Fog hits air traffic, thousands stranded

Deepak Jain>Sat, Jan 02 10 04:15 PM

New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS) Nearly 40 domestic and international flights to the national capital were diverted or cancelled Saturday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded as dense fog and faulty runway instruments made landings and takeoffs difficult.

The visibility on the runways at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport fell below 125 metres against the minimum 150 metres required for a flight to take off or land, compounding the difficulty in managing air movements.

The visibility dropped to zero metres in the city early Saturday.

'We are trying to sort out the snag in what we call the runway visual range instrument,' said V. Soma Sundaram, spokesperson for the Airports Authority of India.

'Over 30 domestic and nine international flights have been cancelled or diverted. At least three international flights, including Air India's London-Delhi AI-112, were diverted to Mumbai,' he added.

The other six were diverted to Jaipur.

'The CAT-III B instrument landing system that provides visibility data to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) could not be used due to a fault in the RVR (runway visual range) instrument,' said another official.

The national capital Saturday recorded a minimum of 8.4 degrees Celsius, a notch above the average this time of the season.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast dense fog and clouds in Delhi Sunday with the minimum temperature hovering around 9 degrees Celsius.

Conditions at IGI, according to officials, have however started to 'normalise'.

'Operations have started and we are trying to ensure that the flight operations are normalised as early as possible. We are not sure by when we would be able to bring back the diverted flights.'

The situation was no better at the city's railway stations, where passengers and their relatives had to wait for hours as over 50 incoming trains were delayed by more than five hours.

'My mother was coming by the Vaishali Express. The train was scheduled to come at 8 a.m. but has been delayed by eight hours,' said an upset Ajit Singh.

Some passengers also complained of inadequate information from the railway officials.

'I called up the railway enquiry before coming to the station and they did not tell me that my train has been delayed by six hours. I have no option but to wait on the platform in this chilly weather with my two small children,' said Reena Singh, who was headed to Allahabad.

Motorists also had a tough time negotiating the roads in the capital in the dense fog early morning.

'It was so difficult to drive in the morning as I was not able to see anything a few metres away. I started early from my home in Dwarka but it took me an extra hour to reach my south Delhi office,' said Rajat Arora, a marketing professional.

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Never shied away from chin music, clarifies Ponting

Deepak Jain>Sat, Jan 02 10 04:12 PM

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has said that he has never shied away from facing up to the chin music dished out by his fast bowling opponents.

Speaking ahead of the second cricket Test against Pakistan to be played here from Sunday, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ponting, as saying: "I'm more than happy for anybody to bowl there to me. I just need to play the shot a bit better than I did last week. That's about all I can say about it."

Ponting has battled against short-pitched bowling since being struck on the arm by West Indian quick Kemar Roach in Perth last month.

The Australian skipper is regarded as one of the finest exponents of the hook and pull shots in the game's history but his batting has been restricted by his elbow complaint.

West Indian skipper Chris Gayle taunted Ponting by stating that Australia's highest Test run scorer had serious shortcomings against the short ball following their recently completed Test series.

And holing out to Pakistan quick Mohammad Aamer in the second innings at the MCG last week raised questions about Ponting's handling of short-pitched bowling with his current injury.

Ponting had a good workout in the nets on Saturday at the SCG but still looked a little bothered by the elbow problem.

He spent time chatting with team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris and occasionally gripped his hand to signal he is still feeling discomfort in his left arm.

But at least Ponting is playing at one of his happiest hunting grounds this week. Ponting's tally of 1,335 Test runs at 70.26 is more than any other batsman at the ground. His five Test centuries at the ground is also a record.

Ponting will play his 15th Test at the venue with only Allan Border and Steve Waugh having turned out more times for the baggy green on this ground with 17 Tests each.

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Never shied away from chin music, clarifies Ponting

Deepak Jain>Sat, Jan 02 10 04:10 PM

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has said that he has never shied away from facing up to the chin music dished out by his fast bowling opponents.

Speaking ahead of the second cricket Test against Pakistan to be played here from Sunday, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ponting, as saying: "I'm more than happy for anybody to bowl there to me. I just need to play the shot a bit better than I did last week. That's about all I can say about it."

Ponting has battled against short-pitched bowling since being struck on the arm by West Indian quick Kemar Roach in Perth last month.

The Australian skipper is regarded as one of the finest exponents of the hook and pull shots in the game's history but his batting has been restricted by his elbow complaint.

West Indian skipper Chris Gayle taunted Ponting by stating that Australia's highest Test run scorer had serious shortcomings against the short ball following their recently completed Test series.

And holing out to Pakistan quick Mohammad Aamer in the second innings at the MCG last week raised questions about Ponting's handling of short-pitched bowling with his current injury.

Ponting had a good workout in the nets on Saturday at the SCG but still looked a little bothered by the elbow problem.

He spent time chatting with team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris and occasionally gripped his hand to signal he is still feeling discomfort in his left arm.

But at least Ponting is playing at one of his happiest hunting grounds this week. Ponting's tally of 1,335 Test runs at 70.26 is more than any other batsman at the ground. His five Test centuries at the ground is also a record.

Ponting will play his 15th Test at the venue with only Allan Border and Steve Waugh having turned out more times for the baggy green on this ground with 17 Tests each.

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Romania stun hosts Australia in Hopman Cup opener

Deepak Jain>Sat, Jan 02 10 03:48 PM

Expectation turned to dismay for Australia on Saturday as the hosts were stunned 2-1 by Romania in the opening round-robin match of the Hopman Cup.

Lleyton Hewitt looked to have turned things in the top seeds' favour when he levelled the match at 1-1 with a 3-6 6-3 7-6 win over Victor Hanescu after Sorana Cirstea had shocked Sam Stosur 3-6 6-4 6-3.

But Cirstea and Hanescu then beat the Australians 7-5 6-1 in the deciding mixed doubles, leaving the host nation facing an uphill battle if they are to reach the final.

"For me today was a perfect day," Cirstea said. "Beating Sam for the first time and then going out to play mixed doubles for the first time with Victor, it was a great day."

World number 13 Stosur seemed completely in charge when she led by a set and 2-0 but the 45th-ranked Cirstea gradually fought her way into the match and eventually clinched a well-deserved victory.

"I think I started a little bit in awe but after that I got better and better," Cirstea said. "She was serving unbelievable and I was just thinking, try to get one break and hold my serve."

Former world number one Hewitt was also in trouble when he dropped the first set to Hanescu but the Australian battled back in typical style to level the match.

The third set was nip and tuck but as Hanescu tired, suffering from cramp in the latter stages, Hewitt romped through the deciding tiebreak 7-2 to clinch victory.

Both Hewitt and Stosur have won grand-slam doubles titles but they were thoroughly outplayed by the Romanians, who are now in pole position in group A.

Despite their defeat, Hewitt was pleased with his first singles performance of the year.

"I hadn't really played a match for three months so the first match was always going to be tough," he said.

"Victor was hitting his serves very close to the lines so it was hard for me to get a rhythm. But I got better as the match went on.

"I had to hang in there. I tried to mix it up a bit and I started to serve better as the match went on as well."

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Bhanot appointed CWG OC spokesperson

Deepak Jain Sat, Jan 02 10 03:24 PM

New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) Grappling with one public relations disaster after another triggered by anonymous leaks, the 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee today appointed an official spokesperson in Athletics Federation of India''s General Secretary Lalit K Bhanot. "Shri Suresh Kalmadi (MP) Chairman Organising Committee Commonwealth 2010 Delhi has appointed Lalit K. Bhanot Secretary General OC as Official Spokesperson of the Organising Committee Commonwealth 2010 Delhi with immediate effect," OC said in a statement. OC has been rocked by a series of media relations disasters in recent months. It all started with Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell''s letter to the Prime Minister, expressing concerns about the pace of preparations, which was leaked to the media. A few weeks later, claims that Olympic and world champion sprinter Usain Bolt has confirmed participation in the Games further embarrassed OC after the Jamaican made it clear that he would not take a final call until this summer.

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Sydney Test: Watson, Asif return from where they had started

Deepak Jain>Sat, Jan 02 10 03:10 PM

Sydney, Jan.2 (ANI): The second Test match between Pakistan and Australia starting Sunday (January 3) here would see two players from both the teams returning to the place where they had made their Test debuts five years ago.

Both Australian all-rounder Shane Watson and Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif had a rather forgettable start to their Test careers, but they would taking the field on Sunday as one of the senior players of their respective sides who have great responsibilities on their shoulders, the Daily Times reports.

Who would have thought that Watson, who has played just 14 Tests since making his debut at the SCG, would open the batting for his side after having been stuck in between greats like Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne at No. 7 during his initial days at the international level.

"It seems so long ago, my Test debut here. It's amazing how at the time I thought I was ready to go. I thought I was in a good place back when I was a youngster, but you don't realise how much you can learn and the things you really can develop as a batsman, as a cricketer and as a person," Watson recalled.

Australia had defeated Pakistan in the 2005 Sydney Test by nine wickets. The win was largely due to the first innings double-century by Ricky Ponting and the 13-wicket haul from the two spinners Stuart MacGill and Shane Warne.

This time around it Pakistan which likely to press into service its two spinners Danish Kaneria and Saeed Ajmal on a pitch that is likely to offer some bite to the spinners despite the green covering.

Recalling his first Test, Watson spoke about Kaneria's tight spell and said that the leg spinner would be a dangerous addition to the visitor's bowling attack.

"He knows how to bowl well here in Sydney. He does get a lot of revs on the ball, whether it's his top-spinner, his leggie or his wrong'un. He will definitely be a big challenge, there's no doubt about that, and I think it will give them a little more firepower with it spinning in Sydney," Watson said.

"It's going to be a big challenge and as a batting unit hopefully we can make sure he doesn't have the Test that he really wants," he added.

On the other hand, Asif would surely want to improve on his debut performance of 0-88 from 18 overs when he goes on to the field on Sunday. (ANI)

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I have proved myself: Rosario

Deepak Jain Sat, Jan 02 10 02:58 PM

Shillong, Jan 2 (PTI) Reason for Stanley Rosario''s ecstacy these days goes beyond the fact that he has guided Lajong FC to their maiden final of the Federation Cup against East Bengal. After losing to Mohun Bagan in the semi-finals of last edition''s Federation Cup, he was given an unceremonious exit as the coach of East Bengal and this year his boys are up against the same team for the coveted title. Rosario says it was really unfair treatement given to him by the East Bengal last year. "I have proved myself. They did not recognize my work. Now they will have to," Rosario told PTI on the eve of the summit clash. Rosario said he was deeply hurt after being sacked by East Bengal but rejected suggestion that tomorrow''s match would be revenge encounter for him. "It''s an irony that I am meeting the same side tomorrow." He said he was happy to defeat East Bengal at the Durand Cup earlier this year. Having drubbed Dempo and Churchill, Stanley''s boys have proved beyond doubt that they are a force to reckon with. "I am proud of my boys. They have done a fantastic job and proved themselves," Rosario said. More PTI RTJ MM AT

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We have nothing to lose, will go all out: Rosario

Deepak Jain>Sat, Jan 02 10 02:48 PM

Giant killers Shillong Lajong FC will have to field a somewhat depleted side against East Bengal in Sunday's Federation Cup football final in Guwahati but coach Stanley Rosario vowed to play out of their skin to overcome the final hurdle.

Lajong, who shocked I-League champions Churchill Brothers 1-0 to book their maiden final berth in the tournament on Wednesday, will miss the service of five regular players, including regular captain Aibor Khongjee.

Besides, two foreigners Daniel Bedemi and James Giblee would also miss the summit clash due to double booking, which Rosario stated as a "big worry".

"But we will have to handle it," Rosario said from Guwahati.

"It will be a big scenario, a big match and a lot of expectations will be there. We have nothing to lose. The boys have done a fantastic job so far in the tournament and they have showed what they can do," Rosario added.

A capacity-stadium will be rallying behind Lajong, who have impressed everyone with their giant killing spree and became the only team from north-east to reach the finals of the country's top league-cum-knockout tournament.

Hoping the team will not falter against the Kolkata outfit, Rosario said Lajong will be relying heavily on key strikers Seikhohau Tuboi -- who had scored against Dempo, Air India and Churchill Brothers, and Anil Gurung.

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Team India departs for ODI tri-series in Bangladesh

Deepak Jain>Sat, Jan 02 10 02:38 PM

Mumbai, Jan 2 (ANI): The 15-member Indian cricket squad left for Dhaka on Saturday morning from Mumbai for the one-day international (ODI) tri-series between India, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh beginning from January 4.

Earlier on Friday, Team India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had said that he was eager to try out new players during the Bangladesh tour, but not at the cost of losing the series.

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar has opted out of the limited-over tri-series in Bangladesh.

He has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for a break from the shorter version of the game.

However, Tendulkar would be available for the two tests that will be played after the one-day international matches.

Rohit Sharma has been called in the side as a replacement for Tendulkar.

Rohit Sharma was called in to replace Tendulkar in one of several changes to the 15-man squad for the limited-over series, scheduled to start in Bangladesh from January 4.

Yuvraj Singh, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Ashok Dinda and Amit Mishra were also added to the line-up, while Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar and Pragyan Ojha were dropped.

The final of the tournament will take place on January 13, with the first of the two tests commencing in Chittagong on January 17.

India will begin its campaign against Sri Lanka on January 5.

The tri-nation series will be followed by a two-match test series against Bangladesh in Chittagong (Jan 17-21) and Dhaka (Jan 24-28). (ANI)

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We have nothing to lose, will go all out: Rosario

Deepak Jain Sat, Jan 02 10 01:54 PM

Shillong, Jan 2 (PTI) Giant killers Shillong Lajong FC will have to field a somewhat depleted side against East Bengal in tomorrow''s Federation Cup football final in Guwahati but coach Stanley Rosario vowed to play out of their skin to overcome the final hurdle. Lajong, who shocked I-League champions Churchill Brothers 1-0 to book their maiden final berth in the tournament on Wednesday, will miss the service of five regular players, including regular captain Aibor Khongjee. Besides, two foreigners Daniel Bedemi and James Giblee would also miss the summit clash due to double booking, which Rosario stated as a "big worry". "But we will have to handle it," Rosario told PTI from Guwahati. "It will be a big scenario, a big match and a lot of expectations will be there. We have nothing to lose. The boys have done a fantastic job so far in the tournament and they have showed what they can do," Rosario added. A capacity-stadium will be rallying behind Lajong, who have impressed everyone with their giant killing spree and became the only team from north-east to reach the finals of the country''s top league-cum-knockout tournament. Hoping the team will not falter against the Kolkata outfit, Rosario said Lajong will be relying heavily on key strikers Seikhohau Tuboi -- who had scored against Dempo, Air India and Churchill Brothers, and Anil Gurung. .

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Faisal Iqbal says he's ready for any sacrifice to accommodate Younis

Deepak Jain>Sat, Jan 02 10 01:38 PM

Sydney, Jan.2 (ANI): Pakistan batsmen Faisal Iqbal has said that he has no issue moving down the batting order to accommodate Younis Khan, provided the former captain returns to the side for the second and third Tests.

Iqbal, who currently bats at number three, said he would perform whatever duty the team management decides for him.

"I've always been a team man and don't mind whatever number I play at. I always did my best, at opening, three, four, five - and I try to do whatever job is given to me. Whichever way the management makes you play, I just love to be part of the squad," The Dawn quoted Iqbal, as saying.

After losing the MCG test by 170 runs, captain Mohammed Yousuf had sent an SOS message to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to send experienced Younis Khan to Australia to bolster the batting line-up, however, it is unlikely that Younis would join the team for the Test the remaining two Tests of the three match series.

Chances are that he may be included in the one-day squad which will begin in Brisbane from January 22, but that too depends on his performance in the domestic circuit.

Younis had himself opted out of the New Zealand Test tour saying he needed a break from international cricket.

He returned to domestic cricket last week, but failed to regain his form and got out cheaply in both the innings during the final match of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Now, all eyes on Younis, who would playing in the RBS Pentagular Cup to regain his lost form.

Chief Selector Iqbal Qasim had earlier said that Younis would be sent to Australia, but he would not be able to join the Pakistani dressing room for the second Test starting Sunday (January 3) at Sydney.

"The reason behind not sending him at this stage is that it would not have served any purpose.

Firstly, he would not have arrived for the second Test in Sydney on time and more importantly for Younis's own good, we want him to fly out adequately prepared so that he is able to play without feeling the pressure," Qasim had said. (ANI)

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