Australia-BP XI match ends in tame draw

Published>Mon, Sep 27 10 09:12 PM

Chandigarh, Sep 27 (IANS) The three-day warmup match between the visiting Australian cricket team and the Indian Board President's XI ended in a tame draw at the Sector 16 cricket stadium here Monday.

Australia declared their second innings at 187 for six Monday afternoon and gave India a target of 516 runs. India, who were all out for 177 in their first innings in response to Australia's 505 declared, finished at 174 for no loss. Ajinkya Rahane remained unbeaten at 113 and Cheteswar Pujara 52.

Earlier, opener Shane Watson, who had hit a century in the first innings, followed it up with another century (104 not out) in the second innings. Spinner Piyush Chawla took three Australian wickets in their second innings.

The BP-XI side, which was bundled out for just 177 runs Monday morning in their first innings, fared better in the second.

Rahane's 113 came in 111 balls. This included 18 fours and a six. His opening partner Shikhar Dhawan retired hurt, scoring five runs.

Pujara, who had failed to impress in the first innings of the BP-XI, remained unbeaten on 52 runs in the second innings. Pujara has been included in the Test squad that plays two Tests against Australia next month.

BP-XI skipper Gautam Gambhir, who scored only eight runs in the first innings, did not come out to bat in the second innings owing to a minor injury.

Australian fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus ran through the BP-XI innings with a haul of five wickets, including that of the host side skipper Gambhir (8). Bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Peter George bagged two wickets each.

Resuming their innings Monday, after tottering at 143 for six at the close of the second day's play, the BP-XI side lasted for only 10.5 overs. The side was bowled out for 177 runs Monday morning in their first innings.

Chawla, who was the only batsman to put up a fight and was caught for 82 runs.

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Delhi Development Authority to organize junior golf coaching camp

Published>Mon, Sep 27 10 08:38 PM

New Delhi, Sep.27 (ANI): Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is organizing a 10-day 'Junior Golf Coaching Camp' between October 4 to 13 at Qutab Golf Course, Lado Sarai area here.

Being provided coaching at an affordable fee by classified top professionals in two sessions i.e., morning and evening, it is open to all and registration for the same has been opened.

This basic level camp will involve talent hunting, besides teaching the fundamentals of the game of golf to participants.

Selected children will undergo junior training programme for three days in a week i.e., on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the year.

There were 120 participants in the Golf Clinic that was organized last May.

The Qutab Golf Course is in excellent condition with lush green fairways and strategically placed bunkers and water-bodies posing a challenge to the best of golfers.

It is an ideal platform to hone in ones skills to be able to compete professionally overseas. In addition, the practice facilities are some of the best in the country. (ANI)

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Scotland hoists flag at Games Village

Mon, Sep 27 10 08:28 PM

New Delhi, Sep 27 (PTI) Scotland today became the second Commonwealth nation, after Norfolk Island, to officially hoist its flag at the Games Village in a colourful ceremony here. Members of the Scottish contingent clad in their blue and white team jerseys enjoyed the brief but powerpacked programme, organised to welcome them, and applauded after every performance. Students from two city schools welcomed the guests in style. Dressed in traditional attires, they came up with an impressive display of colour, music and dance, enthralling the 125-member Scottish contingent. The Scottist athletes and officials clapped rapturously when one of the school bands produced a riveting instrumental. A woman hockey player from Scotland, Leigh Fawcett termed the show as "amazing" and said that she enjoyed the use of gulaal (colours) by the performers. "It was a brilliant ceremony and I really enjoyed it," another athlete Caroline Brown, who is part of the Scotland Lawn Bowls team, told PTI. The Mayor of the Village, Dalbir Singh officially welcomed the athletes and assured them that the Village would be a "home away from home" for them. The Scots on their part presented the mayor with a bottle of the famous Scottish Whisky as a token of their love. The athletes who arrived in the Village over the past two days, took rounds of the swanky international zone and visited many shops and outlets. The Scots were not the only ones who enjoyed the show, as a group of Nigerian boxers also joined them and shook a leg on a peppy Punjabi number. "I like the music very much," said Sogamu Waheed Adeola, a Nigerian pugilist. Earlier, Norfolk Island were the first nation to be officially welcomed on the first day of the ceremonies. Several visiting delegations from different participating nations had criticised the Village''s under-preparedness and termed it as "filthy" and "unlivable". But these lively ceremonies, however, injected some excitement in the Village. PTI OWS CM

Source: Published>

Negative CWG publicity has hurt tourism: Selja

Published>Mon, Sep 27 10 08:12 PM

New Delhi, Sep 27 (IANS) The negative publicity about the Commonwealth Games has affected the prospects of tourism, Tourism Minister Kumari Selja said Monday.

'We are fully prepared to host the Games and our people are monitoring the Games venues round-the-clock to address any inconvenience,' she said on World Tourism Day after signing a pledge at Hotel Ashok here.

The 'negative publicity' of the Games Village has hurt tourism prospects, Selja said. Travel and tour operators feared that this would hit tourist inflow.

The minister urged the media to stop negative publicity and asked the people not to have any misgivings about the Oct 3-14 Games.

'We should present a positive face to the tourists together and forget the negative publicity,' she pleaded.

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), a premier travel and tourism grouping, has warned that only 10,000 tourists would visit India during the Games.

'We have lost a lot of potential business owing to delays by the authorities in completing the venues and meeting other deadlines. We are very disappointed,' Rajji Rai, president of TAAI, told IANS

Until June this year, 2.63 million foreigners had visited the country. In 2008, 5.28 million tourists came to India, compared to 5.11 million in 2009.

Selja said her ministry 'has ordered an inquiry into complaints about furniture imported from China at the Games venues'. The ITDC was in charge of the furnishings at the venues.

'We have owned responsibility for the flaws,' she said. 'The irregularities have been sorted out.'

The mood at The Hotel Ashok, where the minister addressed the media, was festive.

The premises overflowed with visitors, Commonwealth delegates, contingents from the member countries, piles of baggage and more than 100 young Games volunteers -- mostly students attired in Commonwealth T-shirts and caps -- manning the flow of visitors.

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Saeed quits as Pakistan manager

Mon, Sep 27 10 08:02 PM

Yawar Saeed has stepped down as Pakistan manager following the team's controversial tour of England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday.

The PCB said Saeed had asked the board chairman if he could be relieved of his duties.

"Yawar Saeed met with the chairman today who has accepted his request, the board will announce a new manager in due course," PCB media manager Nadeem Sarwar told reporters.

Saeed has come in for severe criticism for his handling of team affairs on the tour of England, which was marred by corruption allegations.

"I don't want to comment on my decision but I have been thinking about it for a while now," Saeed said.

Pakistan test captain Salman Butt and team mates Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after newspaper allegations that they had deliberately arranged for no-balls to be delivered at last month's fourth test.

The ICC also launched an investigation into suspicious "scoring patterns" by Pakistan in the third one dayer, which the visitors won.

The 75-year-old managed the Pakistan team on numerous tours since the 70s and was a member of the inquiry committee that probed into the team's poor performances in Australia early this year that led to the banning and fining of seven players.

Former test captain, Aamir Sohail said he was not surprised that Saeed had stepped down as there was too much pressure on the current board and team management after the England tour.

"I think the PCB is under pressure now to make a fresh start and I think we can expect more changes," he said.

Pakistan will next play South Africa in the UAE.

Source: Published>

Pak cricket team manager Yawar Saeed resigns

Published>Mon, Sep 27 10 07:52 PM

Lahore, Sep 27 (ANI): Pakistan cricket team manager Yawar Saeed has stepped down from his post in the wake of match-fixing allegations that have rocked the cricketing world.

"I will not take charge as manager of the national team again," The Dawn quoted Saeed, as saying.

Earlier, certain media reports had quoted him as saying that he had served the team for a long period, and now wanted to do something different.

"I think after 26 years in this field and managing so many teams and undertaking so many tours, I need to do something different. I would want to step down as manager after the England tour," The Daily Times quoted Saeed, as saying.

Saeed said he would be informing Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt regarding his decision.

"When this tour ends I will convey my desire to the board chairman as I want to do something different and spend more time with my family," Saeed said.

"If Ijaz wants me to continue I can't say no to him he is an old friend and if he says I must continue in interest of Pakistan cricket, I will listen. But I will definitely try to convince him the time is right for me to step down," he added. (ANI)

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Saeed quits as Pakistan manager

Mon, Sep 27 10 07:42 PM

Yawar Saeed has stepped down as Pakistan manager following the team's controversial tour of England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday.

The PCB said Saeed had asked the board chairman if he could be relieved of his duties.

"Yawar Saeed met with the chairman today who has accepted his request, the board will announce a new manager in due course," PCB media manager Nadeem Sarwar told reporters.

Saeed has come in for severe criticism for his handling of team affairs on the tour of England, which was marred by corruption allegations.

"I don't want to comment on my decision but I have been thinking about it for a while now," Saeed said.

Pakistan test captain Salman Butt and team mates Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after newspaper allegations that they had deliberately arranged for no-balls to be delivered at last month's fourth test.

The ICC also launched an investigation into suspicious "scoring patterns" by Pakistan in the third one dayer, which the visitors won.

The 75-year-old managed the Pakistan team on numerous tours since the 70s and was a member of the inquiry committee that probed into the team's poor performances in Australia early this year that led to the banning and fining of seven players.

Former test captain, Aamir Sohail said he was not surprised that Saeed had stepped down as there was too much pressure on the current board and team management after the England tour.

"I think the PCB is under pressure now to make a fresh start and I think we can expect more changes," he said.

Pakistan will next play South Africa in the UAE.

Source: Published>