Sachin just one century away from 50 Test tons

Published>Mon, Oct 11 10 01:42 PM

After achieving the herculean feat of being the first cricketer to complete 14,000 runs in Test cricket on Sunday, Sachin Tendulkar is slowly but surely approaching another glorious milestone as he completed his 49th Test century, against Australia, here on Monday.

Tendulkar hit off-spinner Nathan Hauritz for a huge six over long-on in the third ball of the 59th over to bring up his 49th Test ton.

Tendulkar now has 95 international centuries, including 46 in the ODIs.

With just five centuries left to complete a ton of tons in international cricket, he is expected to complete the 50 Test centuries by the time the three-Test series against New Zealand ends next month.

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India 224/2 at lunch on day 3

Published>Mon, Oct 11 10 01:37 PM

Replying to Australia's first innings score of 478, India were 224 for two at lunch on the third day of the second and final cricket Test here today.

Brief score:

Australia 1st innings: 478.

India 1st innings: 224 for two in 61 overs (Sachin Tendulkar 106 batting, Murali Vijay 73 batting; Ben Hilfenhaus 1/21).

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Uncapped Oz quick Pattinson out of India tour with back stress fractures

Published>Mon, Oct 11 10 01:27 PM

Sydney, Oct 11 (ANI): Uncapped Australian fast bowler James Pattinson will return back home from the tour of India after being diagnosed with stress fractures in his back.

Pattinson, called into the squad after Josh Hazlewood was ruled out with the same problem, complained of discomfort after training in the lead-up to the Bangalore Test.

He will be replaced in the squad by another Bushranger, John Hastings.

"During the past week, James has complained of some back stiffness during preparation for the second Test," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted physio Kevin Sims, as saying.

"James' symptoms were consistent with a low back bone stress injury and scans have confirmed the early stages of a low back stress fracture. He has therefore been withdrawn from the one-day squad as he will require a period of rest from bowling," he said.

"He will be closely monitored by Victorian and Cricket Australia medical staff to determine his return to cricket," Kevin said.

Pattinson will now undergo the rest and recuperation process that has virtually become a right of passage for all young pace bowlers. (ANI)

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'Under pressure' North satisfied with his timely century

Published>Mon, Oct 11 10 01:21 PM

Sydney, Oct 11 (ANI): Australia's No.6 batsman Marcus North, who after his recent form slump was walking on the razor's edge, seems to have cemented his place in the sqaud for time being and is satisfied with his career best 128 runs against India in the Bangalore Test.

Scores of 0, 20, 16, 0, 0 and 10 in the last six innings had a great impact on his performance as the beleaguered batsman was just a step away from being chucked out of the eleven.

"I have had a few disappointing Tests but I was fortunate to bat on a good batting surface. It was a satisfying hundred because I was under pressure and also it was the last Test before the Ashes," he said.

"I knew I was under pressure going into this game, not just outside influences but also the standards I set myself. I worked on my on-drive and that really set up the innings for me. It was nice to get a score and contribute," North said on Sunday.

The Western Australian batsman said his earlier tours to India, helped him cope with the conditions.

"I have been to the MRF academy and have been to Bangalore. Have made a few hundreds for Western Australia but Test match is a different scenario. In the whole innings I was judging and hitting the ball well. India is a great place to bat but can be a little difficult at times," North said.

North was satisfied with his significant contribution, but his century was overshadowed by Sachin Tendulkar, who reached a historic milestone with the bat for India.

"Sachin's a pretty amazing player isn't he? And to be on the same ground when he brought up his 14,000th Test run was pretty special," North said.

"Talking about the pressures of Test cricket, this guy's got the pressure of a nation upon him," he added. (ANI)

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Dope scandal hits Games, as India aim for more medals

Mon, Oct 11 10 01:08 PM

New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) The Commonwealth Games was today hit by a dope scandal when Nigerian women''s 100m gold medallist Osayemi Oludamola tested positive for a banned stimulant and was placed under provisional suspension pending a test of her ''B'' sample. After the absence of any doping cases in the first seven days, competitions on the eighth day of the Games started with reports coming out that the first positive result had come in which were later confirmed by CGF President Michael Fennell. "I regret to announce that a positive dope case has come out. Nigeria''s Osayemi Oludamola has tested positive for methylhexaneamine and under anti-doping rules of the Games, she has been handed a provisional suspension," Fennell said. "Under anti-doping procedures she has been notified and she has requested for a ''B'' sample testing. The ''B''sample testing will be done today and her hearing will also be held today," he added. Asked whether the gold medal has been taken back from the Nigerian, the CGF chief said, "At the moment no decision has been taken about the medal. She has been put under provisional suspension." The gold Oludamola won came in dramatic circumstances when Australian Sally Pearson was stripped of her medal in the women''s 100m sprint for a false start. The Nigerian had crossed the finish line in second place behind the Aussie woman and was later awarded the gold when Pearson was punished for jumping the gun. On the field of play, India were again looking forward to another successful medal harvest to maintain their second spot in the table behind front runners Australia. The expectations are huge, especially from their star-studded boxing squad who have till now competed under the shadow of the host country''s sharp shooters, powerful grapplers and fast rising archers who have scooped up a sackful of medals. Seven boxers, including Olympic Games bronze medallist Vijender Singh, have made it to the semi finals to be held today and assured themselves and the country of as many medals. Even a loss at this stage would assure all seven boxers of at least a bronze, but it''s certain all of them would be gunning for the gold. The seven are Anandeep Singh (lt.-fly), Suranjoy Singh (fly), Jai Bhagwan (lt. welter), Manoj Kumar (lt. welter), Dilbag Singh (welter), Vijender Singh (middle) and Paramjeet Samota (super heavy). More PTI Team SSR MRM

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Tendulkar's 49th ton makes him first Indian to score six centuries in a calendar year

Published>Mon, Oct 11 10 12:58 PM

Bangalore, Oct 11(ANI): Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar raced to his 49th Test century on the third day of the Bangalore Test against Australia on Monday, making him the first Indian to score six centuries in a calendar year.

Tendulkar, who missed a century by two runs in the first Test in Mohali, was in no mood to play safe this time around as he raced from 93 to 105 with two sixes against off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

Both the shots were played over wide long-on in front of a packed M. Chinnaswamy stadium.

He now has two centuries in Bangalore, sharing the record for most centuries with Sunil Gavaskar and Mohammad Azharuddin.

With the century, the 37-year-old also became the first Indian to score six centuries in a calendar year.

During the innings, Tendulkar had also achieved the milestone of becoming the first batsman to score 14,000 runs in Test cricket.

Meanwhile, along with Murali Vijay, Tendulkar has consolidated India's position in the Test match by taking the score to 224-2 at lunch.

Tendulkar (106 not out) and Vijay (73 not out) scored 96 runs in the session.

Both the batsmen played showing class and managed to extend their third-wicket partnership to 186 runs in 51 overs.

Team India still trails by 254 runs with eight wickets in hand.

Earlier, Harbhajan Singh (4-148) and Pragyan Ojha (3-120) had restricted Australia to 478 in their first innings.

India leads the two match Test series 1-0, after winning the first match played at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali by one wicket. (ANI)

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Women's 100m champion fails doping test

Published>Mon, Oct 11 10 12:37 PM

Commonwealth Games women's 100 metres gold medallist Osayemi Oludamola has tested positive for a banned stimulant, Games Federation chief Mike Fennell said on Monday.

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