but he has never been the sole reason for India's losses.

It's best to leave it to him to deal with what is in front of him now, because no one else has been in his position. No one else has played 192 Tests, made 34,000 runs, or scored 100 centuries.

Let's not jump the gun, let's give the man the respect he deserves," Kumble wrote in his column for a magazine.

"For 23 years, he has helped people dream, he has made them feel better emotionally. More's the reason why we need to give him his emotional space now," he wrote.

"...This is the time for him to be left alone. He is such a great player that he doesn't need anyone else's advice on how to score runs. He just needs people to back off and allow him to work out what he needs to return to run-scoring ways, which I am confident he will," he added.

Kumble said that it's not only Tendulkar, who is going through a bad phase but the whole Test team and implying that team is doing bad because of Tendulkar's poor form would be highly unfair.

"For the first time, people are questioning his place in the team. The expectations are that he should retire because his performances over the last year or so haven't matched the standards he has set over the previous 22 years.

Yes, we have not seen the best of Sachin in this phase, but it is not just him alone. If you look at the overall picture, the team has struggled in Test cricket, so are we suggesting that India are still a one-man army, still totally dependent on Sachin? I think not," he said.

Kumble, one of the best spinners to have played the game, said the Indian team's consistent poor show in Test cricket actually made Tendulkar's failure more prominent.

"The performances and the mindset of the Indian team are not helping Sachin any, either. India have won just three Tests in the last year, all at home, which probably has magnified his failures," he wrote.

The leg-spinner asked his critics to stay away from him. "This is the time when you need to give him space for him to think about what he needs to rectify rather than put all kinds of negative thoughts in his mind.

People are asking if it is time for him to go. That's a question people ask in India when you cross 30; the only difference is that in Sachin's case, it has come at 39."

Kumble also hailed Tendulkar's longevity and presented a few statistics to show how great his journey has been after making debut at the tender age of 16.

"Sachin was the 187th Indian to play Test cricket. The last debutant for India was R. Vinay Kumar, No. 274. If I am right, nearly 60% of the 87 players who made their Test debut for India after Sachin have already retired from the game.

"That, to me, is the perfect illustration of the desire, hunger and commitment that have driven Sachin to turn out match after match, and perform more often than he has failed."

Kumble was confident that eventually Tendulkar would comeback strong.

"At 39, it's more of a mental battle for a batsman while it is always a physical grind for a bowler.... mind needs to be fresh and it doesn't help when the mind is bogged down by negative thoughts implanted by extraneous forces.

"The only issue with age is that no matter how fit you are, the recovery gets tougher and takes longer. But knowing Sachin for this long, I can say that he is exceptionally mentally tough and still does every physical routine to prepare himself for every Test.

In all my years of playing and watching the game, I haven't seen anyone else adapt to conditions better or faster than Sachin."


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Luiz Felipe Scolari named Brazil's coach

RIO DE JANEIRO: Luiz Felipe Scolari took over as the coach of 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil on Thursday, returning for a second stint to lead his country's bid to win a sixth world title on home soil in little more than 18 months' time.

The man known as Felipao (Big Phil), who led Brazil to their fifth and last World Cup win in 2002, was officially presented by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) at a news conference, replacing Mano Menezes who was sacked last Friday.

Carlos Alberto Parreira, who led Brazil to their fourth world title in 1994, was named as technical director as the CBF attempted to turn back the clock.

The unveiling comes two days before the draw for the next year's Confederations Cup, also to be hosted in Brazil, in Sao Paulo.

Scolari's first game in charge is scheduled to be a friendly away to England in February.

Parreira has huge experience at World Cups, having led Brazil on a second occasion in 2006, Kuwait in 1982, United Arab Emirates in 1990, Saudi Arabia in 1998 and South Africa in 2010.

Scolari will have to cope with huge pressure and enormous expectations from his 190 million compatriots.

Brazil's vast and fickle army of supporters always expect them to win the World Cup and the pressure will be even greater as the country hosts the event.

Their failure to win on home soil in 1950 still rankles and the members of that team were never wholly forgiven for losing the decisive match to Uruguay.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta up for award

SAO PAULO: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta were on Thursday shortlisted for this year's Ballon d'Or, football's world governing body FIFA and sponsors France Football magazine said.

Barcelona forward Messi, 25, has already won the title three times and the Argentine is again favourite to win the prize, which will be presented in Zurich on January 7 after votes from journalists, national team captains and coaches.

If he wins, he would become the first player to win the award four times, having already joined French legend and current UEFA president Michel Platini as the only players to win three straight titles.

Dutch stars Johan Cruyff and Marco Van Basten have also won three accolades.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter unveiled the shortlist at a news conference in Sao Paulo.

"I won't say it's on a level with the Oscars - but it's not far away," joked Blatter as the three names were revealed from a shortlist of 23.

He also revealed that Spain's Vicente Del Bosque - who ensured the Spanish became the first international side to land three straight tournaments by winning Euro 2012 - Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho and former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola were on the shortlist for the title of best coach.

In normal circumstances, Ronaldo's haul of 46 goals in La Liga last season -- only surpassed by Messi's astonishing 50 -- would likely have placed him in pole position, but Messi's record-breaking feats have left the Portuguese talisman in his shadow.

"They pushed each other to the limit of talent," said Francois Moriniere, CEO of France Football.

Blatter said it was normal that generally players plying their trade in Europe would gain the limelight, though Neymar of Brazil's Santos had been on a first shortlist.

Plenty of South Americans have won the award - but overwhelmingly have been playing in Europe, usually in Spain.

"Europe is the benchmark of football," said Blatter.

"So it's difficult for someone not playing in Europe to be on the list."

Messi's brace in Barca's 4-0 win at Levante on Sunday lifted him onto 82 goals for the season, just three short of Gerd Mueller's all-time calendar record of 85 set in 1972.

Ahead of the announcement of the shortlist, Barca teammate Gerard Pique - one of eight Spaniards initially shortlisted - said Ronaldo was a superb player but Messi "is an alien" and would thus get his vote.

While Messi suffered heartache in being denied in La Liga by Real Madrid and in the Champions League semi-finals by Chelsea, Ronaldo, title winner with Real, guided Portugal to the semi-finals of Euro 2012 before they lost on penalties to Iniesta's Spain.

Iniesta was voted the best player at Euro 2012 and edges out Xavi, who has three times finished the final poll in third spot.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Find Sachin's alternative first: Sidhu

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 28 November 2012 | 22.58

NEW DELHI: There might be growing criticism against Sachin Tendulkar after a string of poor performances but former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu feels the senior batsman's presence is crucial at a time when the team is going through a transitional phase.

"We don't have VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly any more in the team. So we badly need experience and till the time we find an option we just cannot think about Tendulkar's retirement," said Sidhu.

Tendulkar has scored just 153 runs in the last 10 innings at an average of 15.3 and has also been a major disappointment in the last two Tests of the four-match series against England.

On Tendulkar's extended form slump, the cricketer turned commentator said, "Sachin is not God, he is just a human being. He doesn't have a 'sudarshan chakra', he just has a willow and the bat fails at times."

Sidhu said that he feels sad whenever Tendulkar is criticised.

"Sachin is not just a personality, he is an institution. He is a 'Kohinoor' and can't be turned into glass.

"I am confident he will return to form in the next two Test matches," he insisted.

Sidhu, however, admitted that Tendulkar's reflexes have gone down with age.

"His reflexes might have gone down but he has been playing for the last 23 years and is experienced enough to come out of this slump," said Sidhu.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tendulkar is an institution, says Sidhu

NEW DELHI: There might be growing criticism against Sachin Tendulkar after a string of poor performances but former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu feels the senior batsman's presence is crucial at a time when the team is going through a transitional phase.

"We don't have VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly any more in the team. So we badly need experience and till the time we find an option we just cannot think about Tendulkar's retirement," said Sidhu.

Tendulkar has scored just 153 runs in the last 10 innings at an average of 15.3 and has also been a major disappointment in the last two Tests of the four-match series against England.

On Tendulkar's extended form slump, the cricketer turned commentator said, "Sachin is not God, he is just a human being. He doesn't have a 'sudarshan chakra', he just has a willow and the bat fails at times."

Sidhu said that he feels sad whenever Tendulkar is criticised.

"Sachin is not just a personality, he is an institution. He is a 'Kohinoor' and can't be turned into glass.

"I am confident he will return to form in the next two Test matches," he insisted.

Sidhu, however, admitted that Tendulkar's reflexes have gone down with age.

"His reflexes might have gone down but he has been playing for the last 23 years and is experienced enough to come out of this slump," said Sidhu.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

BCCI sidelines Eden Gardens curator

KOLKATA: In a move which has triggered a fresh controversy, the BCCI on Wednesday asked the Cricket Association of Bengal to appoint East Zone curator Ashish Bhowmick to prepare the Eden track in place of veteran Prabir Mukherjee, who has been in charge of the historic Eden Gardens pitch for decades.

According to reports, octogenarian Mukherjee, who looks after the Eden strip, has been sidelined due to his differences with Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who insisted for rank turners from day one of the Kolkata Test against England, starting December 5.

Bhowmick, who hails from the Tripura Cricket Assocition (TCA), is arriving this evening following BCCI instruction.

"He is going there as per BCCI's instruction. But I've no idea whether he has replaced the local curator there (Prabir Mukherjee). I'm not aware of the details," TCA secretary Arindam Ganguly said.

CAB joint-secretary Sujan Mukherjee, however, termed Bhowmick's visit as a "routine" inspection tour and maintained that the 83-year-old Mukherjee has not been replaced.

"It's a routine visit to assess the pitch and conditions which happens every time before a match. Prabir Mukherjee remains the Eden curator," Sujan Mukherjee said.

The BCCI's move to send Bhowmick to Kolkata ahead of the third Test has raised many eyebrows as, only on Sunday, Daljit Singh, who is the chairman of BCCI's ground and pitches committee, did a recce of the same Eden track.

Senior BCCI official and IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla refused to read too much into the matter and said the decision to send Bhowmick to Kolkata was taken by the Board's ground and pitch committee.

"All the curators work independently. This is absolutely wrong (that Dhoni had a role). No decisions are taken on the advise of anyone. The grounds and pitch committee of the BCCI took the decision in this matter," Shukla said.

Outspoken and forthright, Mukherjee has in the past criticised Dhoni for his demands on pitches, and this time too the veteran reportedly had a difference of opinion with the Indian skipper on the nature of track to be prepared for the Eden Test.

In the second Test, Wankhede curator Sudhir Naik, offered a turner at Mumbai which helped spinners from Day 1, but the move backfired as India suffered a humiliating 10-wicket loss to England who levelled the series with the emphatic win.

Even afer being thrashed on a customised Wankhede track, Dhoni had insisted for a similar rank turner for the Eden Test.

Mukherjee, however, crticised Dhoni and demanded a written instruction from the BCCI to prepare a turner, saying, "Two pitches can never be the same, logically. It's most unethical if the India captain makes such statements in public. He's passing such comments every now and then, which is really unfortunate."

Both Dhoni and Eden curator, Mukherjee are known for their critical remarks against each other.

During England's last appearance here (for an ODI on October 25, 2011), Dhoni had termed Eden an "ugly wicket". Incidentally, India has won the match to complete a 5-0 whitewash.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

IOC to propose for IOA suspension

NEW DELHI: The International Olympic Committee on Wednesday made it clear that it will propose the suspension of IOA in its Executive Board Meeting early next month if the upcoming IOA elections are held under the government's Sports Code, a development which has put the controversial polls under a cloud.

In a letter written by IOC Director General Christophe de Kepper to IOA acting chief V K Malhotra, the world body rejected IOA's request to send an international delegation to resolve the issue and threatened to intiate the process of suspending the Indian sports body.

The world body reiterated its directive to the IOA as expressed in its letter on November 23 to present its position to the IOC by November 30 or face suspension.

IOC in its earlier letter -- that was signed by its chief Jacques Rogge and Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Ahmad Al Sabah -- had warned that India would be suspended if the December 5 elections are held under the government's Sports Code and not under the Olympic Charter.

Malhotra, in a reply to IOC's November 23 letter, had requested the world body to send a delegation to India to resolve the issue.

"... the IOC and OCA will not send delegates to India at this stage. From your letter of 26 November, we came to the conclusion that the IOA and the Government authorities are unable to rectify the situation in order for the IOA elections to be conducted in line with the Olympic Charter and the IOA Constitution, as required by the IOC," the latest IOC letter said.

"In view of the above, it is hereby confirmed that a proposal for suspension of the IOA will be presented to the IOC Executive Board at its next meeting on 4-5 December 2012, based on Rules 27.9 and 59.1.4 of the Olympic Charter," the letter said.

"As mentioned in the IOC/OCA letter of 23 November, the IOA is invited to provide all necessary explanations and to present its position in writing to the IOC no later than 30 November 2012," it said.

The IOC slammed the IOA for continuing with the election process despite its clear communication that such a poll will not be recognised by it and the OCA.

"It is therefore extremely surprising and - once again contradictory - that you continue to move ahead with the IOA's election process. The IOA and OCA have already made it clear that such 'election process' - if it is held - will not be recognised by the IOC and OCA," said the letter whose copies were marked for Rogge and Al Sabah.

"It was indeed clearly mentioned (in the IOC/OCA letter of 23 November) that a proposal for suspension of IOA would be submitted to the next IOC Executive Board meeting on 4-5 December 2012 if the situation is not rectified with immediate effect and the IOC is given clear and written guarantees to ensure that the IOA's elections can be held strictly on the basis of the Olympic Charter and the IOA's constitution.

"Your letter does not, unfortunately, provide us with these guarantees but invite for an IOC/OCA delegation to come to India while you continue to move ahead with an 'election process'," the letter said.

The world body also came down hard on the IOA and the Sports Ministry for failing to resolve the issue for more than two years.

"... the issues at hand have been discussed for more than two years and have unfortunately not been resolved adequately by the Government authorities and the IOA in spite of all the efforts made by the IOC to express a clear position and make concrete proposals to overcome this situation.

"The IOC invited IOA and Government representatives to a meeting in Lausanne in June 2010 and, since then, has been continuously available to work constructively in order to find an acceptable solution. These efforts have, however, been unsuccessful due to the regrettable lack of cooperation from the IOA and the Government authorities, which has led to the current situation," the IOC said.

The elections to the IOA have been marred by controversy over the issue of under which framework they would be held and this had led to the resignation of IOA-appointed Election Commission Chairman S Y Quraishi and later presidential candidate Randhir Singh withdrawing from the race.

Taking into account Delhi High Court's order, the Quraishi-led Commission had ruled that the IOA polls would be held under the government's Sports Code, which in turn, invited IOC's directive to the IOA to "exclusively" apply the Olympic Charter and the IOA Constitution.

Quraishi, a former Chief Election Commissioner of India, then stepped down, citing the backtracking by the IOA to apply the Sports Code. Justice (retd) Anil Dev Singh was appointed by the IOA in his place.

Quraishi's resignation led to the postponement of the elections from November 25 to December 5, but a relentless IOC was not happy with the confusion over under which framework the polls would be held.

The world body issued a warning on November 23 that a proposal for suspension of IOA would be placed before IOC's next Executive Board meeting on December 4-5 if the elections are held under the government's Sports Code. The world body re-iterated its decision after IOA failed to clear the air.

Randhir, who is an IOC member and Secretary General of both the OCA and the IOA, withdrew his nomination for the post of president, saying that since the world body had said the polls would not be recognised if they are held under the Sports Code, he cannot go against the institution he belongs to.

This has left the field open for Abhay Singh Chautala to be elected unopposed for the IOA president's post.

IOA's position has been that it has been opposing the Sports Code from the beginning but will have to abide by the Delhi High Court order to hold the elections under the Sports Code.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

'MSD should not be judged by one game'

JALANDHAR: Mahendra Singh Dhoni might have drawn flak for India's poor performance against England in the second Test at Mumbai, but Harbhajan Singh on Wednesday came out in support of his skipper, saying one should not judge him on the basis of just one bad performance.

The off-spinner, who was part of the playing eleven at Wankhede Stadium, said one should not forget Dhoni's contribution in making India the world champions.

"Winning and losing is a part of the game and players and captain like Dhoni, should not be criticised for just losing a single game," Harbhajan said.

"We should not forget that Dhoni is the same captain who won us the first World Cup after 1983 triumph. He is one of the best rated captains in the country.

By losing just a single match, one should not raise questions at his ability," the tweaker, who like his other spin mates was put to test by the English side in Mumbai, added.

The 31-year-old deposed faith in his team and said the side will bounce back in the forthcoming Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

"People should not forget that we have beaten England in their home on many occasions. They should not criticise players and captain like this. We will perform better at Kolkata and will win there," he said.

Asked about Sachin Tendulkar's poor run with the bat, Harbhajan, who was here along with teammate Suresh Raina, said: "Sachin has priceless contribution, not only to Indian cricket, but to the world cricket. If he fails in one or two matches we should not criticise him.

"My wish is that he should keep playing for the country. His presence gives an edge to the team. Kolkata has always remained one of Sachin's favourite venues and I am hopeful that he will silence his critics with a brilliant knock there."


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ponting has selectors' backing: Arthur

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 27 November 2012 | 22.58

ADELAIDE: Ricky Ponting has the unanimous backing of selectors as he searches for runs to save his Test career and will play in the series decider against South Africa, coach Mickey Arthur said on Tuesday.

The former Australia skipper, who turns 38 next month, has failed in three innings against the Proteas during draws in Brisbane and Adelaide and pressure is building on the 167-Test veteran ahead of Friday's third Test in Perth.

Ponting admitted in Adelaide that he was a realist and knew that if he did not start scoring runs then he "definitely" would not be in England for the Ashes in July and August next year.

Arthur, who is also on the selection panel, told reporters that Ponting's future had not been discussed by selectors.

"We unanimously back Ricky Ponting to get us some runs. By his own admission Perth is a big test for him, but Ricky has prepared brilliantly, he's really given us everything we could probably have asked," Arthur said.

"He'll leave no stone unturned in his preparation for Perth and I'm backing him for a big score in Perth, no doubt about that."

"Inside the dressing room and privately we've all backed Ricky Ponting," he added. "If Ricky's scoring runs then we definitely want him around for the next six months. We want Ricky Ponting to go to the Ashes, there's no doubt about that."

Ponting has spoken in the past about his burning motivation to keep on playing after leading Australia to back-to-back Ashes series defeats before Michael Clarke took over the captaincy.

Skipper Clarke has called for calm heads about the future of Australia's top Test run-scorer, who is behind only India's Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time Test list, with 13,366 runs.

"The one thing we need to keep in mind was he was the leading run-scorer in Sheffield Shield cricket leading up to the start of this (Test) summer, so he is batting well," Clarke said.

"We can all get out early in our innings, every single one of us. Once he gets in I have no doubt at all he will go on and make a big score, he knows how to make big hundreds."

Arthur also hinted that unpredictable pacer Mitchell Johnson is in line to bowl in Perth after he was one of three fresh fast bowlers named in a 14-man squad amid doubts over pace pair Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus following Monday's bowling exertions in the draining Adelaide Test.

"I thought Mitchell was outstanding for us in the one-day series against Pakistan. He bowled superbly and arguably was one of our best bowlers there during that one-day series," Arthur said.

"These two guys (Siddle and Hilfenhaus) gave it their all on the last day of the Adelaide Test and we can look how everyone comes up and we can make a really concerted and good decision for Friday."

Arthur said it was possible that both Siddle and Hilfenhaus would not play in Perth given their tiredness after bowling for the last day and a half in the heat at Adelaide.

"We've got a couple of days and I can't see them bowling any balls at training so we've just got to see how they pull up, hence we've given ourselves the cover in case they don't pull up well," he said.

"We're in a position where we could go in with a totally different attack in Perth."


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

No major changes in squad for 3rd Test

MUMBAI: Unfazed by the humiliating defeat in the second Test against England, the national selectors on Tuesday persisted with the same squad giving under-fire star players another chance to prove their worth in the third match starting December 5 in Kolkata.

The selectors refrained from making major changes to the team barring the inclusion of pacer Ashok Dinda for an injured Umesh Yadav. Dinda had been called as a cover for Ishant Sharma in the first Test and Yadav in the second Test though he did not get to play.

The selection panel headed by Sandeep Patil was to announce the team for the remaining two Test matches but did so only for the Kolkata match in a clear perform-or-perish message for some of the under-performing players.

"The teams for the fourth Test and the T20 International series, will be picked later," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in a statement.

India lost the Mumbai Test by 10 wickets inside four days and there was intense speculation a leg-spinner would be drafted into the squad to bring more variety in the spin department.

But the selectors reposed faith on the spin trio of R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh despite their failure to exploit the pitch in Mumbai which was tailormade to suit India's demands.

Harbhajan retained his place in the squad despite picking up two wickets in the Mumbai Test where he bowled just 23 overs unlike Ashwin and Ojha who sent down nearly 45 overs each.

Also retained was senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who has been going through a prolonged form slump, his last 10 innings yielding just 153 runs at an average of 15.3, the lowest by an Indian top-order batsman in the corresponding period.

In the current series he has scored merely 13, 8 and 8 and has looked clearly out of sorts.

Opener Gautam Gambhir, who has also been out of form, did well in the second innings of the Mumbai match to hang on to his spot in the side.

The third Test will be played at Eden Gardens, which has been the venue of some of India's historic triumphs, while Nagpur will stage the fourth and final Test from December 13 to 17.

The two Twenty20 Internationals after the Test series will be played in Pune and Mumbai on December 20 and 22 respectively.

Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Capt.), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Cheteshwar Pujara, R Ashwin, Ashok Dinda, Pragyan Ojha, Ajinkya Rahane, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, M Vijay, Zaheer Khan.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Selectors retain under-performing stars

MUMBAI: Unfazed by the humiliating defeat in the second Test against England, the national selectors on Tuesday persisted with the same squad giving under-fire star players another chance to prove their worth in the third match starting December 5 in Kolkata.

The selectors refrained from making major changes to the team barring the inclusion of pacer Ashok Dinda for an injured Umesh Yadav. Dinda had been called as a cover for Ishant Sharma in the first Test and Yadav in the second Test though he did not get to play.

The selection panel headed by Sandeep Patil was to announce the team for the remaining two Test matches but did so only for the Kolkata match in a clear perform-or-perish message for some of the under-performing players.

"The teams for the fourth Test and the T20 International series, will be picked later," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in a statement.

India lost the Mumbai Test by 10 wickets inside four days and there was intense speculation a leg-spinner would be drafted into the squad to bring more variety in the spin department.

But the selectors reposed faith on the spin trio of R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh despite their failure to exploit the pitch in Mumbai which was tailormade to suit India's demands.

Harbhajan retained his place in the squad despite picking up two wickets in the Mumbai Test where he bowled just 23 overs unlike Ashwin and Ojha who sent down nearly 45 overs each.

Also retained was senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who has been going through a prolonged form slump, his last 10 innings yielding just 153 runs at an average of 15.3, the lowest by an Indian top-order batsman in the corresponding period.

In the current series he has scored merely 13, 8 and 8 and has looked clearly out of sorts.

Opener Gautam Gambhir, who has also been out of form, did well in the second innings of the Mumbai match to hang on to his spot in the side.

The third Test will be played at Eden Gardens, which has been the venue of some of India's historic triumphs, while Nagpur will stage the fourth and final Test from December 13 to 17.

The two Twenty20 Internationals after the Test series will be played in Pune and Mumbai on December 20 and 22 respectively.

Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Capt.), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Cheteshwar Pujara, R Ashwin, Ashok Dinda, Pragyan Ojha, Ajinkya Rahane, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, M Vijay, Zaheer Khan.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Unfazed MS Dhoni overrules selectors

NEW DELHI: Despite facing humiliation in the second Test, Indian skipper MS Dhoni didn't allow selectors to make any change in the squad for the third Test against England to be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata starting December 5.

According to Times Now, selectors were in favour of reshuffle but Dhoni overruled them and decided to continue with the same squad in Kolkata.

Reports suggest that selectors wanted inclusion of a leg-spinner Amit Mishra to give variety to Indian spin attack. However, an unfazed Dhoni, backed by coach Duncan Fletcher and bowling coach Joe Dawes, reposed faith on the spin trio of R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh despite their failure to exploit the pitch in Mumbai which was tailor made to suit India's demands.

India lost the Mumbai Test by 10 wickets inside four days and there was intense speculation a leg-spinner would be drafted into the squad to bring more variety in the spin department.

Harbhajan retained his place in the squad despite picking up two wickets in the Mumbai Test where he bowled just 23 overs unlike Ashwin and Ojha who sent down nearly 45 overs each.

Also retained was senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who has been going through a prolonged form slump, his last 10 innings yielding just 153 runs at an average of 15.3, the lowest by an Indian top-order batsman in the corresponding period.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

I cried under my helmet, admits Vettel

BERLIN: "Yes, I cried under my helmet," Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel has admitted, two days after winning the world title for the third season in a row in Brazil.

"And fortunately the radio was broken so you didn't have to hear me cry like in 2010," he said, referring to the oft repeated moment from two years ago when he cried openly into the microphone after his first world title.

At 25, Vettel is the youngest driver in history to achieve the hat-trick of world crowns, having finished sixth at the Brazilian Grand Prix, and said he felt a flood of emotions when he entered the final kilometre in Sao Paulo.

"It was crazy, really special," he said, having won the world drivers' championships by 281 points with Fernando Alonso second with 287.

"I had pictures in my head from a long time ago, from the first time I sat in a kart as a child. "Then I thought of all the people in my career who have helped me along the way.

"It was so similar to how it was in Abu Dhabi in 2010, but at the same time, you are completely in the race. "You could have tapped me on the shoulder and I wouldn't have noticed."

But while Sao Paulo marked the final race for seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, Vettel said he still hade a long way to go before he could be legitimately compared to his compatriot.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Sachin does not need advise on future'

Written By Unknown on Senin, 26 November 2012 | 22.58

NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar's streak of low scores might have raised a question mark over his future but senior BCCI official and IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla on Monday came out in support of the senior batsman saying one needs to look at his "colossal record" before making any comment.

"He will hang up his boots when he thinks it's time for him to go. He does not need any advice on this. Before making a comment on his performance you have to see his colossal record and his past performance," Shukla told reporters outside the Parliament adding that the veteran cricketer will come back strongly in the forthcoming matches.

"He will do well in forthcoming matches," Shukla said.

Tendulkar has been battling poor form for sometime and his last 10 innings have yielded just 153 runs at an average of 15.3, the lowest by an Indian top-order batsman in the corresponding period.

The 39-year-old's last three figure score in Tests came in January last year against South Africa.

Asked about India's loss to England in the second Test at Mumbai, Shukla said: "It is sad. After the victory in Ahmedabad the batting line-up could not perform the way it should have. It was a turning wicket and English spinners performed better."

Shukla, though, said the board will look into the matter and would take necessary corrective measures.

"We will discuss the shortcomings and so will the team management to see how the performance can be improved," he said.

On the selection of the team for the next two Tests against England, Shukla said it remains the prerogative of the selection committee and nobody should interfere in their domain.

"Selectors are also former players and they will take a call on this. Whom to select and whom not to, it is their domain," he added.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Sachin does not need advice on future'

NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar's streak of low scores might have raised a question mark over his future but senior BCCI official and IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla on Monday came out in support of the senior batsman saying one needs to look at his "colossal record" before making any comment.

"He will hang up his boots when he thinks it's time for him to go. He does not need any advice on this. Before making a comment on his performance you have to see his colossal record and his past performance," Shukla told reporters outside the Parliament adding that the veteran cricketer will come back strongly in the forthcoming matches.

"He will do well in forthcoming matches," Shukla said.

Tendulkar has been battling poor form for sometime and his last 10 innings have yielded just 153 runs at an average of 15.3, the lowest by an Indian top-order batsman in the corresponding period.

The 39-year-old's last three figure score in Tests came in January last year against South Africa.

Asked about India's loss to England in the second Test at Mumbai, Shukla said: "It is sad. After the victory in Ahmedabad the batting line-up could not perform the way it should have. It was a turning wicket and English spinners performed better."

Shukla, though, said the board will look into the matter and would take necessary corrective measures.

"We will discuss the shortcomings and so will the team management to see how the performance can be improved," he said.

On the selection of the team for the next two Tests against England, Shukla said it remains the prerogative of the selection committee and nobody should interfere in their domain.

"Selectors are also former players and they will take a call on this. Whom to select and whom not to, it is their domain," he added.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

MSD wants spinning track in Kolkata too

MUMBAI: India's ploy to prepare a spinning track might have backfired as England registered a 10-wicket win in the second Test, but host captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he would like to have a similar pitch for the third game, starting at Kolkata on December 5.

"Of course, we want a similar track as that's where our speciality is. What's the point playing on flat tracks and trying to win the toss and just batting for 3 or 4 days," said Dhoni after England inflicted a humiliating defeat on India in the second Test here to level the four-Test series 1-1.

"You want to face challenges in Test cricket and these are the sort of wickets that push you towards that, so definitely all the wickets should be like that," he added.

Insisting that he would like a typical sub-continental wicket in Kolkata as well, Dhoni said, "I would like a typical sub-continental wicket, which should turn from the first day as I have been saying, so that there is no importance of toss and whichever team plays better cricket wins the game.

"You feel a bit disappointed (at losing) but the good thing about these wickets is no side is guaranteed to win and have to play well to win. That's why I call for a track that starts to turn early."

Dhoni had asked for a turning track despite India winning the first Test by nine wickets on a low and slow pitch at Ahmedabad's Motera stadium to go 1-0 up in the series.

Though his demand was met by the Wankhede curator, the hosts slumped to a huge defeat, unable to cope up with the left-arm spin of Monty Panesar and off spinner Graeme Swann.

Heaping praise on Panesar, who grabbed 11 wickets in the match, Dhoni said, "Monty bowled exceptionally well. Spinners from both sides bowled well but it was different to what Monty bowled. He was drawing the batsman to come on to the front foot more and was getting some turn too."

"If you see specially in this Test match, Monty bowled differently from all the other (spin) bowlers. Others were getting some turn and bounce but Monty was someone who was bowling at real pace, close to 90-95 kmph or even above that. Still he was able to get some (quick) turn. I think he was the one who had a big impact on the game," said Dhoni.

"If you compare all the other bowlers, most of them got the wickets but did not trouble the batsmen as much as Monty did, so I think a big credit goes to him. If you get performances like these the margin of defeats can be bigger."

Dhoni also added that in comparison to Panesar, India's spin trio of Pragyan Ojha, Ravichandran Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh bowled a bit too short.

The Indian skipper appreciated the efforts of the batsmen -- Cheteshwar Pujara, Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen -- all of whom batted well on a track that was assisting the bowlers.

"Credit goes to Pujara from our side who batted really well (in making 135 in the first innings). And Pietersen and Cook batted really well, played off the back-foot really well. I wish we (our bowlers) could have been a bit fuller and asked them to drive a bit more.

"We also tried to bowl fast but did not get the same sort of purchase from the wicket as Monty got. The way he bowled put a lot of pressure on the batsmen and he did not give us anything easy to score off.

"The thing we could have done slightly better is let them drive a bit more than what we did because if you bowl short on a wicket that has a bit of bounce you (batsmen) get more time especially if you bowl slow," explained Dhoni.

Dhoni said barring Pietersen and Cook, there was not much difference between the two teams in the batting department.

"Pietersen and Cook batted really well, but apart from that both the scorecards resembled each other, one or two big innings and the rest all phone numbers....9, 8, 3, 5 or something like that. It (batting) will be tough if you play on wickets like this but that's what Test cricket is all about."

Applauding the Wankhede track, Dhoni said such wickets test the batsmen's skills.

"As far as turning tracks go this was a very good wicket. Test matches should be held on such wickets as the toss does not become a vital factor. The wicket was turning from day one and both the teams have equal chance and the toss' importance becomes minimal."

Dhoni defended his team's star-studded batting line-up, which collapsed for 142 in the second innings with all the top order batsmen, barring opener Gautam Gambhir (65) failing to reach double figures.

"You need big performances and in this game the big performances came from the English side. You have to start fresh in every game. We have experienced cricketers in the team who will do well in the coming games.

"We thought we will bat better than what we did. We did not bat the way we would have liked to bat. Yes, we did not perform to the extent we could have or what reflects on paper when it comes to our batting line up. We will innovate in the coming games and also the wicket will be slightly different. We will see how it goes."

Asked whether the team will go in with the same bowling combination of three spinners and a pacer in Kolkata also, Dhoni said he preferred to wait till he saw the wicket.

"Let's see the wicket in Kolkata. If you remember at the pre-match conference (in Mumbai) when I said we will go in with 2-2 combination but we had a closer look at the wicket and felt may be the third spinner would be a better option.

"Thankfully we were right. It was a one-dimensional attack when you look at it on paper but I think that's what was needed because in the last innings you hardly saw the fast bowlers doing a lot of bowling," said Dhoni.

Dhoni ruled out any major changes in the team. "We have replacements but you don't chop and change or rotate the players just on the basis of one or two Test matches. You have to give them a fair run. That's what it's all about. Otherwise we will keep changing players in every game. It's good to give the players a fair amount of games so that they are also comfortable and are not thinking about the selections," he insisted.

The Indian team selection for the remaining two Tests will be held in Mumbai tomorrow.

On why he did not recall Jonny Bairstow after he was wrongly given out in the second innings, Dhoni said, "Is it only my job to call back everyone or something that the umpires will also do?

"There are replays that show the batsman is lbw why can't opposition say...no, no my batsman is out, you come back and somebody will go (out to bat). Umpires are getting handsome payments and are supposed to take some decisions."


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

KP's hindi tweet thanks Mumbai crowd

MUMBAI: Kevin Pietersen, whose heroic knock of 186 played a huge part in England's thumping 10-wicket victory against India in the second Test, has a few good words to say about the Mumbai crowd.

Pietersen posted a message in hindi on his Twitter page to thank the crowd who gave him a standing ovation when he returned to the pavilion after his brilliant effort.

"Dono teams ko support dene ke liye shukriya! Main chahta hoon kolkata aur nagpur mein agle do tests ke liye bhi aisa hi ho!", Pietersen said on his Twitter account.

"Test wins have to be celebrated! Mumbai is gonna get it tonight!", he said in another update.

Pietersen's teammate Matt Prior congratulated the dashing middle-order batsman. "Re integration' complete! Well played @kevinpp24" Prior wrote on Twitter.)


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

MSD shouldn't ask for a turner: Ganguly

KOLKATA: Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly on Monday said that Mahendra Singh Dhoni should not insist for a "spin-friendly" wicket at the Eden Gardens and instead draft in pacer Ashok Dinda for Harbhajan Singh in the third Test, beginning from December 5.

Ganguly said the English spinners outplayed the hosts in handing the visitors a series-levelling 10-wicket win in Mumbai

"I think Dhoni and the team management should not insist again for a spin-friendly wicket as it would only create problem for the Indian batsmen," Ganguly said.

"I want to see Dinda in the line-up in place of Harbhajan Singh. Playing three spinners don't work at all, which is showed clearly in Harbhajan's bowling of 20-odd overs. I hope MS will balance the attack (at Eden)."

Preparing a turner at the Eden would only do harm to India, Ganguly believed.

"England spinners bowled better and beat them with the pace whereas the Indian spinners, barring Pragyan Ojha, resorted to bowling slow. Kevin Pietersen and Alastair Cook played them well resorting to backfoot play."

Asked whether complacency had crept in after India's win in the first Test at Motera, Ganguly said, "It was one of those losses. As I said, England outplayed the Indians with their spin bowling."

Ganguly, however, firmly believed that India would bounce back in the remaining two Tests.

"It will be an accident if we don't win the series." Asked if it was high time to think about removing Dhoni from the captaincy, he said, "First, we lose two more Tests, than we will talk about this. Let's cross the bridge when we get there."

Sunil Gavaskar might have suggested that selectors should speak to Sachin Tendulkar for the master batsman's future plans, but Ganguly thought otherwise.

Giving Tendulkar the "benefit of doubt", Ganguly said: "He is desperately out of form. Barring Tendulkar, all our batsmen are in form.

"Selectors won't sit with Tendulkar nor will the Board. Only Tendulkar has the right to take a call on his career.

"He is such a great batsman, with so many runs under his belt. It's natural that one would not be having reflexes of a 25-year-old but you make it up with other skills. Tendulkar is just terribly out of form. We just hope and pray that he returns to form in the remaining two Tests."


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Redknapp mulls move to sign Beckham

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 25 November 2012 | 22.58

LONDON: New Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp is considering making a move to bring David Beckham to the London Premier League club.

The 37-year-old former England captain is leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy after six seasons next month in search of a new challenge.

Redknapp told the BBC he's sure Beckham "could still play in the Premier League," adding: "I've not discussed it with the chairman so we'd have to look at that."

In 2011 Beckham trained during the Major League offseason with Tottenham, which Redknapp was managing at the time.

A day after being hired by QPR, Redknapp said Sunday that Beckham "could still be a great asset to anyone. Just having him round the place, showing people how to train and look after yourself."


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Chautala to become IOA president

NEW DELHI: The controversy-marred Indian Olympic Association elections took a dramatic twist on Sunday with Randhir Singh withdrawing his nomination for the post of president, clearing the decks for Abhay Singh Chautala to take charge of the high-profile post.

Randhir's withdrawal from the contest on a day of dramatic development put an end to the bitter and acrimonious campaign between the rival factions in the run-up to the elections, to be held on December 5.

After signing his withdrawal before Returning Officer Justice (Retd) VK Bali, Randhir said he was doing so in the light of International Olympic Committee's warning to India to disaffiliate if the elections are held under government's Sports Code and that it would not recognise such a poll.

"IOC sent a letter two days back and it was clear from that letter that these elections would not be recognised by them and India face disaffiliation if the polls are held under the government's Sports Code," Randhir told the waiting reporters at Justice Bali's residence.

"The letter was written by none other than IOC chief Jacques Rogge and Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah and I, being an IOC member, cannot go against the institution to which I belong. That's why I am withdrawing my candidature," Randhir, currently an IOC member and secretary general of both the OCA and IOA, said.

Within hours after Randhir's withdrawal from the contest, Chautala welcomed the decision and congratulated his rival.

"I welcome his decision to withdraw from the contest and I congratulate him for this. From day one, we have been requesting him not to contest the elections and to remain as an elder brother to all of us," Chautala said at his residence.

With the withdrawal of Randhir from the contest, Chautala, a former Indian Amateur Boxing Federation president and currently its chairman, will take over IOA president's post as the third candidate in the fray, Raj Chopra, also withdrew his candidature on Sunday.

"I am withdrawing my candidature. My conscience says Abhay Singh Chautala is the person who can take Indian sport and Olympic family forward," Chopra, who is the Delhi Olympic Association president, said with Chautala at his side.

Randhir said he had wanted to fight the elections to "clean up the mess" in the IOA but will have to withdraw as he cannot go against the Olympic Charter and the IOC.

"The IOA is in a mess and there is confusion all around. On one hand, some elections were held without the application of the Sports Code and in some others, including the IOA elections, the Sports Code is going to be applied. It's double standard and you cannot fool around the IOC and the country as well," he said.

"Everybody knows I had decided last year not to contest elections but some of my senior colleagues in IOA and outside requested me to contest and clean up the system. I also wanted to show to the outside world and the citizens of the country that sports in India is moving ahead and it's not all about the controversies," he added.

Randhir warned that the IOC was not issuing a hollow threat and the world body is not a "paper tiger".

"IOC is serious of its warning. I don't want to say much what the IOC will do if the elections are held under Sports Code. Those people who think IOC is a paper tiger will have to take care of the country in that case (of disaffiliation)," Randhir said in a dig to former sports minister MS Gill who reportedly termed IOC a "paper tiger".

He patted the government for writing to the IOC to postpone the elections until the issue of under which framework the elections should be held.

"The government did the right thing by writing to the IOC to postpone the elections and settle the issue of which rules and regulations to be used. The IOC, IOA and the government could have sat down and thrash out issue, taking into account the High Court decision also. We could also have gone to the court again and seek clarification," he said.

"Heavens are not going to fall if the elections are not held now. These elections could have been postponed till the issue is sorted out. The rift we are having today would not have been there if we had done that," Randhir said.

The former international shooter said that he was not running away from the contest for the want of numbers in his favour as has been claimed by his rivals.

"Holding press conferences or shouting from the roof-top saying that we have the numbers do not mean nothing. The 180-odd members in the electoral college would have to vote and only then will know who has the support. I have the majority support and not running away from the elections because of numbers," he said.

Asked why he sought clarification from the sports ministry whether he can contest the elections or not under the Sports Code despite IOC's objection to the application of the Code, he said, "I did that because some people said I am disqualified to contest the polls. I have to clear that.

"Rather there is a clause in the IOA Constitution that only an outgoing Executive Board member can contest for the post of the President. I am not in favour of that clause as I feel that the post of president should not be restricted to the outgoing Executive Board members only. It should have been amended. But the clause is there and I can contest," he said.

Randhir, however, refused to be drawn into a debate on whether tainted persons should not have been allowed to contest or not.

"I am not going to make any comments on this. I don't want to talk about the corruption cases and about who were involved in those cases or like that. I am out of the race now," he said.

Meanwhile, Chautala sought to strike a conciliatory cord, saying that he would like to take help from everybody, including Randhir.

"I want to take everybody along with me. From the beginning, we had wanted unanimity in the candidate for the post of president. Now, there will be no contest and I want to congratulate Randhir for withdrawing from his candidature," Chautala said.

Asked about the IOC threat of disaffiliation if the elections are held under the Sports Code, Chautala said, "We have been against the Sports Code from the very beginning. But it is on the directions of the Delhi high court that the elections will follow the Code.

"We cannot go against the high court and I think the IOC will also understand," he said.

Chautala said after taking charge he will ask the government for a rethink on the Sports Code.

"Our acting president wrote to the Prime Minister after the IOC letter to withdraw the Sports Code. I will do the same after taking charge. We will ask the government to rethink on the Sports Code."


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gambhir hoping for a miracle on Day 4

MUMBAI: India are facing a crushing defeat against England in the second Test but an optimistic Gautam Gambhir is hoping that a miracle would happen and turn around things for them on Monday.

Left-handed opener Gambhir, who is fighting hard from one end with an unbeaten 53, said it has happened in the past when India wriggled itself out of difficult situations.

He recalled the 2004 Test match against Australia at this very ground when India pulled the rug from under the feet of the visitors, who were shot out for 93 chasing 111.

"Miracles have happened. Things have changed quickly. Any thing is possible if we can put runs on the board. If you remember there was a Test match here when Australia were bowled out for 70 or 80. It was my Test debut," said Gambhir.

"Tomorrow we will try. And be positive we have three wickets left. If we can get one partnership going and get 120-130 run target on the board the game is on. If we can be 113 for 7 then we can try and get them all out. They will also struggle to get these runs. We have to be positive. The important thing is we need runs on the board for the bowlers."

In that game Harbhajan Singh -- one of the three Indian spinners in the current game -- picked up five wickets while left arm spinner Murali Karthik bagged three as India won after conceding a 99-run lead to the Aussies.

Asked if Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann bowled better than the home spinners, Gambhir said the secret of visiting team duo's success was bowling at the right speed.

"I personally felt they (Panesar and Swann) bowled a little quicker in the air. When you have bite on the wicket and you bowl quicker in the air, some balls spin and some keep straight.

"I think at times we bowled too fast and at times bowled too slow in the air. On this wicket, which has turn and bounce, Monty and Swann bowled with ideal speed and that's what troubled us. We were getting turn and bounce as well. It was just the speed that made a huge difference," he said.

Gambhir backed India's spin trio who he said was no less than the England spinners.

"I don't say their spinners bowled better than ours. If you take out the partnership between Cook and Kevin Pietersen none of their other batsmen have contributed in a big way which shows our bowlers have also bowled well.

"I will say that Monty bowled better than Ojha. He was getting the extra bite and jump though our bowlers also got it," said Gambhir.

The Indian opener, whose form was a bit of concern before Sunday's innings, said Pietersen's positive outlook and his 206-run stand with Cook took the game away.

"Pietersen never allowed our bowlers to settle down. He is someone who gives you chances. He is someone who always looks to score runs, is always positive and so there is always an opportunity but there are times when he takes the game away from you like he did today," said Gambhir.

Asked whether Harbhajan Singh was under-bowled, Gambhir said it happens when three good spinners were operating.

"When there are three quality spinners in a side, one would be under bowled. You can't give bowlers a stint by looking at the scoreboard. I maintain all three bowled well."

Talking about his own form, coming into this match, Gambhir did not give a direct reply.

"I have always maintained that form is something which is very individual. May be you guys and the rest of the people decide on how many runs you put on the board. As a player if you ask me about form, it is when you are happy with the way you bat or bowl," he said.

About the controversial catch he took to send back Jonny Bairstow in the England first innings, Gambhir insisted that he did not know the exact law.

"I haven't spoken about that catch to Dhoni. It just happened in such a quick time I did not realize it. I personally felt that the ball touching the body and grille it is out. Later I came to know it is not out but I did not know it."

As per the laws of the game, Bairstow was not out, but he too did not seem to know the rule and walked off thinking he was out though the ball had bounced off Gambhir's hand, hit Bairstow's helmet's grille and dropped back into his hands.

The home team opener was all praise for the Wankhede track and said it was a very good wicket and such tracks would bring back crowds to watch Test cricket.

"It's a good Test cricket wicket, it's a very result-oriented wicket. Sometimes you want to play a Test match which is not a high scoring one. There is no fun playing a Test match when someone scores 500 and other team scores 600. There is no point.

"This is what will bring crowd back to Test cricket. This is what will increase the interest of test cricket in India, when you get results and there is something happening in each and every delivery. And I have always felt playing on these kind of tracks is good fun because Test cricket is meant to be testing players.

"Test cricket is not like one-day or T20 where you just go and smash every ball. Every hundred is special on this kind of wicket," he said.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Selectors should speak to Sachin: Sunny

NEW DELHI: Fresh questions were on Sunday raised on Sachin Tendulkar's retirement with the legendary Sunil Gavaskar saying that the selectors should have a word with him about his future plans.

"Tendulkar has been playing for so long and he has been so consistent. This little period of lack of runs or lack of half centuries will give the critics chance to ask questions," Gavaskar said.

"At the end of the day, it is the selectors who will take the call. I think the selectors will probably have a word with Tendulkar about what his future plans are and then take a call," he said.

"Ideally, whatever decision is taken about Tendulkar's retirement, I believe he will make his own decision," Gavaskar said.

Tendulkar has scored just 29 runs in three innings in the ongoing Test series against England and Gavaskar said the senior batsman has been having a "long bad patch" though he was trying hard to come out of this.

"Yes, he is struggling and he is having a long bad patch if one can call that way. With so may runs and so many centuries at his hands, the moment he is through a lean patch, everybody will start talking about that but I feel he will overcome this.

"He is trying hard. In the first innings (of the ongoing second Test in Mumbai), the ball (from Monty Panesar) turned just a little bit. Today, (in the England second innings) you could see he changed his guard. He was standing ahead of the crease between the middle and off to negotiate the turn better. But unfortunately he was out to a straighter ball," Gavaskar said.

"But, we saw he was applying his mind. He is not taking that he will just go out in the middle and play. He is trying hard to overcome this and that is the best part," said the former captain.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Liverpool draw 0-0 with Swansea City

LONDON: Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers had to content himself with a 0-0 draw on his return to former club Swansea City on Sunday, as the Reds extended their unbeaten Premier League run to eight games.

EPL Points Table | EPL Schedules & Results

The result took Liverpool back above Stoke City into 11th place and saw Swansea climb two places to eighth.

Rodgers' impact on the playing styles of both sides was evident throughout an even game at a rain-soaked Liberty Stadium, as the two teams sought to control possession with exchanges of short passes.

Spanish midfielder Pablo Hernandez twice threatened for Swansea in the first half, while Liverpool had a Jose Enrique goal disallowed for offside and saw teenage winger Raheem Sterling crack the crossbar with a fierce half-volley.

Swansea goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel had to save from Luis Suarez, twice, and Jonjo Shelvey after half-time, with the hosts' best chance an Ashley Williams header that Swans old boy Joe Allen cleared off the line.

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will begin his reign as interim Chelsea coach later on Sunday when last season's Champions League winners welcome defending English champions Manchester City to Stamford Bridge.

City are seeking to reclaim top spot from Manchester United, who moved above them by winning 3-1 at home to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, while Chelsea will close to within a point of their opponents if they prevail.

Elsewhere, Newcastle United coach Alan Pardew returns to his former club Southampton for the first time and Tottenham Hotspur take on West Ham United in a London derby at White Hart Lane.

Referee Mark Clattenburg will be the fourth official at Tottenham, in his first engagement since he was cleared by the Football Association over allegations he racially abused Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Eng 178/2 at stumps, trail by 149 runs

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 24 November 2012 | 22.58

MUMBAI: Skipper Alastair Cook continued to torment India with yet another gritty batting display while Kevin Pietersen returned to form with an unbeaten half-century to give England a slight advantage in the second Test on Saturday.

Scorecard | Match in Pics

After dismissing India for 327 in the first innings, England moved to a comfortable 178 for two in 65 overs before the stumps were drawn on the second day, with the visitors trailing by 149 runs.

At close, the left-handed Cook, who had scored a big century in the first Test, was unbeaten on 87. The more aggressive Pietersen was batting on 62 after a stay of 127 minutes during which he faced 85 balls and hit nine fours.

Cook batted for 251 minutes and faced 209 balls, striking a six and ten fours in the process.

The third wicket duo has so far put on 110 runs in 186 balls. For the record, Cook has batted for 960 minutes in all in the three innings he has batted during the series.

With three more days left in the second game of the four-match series in which India are 1-0 ahead, a result is on the cards on a track that is aiding the spin bowlers.

England, though, looked to have a slight advantage with a settled and experienced pair at the wicket and some more batting to follow.

On a wicket where the spin duo of Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann ran through the star-studded Indian batting line-up in which Cheteshwar Pujara (135) and Ravichandra Ashwin (68) stood out, the trio of home team spinners looked largely clueless against the determined Cook and Pietersen.

Barring the twin strike by left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha in the space of 11 balls just before tea, the home side's spin attack looked far less menacing than both Panesar (five for 129) and Swann, who ran through the tail to end up with figures of four for 70.

Cook again showed monumental patience to lead his side's reply. Anything bowled at the stumps was blocked, balls outside the off were cut while the ones outside the leg were swept. He gathered his runs mostly in singles to frustrate the Indian spinners, just like he had done for nearly 12 hours in Ahmedabad.

With a sweep shot before tea, Cook surpassed Pujara as the highest run-getter in the series. The shot, incidentally, hit Pujara on the right side of his rib cage, forcing him to leave the field and seek medical attention. He did not come out to field after tea.

Substitute fielder Ajinkya Rahane, too, had to duck at times to avoid getting hit by the England captain's sweeps. He eventually received a painful blow on his left elbow by Kevin Pietersen's powerful sweep off Harbhajan Singh.

Pietersen, who looked in a hurry in the opening game, adopted a slightly different approach. He dispatch Harbhajan with lofted shots but played cautiously against Ojha, who had dismissed him twice in the first game. The batsman was also careful against Ashwin.

Pietersen, however, survived a confident appeal for a catch off Ashwin when he was on 45 in a team score of 146 for two.

Umpire Aleem Dar, who gave a wrong decision to send back Zaheer Khan in the morning by declaring him caught in the leg trap, did not agree to the Indians' vociferous appeal against Pietersen when the ball ballooned to backward short-leg fielder Virat Kohli.

Pietersen soon raced to his half-century with a back foot cut off Ashwin in 63 balls.

He had come to the crease after Ojha struck two blows in his three-over spell late in the second session to dismiss opener Nick Compton and Jonathan Trott in successive overs.

Cook and his opening partner Compton had negotiated the spinning ball to raise the visitors' hopes till Ojha struck.

Ojha had the dogged Compton caught at slip with a sharply turning ball for 29 and then fooled Trott with an arm ball to trap the batsman leg before as England slumped from 66 for no loss to 68 for two.

Their dismissals brought together Cook and Pietersen who batted out the last session while adding 101 runs.

Neither Ojha nor off spinner Ashwin, who took four wickets in the first game, got the same amount of turn or bounce that Panesar found in the morning.

Both were also guilty of not sticking to a consistent line, with Ashwin slightly better than his spin partner till Ojha came on for a fresh spell to claim two quick wickets.

Harbhajan, playing his first Test after the disastrous tour to England in 2011, started off well by getting some turn and bounce, but later on became predictable and could not trouble the batsmen.

While Ojha was the most successful Indian bowler of the day with two for 65, Ashwin and Harbhajan gave away 54 and 47 runs, respectively, without tasting success. Zaheer Khan bowled economically in short spells.

Harbhajan was not summoned into the attack till the 25th over while Yuvraj Singh was not given a single over by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

In the morning, England finally dismissed Pujara for the first time in three innings as India were all out 22 minutes before lunch.

Pujara was the ninth man out at 316, after batting for almost the entire day on Friday and with just half an hour left for lunch today.

It was Pujara who pulled India out of a deep hole on the first day when India were struggling at 169 for six at one stage. He was lured out by Swann and wicketkeeper Matt Prior did the needful.

Pujara's seven and a half hour vigil lasted 350 balls. He struck 12 fours.

The Rajkot-born player had made an unbeaten 206 in the first Test.

But despite Pujara's brave effort, India, resuming on 266 for six, lost their remaining four wickets for the addition of adding 61 runs with Swann sending back Pujara, Harbhajan and Zaheer in the space of 10 balls.

India's last four wickets added 158 runs, which helped them bounce back from the precarious position.

Panesar, who dismissed overnight batsman Ashwin, finished with a five-for, his first against India and 11th overall.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

India beat Pakistan 5-2 in Lanco Series

PERTH: India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 5-2 in an inconsequential round robin match to register their first win in the Lanco International Super Series hockey tournament on Saturday.

India were by far the dominant side on display in the battle between the two sub-continent giants in the nine-a-side format of the game, better known as Hockey 9s.

India pumped in three goals in the first half and two after the break from the sticks of V R Raghunath (7th minute), S V Sunil (9th, 33rd), Akashdeep Singh (15th) and Manpreet Singh (29th).

Pakistan, on the other hand, scored a goal in each half through Shafqat Rasool and Muhammad Rizwan Sr. The win will act as a morale booster for India ahead of tomorrow's third-fourth place play-off match against the same opponents.

Meanwhile, hosts and defending champions Australia continued their winning run and demolished England 6-2 to emerge as favourites in the rematch in Sunday's final.

Both Australia and England had already qualified for the summit clash before coming into today's last round robin game.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

This knock is more satisfying: Pujara

MUMBAI: Young Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara on Saturday rated his century in the first innings of the ongoing second Test higher than the unbeaten double hundred he struck in the first Test, saying it has come in a more challenging situation.

Pujara, who is in scorching form, scored 135 to script India's revival in the second Test.

"I think this innings was better than the Ahmedabad one. This was more satisfying than the double hundred. We were in trouble and the team needed a score on the board. Even the wicket was difficult to bat on. Yes it was satisfying to score a hundred in a difficult situation," said Pujara, who had scored 206 not out in the series opener at Ahmedabad.

"The first target was to put up 350 on the board. We tried out best and in the end had a decent total."

Pujara, who has batted for over 1,000 minutes and has been dismissed just once in three innings in the series, conceded that they needed a few more England wickets today but was optimistic it will happen on Sunday morning.

"The wicket (pitch) has eased out a bit. We needed more wickets. A couple of decisions went against us. I feel we bowled decently. It might be a different day tomorrow. It turns a bit more in the first session, we have to utilize that and get some more wickets tomorrow," he said.

"Initially it was difficult to play spinners. But wicket is slowing down a bit. It's just two days so far. It might turn later on, but it's very difficult to predict the wicket now," he elaborated.

Pujara dismissed comparisons with the player he has replaced in the team - the legendary Rahul Dravid.

"Consistency is the most important point for a batsman and I am happy I am able to perform consistently. That's what I always try to do. I do the same thing in domestic format and happy to be doing that internationally.

"It's a wrong comparison as Rahul Dravid has scored more than 10000 runs each in both the formats. I am just starting my career and don't want to put any extra pressure on myself. I want to play my natural game and continue for Team India," he said.

Pujara also praised England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar, who took his 11th five-wicket haul in an innings.

"He was quite impressive and I knew he will be bowling well on this kind of wicket, because I faced him in the practice match at the DY Patil Stadium. He knew the areas where he had to bowl He utilised the wicket very well."

Pujara also dismissed the talks that he was a Test player who cannot adapt to the shorter format of the game.

"I can play ODI format too. I have done the same thing in domestic One day Challenger Trophy, I was very successful. I think I will get my chances in ODI format. Just need to keep improving myself as a batsman," he said.

Pujara, who was hit on the ribs by a sweep shot from rival skipper Alastair Cook, said he had some soreness in the area but was otherwise fine.

"I got a little bit of soreness on my ribs. But I should be fine," he said in his post-day comments, adding substitute fielder Ajinkya Rahane, who was also struck on his elbow by one sweep shot, was also fine.

"Ajinkya is fine. A little bit of soreness in his elbow he's icing it up. Not a major injury," he said.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

A lot of hard work remains to win: Swann

MUMBAI: Off-spinner Graeme Swann, who on Saturday became only the 14th Englishman to claim 200 wickets in Test cricket, feels his team has a lot of tough work left to do before thinking about a win in the ongoing second Test against India.

"I wouldn't say we are in a particularly strong position in the game. We are in a good position but we are not at that stage where we can say that we will win this one.

We have got a lot of hard work ahead of us," said Swann, who accounted for four wickets, including three in 10 balls on Saturday.

Swann finished with fine figures of four for 70 to help England bowl out India for 327.

In reply England were 178 for two, 149 runs behind going into the third day of the game on Sunday.

"We are still 150 runs behind so we won't be talking about milestones and centuries and things like that. We know we have to build as big a lead as possible, so that we can have a crack and win this game," Swann said.

Swann said he enjoyed bowling with left-arm spinner Monty Panesar, who claimed five for 129, in India's first innings.

"Monty bowled magnificently yesterday. It was great to see. I am a big advocate of playing with two spinners. I love playing with Monty.

I grew up in North Hampton when he was first starting and I just love it when he takes a wicket.

"That face like a man possessed when he got Sachin Tendulkar out yesterday, I have never seen a man so wound up like this one. He is brilliant," he said.

Swann , who went past his countryman Jim Laker to become the first English off-spinner to complete 200 wickets, said he was extremely delighted with the milestone.

"No, five years ago I wouldn't have dreamt of taking 200 wickets. I am absolutely over the moon the way my career has panned out. The change at the top was just at the right time for me. It has been a great four years, and I have enjoyed every minute," he said.

Swann was effusive in his praise of his captain Alastair Cook and Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who have stamped their authority with their marathon knocks in the series so far.

"Cook is the new Don Bradman (if Pujara is the new Wall). Cookie is Cookie. I have said before the series that his batting could blossom as a captain as it did in the one-day arena, then we would be one lucky team.

So far, he has proved thus. He has batted magnificently in the three innings he had so far and, touchwood, he has got a long way to go in this one (Cook was unbeaten with 87 at stumps on Saturday)," he said.

"Pujara has been the stand out batsman for India so far. He uses his feet very well and he plays the ball on the merit. I think the runs he scored speak for him. It was nice to finally dismiss him.

It doesn't normally take three innings of a Test series to get a man out but we have done it now so hopefully that has taken the finger out of the dough.

"He has got a game plan that works for him. He doesn't hit the ball in the air, he hits it along the ground. He uses his feet very well. He is a fine player and he is in good form at the moment," Swann said about the Indian.

Swann had Pujara stumped for 135, the first time the Indian batsman has been dismissed in three innings of the series. Swann said it was a good track to bat once the batsmen get their eyes in.

"It's good for batting, even though it has pace and bounce. Once you get the rhythm of batting on this pitch, it's a nice wicket to bat on.

"We were lucky yesterday that Monty kept picking wickets every 45-50 minutes and you get a new man at the crease. That slows the run rate and it makes it harder to get set. The only guy who got set for India yesterday was Pujara.

It showed that when he was in there for time, he was tricky to get out," he said.


22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More
techieblogger.com Techie Blogger Techie Blogger