Haryana's Rs.37.5 lakh award for Hyderabad boy Gagan Narang

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 12:16 PM

Chandigarh, Oct 31 (IANS) Shooter Gagan Narang hails from Hyderabad but when Haryana honours medal winners of the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG), he will be the biggest beneficiary - thanks to his family's Panipat connection.

Narang, who won four gold medals at the Games, will walk away with a cash reward of Rs.37.5 lakh ($8.4 million). This is the highest prize money among around 35 players, who will be honoured by the Haryana government at a public ceremony near Sonepat Monday.

Each gold medal winner will get Rs.15 lakh from the Haryana government. Those winning more than one gold medal will get an additional Rs.7.5 lakh for every medal.

And that's not all.

Narang and other gold medallists will also get a Maruti SX-4 car (priced around Rs.8 lakh), a Nokia mobile phone and 101 kg of 'desi ghee'.

'Those state players who won more than one medal in the Commonwealth Games would get additional cash award at the 'Chak De Haryana, Chak De India' rally as per the state's sports policy,' Hooda said here Sunday.

Narang, who lives in Andhra Pradesh capital Hyderabad, had recently told Hooda that his family had lived in Panipat town of Haryana for decades before moving down south.

Ace badminton player Saina Nehwal, who also won a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games and hails from Hyderabad, will also get a cash reward of Rs.15 lakh from the Haryana government Monday.

Saina's father, a scientist based in Hyderabad, hails from Haryana.

'Our sports policy has encouraged sportspersons from Haryana to give this sterling performance in the CWG. Forty-four percent of the total medals (101) won by India were bagged by Haryana players,' Hooda said.

The Haryana government has decided to shower the largesse - cash, cars, mobile phones and 'desi ghee' - upon sportspersons from the state who won medals in the Oct 3-14 mega sporting event in New Delhi.

The cash rewards and gifts will be handed over to the players at a public ceremony Nov 1 to mark Haryana Day at the Moti Lal Nehru Sports School at Rai near Sonepat town, 200 km from here. Haryana was created Nov 1, 1966.

Hooda will award silver medal winners a cash prize of Rs.10 lakh, a Maruti Dzire car (priced around Rs.7 lakh), a Nokia mobile phone and 51 kg 'desi ghee' each. The bronze medallists would be given Rs.5 lakh, Maruti Wagon-R car (priced around Rs.3.5 lakh, a Nokia cell phone and 31 kg 'desi ghee' each.

The coaches of the medal-winning Haryana players will also be honoured with cash prizes. They will get Rs.3 lakh, Rs.2 lakh and Rs.1 lakh for the gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively, won by their trainees.

Players from the state who represented the country in the Games but could not win any medals would also be honoured with Rs.2 lakh cash reward.

The medal winning players being honoured include Saina, Narang, Krishna Poonia, Anisa Sayyad, Annu Raj Singh, Anita, Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Manoj, Paramjeet Samota and Vijender Singh.

Players like Saina, Narang, Sushil Kumar (wrestling) and Krishna Poonia (discus throw), who do not directly belong to Haryana but have their roots in the state, are being honoured with the same privileges as other medal winners.

While Sushil Kumar is from Delhi, Krishna Poonia is married and settled in neighbouring Rajasthan.

Source: Web Search

Don''t overschedule T20 cricket: ACA to CA

Sun, Oct 31 10 12:06 PM

Melbourne, Oct 31 (PTI) Allowing private investment in Australia''s domestic Twenty20 league is fine but the country''s Cricketers Association (ACA) has warned against overscheduling of the games as it might just end up "killing the golden goose". ACA chief executive Paul Marsh has said that while the decision to allow private investment, including from India, is a step in the right direction, more money should not mean more matches. "If there''s one lesson we''ve all learnt in recent years, it''s that more games doesn''t necessarily mean a better product," Marsh told ''The Sun Herald''. "That''s the major issue, in my view, with limited overs cricket. One-day cricket''s been flogged. I don''t think there''s too much wrong with the product but the way it''s been scheduled, the lack of context, too many games, are the main reasons there''s been a drop-off in consumer interest. "I hope those lessons are taken on board with T20 and they don''t kill the golden goose," he explained Cricket Australia is already faced with plummeting TV ratings of its domestic tournaments and allowing private investment is one of the steps towards reviving interest in the game. "Increasingly we''ve been finding that cricket is still popular with males over the age of 30, but it hasn''t been winning over the interest of women and younger people," Marsh said. "That''s a really important segment. The Big Bash has to be successful for the future of Australian cricket," he added. PTI PM

Source: Published>

T20 is easiest to corrupt: Chappell

Sun, Oct 31 10 11:46 AM

Melbourne, Oct 31 (PTI) Cricket Australia should be mindful that Twenty20 is the "easiest form of the game to corrupt" when it accepts private investment, including from India, in the country''s domestic Twenty20 league from next year, feels former captain Ian Chappell. Cricket Australia has given the go ahead for private investment in its Twenty20 Big Bash from next year and Chappell says CA should firmly be in control of the money flowing in to keep corruption at bay. "It (Cricket Australia) needs to be certain of what''s motivating the businessmen, many of them from India, to part with their hard earned. It''s imperative CA retains a percentage of any revenue stream to ensure the game remains strong for future generations of cricketers in Australia," Chappell wrote in ''The Sunday Telegraph''. Drawing comparisons with the Karry Packer series which took the cricket world by storm, Chappell said CA has to ensure that it does not import corruption in its domestic structure. "Kerry Packer, television magnate and 1970s cricket revolutionary, may be dead but his spirit lives on. Or so it was portrayed last week by Cricket Australia (CA) officials. "The gradual move to a franchise-based cricket operation is logical, in order to be well placed if the game expands globally. However, the most relevant part of CA''s announcement was: ''The competition will be owned, controlled and managed by Cricket Australia''," Chappell wrote. "CA''s caution is understandable, as the cricket landscape has changed dramatically since the World Series of Cricket revolution." Chappell said with corruption being a harsh reality in international cricket, any private investment has to be throughly scrutinised. "....concerning is the fact that the easiest form of the game to corrupt is Twenty20. Not the least of CA''s concerns will be the risk of importing corruption. "It''s already been shown the crooks have infiltrated cricket and there''s very little sign the administrators are on the verge of excising the cancer," he explained. Chappell cited the example of IPL which has been a tremendous financial success but has been hit by controversies on ownership patterns which has led to two franchises being de-recognised. "The expanded T20 league in Australia is being touted as a counterweight to the enormous sums of money flowing to the glamorous Indian Premier League (IPL). "While the IPL kicked off in rip-roaring fashion with money being thrown around like confetti and Bollywood-style publicity, CA will be aware that lately it''s hit a few hurdles. "Two franchises have been deregistered and a third one given 30 days to show why it shouldn''t become part of a hat-trick." PTI PM

Source: Published>

''Problem with cricket administration in Indian sub-continent''

Sun, Oct 31 10 10:56 AM

Melbourne, Oct 31 (PTI) Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who missed out on becoming the ICC President after being refused support by the Asian bloc and Zimbabwe, feels there is a "problem with the administration of cricket" in parts of the Indian subcontinent and the African nation. "I think there is a problem with the administration of cricket in some parts of the cricketing world," Howard was quoted as saying by ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. "I hasten to say not Australia - I think the cricket administration in Australia is very good. I think there is a problem in parts of the Indian subcontinent and clearly there is a problem in Zimbabwe, which is not entirely unrelated to the circumstances affecting me," he added. Howard had to controversially back out of the race for the top job when he was refused support by the Asian nations and Zimbabwe earlier this year. The lack of support for Howard was due to his controversial political past. He had even called Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan a chucker during his tenure as Aussie Prime Minister. The former Prime Minister, who is a self-confessed cricket tragic, rated Australian skipper Ricky Ponting as the best Australian batsman since the legendary Don Bradman. "It''s very, very hard to say any Australian batsman since Bradman has been better than Ricky Ponting," he said. "I think Ponting is a great batsman. I think he plays the hook shot brilliantly and I wish him luck against the old enemy," he added.

Source: Published>

St Stephen's owe it to Karan's all-round show

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 10:52 AM

Defending champions record huge 162-run win over GNPS-36 to win 7th Molly Carver tourney

On Saturday, Karan Aggarwal made his grandfather Dronacharya Desh Prem Azad proud by giving sterling all-round performance (53 runs and 4 for 24), to enable St Stephen's School, Sector 45, beat Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36, by a huge margin of 162 runs in the final to clinch 7th Molly Carver Invitational Cup that was organised by Desh Prem Azad Cricket Academy and St Stephen's School, Sector 45.

Defending champions, St Stephen's School won the toss and decided to set target for the opposition. Carrying forward his fine form in the tournament opener Udit Hari Mehta scored 79 runs in 71 balls. He was ably supported by Karan who made 53 runs in 74 balls. Both added 127 runs for the opening wicket, thus giving a launching pad to the following batsmen. After Udit's fall, Gurraunak joined Karan in the middle. Both played all over the park and were involved in 91-run partnership for the second wicket. Gurraunak played knock of 65 runs to propel his team's total. Gurpinder Singh contributed with important 30 runs in the slog overs and also remained unbeaten. St Stephen's scored total of 275 runs for the loss of six wickets in 40 overs. From GNPS-36, leg-spinner Sachin Madra (3 for 58) and right arm off-break bowler Charanjit Singh (3 for 48) were the main wicket takers.

In reply, GNPS-36 were skittled out for 113 in 27.2 overs. Right hand medium-pacer Gaurav Singh bowled accurately and grabbed GNPS's four top-order wickets, leaving them in tatters. Maintaining the pressure, Karan got into the act and bowled his effective leg-breaks to put the opposition batsmen on the backfoot. In the process, he was able to send four batsmen back to the pavilion. It was just Sanjog Singh (40) who showed some resistence in the GNPS batting line-up. Later, Karan was declared man of the match, while Udit Hari Mehta (656 runs and 7 wickets) was announced as man of the tournament for his superlative performances. Prizes were given by Harold Carver and Diana Carver.

Source: Web Search

CWG: ED probe to extend beyond Queen Baton Relay

Sun, Oct 31 10 10:26 AM

New Delhi, Oct 31 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate is probing possible forex violations in the overlays work carried out for the recently held 19th Commonwealth Games besides the irregularities in the Queen Baton''s Relay. The Directorate, which has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report under Foreign Exchange Management Act in connection with alleged forex violations in the Relay held last year in London, is also looking into other aspects of the sporting extravaganza, an official source said. The ED is looking at possible violations of forex as well those related to anti money-laundering laws in the overlays works, the source said. The execution of overlays works, worth several hundred crores, is also being probed by other agencies like the Income Tax Department. The overlays contracts are also under the scanner of the Central Vigilance Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor General. Some of the consortiums that were awarded these contracts have a foreign arm too. The ED is also scrutinising the official records on joint ventures and investments that enabled the firm to qualify for the bidding, the source said. According to the source, the ED had questioned CWG Organising Committee''s Director General V K Verma over the overlays work carried out by his agency. The I-T Department has been at forefront of probe into overlays work and conducted two rounds of raids on prominent contractors and firms associated with the overlays works. Sources said the large number of documents collected by the Department during these searches would be shared with the ED and could form the basis for any other case that could be registered by the Directorate.

Source: Published>

St Stephen's owe it to Karan's all-round show

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 10:06 AM

Defending champions record huge 162-run win over GNPS-36 to win 7th Molly Carver tourney

On Saturday, Karan Aggarwal made his grandfather Dronacharya Desh Prem Azad proud by giving sterling all-round performance (53 runs and 4 for 24), to enable St Stephen's School, Sector 45, beat Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36, by a huge margin of 162 runs in the final to clinch 7th Molly Carver Invitational Cup that was organised by Desh Prem Azad Cricket Academy and St Stephen's School, Sector 45.

Defending champions, St Stephen's School won the toss and decided to set target for the opposition. Carrying forward his fine form in the tournament opener Udit Hari Mehta scored 79 runs in 71 balls. He was ably supported by Karan who made 53 runs in 74 balls. Both added 127 runs for the opening wicket, thus giving a launching pad to the following batsmen. After Udit's fall, Gurraunak joined Karan in the middle. Both played all over the park and were involved in 91-run partnership for the second wicket. Gurraunak played knock of 65 runs to propel his team's total. Gurpinder Singh contributed with important 30 runs in the slog overs and also remained unbeaten. St Stephen's scored total of 275 runs for the loss of six wickets in 40 overs. From GNPS-36, leg-spinner Sachin Madra (3 for 58) and right arm off-break bowler Charanjit Singh (3 for 48) were the main wicket takers.

In reply, GNPS-36 were skittled out for 113 in 27.2 overs. Right hand medium-pacer Gaurav Singh bowled accurately and grabbed GNPS's four top-order wickets, leaving them in tatters. Maintaining the pressure, Karan got into the act and bowled his effective leg-breaks to put the opposition batsmen on the backfoot. In the process, he was able to send four batsmen back to the pavilion. It was just Sanjog Singh (40) who showed some resistence in the GNPS batting line-up. Later, Karan was declared man of the match, while Udit Hari Mehta (656 runs and 7 wickets) was announced as man of the tournament for his superlative performances. Prizes were given by Harold Carver and Diana Carver.

Source: Web Search

It's all falling into place for Ishant

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 09:26 AM

Those budding cricketers who made their way to the Ferozeshah Kotla for the under-14 selection trials were excited to see the familiar and lanky figure of medium-pacer Ishant Sharma bowling on the centre wicket on Saturday morning. Sharma joined the Delhi Ranji Trophy squad during a morning practice session geared up towards their season opener against Bengal from Monday.

Sharma will be packing his bags and heading to Ahmedabad for the first Test against New Zealand on Day One of the Delhi-Bengal match at the Kotla.

The medium-pacer had injured his right knee during the first Test against Australia in Mohali and though he was off the field during phases of the first innings, he took three second-innings wickets and added 81 runs for the ninth wicket with VVS Laxman in a match-winning partnership. He missed the second Test in Bangalore but has recovered and made the cut for the Test squad for the New Zealand series.

During practice, which was followed by a stint in the gymnasium, Sharma tried to find his rhythm. "Getting match fit and getting match fit in the correct manner is very important for a bowler. As a bowler you have to feel confident going into a Test match. At the same time you can't overburden yourself by bowling long spells in the nets in an effort to find rhythm. One has to slowly build himself up, and that's what I am trying to do," Sharma told The Sunday Express.

A slow and steady build-up is what Sharma prefers in a scenario when he is getting back to his best. "My target is to bowl 10 overs at the nets each day and see how it goes. I am bowling eight overs at present and I am bowling with the same intensity and effort as I would in a Test match. I am happy with the way I am building up for the New Zealand series," Sharma added.

Looking back at the Mohali Test, Sharma recalls how the pain in his knee made it very difficult to bowl. "Within the first five overs, I felt a sharp pain in my knee. I was bowling a lot of no-balls because I was bowling in pain, looking to somehow get through my overs. I had to take three injections to relieve the pain and I bowled much better in the second innings. Bowling that spell gave me a lot of confidence because I was able to influence the outcome of the match to a certain extent," Sharma said adding that he had shortened his run-up before the Sri Lanka series to reduce the burden on his knee.

His career-best of 32 in the second innings was also a talking point. "I only bat when I am on tour or traveling with Indian team," he said after opting not to pad-up on Saturday. The only man who was confident of Sharma's ability with the bat in Mohali was probably coach Gary Kirsten.

The Kirsten story

"Gary spoke to me and gave me all the confidence. He made me believe that I could contribute with the bat too and help India win a Test match. 'Do you have the same confidence as me?' he asked. When I went into bat, I could feel the faith he had reposed in me, and honestly, it made the difference."

It is Kirsten's tireless and patient efforts to help everyone improve their skills that has helped Sharma gain confidence. "Gary will never say no when a bowler or a tail-ender wants to polish his batting skills at the end of a nets session. All the time he tries to pump you up. He wants to make you believe that tail-enders can also make a difference with the bat. You won't believe it but he has given me throw downs for half-an hour after the nets. I wish Kirsten is there with us even after the World Cup. As for bowling coach Eric Simons, he gives us a lot of positive energy. He also gives us a lot of options to work with. If going over the stumps is not working, he allows you to bowl around or try options."

This Diwali will be special for Sharma. His family will be moving into a brand-new home, even while he'll be away in Ahmedabad.

Source: Web Search

St Stephen's owe it to Karan's all-round show

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 08:46 AM

Defending champions record huge 162-run win over GNPS-36 to win 7th Molly Carver tourney

On Saturday, Karan Aggarwal made his grandfather Dronacharya Desh Prem Azad proud by giving sterling all-round performance (53 runs and 4 for 24), to enable St Stephen's School, Sector 45, beat Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36, by a huge margin of 162 runs in the final to clinch 7th Molly Carver Invitational Cup that was organised by Desh Prem Azad Cricket Academy and St Stephen's School, Sector 45.

Defending champions, St Stephen's School won the toss and decided to set target for the opposition. Carrying forward his fine form in the tournament opener Udit Hari Mehta scored 79 runs in 71 balls. He was ably supported by Karan who made 53 runs in 74 balls. Both added 127 runs for the opening wicket, thus giving a launching pad to the following batsmen. After Udit's fall, Gurraunak joined Karan in the middle. Both played all over the park and were involved in 91-run partnership for the second wicket. Gurraunak played knock of 65 runs to propel his team's total. Gurpinder Singh contributed with important 30 runs in the slog overs and also remained unbeaten. St Stephen's scored total of 275 runs for the loss of six wickets in 40 overs. From GNPS-36, leg-spinner Sachin Madra (3 for 58) and right arm off-break bowler Charanjit Singh (3 for 48) were the main wicket takers.

In reply, GNPS-36 were skittled out for 113 in 27.2 overs. Right hand medium-pacer Gaurav Singh bowled accurately and grabbed GNPS's four top-order wickets, leaving them in tatters. Maintaining the pressure, Karan got into the act and bowled his effective leg-breaks to put the opposition batsmen on the backfoot. In the process, he was able to send four batsmen back to the pavilion. It was just Sanjog Singh (40) who showed some resistence in the GNPS batting line-up. Later, Karan was declared man of the match, while Udit Hari Mehta (656 runs and 7 wickets) was announced as man of the tournament for his superlative performances. Prizes were given by Harold Carver and Diana Carver.

Source: Web Search

It's all falling into place for Ishant

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 06:08 AM

Those budding cricketers who made their way to the Ferozeshah Kotla for the under-14 selection trials were excited to see the familiar and lanky figure of medium-pacer Ishant Sharma bowling on the centre wicket on Saturday morning. Sharma joined the Delhi Ranji Trophy squad during a morning practice session geared up towards their season opener against Bengal from Monday.

Sharma will be packing his bags and heading to Ahmedabad for the first Test against New Zealand on Day One of the Delhi-Bengal match at the Kotla.

The medium-pacer had injured his right knee during the first Test against Australia in Mohali and though he was off the field during phases of the first innings, he took three second-innings wickets and added 81 runs for the ninth wicket with VVS Laxman in a match-winning partnership. He missed the second Test in Bangalore but has recovered and made the cut for the Test squad for the New Zealand series.

During practice, which was followed by a stint in the gymnasium, Sharma tried to find his rhythm. "Getting match fit and getting match fit in the correct manner is very important for a bowler. As a bowler you have to feel confident going into a Test match. At the same time you can't overburden yourself by bowling long spells in the nets in an effort to find rhythm. One has to slowly build himself up, and that's what I am trying to do," Sharma told The Sunday Express.

A slow and steady build-up is what Sharma prefers in a scenario when he is getting back to his best. "My target is to bowl 10 overs at the nets each day and see how it goes. I am bowling eight overs at present and I am bowling with the same intensity and effort as I would in a Test match. I am happy with the way I am building up for the New Zealand series," Sharma added.

Looking back at the Mohali Test, Sharma recalls how the pain in his knee made it very difficult to bowl. "Within the first five overs, I felt a sharp pain in my knee. I was bowling a lot of no-balls because I was bowling in pain, looking to somehow get through my overs. I had to take three injections to relieve the pain and I bowled much better in the second innings. Bowling that spell gave me a lot of confidence because I was able to influence the outcome of the match to a certain extent," Sharma said adding that he had shortened his run-up before the Sri Lanka series to reduce the burden on his knee.

His career-best of 32 in the second innings was also a talking point. "I only bat when I am on tour or traveling with Indian team," he said after opting not to pad-up on Saturday. The only man who was confident of Sharma's ability with the bat in Mohali was probably coach Gary Kirsten.

The Kirsten story

"Gary spoke to me and gave me all the confidence. He made me believe that I could contribute with the bat too and help India win a Test match. 'Do you have the same confidence as me?' he asked. When I went into bat, I could feel the faith he had reposed in me, and honestly, it made the difference."

It is Kirsten's tireless and patient efforts to help everyone improve their skills that has helped Sharma gain confidence. "Gary will never say no when a bowler or a tail-ender wants to polish his batting skills at the end of a nets session. All the time he tries to pump you up. He wants to make you believe that tail-enders can also make a difference with the bat. You won't believe it but he has given me throw downs for half-an hour after the nets. I wish Kirsten is there with us even after the World Cup. As for bowling coach Eric Simons, he gives us a lot of positive energy. He also gives us a lot of options to work with. If going over the stumps is not working, he allows you to bowl around or try options."

This Diwali will be special for Sharma. His family will be moving into a brand-new home, even while he'll be away in Ahmedabad.

Source: Web Search

Eight Indians in finals of World Bodybuilding Championship

Sun, Oct 31 10 01:06 AM

Varanasi, Oct 30 (PTI) Eight Indians today ensured their place in the finals of various categories in the WBPF Second World Bodybuilding Championship being held here. In the 60 kg category, Daljit Singh and Rakesh Gupta entered the finals while in the 90 kg category, Jitender Dhillon and Amarinder Singh achieved this feat. The other Indians who reached the finals were Pradeep Verma (55 kg), Nizam Shafi (65 kg), A Boby Singh (75 kg) and Gaurav Kapil (85 kg).

Source: Published>

Cologne to stick with coach Schaefer for now, club says

Sun, Oct 31 10 12:36 AM

Cologne will retain caretaker coach Frank Schaefer for now after he steered his team to a 3-2 win over Hamburg SV in his Bundesliga debut on Saturday and lifted them off bottom spot.

Schaefer was the club's youth coach before taking over from the sacked Zvonimir Soldo last week.

"At the moment there is no reason to discuss the coach issue," Cologne manager Michael Meier told reporters.

"There is no doubt that both will stay on because it would be silly of us to start talking to other coaches now," he said in reference to Schaefer and assistant coach Dirk Lottner.

The win, their second under Schaefer after their 3-0 win over 1860 Munich in the German Cup in midweek, lifted Cologne to 15th spot on eight points from 10 games.

Source: Published>

New Zealand team arrives for India tour

Sat, Oct 30 10 11:52 PM

Ahmedabad, Oct 30 (PTI) New Zealand cricket team, on a tour of India to play three Test matches and five ODIs, arrived at the Sardar Patel International Airport tonight. "The entire team has landed at the airport here," Gujarat Cricket Association(GCA) Spokesperson Jagat Patel said. New Zeleand team will be spending almost one and a half months in the country playing Test and ODI series. Their first test match is scheduled to be played at the Motera stadium here and will begin from November 4. The team was welcomed by the GCA members here. Daniel Vettori is the captain of the New Zealand team, while Mark Greatbatch is the team coach.

Source: Published>

ICC hearing on Pak players'' appeal begins

Sat, Oct 30 10 10:56 PM

Dubai, Oct 30 (PTI) The International Cricket Council today started the two-day hearing on the appeals by Pakistan players Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamir against the suspensions imposed on them for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing. The first day of the hearing lasted for more than eight hours and will continue tomorrow. The two cricketers were accompanied by their lawyers -- Butt by Khalid R Anjha, a former Law Minister, and former Pakistan player Aftab Gul, while Aamir was with Shahid Karim. Both Butt and Aamir appeared before ICC''s Code of Conduct commissioner with hope that the suspensions would be removed. Sporting casual shirts and trousers, the two players did not speak to the media while entering the ICC Headquarters. The commission is expected to take a final decision on the players'' appeals, and whatever the outcome of the hearing is, it cannot be challenged further. The two, along with Mohammad Asif, were provisionally suspended by the ICC after an English tabloid broke stories about their involvement in spot fixing during Pakistan''s summer tour of England. The stories prompted Scotland Yard to launch an investigation into the allegations. Pakistan team has been struggling in the absence of the three cricketers, and with the series against South Africa in Dubai coming up, removal of suspensions would boost Pakistan''s chances. The three cricketers appealed especially keeping in mind the series against South Africa, but Asif later withdrew his application.

Source: Published>

Amir and Butt must wait for verdict on ICC suspensions

Sat, Oct 30 10 10:36 PM

Pakistan players Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt must wait to learn if their suspensions over spot-fixing allegations will be lifted after an International Cricket Council (ICC) hearing was extended on Saturday.

Officials from cricket's governing body said the hearing would now conclude on Sunday.

"The hearings went on all day," Butt's lawyer Khalid Ranjha told reporters after the eight-hour session. "It will continue tomorrow. I can't say anything more about the discussions today."

Michael Beloff, who is presiding over the hearing and heads the ICC's code of conduct commission, said: "We are making progress."

However, he declined to elaborate.

The proceedings in Dubai are concerned only with the pair's suspensions and whether the ICC followed the correct procedures in imposing them.

The innocence or guilt of the players, who have denied any wrongdoing, will be judged at an independent tribunal, the date of which has yet to be set.

Pace bowler Amir and opening batsman Butt were suspended by the ICC on Sept. 2 after being charged with various offences under cricket's anti-corruption code.

The bans followed allegations in a British newspaper of spot-fixing during the recent test series against England.

Butt and Amir refused to speak to reporters on Saturday.

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif was also suspended by the ICC over the same allegations but withdrew his appeal earlier this month in order to give his lawyers more time to prepare a detailed challenge.

Asif also denies any wrongdoing.

The British newspaper report alleged Amir and Asif deliberately bowled no-balls to order in a test against England at Lord's in August, with the involvement of Butt who was then Pakistan captain.

British police are also investigating the spot-fixing allegations against the trio.

Source: Published>

CWG: PM doesn''t feel his office should have intervened earlier

Sat, Oct 30 10 10:22 PM

On Board PM''s Special Aircraft, Oct 30 (PTI) Notwithstanding the mess surrounding Commonwealth Games, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today disagreed with the suggestion that he or his office should have intervened earlier to get things going saying such actions would not be good for the system. "After the event, anybody can find fault but I don''t think it will be good for the system if everything is to be handled by the Prime Minister or his office," he told reporters. He was responding to questions on the Commonwealth Games mess which had tarnished India''s image and whether he felt in the hindsight that he should have intervened earlier than he did. "The country has good instrumentalities, ministers and other institutions with specific responsibilities. They should be entrusted with the task of accomplishing the task," he said. Singh''s comments came against the backdrop of the last-minute intervention of the PMO to set right the organisation of the Games which attracted criticism for tardy preparation.

Source: Published>

Novakovic hat-trick steers Cologne to win over Hamburg

Sat, Oct 30 10 10:16 PM

A Milivoje Novakovic hat-trick helped lowly Cologne to a 3-2 win over Hamburg SV in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Slovenian Novakovic struck twice in 18 first-half minutes to put them ahead and then level after the visitors had taken a brief lead 2-1 lead through Son Heung Min.

Paolo Guerrero rattled the crossbar early in the second half for a superior Hamburg before Novakovic completed a swift move six minutes from time to seal a victory that lifted Cologne off bottom spot and into 15th place.

Hamburg dropped to eighth place on 15 points.

Werder Bremen missed their chance to climb up the table after Nuremberg's Hugo Almeida grabbed a late winner in a 3-2 victory.

VfL Wolfsburg celebrated their first win in four games when they beat VfB Stuttgart with goals in either half from Simon Kjaer and captain Edin Dzeko to move up to 12th spot on 13 points from 10 games.

On Friday Bayern Munich eased past Freiburg 4-2 to move up to seventh place on 15 points.

Leaders Mainz 05 host second-placed Borussia Dortmund, two points adrift on 22, on Sunday while Hoffenheim entertain Hanover 96.

Source: Published>

Pak cricketers in SA not confined to hotel rooms: Intikhab

Sat, Oct 30 10 10:06 PM

Karachi, Oct 30 (PTI) Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam has refuted reports that members of the national team, now in Abu Dhabi for the series against South Africa, have become the prisoners in the team hotel because of the new code of conduct for the players. Media has reported that the players were not venturing out of their hotel rooms because of the new conduct code and this was their way of a silent protest against the more stringent rules and regulations. However, Intikhab said from Abu Dhabi that there was no bar on the players moving outside the hotel. "What we have only done is enforce strict curfew timings and we will not tolerate any player not adhering to these timings. They are free to go out but they have to follow the curfew timings," he said. The former captain hoped the new code of conduct would soon start showing results and was necessary given the recent spate of controversies and scandals surrounding the national team. He admitted that the team management had been tasked with keeping a close eye on the people, the players move around with inside or outside the hotel. "These new regulations are now required to bring about an improvement in Pakistan cricket. We are clear we will not tolerate any indiscipline from any player," he said. Sources also said that Intikhab had held a long one-to-one session with young batsman Umar Akmal and told him clearly he needed to play for the team and improve his batting to keep his place in the team. Umar was dropped for the first one-dayer against South Africa because of his poor form in the two Twenty20 matches against South Africa. "Intikhab advised Umar to not waste his immense talent and remain in the team on performance basis. During the session Umar had his head bent but Inti told him to talk to him eye to eye and be straight forward," the source said. The Pakistan Cricket Board has even formed a Integrity Committee in line with the instructions from the International Cricket Council that the PCB needed to reform itself and improve its governance to tackle anti-corruption and discipline issues. Sources said the Integrity Committee has now been given authority by the Board Chairman to directly deal with cases of indiscipline or violations of the code of conduct by Pakistan team members, while in the past the Chairman himself dealt with these things. "The Integrity Committee will in fact give clearance for any replacements in the team as well after checking their background," the source said.

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Lahiri conquers KGA to retain BILT Open crown

Sat, Oct 30 10 09:52 PM

Bangalore, Oct 30 (PTI) Bangalore''s Anirban Lahiri retained the BILT Open title after signing off with a steady two under 70 at the KGA today. Lahiri totalled 11 under 277 for the week to take home the winner''s cheque of Rs 1,616,500 that helped him climb from fourth to first place in the 2010 Rolex Rankings. Amardip Singh Malik of Meerut finished four strokes behind Lahiri to be the runner-up. Lahiri (68-68-71-70) did not have the ideal start to his title defence on the final day of the Open. He began with a bogey on the first hole, where he first found the trees, and then the bunker. At this stage he was the joint leader along with Malik. Lahiri went into a two-stroke lead after making birdies on the third and eighth where he sank putts from eight and six feet respectively. The defending champion found the water hazard on the 10th and, as a result, dropped a bogey that reduced his lead to one stroke. Lahiri was struggling with his hitting but he made up for that with his excellent short-game. A great example of this was his tremendous recovery on the par-five 11th, where he picked up a birdie. He hit a poor drive on the 11th, which landed in the fairway bunker. However, he managed to salvage a birdie from there after finding the edge of the green in three shots and then sinking a 10 feet putt. The Bangalore lad all but sealed it when he knocked in a 25-feet birdie putt on the 15th that once again put him two strokes ahead. Lahiri finally went on to register a four-stroke win as Malik''s challenge faded away after he dropped bogeys on the last two holes. "I was in poor hitting from today. Nevertheless, I remained focused and composed despite hitting those bad shots. Importantly, I didn''t give the lead away from the third hole onwards and matched both my partners shot by shot. "I kept pushing myself through the round. The par putt that I sank from 25 feet on the second hole turned out to be very crucial at the end. Even though I won by four shots, the match was a lot closer than the scoreline suggests," said Lahiri, who has now won five professional titles including three in the current Aircel PGTI season. "It''s great to defend a title. The BILT Open is one of the most prestigious events on the Aircel PGTI calendar and to win it two years in succession is quite special. It was very pleasing to see a huge gallery at the KGA today which included a lot of kids. Their support was quite encouraging," he added. MORE PTI AH

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Afridi finds himself in another controversy

Sat, Oct 30 10 09:36 PM

Karachi, Oct 30 (PTI) Pakistan''s troubled captain Shahid Afridi, who is already under pressure because of his team''s continuous dismal performance against South Africa, has now found himself dragged into another unnecessary controversy. ''The Express'' news channel played up a report today that though he was struggling as captain and player, the flamboyant all-rounder had not missed the opportunity to make some money by setting up a stall at the market for sacrificial animals in Karachi. The channel reported that Afridi had set up a VIP stall at the market with the help of some other business partners and was selling high breed animals for sacrifice at Eid. Taking obvious jibes at the fact that Pakistan captain had now turned to a meat businessman after opening up his car showroom and launching his own brand of clothes, the channel said animals at the VIP stall had become centre of attraction for visitors because of Afridi''s involvement in it. To compound matters, Pakistan''s former captain and senior batsman, Muhammad Yousuf also visited the market and performed the ribbon cutting ceremony of the stall. He also spoke about the benefits of the meat business. The story clearly upset the Pakistan captain, who is in Abu Dhabi, as shortly after the story was aired a couple of times, his brother Mushtaq Afridi was on air. "Who told you that my brother has opened a stall at the sacrificial animals'' market? Tell me where is it? I have not seen it," Mushtaq questioned the newscaster on phone. When reminded that Yousuf had performed the opening ceremony, Mushtaq, himself a first class cricketer, replied, "Prove to me this is our stall, we have no investment in it at all and we have nothing to do with it. Why drag my brother''s name into it?" Former players like Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf have set up a chain of stores in Karachi and Lahore to sell top grade meat. "We are even importing high breed animals from New Zealand and Australia as we want to provide top quality to our customers," said Yousuf. The senior batsman pulled out of the Twenty20 and ODI series against South Africa due to a hamstring strain, but he is now said to be fit for the forthcoming Tests against the Proteas.

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TTFI finds sponsor for major tourney

Sat, Oct 30 10 09:26 PM

New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) With just two days to go for the Global Junior City Circuit Final and Cadet Challenge, the Table Tennis Federation of India today got a sponsor for the event to be held in Hyderabad from November 1-7. "Yes, we have got a sponsor for the tournament now. The deal was finalised today only," TTFI secretary general Dhanraj Choudhary told PTI from Hyderabad. "Deccan Chronicle has decided to be the sponsor of the tournament," he added. Ace paddlers of under-15, under-16 and under-18 age groups will be seen in action in the tournament to be held at the Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy Stadium in the Andhra Pradesh capital.

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Bhaichung launches Bhaichung Bhutia Football School

Published>Sat, Oct 30 10 09:16 PM

New Delhi, Oct 30 (IANS) India captain Bhaichung Bhutia Saturday launched a Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools youth development programme in association with former Portugal coach Carlos Quieroz.

During the launch, Bhutia said the youth development programme will start with Delhi and then move to Mumbai. It will be expanded to eight cities in three years. Football by Carlos Quieroz, a training school run by the Portuguese manager will provide the technical assistance, including coaches, for Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools.

'To start with, we have tied up with Ryan International School. They have given us the infrastructure for the project. Slowly we have plans to move to Mumbai and expand it to eight cities in India,' said Bhutia.

The school will be operational by Nov 29. Thirty percent of the seats will be reserved for underprivileged students.

'We will have two coaches from Football by Carlos Quieroz. Our school will be open for youngsters who love to play the game. The school is aimed at encouraging kids to play, enjoy the sport and have fun. They will also have access to good coaches and training facilities,' said Bhutia.

'The coaches will monitor the kids, and the talented youngsters will be given special training. I am also planning to set up academies in West Bengal and Sikkim and these kids will get special training there,' Bhutia said.

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Nepal cyclist wins Himachal mountain biking event

Published>Sat, Oct 30 10 09:08 PM

Shimla, Oct 30 (IANS) Nepal's Ajay Pandit Saturday won the sixth edition of the Hercules MTB Himachal 2010 - the country's toughest cycle rally that concluded here, an organiser said.

'Ajay Pandit is the overall winner of the event while Ramesh Chandra Joshi and Dilip Singh of the Indian Army stood second and third (respectively),' Mohit Sood, president of the Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA), told IANS.

He said Joshi and Singh stood second and third last year as well.

Last year's winner Padam Sabenhang, also from Nepal, was out of the event on second day due to injuries.

Seventy-six cyclists, including 11 foreigners, covered 500 km rugged and inhospitable terrains in eight days. The expedition passed through Shimla, Kullu and Mandi districts.

'The route was quite inhospitable but the practice back home (Nepal) helped me win the title,' Pandit said.

Only 45 out of the total 76 cyclists were able to complete the event. The Jalori Pass (at 3,223 metres) in Kullu district was the toughest point in the rally.

The teams from the Indian Air Force and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police also participated.

The foreign participants were from the US, Austria, Germany, Nepal and Bhutan.

Covering the most rugged and inhospitable terrain, the Hercules MTB Himachal has been billed as the third toughest mountain biking event in the world. The other two are Trans-Alps Challenge in Europe and Trans Rockies in Canada.

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Gogoi stresses for specialised sports academies

Sat, Oct 30 10 08:22 PM

Guwahati, Oct 30 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today stressed the need for specialised academies in sports disciplines to hone the skills of young sports persons. After inaugurating the Assam Badminton Academy here, Gogoi said that he hoped the academy would go a long way in restoring the state''s pride and glory in badminton by producing world class players. Assam Badminton Association (ABA) president and state Health and Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmah said on the occasion that it was a red letter day for sports lovers of the state and a lot of effort had gone into the setting up of the academy. The academy would rope in foreign as well as Indian coaches for intensive training of budding players to make them world class, he said. "Emphasis will be given on the right type of training and matchplay to create an ideal training environment, allowing each individual player to perform at an optimum level both during training and competitive play," he said. Eminent former shuttler P Gopichand, who was also present on the occasion, said he was hopeful that players from Assam and the Northeast would get maximum benefit from the academy and the country would get many champions from here. PTI DG AMD AH

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Kaymer's world number one hopes looking slim

Sat, Oct 30 10 07:56 PM

Martin Kaymer produced his best round of the week at the Andalucia Masters on Saturday but the young German's chances of claiming the world number one spot look slim.

A bogey on Valderrama's final hole gave him a third-round 70 and a three-over-par aggregate of 216, leaving him well down the field.

The 25-year-old Kaymer needs to finish in the top two here on Sunday to deny Briton Lee Westwood the chance of ending Tiger Woods's 281-week spell as world number one.

Even though he found some form, Kaymer was again unable to make much headway at the tough southern Spain layout that hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup and where he clinched Europe's rookie of the year award in 2007.

The U.S. PGA champion picked up three birdies but bogeys at the 15th and 18th pegged him back.

Westwood now looks almost certain to go to the top of the world rankings on Sunday despite being at home this week nursing an injured calf.

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Games village flats will be auctioned: DDA

Published>Sat, Oct 30 10 07:46 PM

New Delhi, Oct 30 (IANS) The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Saturday clarified that it will auction 100 of the more than 600 Commonwealth Games flats in its possession, and not allot them to bureaucrats or ministers.

'No individual, politician or a bureaucrat or any person of influence belonging to any organisation was proposed, as DDA does not have the mandate to benefit any individual,' the development authority said in a statement.

The clarification came a day after a news report suggested that the DDA had sent a proposal to the ministry of urban development to allow the flats to be allotted to government agencies.

The beneficiaries included Delhi Police, public sector units, members of parliament, state legislators, apart from agencies like the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Comptroller and Auditor General's office, currently investigating corruption charges in various Games projects.

According to DDA, the auction of the 100 flats, of various categories, will determine the market price of the apartments.

Situated beside the Akshardham temple in east Delhi, the Village has 34 towers with 1,168 flats -- of two, three, four, and five- bedroom-hall-kitchen types.

The DDA took over more than 600 flats in exchange for the financial bailout it offered to the realty major, Emaar MGF, during construction of the flats.

'The DDA now has more than 600 flats at the Games Village. The remaining will be sold by Emaar MGF construction company,' said DDA's public relation officer (PRO) Neemo Dhar.

The statement maintained that the auction was being conducted keeping in mind the public interest.

'DDA is working in public interest and any proposal submitted by it is thoroughly discussed, where public representatives are also present, and it is again approved by the government of India,' the statement added.

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Kashyap crashes out of Denmark Open Super Series

Sat, Oct 30 10 07:26 PM

New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) India''s Parupalli Kashyap went down fighting to Pengyu Du of China 13-21, 17-21 in the men''s singles quarterfinal to crash out of the Denmark Open Super Series badminton championship at Odense today. Unseeded Kashyap, who pulled off a major upset, beating third-seed Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand enroute to last-eight stage yesterday, found the world number 26 a tough nut to crack and lost the match in 41 minutes. World number 38 Kashyap gave a stiff competition to the Chinese and at one point the duo were locked at nine-all, before Pengyu suddenly stormed ahead and pocketed the first game. In the second game also, Kashyap put up a brave fight and saved as many as four match points. However, riding on some long rallies and well-controlled net plays, Pengyu clinched the issue and set a semifinal-clash with second-seed Taufiq Hidayat of Indonesia. Hidayat overcame fifth seed Tago Kenichi of Japan 21-19 21-19 in another quarterfinal encounter. In the other final-four match, Yun Hu of Hong Kong will play local hope Jan O Jorgensen. The two other Indians in the singles -- Chetan Anand and Anand Pawar have already crashed out of the event.

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Cash, cars, mobile phones, ghee - Haryana CWG winners take it all!

Published>Sat, Oct 30 10 07:16 PM

Chandigarh, Oct 30 (IANS) For medal winners from Haryana in the recently concluded New Delhi Commonwealth Games, it is raining cash, cars, mobile phones and even many kilograms of ghee.

The Haryana government has decided to shower the largesse upon sportspersons from the state who won medals for the country in the mega sporting event in October, a state government spokesman said here Saturday.

The cash rewards and gifts will be handed over to the players at a public ceremony Nov 1 to mark Haryana Day - the state was created Nov 1, 1966 - at the Moti Lal Nehru Sports School, Rai near Sonepat town, 200 km from here.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will honour the gold medal winning players with cash rewards of Rs.1.5 million (15 lakh), Maruti SX-4 car, Nokia phone and 101 kg desi ghee each.

Silver medal winners will be awarded cash prize of Rs.1 million (10 lakh), Maruti Dzire car, Nokia mobile phone and 51 kg desi ghee each. The bronze medallists would be given Rs.500,000 (5 lakh), Maruti Wagon-R car, Nokia cell phone and 31 kg desi ghee each.

Haryana players accounted for 32 medals out of India's tally of 101 medals at the Commonwealth Games.

The coaches of the medal-winning Haryana players will also be honoured with cash prizes. They will get Rs.300,000, Rs.200,000 and Rs.100,000 for gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively, won by their trainees.

Players from the state who represented the country in the Games but could not win any medals would also be honoured with Rs.200,000 (2 lakh) cash reward each.

The medal winning players being honoured include Saina Nehwal, Gagan Narang, Krishna Poonia, Anisa Sayyad, Annu Raj Singh, Anita, Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Manoj, Paramjeet Samota and Vijender Singh.

Players like Saina Nehwal, Gagan Narang, Sushil Kumar and Krishna Poonia, who do not directly belong to Haryana but have their family roots in the state, are being honoured with the same privileges as other medal winners.

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I have been overlooked for the Asian Games: Humpy

Sat, Oct 30 10 07:06 PM

New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) India''s number one ranked women chess player Koneru Humpy today alleged that she has been overlooked for the upcoming Asian Games in Guangzhou next month. A day after the All Indian Chess Federation (AICF) announced that world champion Anand Viswanathan and Koneru Humpy have pulled out of the Asian Games, the winner of two gold medals of 2006 Doha Asian Games, Humpy minced no words in saying that given a chance she would have loved to represent India. "I have not pulled out of Asian Games but denied an entry. I wish the federation could have shown some respect to international players and their prior engagements," an upset Humpy said. "Playing for India is always the top most priority and I would have loved to play for country and win a gold medal. "The Indian Chess Federation wanted me to attend a training camp before the Asian Games but they should have looked at my international commitments and taken my performance into account before rejecting my case," the world number two added. Humpy, the highest ranked Indian in the world, has an international rating of 2593 points and is behind Judith Polgar of Hungary. "All my appeals to the federation have fallen flat and that left me really disappointed. What can I do if the parent chess body is not willing to give a chance to the defending champion? "I have also written to India''s Sports Minister M S Gill but I am yet to get a reply," Humpy told espnstar.com. Meanwhile, the AICF secretary general, V Sunder denied the allegation, saying, "We had written a letter to Koneru on May 31, 2010, asking her to attend the training camp for the Asian Games but we did not get any reply. "In case she had any problems with the date, Humpy could have informed us but instead she chose to skip the Chess Olympiad and also abstained herself from the Asian Team Championships," Sunder added. Indian Chess Team announced for the Asian Games 2010: Men: K Sasikiran, P Hari Krishna, Surya Shekhar Ganguly, G N Gopal and B Adhiban. Women: D Harika, Tania Sachdev, Eesha Karavade, S Meenakshi and Nisha Mohota. Coaches: Lev Psakhis and Oleg Romanishin; Manager: Bharat Singh Chauhan.

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Mancini reads riot-act to partying Manchester City stars

Published>Sat, Oct 30 10 06:38 PM

London, Oct 30(ANI): Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has issued a final warning to his partying players following more embarrassing revelations this week.

According to the Daily Mail, Mancini is 'unhappy' with Gareth Barry, Joe Hart, Adam Johnson and Shay Given for their involvement in a late-night party on a trip to Scotland earlier this week.

"I have not seen this video, but I told them my opinion about this situation 10 days ago. I don't understand this. The video was on Monday, and Monday was a day off. Some players can do what they want, but I don't understand why," Mancini said.

"I am unhappy about this, but for them. We play every three days and it is difficult to recover. I want to resolve this problem in the dressing room, not here."

"I think this problem is not only for us, it is for many players. or British players, it is part of the culture," he added.

The Italian manager had recently advised City stars to curb drinking habits, and to behave well to prolong their careers.

Mancini's comment had come after goalkeeper Hart was pictured dancing on a bar in Spain before joining up with the England squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro. (ANI)

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I didn't know how to face Cronje, says Tendulkar

Published>Sat, Oct 30 10 06:26 PM

London, Oct 30 (IANS) Sachin Tendulkar, arguably the greatest batsman the game of cricket has seen after Sir Don Bradman, Saturday revealed that it was the innocuous bowling of former South African captain Hansie Cronje which tested him the most.

Tendulkar, who over the past 21 years, has hammered even the best of bowlers on a given day, said he dreaded facing the gentle looseners of late Cronje and did not know how to tackle him.

'The bowler who tested me the most was Cronje. Honestly, I got out to him more than anyone. When we played South Africa, he always got me out more than Allan Donald or Shaun Pollock.

'It was not that I could not pick him. It was just that the ball seemed to go straight to a fielder. I was going great guns in Durban one year and played some big shots against Donald and Pollock. Hansie came on and I flicked his first ball straight to leg-slip. I never knew what to do with him,' Tendulkar said in an interview to The Guardian.

When asked who was the best bowler he faced on merit, the little master named fast bowler Glen McGrath and Shane Warne among the spinners.

'I did okay against him (McGrath). But, among the spinners, Warne at his best was still something special,' he said.

A world cup trophy is one of the rare things missing from Tendulkar's list of staggering achievements and he is looking forward to the 2011 edition in the sub-continent.

'It is going to be massive. Everyone in India is looking forward to a mega tournament and although people have not started talking yet about 1983 (the last time India won the World Cup) it will happen soon. But, given our recent form, people have a right to be excited and have extremely high hopes,' he said.

The 37-year-old is the leading run-scorer in Test and one-day format and is nearing a 50th ton in the five-day format of the game.

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Bhopal to get cricket stadium of international standard

Sat, Oct 30 10 06:18 PM

Bhopal, Oct 30 (PTI) The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association would provide funds for construction of an international standard stadium here. Bhopal Divisional Cricket Association President Dhruv Narayan Singh revealed this at a meeting of the BDCA Managing Committee yesterday. After completion, the venue will be run by the BDCA, he said. The Managing Committee also decided to end the five-year ban imposed on player Virendra Vaidya about six months back. BDCA Chairman Arif Aqueel was among the 23 members present at the meeting. It was also decided in the meeting that the work of registering all clubs would be done this year itself.

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Mohun Bagan thrash Kalighat 4-0

Sat, Oct 30 10 05:52 PM

Kolkata, Oct 30 (PTI) Subair Muritala Ali continued his fine run as he struck twice in Mohun Bagan''s 4-0 win over Kalighat Milan Sangha in a Calcutta Football League Premier Division match here today. The Nigerian, who scored a hat-trick in Mohun Bagan''s previous match against Mohammedan AC, fired in the 38th and 70th minutes before Souvik Chakraborty (18th) and Jose Ramirez Barreto (30th) gave the green-and-maroon brigade a 2-0 lead. Playing without their star forward Edeh Chidi, Mohun Bagan never seemed to be facing any trouble with Muritala combining well with Barreto as Souvik was seen as the role of an attacking medio. Souvik used the opportunity well when he found himself unmarked and headed it home to give Mohun Bagan the lead. But it was man of the match Muritala, who impressed the most and looked to score every time he took the possession. In a 28th minute move, Muritala was fouled just outside the box to be awarded the freekick, which was brilliantly converted by Barreto. Muritala opened his account after receiving the supply from Barreto as the Nigerian finished it brilliantly. Down 0-3 at half-time, Kalighat looked completely out of sorts as they conceded one more through a penalty. Muritala was pushed from behind inside the Kalighat box to be awarded the penalty in Mohun Bagan''s favour as the Nigerian converted it for his second goal. Mohun Bagan now have 22 points from nine matches, behind leaders East Bengal (33 points from 11 matches) and second-placed Aryan Club (24 points from 10 matches).

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England have better chance to win Ashes: Tendulkar

Published>Sat, Oct 30 10 03:26 PM

London, Oct 30 (IANS) Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar feels the current England squad is a more balanced one than Australia and has a better chance of winning the upcoming Ashes series.

Tendulkar believes the English have a great opportunity to win the series down under and said left-hand batsman Eoin Morgan could be the key performer in the eagerly awaited clash between the arch-rivals.

'I think England have a better chance. I favour them slightly. I would say Morgan could be the key performer in the Ashes... Graeme Swann as well,' Tendulkar was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

On the batting talent of Morgan, Tendulkar said: 'He is a very solid player who can control the pace of his innings. He can become a really good Test batsman even though he has only played a few Tests so far.'

About the other team members, Tendulkar observed: 'After Morgan you have got the experience of (Andrew) Strauss, (Paul) Collingwood and (Kevin) Pietersen. They are a really well-balanced side and this is a great opportunity for England.'

Pietersen has of late been battling with poor form and the Indian batting maestro opined that it was all in his mind and the stylish English batsman will come out of the slump.

The 37-year-old cricketing legend, who is nearing 50 centuries in Test cricket, acknowledged that Australia's dominance in world cricket is on the decline, which leaves the visitors favourites for retaining the Ashes urn.

'Yes... to not have (Matthew) Hayden, (Justin) Langer, (Adam) Gilchrist, (Glenn) McGrath, (Shane) Warne, is a big loss. They still have some world-class players but their batting revolves around (Ricky) Ponting. When you want to create a vacuum in their batting you need to get Ponting,' said Tendulkar, who is the highest-run getter in Tests and one-day format of the game.

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'Composed' England should start favourites for Ashes series: Gilchrist

Published>Sat, Oct 30 10 03:08 PM

Sydney, Oct 30(ANI): Former Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist believes that the Andrew Strauss-led England team would start as favourites to win next month's Ashes series.

"I see a very confident, compact England unit about to arrive. England should start favourites - they are the most composed group at the moment and seem to have confidence about each other and as a group," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Gilchrist, as saying.

"That will serve them well on that first morning, but either team could win it. I agree with (England captain) Andrew Strauss - I think you can hardly split the top four or five teams in world cricket at the moment."

"There is no dominant team in cricket at the moment. On any given day one can beat the other," he added.

The 38-year-old further said that Australia's 'tremendous home record' would make the upcoming series exciting.

"Australia play the conditions well and (captain) Ricky Ponting plays particularly well in home conditions. There is going to be a lot of weight on his shoulders if they're to be successful and I suspect he'll be up for it too," Gilchrist said.

When asked for his prediction, Gilchrist added: "Either team could win it and I think everyone is anticipating another tight series." (ANI)

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Advani out of World Pro Billiards C''ship; Geet in semis

Sat, Oct 30 10 02:36 PM

Leeds, Oct 30 (PTI) Pankaj Advani''s hopes of winning the World Professional Billiards title for the second consecutive time went up in smoke after compatriot Dhruv Sitwala registered a hard fought 723-608 victory over the reigning champion in the quarterfinals of the event here. Advani, who created history last year by becoming the second Indian, after Geet Sethi, to win the elusive World Pro title, suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of Sitwala, who compiled three century breaks (118, 109 and 161) in his 32 visits to the table to reign supreme at the green baize. Advani, on the other hand, failed to score even a single century break during his two-hour stay at the table with his highest break accounting for 91. Sitwala played with confidence and maintained consistency. He went ahead 360 points when only 30 minutes were left. Advani, known for his strong comeback, tried hard to cover the lead but fell short on a break of 184 and lost by 115 points when clock alarmed. Hence, failing to defend his title. On the second day of the event, the 25-year-old Bangalorean, Advani had notched up his third straight victory in Group A after brushing aside the challenge of compatriot Devendra Joshi 818-469 to advance to the last-eight stage at the Northern Snooker Centre. Earlier, in the final group battle to decide the pool winner from Group A, Advani had defeated teammate Saurav Kothari 965-457 in 21 visits to the table with the help of three century breaks. In the other quarterfinal match of the day, five-time winner Geet Sethi, making his 19th appearance at the event, scored an emphatic 959-445 win over Singapore''s Peter Gilchrist to sail into the semifinals of the event where he is expected to meet Advani''s tormentor Sitwala. Sethi came out with two century breaks including one accounting for 267 in his 35 visits to the table, while Gilchrist could score none. Sethi had confirmed his berth for knockouts with an all-win record in Group B. Other two Indians in the quarterfinals are Saurav Kothari, who will be up against David Causier of England, and Rupesh Shah, pitted against nine-time champion and title favourite England''s Mike Russell.

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Ponting an inspired leader and player, says ex-Victoria cricketer

Published>Sat, Oct 30 10 02:08 PM

Melbourne, Oct. 30 (ANI): Unabashed Ricky Ponting fan and former Victoria all-rounder Brendan McArdle has said that it is time for supporters to stand up and acknowledge Ponting's contribution to the game of cricket, both as a player and a leader.

In an article for The Age, McArdle, who represented Victoria in Australian first class cricket for three seasons in the late 1970s, said: " The time has come for the pro-Ponting faction of the cricketing world to stand up and be counted. He is one of the greatest players to have graced the game; as captain he's won more Tests than any other Australian, and has the second highest winning ratio behind Steve Waugh."

"He has the highest winning ratio in one-day internationals, and has won two World Cups, having not lost a match in the past two tournaments," he added.

While admitting that Test captaincy can't be easy, as you have to be an exceptional player, a diplomat and a tactician, McArdle says: "Ponting has always been a leader of men rather than a subtle tactician. His courage has been inspirational for his teammates, and he has always been direct and honest with the media rather than one of those frontmen who speak in riddles."

McArdle believes that a selection panel that has at times burdened him with injured or under-performing bowlers hasn't always helped Ponting.

On the recent tour of India, which Australia lost two to nil in Tests and one to nil in the one day series, McArdle said Ponting made mistakes, but was also handicapped by an impotent attack.

"He has made his mistakes, but so did all of his predecessors. After the criticism and setbacks of the past 12 months, he will be desperate to get an emphatic result in this summer's Ashes, just as he did four years ago. Maybe then he will be regarded as just as good a leader as a journeyman AFL captain," McArdle concludes. (ANI)

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'Class players' make Sri Lanka one of the best Twenty20 teams: White

Published>Sat, Oct 30 10 01:38 PM

Sydney, Oct 30(ANI): Australian Twenty20 vice-captain Cameron White has said that undoubted 'class players' Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga make Sri Lanka one of the most potent teams in the world.

White's comment comes ahead of Sunday's Twenty20 international between the two teams in Perth.

"There's no secrets there, they've (Sangakkara and Jayawardene) been great players for Sri Lanka over a number of years, so they're probably the two big wickets," the Age quoted White, as saying.

"[Tillakaratne] Dilshan is a dangerous player at the top of the order as well, and we know they have a host of spinners," he added.

The vice-captain further said that it would be interesting to see the Sri Lankan team's bowling combination.

"Traditionally it doesn't spin a lot here. In saying that, [Lasith] Malinga's one of the best Twenty20 players in the world, I think, so they've got a pretty good team. A very good team, not to be taken lightly," he added.

Sri Lanka will play a Twenty20 match and a three-match ODI series during their short tour of Australia.

The first ODI will be played on November 3 at Melbourne, followed by second on November 5 at Sydney and third on November 7 at Brisbane. (ANI)

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Lanka less worried about Aussies sans 'on song' spearhead Tait

Published>Sat, Oct 30 10 01:16 PM

Perth (Australia), Oct. 30 (ANI): The Sri Lanka cricket team which will take on Australia in the first of two Twenty20 internationals here ob Sunday, has said that the absence of Australian pace ace Shaun Tait has eased his team's worries.

Tait has terrorised teams at the WACA in the past, inciting absolute fear into New Zealand's batting line-up in December 2007 when he collected 2-22 during a devastating spell at the speedster-friendly venue.

The 27-year-old is currently sidelined after another bout of surgery on his troublesome elbow and Sri Lankan vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene said Tait's absence meant at least one fewer worry for Sri Lanka.

"Whenever he's on song he's pretty decent and he's a match-winner," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Jayawardene, as saying on Friday.

"Tait's always going to be a factor but we've seen in his career, the last two, three years, it's been on and off. He's definitely a factor but we can't worry about that (now that he's not playing)," he added.

While Tait's absence has Sri Lanka breathing a sigh of relief, Jayawardene said Australia's youthful line-up still possessed plenty of match-winners.

"Obviously the batting looks stronger with (David) Warner, (Shane) Watson ... Cameron White has been in pretty good form the last six months," he said.

Jayawardene said fans would see a far more relaxed Muttiah Muralidaran as the record-breaking spinner tours Australia for the last time before he leaves the game after the World Cup.

"He has nothing to prove to anyone right now," Jayawardene said of the 38-year-old. (ANI)

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Humiliation of 5-0 Ashes hiding still hurts: Strauss

Published>Sat, Oct 30 10 01:06 PM

London, Oct. 30 (ANI): England cricket captain Andrew Strauss has said that the humiliation of the five-nil hiding during the disastrous 2006-07 Ashes tour still hurts, and he would his all to ensure it is not repeated.

Addressing his final news conference at Lord's before flying out for next month's series opener in Brisbane, Strauss said the England cause was not helped by some shabby umpiring decisions.

He even admitted it would do more harm than good to reflect too heavily on Australia's 5-0 whitewash the last time the Ashes were held Down Under.

"It was a gradual sort of erosion of confidence over the course of the tour for all of us. We went there with high hopes for all of us. We got outplayed in Brisbane, we played well in the match in Adelaide and then to lose that Test match was a bit of a kick in the teeth and from then on, once the Ashes were lost it is obviously quite a hard thing to keep going," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Strauss, as saying.

"I don't think it is particularly helpful for us to drag through the kind of details of the last tour. I think the lessons have been learnt from that and we will be better prepared this time," he added. (ANI)

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Aussies ready for Ashes niggle, says all-rounder White

Published>Sat, Oct 30 10 12:52 PM

Perth (Australia), Oct. 30 (ANI): Victoria and Australian all-rounder Cameron White has predicted there will be plenty of niggle in the five-Test Ashes series after England captain Andrew Strauss declared war in an understated way.

Strauss set the tone by ordering his troops not to be too friendly with the Australians, saying: "until the end of that fifth Test, we have two sides at war with each other".

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted White, a key one-day player who has played four Tests, as saying: "Can't see it (the Ashes) being too friendly I think."

"There's always the rivalry there. No doubt, it will be played in the right spirit but it will be played hard. There will be a bit of niggle along the way but nothing too exciting," he added.

"There's no doubt there's a fair bit of talk about the Ashes, but not probably from inside the team at the moment," White said.

"I think any game you get to play for Australia is an important one and there's no doubt this is a pretty young Twenty20 side and everyone that's been given the opportunity to play will be trying their best."

White also said Australia would be on guard against a talented Sri Lanka.

He described batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene as class players, while Tillakaratne Dilshan was deemed a dangerous player at the top of the order.

"It will be interesting to see what combination they play, because traditionally it doesn't spin a hell of a lot here (in Perth)," said White.

Sri Lanka vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene said the absence of Australian pace ace Shaun Tait through injury meant his team had less to worry about. (ANI)

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Oz players want cricket calendar changed for T20 Big Bash involvement

Published>Sat, Oct 30 10 12:46 PM

Sydney, Oct 30(ANI): The Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) has informed Cricket Australia that leading players want the cricket calendar for the month of January revamped in order to join the Twenty20 Big Bash tournament.

At the moment, Australia's ODI players have no chance of playing in the Twenty20 tournament until 2013 as they have ODI matches against England in January 2011 and a series against India in January 2012.

"The ACA believes it is critical to the appeal of the Big Bash competition that the involvement of Australian players is maximized," Fox Sports quoted a ACA submission to CA, as saying.

"This is also based on the assumption that the total workload of these players would not increase, i.e., Big Bash games would replace international games," he added.

ACA Chief Executive Paul Marsh claimed that the only way the new Big Bash could be highly successful was for all the best players to be available.

"Cricket Australia might have to bite the bullet and take some short-term pain for some long-term gain," Marsh said.

The tournament will have eight teams playing each other twice before a finals series.

NSW and Victoria will have two teams, and the other states one each. (ANI)

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