Cricket Sensex

Jaffer builds base for Indians

2008-01-09T20:26:00.000-08:00

After three days of off the field action, India's practise game against the Australian Captital Territorial XI got off to an unprecedented start with Wasim Jaffer leading the Indian charge. Jaffer, who has been in dreadful form Down Under and has fallen prey to Aussie spearhead Brett Lee four times in the two Tests played so far, stroked an unconquered 50 as India reached 111 for one at lunch.India lost one wicket in the form of Virender Sehwag (24) after the Delhi dazzler played an uncharacteristic watchful innings. Jaffer and Sehwag got India off to a solid start with the duo adding 66 runs for the first wicket. Karthik (22) and Jaffer (50) were in the middle at the stroke of lunch.India rested VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble and RP Singh while all rounder Irfan Pathan, pacers VRV Singh and Pankaj Singh were given an opportunity. MS Dhoni will be leading the Indians in the Australian capital

Ponting draws flak from Australian sporting legends

2008-01-09T20:19:00.000-08:00

Some of Australia's legendary athletes have joined the chorus of criticism against the unsportsmanlike behaviour of Ricky Ponting's team in the Sydney Test with India.Sport Australia Hall of Fame members, John Bertrand, Herb Elliott and Rob de Castella, now plan to take the matter to Cricket Australia (CA), which they feel is damaging Australia's international reputation. Hall of Fame chairman, Bertrand, who led an Australian yacht team to America's Cup win 25 years ago, said the group would seek an urgent meeting with CA because Australia's Test team was damaging international relations with its "win at all costs" attitude."Sport is only sport. It's not war. Their desire to win at all costs is beginning to blur their moral compass," Bertrand was quoted saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald'."We will be seeking a meeting with Cricket Australia to seek to get the Australian team to readjust their behaviour so that they do show respect for their opponents," he said.
Bertrand's views were echoed by world champion marathon runner Castella and Olympic gold medallist Herb Elliott, regarded as one of the world's greatest middle distance runners ever."We don't like what we are seeing and hearing at the moment," Elliot said.Australian Football League hero Ron Barassi agreed with the Hall of Famers and said, "It concerns me that the Australians are regularly being referred to as being arrogant and because it is mentioned so often, you begin to wonder."Legendary Australian batsman Neil Harvey Tuesday joined the wave of criticism against Ponting and questioned his team's on-field conduct and the strength of his leadership. Harvey, the Invincibles member, said the present Test team didn't play with the right spirit and criticised Ponting for allowing his players to go too far with sledging."Certainly the captain needs to be stronger and keep his guys in line. He needs to look at himself," Harvey was quoted as saying in "The Australian".Harvey was also angered by the team's failure to shake India captain Anil Kumble's hand at the end of the Test on Sunday."I don't think they are very sporting," Harvey said.He agreed with the International Cricket Council's decision to withdraw West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor from the third Test in Perth next week, saying he was "past his best". "He has been making a lot of mistakes for the past five years." Former England captain turned commentator Tony Greig said the time had come for players to be accountable for the state of the game and walk when they know they are out.He said improved technology would continue to expose players who didn't walk and umpires who made wrong decisions."When we walked in county cricket, the game was much better for it," Greig said.

ICC asks CA to reign in Ponting and his team

2008-01-09T20:14:00.000-08:00

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has urged Cricket Australia (CA) to reign in Ricky Ponting's men in the light of all-round criticism of their on-field behaviour during the ill-tempered second Test against India in Sydney.ICC CEO Malcolm Speed said CA needs to take notice of the criticism being directed at its team by the public, former players and commentators. "The team is being criticised, members of the team are being criticised and they need to be aware of that -- they need to respond to that," Speed was quoted saying in the 'Herald Sun'."All national teams should play cricket in the right spirit. We need to be clear what that means," he said.Speed said he was relieved that the replacement of umpire Steve Bucknor prevented an international crisis."We could have gone in banging the table and playing `who blinks first', we could have turned what is already an international incident into an international crisis.""What we have elected to do, and we have given some serious thought about this, is to take one of the issues out of play," he said.Speed said the Sydney Test was played in an atmosphere riddled by racism claims, player behaviour issues and umpiring controversy, but expressed confidence that after Bucknor's replacement and roping in of Ranjan Madugalle to work with the two captains, the unprecedented crisis would tide over."There was unhappiness about the umpiring; we put a new umpiring team in place. And we start again from the umpiring perspective in Perth and, hopefully, focus on the matters on the pitch rather than exacerbating the crisis," he said.

Tour is on, BCCI tells Cricket Australia

2008-01-09T20:10:00.000-08:00

Indian cricket board, before it began its' emergency meeting in New Delhi, informed Cricket Australia (CA) that the tour would go ahead, according to team sources.The Indian Board softened its stance once controversial umpire Steve Bucknor was replaced by Billy Bowden and chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle was sent an SOS by the ICC to head for Australia and plaster over the cracks between the two sides. The two opposing captains, Ricky Ponting and Anil Kumble, would be told in no uncertain terms that intemperate behaviour on the pitch or outside would not be tolerated from now on.The BCCI has now agreed to fulfill its commitment and told CA that the meeting in New Delhi is only a formality, the sources said. Accordingly, the visitors would now move to Canberra tomorrow where a three-day game against ACT XI will begin from Thursday.Meanwhile, Indians have pressed forward their complaint against left-arm spinner Brad Hogg for abusing Kumble during the final hours of the second Test.ICC's chief executive Malcolm Speed has confirmed that Hogg would face a code of conduct charge in Perth.The Indians have spent the last two days at their hotel in Sydney, refusing to leave for Canberra, till the issue of Harbhajan Singh and Bucknor was dealt with quickly and firmly.

Hayden under injury threat for rest of the series

2008-01-09T20:05:00.000-08:00

Australian opener Matthew Hayden could well be ruled out for the remaining two Tests against India following a hamstring tendon strain which he suffered during the second Test at Sydney.Hayden who scored 123 in the second innings of Sydney Test was forced to bat with a runner during the innings and there is some uncertainty over the seriousness of his injury that will be assessed this week. Australia's team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said, ''It could take one week to heal, it could take five weeks. We are waiting to see how it looks in a few days.'' If Hayden is ruled out from the remaining two Tests, it will be a big loss for Australia as he has been a prolific scorer against the Indians.''The thing with tendons is sometimes they don't heal too well because the blood supply around them isn't too good,'' the physio added.However, Kountouris did not completely rule out the possibility that Hayden will miss the remaining two Tests.''He has a chance to play in Perth but we are waiting to see how his symptoms are.'' Hayden, who has also been battling a back injury, will rest in Brisbane for the next three days before starting a rehabilitation program and is then expected to fly to Perth with the team and be assessed by Kountouris.If Hayden is ruled out, West Australian left-hander Chris Rogers who was a contender to take Justin Langer's opening position until a bout of appendicitis paved the way for Phil Jaques, could make his Test debut on his home ground.Kountouris further added that all-rounder Andrew Symonds (ankle spur) was not in doubt for the Perth Test.Along with Hayden left-handed Chinaman Brad Hogg too is under a fitness threat and had scans yesterday after it was feared he had broken a finger while fielding in Sydney. Scans, though, revealed no fracture, but Hogg still remains in pain.Hogg's loss would not hurt Australia a great deal as the spinner returned with unimpressive bowling average of 51.50 in the two Tests against India.Australia would prefer to unleash pacer Shaun Tait on the fast and bouncy WACA pitch.

I requested Ponting not to report Harbhajan: Kumble

2008-01-09T19:59:00.000-08:00

Indian skipper Anil Kumble today revealed that he had requested Ricky Ponting to withdraw the "racist abuse" charge against Harbhajan Singh but his plea was not taken too seriously by the Australian skipper, who was perhaps unmindful of its implications.Kumble said he made the request before the hearing began in Sydney last week but the Australian captain let it go. "I did make a request to Ponting, if it can be sorted out before it went up to the match referee. But he said a report has already been made," the Indian skipper disclosed. "Having played cricket for this long, I knew such allegations could spiral into something bigger, I envisaged it could become a larger issue," Kumble said, reflecting on the issue, which still has the potential to disrupt the tour.Harbhajan was slapped with a three-Test ban for allegedly racially abusing Andrew Symonds, outraging the Indian Board and fans. An appeal against the ban will come up for hearing soon.Kumble said the Indians, who arrived in Canberra for a three-day practice match against ACT XI, are trying to move on from the controversy, which cast a threat on the tour itself."I think it's important to move on, cricket is larger than individuals and I respect that and it's important that we move on," he said on being asked whether the two captains will sit down for a chat to sort out thorny issues."The focus for us is to ensure that we get the best possible out of this game,” he said after arriving here for a three-day practice match against ACT XI starting on Thursday.Kumble also did not commit himself on whether the captains' agreement, to go by the fielder's word on close catches, before the start of the tour would remain in practice for the rest of the series.He also refrained from commenting on his team's stance on the charge they have pressed against Australian spinner Brad Hogg, saying, "we would wait for the hearing and then let you know." Kumble reiterated that Harbhajan never used the word for which he was accused and punished by match referee Mike Procter last week. "It is a serious charge. From what we gathered from our teammates, the two people who were in the middle, that remark was never made," he asserted."Whatever people believe the word was said, he didn't say it," he added.The Indian skipper said his side wants to put the controversy behind and move on with the tour."It's nice to be playing cricket again. I look forward to this game (three-day Canberra game). It's important to move on", he added. "Hopefully, whatever happens to the appeal, we would get the right decision," Kumble said.Looking back at the two days spent in Sydney, Kumble admitted it tested his side's patience."It's been tough, very difficult, because it's a very serious issue. The entire team is together in this. Board is backing us fully, we are all with Bhajji, its not easy but he seems to be in a good mood," he said.On the third Test, Kumble wanted his team to make good use of the three-day practice game and sort out a few niggling positions in the composition of the side."We need to be on top of our games to beat Australia. We have done that in patches in this series, we had a chance to draw the Sydney game, it didn't happen," he said."I am sure there will be moments in Perth where we need to seize those opportunities," he signed off.

TOUR SUSPENDED AFTER HARBY BAN

2008-01-08T01:40:00.000-08:00

Update 6pm Sydney time: The Indian squad has remained in Sydney on advice from the BCCI, pending the outcome of the Harby appeal. The team was due to travel to Canberra for a tour match but, after spending two hours on a tour bus, returned to their Sydney hotel.A statement issued by the BCCI said they will fight the "blatantly false and unfair slur" on an Indian player."The Board will appeal to the International Cricket Council to review the decision of the Match Referee and suspend its operation till the appeal is disposed of," the statement said.“The Indian Board realises the game of cricket is paramount but so too is the honour of the Indian team and for that matter every Indian.Earlier report: According to Fairfax newspapers, India has alleged that Hogg referred to a player as a “bastard” - a term considered highly offensive in India. This comes after Indian team management attempted to talk down the seriousness of using the word “monkey”, with team manager Chetan Chauhan stating, “It is not a derogatory word in India.” After a hearing lasting four hours, match referee Mike Procter upheld the Level 3 charge against Harbhajan, though it is likely that India will appeal the decision. If an appeal is lodged with the ICC, Harby will be free to play until the appeal is heard. Otherwise, he won’t take any further part in the series.Speaking to the media after the hearing Mike Procter said, “I am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Harbhajan Singh directed that word (“monkey”) at Andrew Symonds and also that he meant it to offend on the basis of Symonds’ race or ethnic origin.”At the time of the incident, Harby was batting with Sachin Tendulkar and went out of his way to approach Symonds. Australian captain Ricky Ponting was informed immediately and, as required by a pre-series agreement, reported the breach of conduct to the on-field umpires.Australia won the second Test in controversial circumstances, after numerous incorrect umpiring decisions benefited the hosts. Indian skipper Anil Kumble accused Ponting’s team of not playing in the spirit of the game, and the Aussie skipper responded angrily when his integrity was questioned.“I think only one team was playing in the spirit of the game,” said Kumble at his post-match press conference, prompting a round of applause from Indian journalists. When an Indian journalist questioned Ponting’s claims to have caught Mahendra Singh Dhoni cleanly, the Aussie captain responded angrily. “I think you’ve got something wrong there,” he snapped. “There is no way I grounded that ball. If you are actually questioning my integrity in the game then you shouldn’t be standing there.”Ponting refused to claim a catch off Rahul Dravid in the first innings because he wasn’t sure whether it carried. “Doesn’t that explain the way I play the game? I am saying I am 100 per cent sure I would have caught that catch off Dhoni today. As it turned out it was given not out anyway. Am I right or wrong? Am I right or wrong?” he asked.The captains agreed prior to the series that a fieldsman’s word would be sufficient to determine whether a catch had been taken cleanly or not, though Kumble said that would need to be reviewed. Michael Clarke claimed a catch earlier in the day though replays, as always, were inconclusive.

HARBY'S BAN DESERVES TO STAND

2008-01-08T01:33:00.000-08:00

Harbhajan Singh deserved to be banned for three matches. India’s decision to suspend their tour until they get a result from appeal - no doubt it needs to be an outcome favourable to the tourists - is disgraceful. Match referee Mike Procter was convinced, beyond reasonable doubt, that Singh uttered the infamous racial slur “monkey” during the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Harbhajan maintains his innocence, though the Australians say it’s not the first time the Indian spinner has used the term about Andy Symonds. The story out of the Indian camp has been a confusing one. Team management, while stating that the word “monkey” was not uttered, was keen to point out that, even if it was, no offence would have been intended. In India the word “monkey” is used as a term of affection, claimed Harsha Bhogle on The 7:30 Report.That’s all well and good, but it doesn’t wash in this situation. On Australia’s recent seven match ODI tour of India, Andy Symonds was subjected to racial taunts from the crowd. There’s irrefutable proof that crowd members were imitating monkeys and holding up offensive signs as Roy came out to bat, despite denials from the BCCI. The footage of those patrons, aired on The Cricket Show during the Sydney Test, seemed to suggest the taunting was anything but affectionate. The monkey taunts received widespread media coverage at the time. There is no way that Harbhajan Singh could not have got the message: it’s probably not a good idea to use the word ‘monkey’ to Andy Symonds, under any circumstances. He went ahead and did the crime, so should do the time.It seems that India are using the Harbhajan ban as an excuse to protest, when really the issue is the poor umpiring standard that marred the Sydney Test. Steve Bucknor’s decision to give Rahul Dravid out caught behind on the final day was one of the worst decisions I’ve seen on a cricket field, and he should not be allowed to stand in the Perth Test match.It wasn’t the only howler of the match, unfortunately. Roy Symonds, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey and VVS Laxman all received reprieves when they shouldn’t have, some more than one. But what goes around comes around, with Punter given out when he wasn’t. That brings me to Ponting’s behaviour during the match. For an Aussie captain, it was appalling. While calls for him to step down as skipper are overkill, some of his antics were highly embarrassing. Throwing your bat when you get back to the changing room is poor form for anyone, though it’s especially bad when you’re the captain and you’ve already been gifted 30-odd bonus runs thanks to an umpiring error. Then there was the celebrations on the final day. The Aussie XI had a right to be overjoyed, they’d just won a Test when even Bull Lawry had given up hope. But neglecting to shake Apple Crumble’s hand immediately reflected poorly on the hosts. Think of Fred Flintoff comforting Brett Lee in the Edgbaston aftermath: a humble victory celebration compared to one reeking of unwarranted hubris.

Team India postpone departure to Canberra

2008-01-08T01:30:00.000-08:00

The Indian cricket team today postponed its departure to Canberra to file an appeal against the three Test ban slapped on Harbhajan Singh for alleged racist comments on all-rounder Andrew Symonds.The team stayed put in the hotel, postponing their trip to Canberra where they will play a tour match, but sources said there is no immediate threat to the ongoing tour as yet. "The visitors are unlikely to leave for Canberra today where they are scheduled to play a two-day game against Australia Cricketers Territory (ACT) XI beginning on January 10," sources said."We are most likely to leave for Canberra tomorrow. If there is no threat to the tour, there is no threat to this side game also," commented a member of the team management on condition of anonymity.Earlier the team twice changed its plan to leave for Canberra, first looking to keep their scheduled departure of 10.30 a.m local time intact, climbing up the bus and staying put in it for close to two hours. The parleys between the team management and Indian board back home then made players retrace their steps back to the team hotel. Again, in the afternoon, there appeared a possibility for players to leave for Canberra before this plan too was shelved.

India files appeal with ICC over Harbhajan ban

2008-01-08T01:27:00.000-08:00

Raising the stakes, a furious BCCI today filed an appeal with the ICC against the three-match ban slapped on off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and asked the Indian team to stay put in Sydney as part of pressure tactics to get its case heard.Angry over the ban and calling it "unfair and unacceptable", an emergency meeting of the Board decided to fight out the issue with the Australians and the umpires who had done India in the second Test which went in favour of the home team. Arun Jaitley, a senior Board office-bearer and a well-known lawyer drafted the complaint against Match Referee Mike Procter's ban decision on the ground Harbhajan had racially abused Andrew Symonds and filed it with the international body within 24 hours of the decision as required under rules.Parellelly it asked the Indian team to stay put in Sydney and not go to Canberra where a two-day practice match is scheduled from Thursday.After the late night punishment handed out by Procter, a furious BCCI President Sharad Pawar called an emergency meeting at his residence in Delhi this morning where all options including pulling out of the series were said to have been considered.At the meeting, it was decided to appeal against Procter's order and ask the ICC to suspend the order till the final disposal of the appeal.

Indian team express solidarity with Harbhajan

2008-01-08T01:14:00.000-08:00

Indian cricket team held a meeting at the hotel this morning to express solidarity with Harbhajan Singh, who has been slapped with a three-Test suspension for an alleged racial abuse against Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds.The meeting, "an informal one," according to media manager MV Sridhar--- was held under the stewardship of skipper Anil Kumble, was also an attempt to convey the Indian cricket Board the simmering discontent of the team on the injustice meted out to Harbhajan. Team India is unable to come to terms with the fact that Harbhajan has been deemed guilty on the basis of hearsay, the testimony which Symonds' team-mates Michael Clarke and Matthew Hayden provided to the match referee Mike Procter. There is a tremendous disquiet among the boys on the manner justice and fair play was given a short shrift by the two umpires as well as the Australian team during the Sydney Test at the SCG which the hosts won by 122 runs on Sunday.There is no immediate threat to the tour nor any ultimatum has been conveyed to the Board but cricketers have sought their best to convey how strongly they feel about the issue.They sure want the board to take up the issue with utmost seriousness.

Indian team’s Australia tour isn’t off

2008-01-08T01:03:00.000-08:00

Racism row and umpiring controversies notwithstanding, Indian cricket team's tour of the country is very much on, Cricket Australia (CA) asserted today.CA Chief Executive James Sutherland said cricket boards of both the countries were holding discussion but "there has been no advice of the Indian tour to Australia being cancelled." "CA Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said CA and the Indian cricket board, the BCCI, are continuing to discuss issues arising during the recent Sydney Test between Australia and India."However, those discussions have not included any advice that the tour will not continue," the CA statement read.The acrimonious series seemed to have hit the roadblock after the eventful second Test, which saw India at the receiving end of some of the horrendous umpiring decisions followed by a three-match ban on Harbhajan Singh , allegedly for racially abusing Andrew Symonds , even though neither of the on-field umpires heard anything nor the stump microphone caught anything.Match Referee Mike Procter still went by whatever the Australian players told him during a marathon hearing yesterday and slapped the ban on Harbhajan.India responded by filing a complaint against Brad Hogg for abusing an Indian player and also stayed put here, refusing to move to Canberra for their practice match before the third Test.

Symonds gagged from speaking on racism row

2008-01-08T00:53:00.000-08:00

Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, at the centre of the racism row that led to the ban of Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, has been gagged by Cricket Australia and ICC from commenting on the heated topic in his newspaper column.Explaining reasons behind not carrying the column, the daily said, "Symonds was gagged by Cricket Australia and threatened with censure by the ICC." The Sunday Telegraph was not granted access to him despite Symonds' contractual arrangement to write a weekly column through the season, the daily wrote.Interestingly, Cricket Australia's media office offered to provide a column written by one of their employees under Symonds' name, dealing only with matters relating to play and not the "monkey slur" racism crisis, but the daily rejected the offer."Our readers do not deserve to be subject to such censorship," the newspaper said."A column written by a CA employee under Symonds' name would not fit in with the principles of this newspaper or this company. Nor would it be of any value to readers.When times get tough, cricket officialdom goes missing, preferring to protect revenue at all costs, way over and above any obligation to inform the great fans of this country, without whom there would be no game at all," it said.

2nd Test rotten from day one: Aus media

2008-01-08T00:49:00.000-08:00

The controversy-ridden second cricket Test between India and Australia was a "rotten contest" from Day one and singularly failed to elevate the spirit of sportsmanship, the Australian media has said.The media sarcastically said the Sydney encounter was a match that will have been relished only by "rabid nationalists" and others for whom victory and vengeance are the sole reasons for playing sport. India lost the match. The Sydney Test entertained spectators at the ground, provided some excellent batting but left a "sour taste" in the mouth, the "Melbourne Age" newspaper said.Until another shocking decision was made by an umpire (Steve Bucknor) reliable in his time but past his prime, the fifth day of this "unattractive contest" was offering plenty of tension to put alongside the memorable hundreds contributed by capable batsmen on both the sides, it said."Had the umpiring been even remotely acceptable on the opening days, or had replays been used to give embattled umpires a chance, India might perchance have won the contest but that will forever remain in the land of conjecture," it said.The newspaper said Rahul Dravid 's dismissal in the second innings at a crucial juncture compromised all subsequent events rendering meaningless the continuation of Australia's run of victories.On another issue, the newspaper said despite the amiability of many players, Ponting's team is developing a reputation for being headstrong and precious. " Matthew Hayden 's belittling of Anil Kumble 's bowling at the MCG was case in point," it said.The newspaper hoped that at least a vestige of sportsmanship is observed when the teams next meet in Perth."What happens in the middle has a nasty habit of spreading further afield," it said.

Harbhajan Singh banned for three Tests

2008-01-08T00:46:00.000-08:00

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh tonight banned for three Test matches after the ICC Match Referee Mike Procter upheld the Australian charge that he had racially abused their all-rounder Andrew Symonds, a decision against which the Indian team will appeal within 24 hours.Procter gave a marathon six-and-a-half hour hearing to Harbhajan, who denied the charge and was supported by skipper Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, manager Chetan Chauhan and media manager M V Sridhar during the deliberations. Procter also heard Symonds, who was backed by Australian captain Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke along with team manager Steve Bernard, who attended the hearing to testify against the Indian spinner.
After the hearing, which went beyond 2 am (Sydney time), there was no official word about the verdict but informed sources said that the three-Test ban was being slapped on Harbhajan, who is fully backed by the BCCI and the team.The appeal will be made to the Commissioner of Appeals and pending the appeal, the off-spinner can continue to play.After the hearing, Sridhar had said that they had not ruled out returning home, but the BCCI later played down the threat.Meanwhile, the Indians have also filed a complaint against Australian spinner Brad Hogg for using abusive language during the ill-tempered second Test in Sydney.

Pull out by India can affect cricketing ties with us: Ponting

2008-01-08T00:42:00.000-08:00

Australia captain Ricky Ponting admitted the "tainted" Sydney Test has left "sour taste" in the Indian mouth but warned pulling out of the tour might jeopardize cricketing ties between the two countries."I think the whole (Test) has been tainted a little bit by some of the events during and then after the game. Otherwise I think this actual game and the first Test in Melbourne, apart from the one issue which everyone knows about right at the moment, was played in very, very good spirits," Ponting told 'Channel Nine'. "Sure there has been something else in the background that has happened in this last Test that has put a sour taste in a couple of the Indian team's mouths," he said.But pulling out would not be the right reaction, he said."...I think it is important for all of us to look past that and realise that both India and Australia have got and have had tremendous relations through a hundred years of Test cricket and you wouldn't like to think that one little incident like this would bring undone all the great work that has been done over a long period of time," he said.Ponting, who was speaking before India filed a complaint against Brad Hogg for abusing one of the players, was baffled by the widespread criticism of his team."It's disappointing and they are entitled to their opinion, but if you look back at the game I really can't see how we have done anything wrong by the spirit of the game."There is one incident that has come out of these first two Tests and it doesn't involve the Australians," he said.

We're not sorry about anything: Gilchrist

2008-01-08T00:38:00.000-08:00

Australia vice captain Adam Gilchrist has dismissed Indian captain Anil Kumble's criticism about the lack of sportsman spirit among the hosts and said his teammates don't regret their behaviour in the Sydney Test. "Though I have not seen his comments or heard him, but that's what I have been told about. I think that's not right," an unrepentant Gilchrist said. "Definitely we don't feel so and we are not sorry about anything. I do not know what he is referring to," Gilchrist told CNN-IBN.Enraged over the on-field antics of the Aussies, Kumble, had earlier said that only one team was playing in the true spirit of the game.The match which gave the Australia a record equalling 16th straight Test win was marred by poor umpiring and ugly on-field spat between the two sides.India bore the brunt of umpiring blunders by Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson and the dubious dismissals of Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly on the last day cost them the match.Gilchrist, however, was not ready to dwell on the controversies and preferred to savour the thrilling win."We obviously enjoyed the end result. Both the teams at any point of time in the game could say they have the upper hand and the other time forth back."So it's topsy-turvy and we just grabbed it from the jaws of the draw I guess. At the end it was thrill. At some of the controversial ground, there was lot of talking points but yeah look we got through," he said.

Harbhajan has himself to blame: Symonds

2008-01-08T00:34:00.000-08:00

Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds admitted he had a "crack" at Harbhajan Singh in the second Test but said the Indian off-spinner has only himself to blame for incurring a three-match ban by Match Referee Mike Procter.Symonds claimed Harbhajan had hit Brett Lee while batting, following which he had an altercation with the Indian. But if the episode earned Harbhajan a three-match ban from Procter, the off-spinner has none but himself to blame for that, Symonds said. "I'm a firm believer in sticking up for your teammate, so I stepped in and had a bit of a crack at Harbhajan, telling him exactly what I thought of his antics," Symonds told "The Daily Telegraph'."He then had a shot back, which brings us to the situation we're facing tonight," he said, squarely blaming the Indian for the issue which has now snowballed into a major contention with the BCCI challenging the ban order.Recalling how it all started, Symonds said, "Brett Lee had just sent down a delivery and Harbhajan took off down the wicket. When he was returning to his crease, he decided to hit Brett on the backside. I have no idea why he did it. I was standing nearby and when I saw what happened I thought: 'Hold on, that's not on'." Symonds claimed India and Australia shared a pretty cordial relation before the incident soured it all."I must admit the incident was pretty surprising, because relations between the two sides so far have been very good. It's been a series played in really good spirit. There's been no sledging or bad blood."

Racist slur charge on Harbhajan unacceptable: BCCI

2008-01-08T00:30:00.000-08:00

The Indian Cricket Board today slammed the charge of racial slur on Harbhajan Singh as "blatantly false" and described the three-Test ban imposed by ICC Match Referee Mike Procter as "patently unfair" and unacceptable.BCCI demanded immediate suspension of the ban on the off-spinner pending disposal of its appeal. It also pointed out to the ICC that India had always stood against apartheid (practised in the past by South Africa) and for the Indian Cricket Board the anti-racial stance is "an article of faith." "The Indian Board does not accept the findings of the Match Referee and has decided to challenge the unfair decision to suspend Harbhajan Singh as it deems it patently unfair," BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah said in a media statement. "The Board will appeal to the International Cricket Council to review the decision of the Match Referee and suspend its operation till the appeal is disposed of."The Indian Board realises the game of cricket is paramount but so too is the honour of the Indian team and for that matter every Indian. To vindicate its position, the Board will fight the blatantly false and unfair slur on an Indian player," Shah said.He has also termed the events during the second Test, lost by India at the Sydney Cricket Ground amidst woeful umpiring as a matter "of great concern" and said some of them can have a far-reaching impact on international cricket.

Only one team played in true spirit of the game: Kumble

2008-01-08T00:25:00.000-08:00

Indian captain Anil Kumble today lambasted the Australians for their unsportsmanlike behaviour in the second Test in Sydney, saying only his side played the match in the true spirit of the game."Only one team was playing with the spirit of the game, that's all I can say," a dejected Kumble said after his side went down by 122 runs largely due to the umpiring blunders and some inept batting. "It's tough when you've played all forms of cricket over the last 25 years and end up on the losing side like this -- it does affect you," he added.Kumble said his side was still trying hard to take the whole episode sportingly but admitted that he was hard not to feel outraged by the continuous umpiring errors."You try and take it sportingly, but it's very difficult and it hurts when you lose like this and then when you've had a great chance to win the Test match and square the series, but unfortunately it didn't happen," he rued.In an emotionally charged statement Kumble said he was disappointed with the lack of sportsman spirit shown by the Australians."We'd like to play hard on the field and expect that from Australia as well. I've played my cricket very sincerely and honestly, that's the approach my team takes and we expect that from Australia as well," he said.Kumble hardly minced words in blaming the dubious umpiring by Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor for his side's heart-breaking loss."It's there for everyone to see, I am not going to comment on it," was Kumble's sarcastic response when asked what he thought was the difference between the two sides."(The umpiring) was there for everyone to see but it was important for us to keep those things out of our mind. We lost a little bit of focus. I think we should have batted the last two sessions," he added. "We played fantastic cricket from day one after the loss in Melbourne. We even took a lead in the first innings but unfortunately could not save the match. Even today a couple of things did not go our way."Kumble said he could understand the umpires getting it wrong on a few occasions but their consistent errors probably cost India a chance to go 1-1 with Australia ahead of the third Test in Perth."We understand that things happen in a match and you have to get on with it but there were too many things happening in this one. And it's difficult to keep your focus in the face of all this. But we tried hard... played brilliantly," Kumble said, trying to put up a brave face."You don't want to lose a match after being in the position that we were in. We dominated the first innings but unfortunately could not convert into the right result," Kumble said.Kumble, however, brushed aside suggestions that the defeat and the poor umpiring would have a demoralising effect on the team."I know the spirit is good in the team but obviously a draw would have lifted us. But still we are confident of doing well in Perth. We have 10 days to go before that match and assess our performance. We also have a practice game coming up so we are looking forward to that," he said."Our job is to go and play to the best of our ability and we will do that in Perth. There are a few positives that we will take from this game like the batting of Sachin Tendulkar, and VVS Laxman and Harbhajan's bowling and his batting as well," he added.

Harbhajan is innocent: Sachin

2008-01-08T00:22:00.000-08:00

Upset over the ban imposed on Harbhajan Singh, Sachin Tendulkar today sent an sms to BCCI chief Sharad Pawar assuring him that the off-spinner was innocent and suggesting that India should play the third Test only if the punishment is revoked."Harbhajan is innocent and I can assure you on this. In this hour of crisis, the Board should stand by him. I suggest we should play in Perth only if the ban is lifted," Tendulkar reportedly told Pawar through the text message. Sachin was among the five Indians, who attended the ICC Match Referee Mike Procter's hearing into the allegation of racial abuse made by Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds.
Pawar, meanwhile, said he spoke to Indian skipper Anil Kumble and team manager Chetan Chauhan also before the appeal against Procter's verdict was prepared and the BCCI was expecting a response from the ICC by tomorrow."I have seen the draft and it was approved by Arun Jaitely and other colleagues. I spoke to skipper Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar and manager Chetan Chauhan, understood the situation and took their views and assessment."We have demanded the supension of the ban. We are expecting (a response) from the ICC by tomorrow. We also have a Working Committee meeting, so will take the final decision tomorrow," Pawar told reporters in New Delhi.

Sachin Tendulkar likes tormenting Australia

2008-01-07T23:43:00.000-08:00

The Australians consider the number 87 unlucky because it is 13 short of 100 and Sachin Tendulkar is the 187th player to represent India in Test cricket.Having tormented Australia with his batting exploits in the past, Tendulkar proved once again that he reserves his best for the world champion team when he notched up his 38th Test ton at the Sydney Cricket Ground today. The unbeaten 154 was his eighth century against the Aussies, five of which have come Down Under.Like VVS Laxman, Tendulkar has a special bond with the SCG as he compiled his third hundred at the majestic venue.He came to Sydney for the first time in 1992 as a precocious teenager and grabbed attention with a sublime 148 not out.After a relatively lean visit in 2000, Tendulkar scored unbeaten knocks of 241 and 60 in 2004. With his latest ton, his average at the ground has gone well past 300.Time and again, Tendulkar has proved to be a major thorn for the Australians.With more than 2,000 runs against them at an average of over 53, he clearly relishes the challenge posed by the Australians, regarded as the toughest team in world cricket.His duels with leg-spinner Shane Warne are well documented known and the tweaker has openly admitted that Tendulkar gave him nightmares after repeatedly clobbering his bowling.Before the ongoing Test got underway, Tendulkar had compiled 1,936 runs in 22 Tests against Australia at an average of 52.32 and his performance in the first innings will only help to increase the average.He had 498 runs in his previous three Sydney Tests at a staggering average of 249, which will be boosted further after today's effort.

Pietersen weds pop star bride

2008-01-07T23:38:00.000-08:00

England cricket star Kevin Pietersen has married pop singer Jessica Taylor in a private ceremony, a spokesman said.Hampshire batsman Pietersen and Taylor, who topped the British singles charts with her former band Liberty X, married at St Andrew's Church in the picturesque village of Castle Combe in Wiltshire, south-west England on Saturday.Henry Jacob of The Outside Organisation, which represents both the 27-year-olds, said, "We can confirm that today Kevin Pietersen and Jessica Taylor were married."The private wedding was attended by close family, relatives and friends of the couple. They are now going away on their honeymoon and will return to the UK in January."Former England fast bowler Darren Gough was Pietersen's best man. England Test captain Michael Vaughan and One Day International skipper Paul Collingwood were among the stars in attendance.

CommonWealth Bank Series, 2008

2008-01-04T23:19:00.000-08:00

Matches	Date	Teams	Venue
1st Match	February 03, 2008	Australia vs India	Brisbane
2nd Match	February 05, 2008	Sri Lanka vs India	Brisbane
3rd Match	February 08, 2008	Australia vs Sri Lanka	Sydney
4th Match	February 10, 2008	Australia vs India	Melbourne
5th Match	February 12, 2008	Sri Lanka vs India	Canberra
6th Match	February 15, 2008	Australia vs Sri Lanka	Perth
7th Match	February 17, 2008	Australia vs India	Adelaide
8th Match	February 19, 2008	Sri Lanka vs India	delaide
9th Match	February 22, 2008	Australia vs Sri Lanka	Melbourne
10th Match	February 24, 2008	Australia vs India	Sydney
11th Match	February 26, 2008	Sri Lanka vs India	Hobart
12th Match	February 29, 2008	Australia vs Sri Lanka	Melbourne
1st Final	March 02, 2008	TBC vs TBC	Sydney
2nd Final	March 04, 2008	TBC vs TBC	Brisbane
3rd Final	March 07, 2008	TBC vs TBC	Adelaide

Pakistan says Australia tour still on

2008-01-04T23:05:00.000-08:00

Pakistan's cricket chief says Australia's planned tour starting in March is still on despite the turmoil unleashed by the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.Nasim Ashraf, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said he believed the country would be back to normal within two weeks and that the tour could proceed as planned. "At this point in time the Australian team's tour is on as per schedule," Mr Ashraf said.Reports have said that several Australian players may withdraw from the tour to Pakistan even if a Cricket Australia (CA) security team gives a positive account after its February pre-tour inspection.Australia is due to play three Tests, five one-day internationals, and a Twenty20 match in Pakistan in March-April.Test all-rounder Andrew Symonds has voiced his concerns over touring Pakistan and reports said another Australian Test player revealed that security fears are widespread throughout the team.Speaking on condition of anonymity, the player told the Sydney Morning Herald there was a possibility that a number of players would withdraw even if Cricket Australia gives the go-ahead.

West Indies tour of South Africa, 2007-2008 Tests Series & ODI Series Schedule

2008-01-04T21:59:00.000-08:00

Matches	Date	Teams	Venue
1st Test	Dec 26, 2007 - Dec 30, 2007	West Indies vs South Africa,	Port Elizabeth
2nd Test	Jan 02, 2008 - Jan 06, 2008	West Indies vs South Africa	Cape Town
3rd Test	Jan 10, 2008 - Jan 14, 2008	West Indies vs South Africa	Durban
Twenty 20	January 18, 2008	West Indies vs South Africa	Johannesburg
1st ODI	January 20, 2008	West Indies vs South Africa	Centurion
2nd ODI	January 25, 2008	West Indies vs South Africa	Cape Town
3rd ODI	January 27, 2008	West Indies vs South Africa	Port Elizabeth
4th ODI	February 01, 2008	West Indies vs South Africa	Durban
5th ODI	February 03, 2008	West Indies vs South Africa	Johannesburg

Dismal calls pave way for new technology

2008-01-04T19:14:00.000-08:00

Sydney: Chief Executive officer of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Malcolm Speed was witness to the mayhem caused by umpires Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson in the ongoing second Test match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.Their dismal performance continued on day two and three also. A huge outcry has broken out in both in India and Australia over the horrific standards of umpiring forcing Speed to indicate that the ICC may go in for referrals on appeals by players in the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan.“A player on either team could appeal up to three decisions in an innings and they would be referred to the television umpire. I don't think it will be trialled in Tests," Speed told the ABC.He however clarified that Hawk Eye and Snickometer will not be used to aid these decisions.The use of technology for umpiring has been a hotly debate issue with the ICC cricket committee veering towards the conservative side while trying to bring in aides to help on field umpires. In 2006 The ICC Cricket committee had passed the appeal system but the proposal could not be implemented after a division in vote amongst the presidents of the full members of ICC. "Let's see if it works, then have the debate," Speed said."I'm not concerned about the credibility of cricket. Generally there's a sense the decisions even themselves out. The dilemma is the technology has got better and what do we do with it?"Interestingly, in that 5-5 drawn vote Pakistan and Australia vociferously voted against it. Now, after watching both India and Australia becoming victims of erroneous decisions by the white-coat men , CEO of Cricket Australia James Sutherland has expressed his willingness to bring in more technology for decision making during matches In the leading national daily - The Australian he was quoted as saying."I think there is a strong argument on the technological side. In tennis it works where a player can make only two or three [incorrect] appeals in the course of a match. That may be something that makes people think twice about using the appeals at the right time."Sutherland however expressed concerns over the delay TV referrals cause in the game making it less viewer friendly and discouraging for broadcasters.”There is also a sense of delay when there is this use of technology," Sutherland said."We see that at the moment with run-outs, and people may argue that the game of cricket doesn't need any more delays than it already has.”Broadcasting companies though have not shown open dissent to the possibility of introduction of appeals. According to Channel 9, technology is not 100 per cent fool-proof either. Besides, broadcasters are averse to getting TV technology involved in crucial decisions."I'd hate us to be involved in the judicial system of cricket," said Steve Crawley, executive producer of Channel 9."We've only got one thing 100 per cent backed up by science and that's Hot Spot; the others aren't 100 per cent."Snicko is very well informed but it's not 100 per cent, and Hawk-Eye's not 100 per cent. Its a long, dour game as it is but if the ICC decides to go down that path, we'll co-operate."

'Injuries need constant monitoring'

2008-01-04T18:23:00.000-08:00

Fast bowlers are expected to live with injuries through their careers, but the way the Indians have been getting injured time and again, is surely a worrying factor. It is heartening to see a number of pace bowlers burst on to the scene and also contribute in winning matches, but making a comeback after an injury has not been easy for them, with Laxmipathy Balaji and Ashish Nehra the ones to have been lost to the national team despite their talent.In fact, injuries have been a constant companion of almost all the leading pace-men of the country in the last five years - Irfan Pathan got injured in 2003, Balaji suffered an injury in early 2004, Sreesanth in 2005, Munaf Patel in 2006 and RP Singh in 2007.Sreesanth is again down with an injury while it seems easier to remember when Munaf Patel rather than the matches he missed. Now India's pace bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan has joined the list and has been ruled out of the remainder of the crucial Australian cricket tour with an ankle injury.Khan, who led the attack in a 337-run loss to Australia in Melbourne last week, failed a fitness test just before the second Test in Sydney.Even though the recurrence of injuries can't be ruled out completely as the recovery period from match to match has become too short, but as the MRF Pace Foundation's chief coach, T A Shekhar pointed out, it is important to have the technique essential for the survival of a fast bowler."Injuries can't be avoided but can definitely be minimized by constantly monitoring of the technique of a fast bowler. Causes of most injuries are faulty techniques and a bowling coach has a major role to play in studying the technique and making required amendments from time to time," insisted Shekhar.Adding that it is also as important to provide a proper rehabilitation programme after an injury, so that a player can recover quickly, Shekhar said, "The BCCI should set up a good backend by giving a good rehabilitation programme in order to let a player prepare himself technically and mentally." But former India paceman, Javagal Srinath, insists that at the first place the constant break downs should not happen and he blames it on the Indian team's physio John Gloster, who had said that the absence of a proper rehabilitation programme for injured players is a major factor in this country."Why the Indian pacers breaking down so often is something the physio can answer better. I can understand his disappointment but he should be setting high standards at his front first. I think he should not wait for injury before start to take care of the players," Srinath reacted.But if sports fitness trainer, Ramji Srinivasan is to be believed, a pacer who understands his own body the best is the one who is most successful in the field because every time a fast bowler lands while delivering the ball, a force measuring 8 to 10 times his body weight passes through joints below his waist that results in additional workload that a paceman's body takes, hence, he is the best judge on how to handle things at the end of the day."There are various formats and protocols available but it is important that a player derive the best possible combination according to his own body mechanism," said Ramji.Ramji further said that the Australian and the English specialized regimes can be incorporated with the Indian set up but it has to carefully put into practice, keeping in mind Indian players' body mechanisms.But all said and done, when Srinath was asked about how he sees the bowlers who hide their injuries in order to maintain their place in the team, he said, "You can't play for long by hiding your injury and if you have a greater view of your career, then injuries shouldn't be aggravated. So, it has to do with the right attitude.""A pacer can be successful only if he knows his regime and works within his limitations," the Karnataka fast bowler concluded.

Prince takes South Africa into lead

2008-01-04T18:17:00.000-08:00

Cape Town: Ashwell Prince steered South Africa to a potentially crucial first innings lead on the third day as the second Test against the West Indies developed into a war of attrition at Newlands on Friday. South Africa were 289 for eight at lunch, a lead of 46 in a low-scoring match in which runs have been hard to score on a slow pitch with a slow outfield. Prince was unbeaten on 90. Daren Powell bowled unchanged for the West Indies, who were without injured fellow fast bowler Fidel Edwards, taking two of the three wickets that fell during the morning. Powell's 13 overs from the start of play brought him two for 39 from 13 overs for overall figures of two for 108. Dwayne Bravo bowled in tandem with Powell for ten overs and claimed the third wicket to improve his figures to four for 72. The West Indies' loss of Edwards with a strained right hamstring seemed likely to be duplicated by South Africa. Dale Steyn, also suffering from a right hamstring strain, batted with a runner when he came out to bat shortly before lunch despite coach Mickey Arthur saying Thursday that the fast bowler was likely to bowl in the second innings. Prince and Mark Boucher took their overnight partnership to 129 before Boucher was bowled by Bravo for 59, made off 137 balls with six fours. Boucher attempted to pull the ball but it deflected off a bottom edge into his stumps. Powell had Paul Harris caught at second slip and Andre Nel caught behind. The left-handed Prince looked solid and played some impressive pull shots as he moved to 90 off 216 balls with ten fours.

Sachin Tendulkar made his 38th Test century in Border-Gavaskar Trophy - 2nd Test

2008-01-03T21:15:00.000-08:00

Sachin Tendulkar reached an elusive 38th Test century as India edged closer to secure a first innings lead over Australia on the third day of the second Test at the SCG on Friday.Brett Lee continued to make inroads in the Indian batting order; his wicket moments before lunch was followed by a double jolt immediately afterwards, as India slumped to 345-7, in danger of giving away a substantial lead.But in Harbhajan Singh Tendulkar found a suitable partner as the duo put on an unbeaten 79 runs in quick time as India crossed the 400-run mark before Tendulkar emphatically celebrated his third century at the venue. Harbhajan was not out on 41 when tea was called.Earlier, Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar carried on India's charge from where VVS Laxman left off in India's first innings with half centuries before Ganguly fell to Brad Hogg for 67 with a loose shot.Yuvraj Singh, too, then departed after a tentative stay in the middle for 12 when the left hander was out leg before to Brett Lee moments before lunch was called.After an improved batting performance from the first Test, Ganguly brought up his fifty from just 68 balls after completing a 50-run fourth wicket stand with Tendulkar.VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid laid the foundation with contrasting knocks on Thursday for India to mount a stern reply to Australia's first-innings 463, before the veteran batsmen got together.

We are looking to win, says special Laxman

2008-01-03T20:58:00.000-08:00

Sydney: After his third successive Test century at the Sydney Cricket Ground, V V S Laxman on Friday said he had a special relationship with the venue which helped him produce his best on the famous turf."Obviously, you feel good about a venue where you have done well. There is a familiarity with the conditions and my case is no different," Laxman said after his 109 in India's first innings made it three-in-a-row at the SCG.Laxman's affair with the SCG has now lasted eight years after he scored 167 for a losing cause in 1999-2000, 178 in a drawn match in 2003-2004 and Friday's knock which revived Indian batting on this tour.He put on 175 runs for the second wicket with Rahul Dravid (53) after India lost Wasim Jaffer with only eight on the board."Rahul showed a lot of character. He wasn't timing the ball but he stayed around. They bowled well to him, in good areas but he kept fighting."It wasn't as much important as what we were doing individually in the middle. It was more important though what we could raise together."However, the elegant Hyderabadi was disappointed that both of them got out in quick succession."I was disappointed that we got out so close to each other. I would have been happy to have retired not out today and padded up tomorrow morning."Laxman gave credit to left-arm chinaman bowler Brad Hogg, who claimed his prized scalp."I was deceived in the flight. It wasn't as if there was a lapse of concentration. It was a misjudgement on the line and length of the delivery." India planned to bat for a long time and post a big score, Laxman said."Our priority would be to bat well tomorrow and take a big lead. We are not thinking of drawing a match, rather we are looking to win this Test."The SCG wicket was better for batting than the one at Melbourne, Laxman felt."The ball was not coming on in Melbourne. One couldn't play shots freely and had to play the waiting game. This (SCG) is a good batting wicket," he said.Laxman said Indian batsmen were conscious not to get out for 30s and 40s as they had done so regularly in the first Test.He also viewed his position at number three as an advantage as he could set the pace for the innings."You are setting the pace at number three. At number six, you are playing in a situation the team is already in."The Indians were at the wrong end of several umpiring decisions in the match so far, but Laxman preferred to look at the positives."You want to do things which you can control. Certain things you can't so there is no point thinking about it."The fact that his spot in the team had frequently been under pressure did not bother him either."When you play for your country you don't think about adulation and all that. All my friends in India didn't get an opportunity to play for the country."I just want to do my duty and fulfill my responsibility for the team and country," Laxman added.

'Aussies not thinking about 16 in a row'

2008-01-03T20:54:00.000-08:00

Sydney: Australia may be just one shy of equalling the world record of 16 consecutive Test wins, but speedster Brett Lee on Thursday said the team was not wavering in its focus against the Indians at the Sydney Cricket Ground."We don't want to lose our focus. It's important we go out and enjoy ourselves in the middle and try to do our best.If we play well and enjoy, we might still see the 16th Test win happen," Lee said after India finished the second day at 216-3 in reply to the hosts 463.VVS Laxman was the player largely responsible for the Indian fight back and Lee was lavish in his praise for the stylish Hyderabadi batsman."He has made a habit of scoring well against Australia and we all hold him in a very high esteem. He batted brilliantly in the middle."However, he noted that wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist reprieved Laxman and Dravid, who made 53 in a second wicket stand of 175."Yeah, he (Gilchrist) dropped a few but everyone can have an off-day. Like a batsman or a bowler, even a wicketkeeper can have an off day."But I am sure he wouldn't be thinking a lot about it tonight and come back to do well tomorrow," the fast bowler said. Sachin Tendulkar would be looking for a big score tomorrow and Lee was looking forward to the duel on the third day."Tendulkar is a brilliant batsman, perhaps in the top two or three in the world. I have always looked forward to testing myself against him and am looking forward for tomorrow," he said.The Test has been mired with several umpiring blunders but Lee stood up for the officials saying the mistakes should be treated as human errors."So much is being said about it but I really feel that it all evens out. Some days I find batsmen being reprieved after they have nicked me and on other days they are given out when they haven't played me. It all balances out in the end," he reasoned.

ICC must take notice of umpiring errors

2008-01-03T20:49:00.000-08:00

Sydney: The men in the white coats are under the heat. Even Day 2 in Sydney wasn't error-free. The Indian team management however has stated that it won't lodge a formal complaint against the umpiring errors, though they have said that these mistakes are likely to have an impact on the game's outcome. No one knows what stopped Steve Bucknor from referring some of the decisions to the third umpire. For a man who has umpired in 119 Tests and 167 One-Dayers for the last 2 decades, it was an unforgivable error, forcing the Indian management to issue a carefully worded statement."Well, there is a sense of disappointment about some of the decisions yesterday and we have a feeling that it will have a bearing on the outcome of the match,” said M V Sridhar, Media manager of the Indian cricket Team. But why was it decided not to lodge an official complaint against these shockers? The Indian camp feels that it would send out a signal that the team is making excuses, although a subtle message was sent out.“We don’t want to be judgmental at this stage. The appropriate authorities will take whatever action they find is suitable,” added Sridhar. Clearly, the man on the radar is Bucknor. There is a belief that the Jamaican has always had a pronounced anti-India bias. Even in the usually combative Aussie camp there seems to be some sympathy for India“No doubt about it. Both the chances, would have (costed India a lot), probably more heated discussion has taken place in the Indian dressing room about the umpiring,” said Aussie vice-captain, Adam Gilchrist. And while the Australian press has by and large been quiet on the issue, respected cricket writer Peter Roebuck has called the umpiring dreadful. He wrote: "Umpires resist the onset of technology to resolve tricky decisions. Nothing in yesterday's events advanced their cause. The evidence was presented to viewers on television but not to the man making the decision. It was hardly fair on anyone involved."Clearly, after the fuss here in Sydney, the ICC will have to sit up and take notice. Strong voices within the game such as Richie Benaud and Geoffrey Boycott have been calling for years for more technology to be used in cricket. Perhaps the right time is now.

Worng umpiring hurts India

2008-01-02T01:12:00.000-08:00

Sydney: Poor umpiring decisions on Day one of the Sydney Test spoiled India’s first day efforts with as many as 4 legitimate decisions going against the visitors. Steve Bucknor and Marc Benson, the two field umpires were the main culprits as far as India was concerned but their misery was compounded when the third umpire Bruce Oxenford too joined his errant colleagues.Indian bowlers had Australia reeling at 134-6, but thanks to Bucknor and Benson, the hosts took the reprieve with both hands and cantered on to a 350 plus score at the end of day’s play.The dangerous Andrew Symonds was let off thrice by the umpires; he went on to resurrect Australian first innings and give them a solid first innings score which didn’t look possible at one point of time. The first time when he got away was when he was on 30, umpire Steve Bucknor turned down an appeal for caught behind by MS Dhoni off Ishant Sharma who looked shocked at the decision and could well find himself in the dock for showing disapproval with umpire’s decision. Australia was then at 193-6.The second time, Symonds was on 48 when Dhoni stumped him off Anil Kumble’s delivery. Bucnor referred it to the third umpire. TV replays clearly showed that Symond’s feet were in the air when the bails were removed and there was just a shadow of it falling on the crease. Third umpire Oxenford, took time to decide but then the Aussie gave the benefit of doubt to the batsman.The third time, Symonds was on 106 when he was trapped leg before, the ball hitting middle and leg stump but Benson decided otherwise.Earlier, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting edged one to MS Dhoni when on 17 off a Sourav Ganguly delivery. Mark Benson didn’t think so. However when Ponting was batting on 55 he was adjudged leg before by Benson though there was a thick inside edge, the ball deflecting off his pad. The Ausie skipper couldn’t believe the decision and even stood his ground for a few moments.No doubt, the Indian team will be thinking that the ghosts of umpiring from its 2004 tour Down Under were returning with full vengeance.Sachin Tendulkar suffered from a Steve Bucknor’s blooper on the last tour in 2004 when the Jamaican gave him a leg before decision to Jason Gillespie in the first Test in Brisbane. The ball was going down leg side by miles but the shocked master blaster had to return to the dressing room without opening his account. That rattled the maestro to the extent that he had a mid series dry patch till he came back strongly in the last Test match on the same ground in Sydney.The skipper of the Indian team at that time-Sourav Ganguly in his captain’s report had given a big “zero” to Bucknor after the first Test match. It will not be surprising that the Jamacian will get the same rating from skipper Anil Kumble at the end of the Sydney Test.

Andrew Symonds roars his delight at scoring his second Test

2008-01-01T22:59:00.000-08:00

The two Singhs - RP and Harbhajan - emerged unlikely heroes as India sparked a rare Australian collapse on the first day of the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.RP Singh sizzled with the wickets of Phil Jaques, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey and Adam Gilchrist, while Harbhajan Singh extracted vicious turn to remove Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke to have the world champions on the mat.But an unbeaten 80-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Andrew Symonds and Brad Hogg enabled them to restore order in their innings after Australia were on the verge of being skittled out under 200. Instead, they finished the second session on 214-6, still going at over four runs an over.Captain Ricky Ponting chose to bat on a typically brown strip at the SCG, but India's fast bowling duo of RP and Ishant Sharma got lively movement from the wicket to trouble them early.RP Singh ended opener Phil Jaques' run of six straight 50-plus scores when the left-hander was out caught behind for a duck in the third over of play, before inducing an outside edge off Hayden that flew straight to Sachin Tendulkar, reducing the Australians to 27-2.And although there was enough from both sides to fill TV space, it was another case of decisions gone awry and chances abegging that dominated the replays.A Sourav Ganguly delivery appeared to have taken some wood of Ponting's bat on its way to MS Dhoni down the leg side, which was followed by a missed stumping opportunity off the same batsman. The Australian captain was given out when he edged it on to his pads, and more followed when a caught behind shout went unheard.Australia retained their eleven that trounced Anil Kumble's side in the Boxing Day Test, while Zaheer Khan missed the cut due to a recurring ankle problem. Ishant Sharma was given the nod. The Indian opening combination remained unchanged after drawing criticism over their performance in the first Test.Australia won the first Test of the series at the MCG by 337 runs to lead the four-match series 1-0.

Teams:

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques, Brad Hogg, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Brett Lee.

India: Anil Kumble (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Ishant Sharma, RP Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Wasim Jaffer.

Think positive, play freely: Kumble to team

2008-01-01T22:54:00.001-08:00

Sydney: Skipper Anil Kumble once again stressed the need for his batsmen to break the shackles and play freely as India geared up to avenge the Melbourne humiliation by the Australians in the second cricket Test at the SCG."It's very important to get partnerships. When we had that 60-70 run stand (between Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly) it was fine. When we have a partnership, it's important to go on and make a big score," said Kumble looking ahead at the second Test against Ricky Ponting's men after losing the four-match series opener by 337 runs.Kumble once again called on his batsmen to lift their attitude. He urged them to relax and bat their natural way."I thought our batters were very uptight in Melbourne. They needed to play their natural game," he said.Speculation is rife that India could be investing in Virender Sehwag in this game but Kumble chose to sidestep the matter."He is an attacking option. Before he lost form and was made to sit out, he was a very important member of the side. He does bring in that carefree attitude into the team," he said.Kumble said Sehwag has looked in touch in the nets but stopped short of revealing anything about the final composition for the Sydney Test.

Shane Bond all set to join ICL: report

2008-01-01T22:31:00.000-08:00

Melbourne: Tearaway fast bowler Shane Bond is all set to join the Indian Cricket League, a development that has put New Zealand Cricket in a dilemma.According to a report in The Australian, NZC is under pressure from BCCI to ban six players who played in the inaugural Twenty20 tournament at Panchkula and now, with Bond joining the rebel ICL, it might have to do the same with the pacer.The daily claimed if banned, Bond would hit back by suing NZC for restraint of trade and that puts the Board in an awkward situation.Chief Executive of the Federation of International Cricketers Association Tim May supported the players' right to earn a living, irrespective of whether it's a board-backed tournament or not."With New Zealand and these other poorly paid countries, it's incredibly enticing at the end of their career, or even in the middle, to look after themselves," May said. "You may well see more ICL-contracted players signed up. So what are we going to do, have a New Zealand second eleven out there? Is it in New Zealand's national interest to put out a half-baked team?" he asked."Is it in world cricket's interest? These are the questions people really need to sit down and think about. "And there is also the rights of the players to ply their trade. We want to encourage people to play cricket professionally, don't we? It's not necessarily a bad thing, this ICL," he said.NZC has already lost Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall and Daryl Tuffey to ICL.

Team upset with Yuvraj's attitude: report

2007-12-30T21:02:00.000-08:00

Melbourne: As if Yuvraj Singh's failure with the bat in the first Test against Australia was not bad enough, the left-hander's attitude has now become an issue with the Indian team management."Yes, there's a problem with Yuvraj's attitude. We will have to have a one-on-one with him in Sydney," Lalchand Rajput, assistant coach of the team, was quoted as saying by The Age.The daily claimed Yuvraj's attitude during the Boxing Day Test "infuriated members of the Indian side."It also went on to say that the left-hander's "air of indifference", coupled with his failure with the bat at MCG, might cost him his place in the side, paving the way for either Virender Sehwag or Dinesh Karthik to open the innings.Yuvraj scored 0 and 5 in the match and it was to accommodate him that the team think-tank had decided to open with Rahul Dravid, a move that came a cropper as Australia romped to a 337-run win to take 1-0 lead in the four-match series.Yuvraj was also fortunate to escape a fine from Match Referee Mike Procter for lingering at the crease after Billy Bowden had adjudged him caught behind lark for a first-innings duck.The 26-year-old again stood his ground after Brad Hogg trapped him leg-before for five in the second innings. He later attended a hearing but was declared not guilty of breach of ICC conduct.

India jostle for answers as second Test looms

2007-12-30T20:57:00.000-08:00

Melbourne: After a shattering loss in the Melbourne Test, it's time to re-group for the Indian team in Australia. Within a couple of days, they will be up against the world champions again in Sydney and the team management is burning the midnight oil to solve some prickly issues.While the headlines have focussed on the failure of the likes of former captain Rahul Dravid, sources tell CNN-IBN that within the team it's felt starts such as the ones Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly got in the first innings should have been converted into bigger scores.Sources also say that India's batsmen had an informal discussion among themselves after the defeat. The consensus was that they were perhaps timid as a batting unit and need to bat more freely from now on."There are two strategies in cricket: one is to be defensive while the other is to be offensive. In the first Test we were a bit defensive, but we will definitely come back stronger because we are also having some strategies which I cannot let you know now. But we will be back stronger," India's cricket manager Lalchand Rajput assures.The focal point of debate, though, remains Rahul Dravid. Over four hours in the middle in two innings got him a mere 21 runs. His troubles as makeshift opener seem to be weighing heavy on the team and possibly himself."Well, I wouldn't say any technical problem. It's just in the mind because a batsman goes through a lean patch, when he can't get runs, I think he has to overcome that. And I'm sure he will bounce back because he is a tremendous cricketer and everybody knows it," Rajput adds.So is it time now to unleash Virender Sehwag on the Aussies? That decision hasn't been made yet, but perhaps India will do well to listen to these words of wisdom from the opposition camp."I would have known a little while before this game that he (Dravid) was going to be doing that, playing that role. Obviously in the tour game in Melbourne he opened the batting, didn't he? So obviously we had a fair idea of what was going to happen. In that situation, I think most times, the opening role is such a specialist position that I think the Australian selectors would always go with a specialist opener," Australia captain Ricky Ponting explains.A source within the team described the mood as hugely disappointing, but also said that there is a quiet confidence among the boys that they can indeed bounce back in the series. They believe this is a four-Test match battle and Australia may have won the first round, but it's no certainty that the world champions can keep landing the punches.

How Australians plotted Dravid's fall

2007-12-30T20:51:00.000-08:00

Melbourne: Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson on Sunday revealed that his side gambled on Rahul Dravid's orthodox batting style to get the better of him in the Boxing Day Test here."I kept it outside the off-stump for him. That was the plan, to be patient to him because we knew he was a patient type of batsman," said Johnson at the MCG on Sunday."Unfortunately, a dropped catch in the gully and then a catch off a no-ball was disappointing," he added. Dravid was twice let-off on nought in the first innings of the Test, which India lost by a massive 337 runs, both off Johnson, and had trouble in getting the ball offside the square. In general, he scored at five runs per hour.He ultimately fell to part-time spinner Andrew Symonds after labouring to 16 runs against a miserly spell by Johnson and pace partner Brett Lee.Johnson said he was constantly telling himself not to get overawed by the reputation of the Indian batsmen. "I remember the game in the DLF Cup. I was more excited about bowling with Glenn McGrath at that time. I wasn't thinking about the reputation of the Indian batsmen," he said. "I think in this Test I gave it a little more though. I backed myself and didn't think much who was at the other end. I think once you start thinking about who you are bowling to, you might start to struggle. I just backed myself," he added.Johnson has a good success rate against India. In nine One-Dayers against the Indians, Johnson has claimed 19 wickets, including career-best figures of five for 26. Johnson was wicketless in the first innings but he believed he had bowled as well as he has ever in his still nascent Test career "I really thought my rhythm was good in this game, perhaps the best I have ever bowled. I was hitting the areas where I wanted to. The back-up of Brett Lee and Stuart Clark was tremendous and it just made a lot of things easier," he recalled.Despite going wicketless in the first innings, Johnson was persisted with in the second innings and he claimed three Indian scalps."It was a little bit of relief to get those wickets. I didn't have much luck in the first innings. But to get the ball to reverse swing like I did at the end was a good sign for me," he said.Johnson acknowledged team's bowling coach Troy Coolley's help in getting his seam and wrist position right for the game."In the first innings, I didn't swing the ball. When we were batting, we (with Coolley) we had a bit of discussion about seam and wrist position. It started to work for me, I started reversing the ball. In the second, I did and get my wrist up nice and straight."Johnson said he was over the moon after the team's success here but cautioned his mates against getting complacent."They are a great batting side. You have greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Dravid and guys like Yuvraj Singh. So they are definitely going to bounce back from this." "But we are going to try and be patient and do as we did by keeping the pressure on him," he said.

Australia won the first Test

2007-12-28T21:53:00.000-08:00

Third time lucky would be an apt judgement when Wasim Jaffer nicked one off Brett Lee off a no-ball. But his dismissal a couple of deliveries later was a clear sign of things to follow, as Australia wrapped up the proceedings with a huge 337-run margin in the Boxing Day Test to establish a 1-0 lead in the four-match series on Saturday.Brave resistance from VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly (42 and 40 respectively) were the only hope while Ricky Ponting's men marched towards their 15th successive Test win. India capitulated inside four days chasing an enormous 499 — shot out for a paltry 161 runs — their second score of less than 200 in the game.Mitchell Johnson bagged three second innings wickets, while Brett Lee and Brad Hogg took two apiece to break the back of the Indian batting. Andrew Symonds too featured in the list with the scalp of Rahul Dravid.Resuming on an overnight six without loss, India limped to 56-2 at lunch as openers Wasim Jaffer and Rahul Dravid saw the first innings repeat itself.Brett Lee was hostile in the second session as he out-thought Sachin Tendulkar when the batsman was lured into a rash drive outside off-stump after making 15.VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly attempted to break the near deadlock of runs before Laxman fell prey to an uppish drive to Stuart Clark for 42. Yuvraj Singh departed in quick succession to Brad Hogg, failing to read a well-disguised flipper for five, as India's challenge had all but faded.

Laxman, Yuvraj fall as Aussies seek early finish

2007-12-28T20:21:00.000-08:00

Indian fans complain of racist taunts at MCG

2007-12-28T19:51:00.000-08:00

Despite Cricket Australia's (CA) repeated warnings, racism has reared its ugly head at the ongoing Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with Indian supporters complaining of "offensive and ugly" chants being hurled at them by local supporters.A 'Herald Sun' report said Australian supporters shouted "Show us your visas, show us your visas" at the Indian fans, interviewed by their reporters. The visiting fans described the chant as "offensive, ugly and racist". Even some Australian fans found the chants racist."That is racist," a home supporter Heath Robbins was quoted as saying."It is attacking a person's country and they should be kicked out of the ground as they should for any offensive behaviour to any other people," he said."Everyone feels offended when they are attacked on the basis of their residency or where we came from," an Indian supporter, who did not wish to be named, was quoted as saying.However, when CA officials and police investigated the incident at the old Bay 13 section, they did not find any offended fan.CA spokesman Peter Young said no action can be taken against those involved in the chant because it was not reported to the police or security.
"Police have confirmed the chant took place and conducted extensive interviews with both Indian and Australian supporters and they did not find anyone who was offended," Young said."But we urge anyone who considers the comments to be racist to report them to police and security staff. Racism is in the eye of the beholder," he said.

Adam Gilchrist broke the Ian Healy Australian record

2007-12-28T19:42:00.000-08:00

Adam Gilchrist broke the Australian Test wicketkeeping record with his 396th dismissal as Australia edged closer to victory on the fourth day against India. Adam Gilchrist's catch in the morning session took him over Ian Healy Australian record with 396 Test dismissals.

Australia in control as Tendulkar falls

2007-12-28T19:25:00.000-08:00

Australia marched towards victory as India found it hard to get going in an attempt to chase an enormous 499 on the fourth day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.Resuming on an overnight six without loss, India limped to 56-2 at lunch, adding 50 runs in two hours of play as openers Wasim Jaffer and Rahul Dravid saw the first innings repeat itself.Australia continued their domination with their pace battery making life difficult for the Indian batsmen. Brett Lee was hostile in the second session as he out-thought Sachin Tendulkar as the batsman was lured into a rash drive outside off-stump after making 15.Third time lucky would be an apt judgement when Wasim Jaffer nicked one off Brett Lee off a no-ball. But his dismissal a couple of deliveries later summed up the task ahead of India, of overhauling the highest ever fourth innings target.Adam Gilchrist's catch in the morning session took him over Ian Healy Australian record with 396 Test dismissals.By the time Dravid had faced the same amount of balls he did in the first innings, he had scored twice as many runs. However, his struggle to get the scoreboard ticking again proved to be his downfall at the stroke of lunch, after having absorbed 114 balls for his 16.

West Indies in control despite collapse

2007-12-28T19:20:00.000-08:00

Port Elizabeth: The West Indies suffered a second innings collapse to give South Africa an outside chance of victory on the third day of the first Test against South Africa at St George's Park on Friday. The West Indies were 146 for eight at the close, an overall lead of 359. Chris Gayle decided not to enforce the follow on after the tourists took a first innings lead of 213. Dwayne Bravo took four for 24 as South Africa were bowled out for 195. At 122 for two in their second innings, the West Indies were heading for an indomitable position but they lost six wickets for 22 runs to give South Africa hope of winning a Test in which they were outplayed for most of the first three days. The collapse was started by a direct-hit run-out by Herschelle Gibbs to dismiss Daren Ganga for 45. Fast bowler Dale Steyn took three wickets and left-arm spinner Paul Harris two as the momentum shifted dramatically in the last hour of play. Gayle got the second innings off to a blazing start before he was caught behind off Makhaya Ntini for 29 off 22 balls. Although Runako Morton was out cheaply, Ganga and Samuels put on 65 for the third wicket to put their side in a dominant position. Ganga and Samuels were out in successive overs but they had ensured that South Africa would be set a target bigger than the best they have previously achieved in the fourth innings of a Test match - 340 against Australia in 2001/02. Samuels followed Ganga when he dragged an attempted pull against Steyn into his stumps and wickets started to tumble with Steyn finally showing the form that brought him 20 wickets in two Tests against New Zealand last month. Shivnarine Chanderpaul's run of form came to an end when he edged Steyn low to Jacques Kallis at second slip and Denesh Ramdin gloved a bouncer to gully. Bravo was given a torrid time by Steyn but fell to Harris when he drove the spinner to mid-on. Harris also trapped Darren Sammy leg before. Bravo, who finished with four for 24, took the last four wickets in 21 runs at a personal cost of six runs as the West Indies bowled out South Africa for 195. South Africa suffered an early blow after resuming on 122 for five when Mark Boucher was out in the third over of the morning. Boucher top-edged a hook against Jerome Taylor and was caught by Daren Powell at fine leg. But AB de Villiers and Paul Harris defied the West Indian bowlers for most of the morning in a seventh wicket stand of 43 before Bravo struck shortly before lunch. De Villiers, the only top order batsman to shine, made a patient 59 off 127 balls before he was bowled by a superb delivery from Bravo which straightened off the pitch and clipped his off stump. Bravo followed up with the wicket of Harris, who batted for 100 minutes and faced 68 balls in making nine. He was caught at mid-off when he attempted a forcing shot off the back foot. South Africa's last two wickets fell in 13 balls after lunch as Bravo had Andre Nel caught at mid-on and Dale Steyn caught at fine leg.

Harbhajan backs India to save MCG Test

2007-12-28T19:13:00.000-08:00

The pitch at the MCG deteriorating, Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh today admitted that chasing the Australian target of 499 would be a tough task for the visitors but hoped that their formidable line-up will stand up to the challenge.“Obviously, it’s a stiff target, but I won’t say it’s not achievable,” Harbhajan said after the third day’s play, which India ended at 6 for no loss. “With the kind of batting line-up we have, if we play to our potential anything can happen in cricket and this is a good wicket to bat on and I’m sure our batsmen are looking forward to going out and showing some character tomorrow,” he added.Harbhajan rued the first innings collapse and said the situation could have been different had India not conceded a 147-run lead to the hosts.“If we had batted well in the first innings, I think the match would have been evenly placed. But I still believe that we have the calibre to save it. We just have play through the next two days,” he said.Harbhajan said the MCG track was keeping low and with hardly any bounce, it has turned out to be quite an opposite of a typical Australian pitch. “There is hardly any bounce or spin in this track and it gets a bit tough on these sort of wickets. It is not a typical Australian track which offers good bounce,” Harbhajan pointed out.Harbhajan, who surpassed the 250-wicket mark after scalping three today, said he varied his pace to surprise the batsmen and be more effective.“It is a nice feeling to surpass the mark but I think I could have bowled better. But I would take it as a learning thing... it’s a bit tough on such wicket and I bowled okay but could have done better.” “In the first innings, I was taking a lot of time before delivering the ball but varied my pace and angle in the second innings as the track was not helping me,” he explained.The off-spinner said even his ‘doosras’ were rendered ineffective by the non-responsive pitch.“I bowled quite a lot of doosras but the wicket is too slow, they didn’t go as I wanted. I was looking to bowl a good rhythm and a couple of early wickets would have helped,” he said.

Akram's words of wisdom to Zaheer

2007-12-28T19:05:00.000-08:00

Melbourne: Zaheer Khan was roundly booed by Indian supporters at the MCG for the flurry of no-balls but apparently there was a reason to it.Zaheer was working on the bowling tips by the Pakistani legend Wasim Akram who had asked him to completely redo his bowling style for the present tour of Australia.Akram had advised Zaheer to understand that his method of swinging the delivery, as he did so brilliantly in England this summer, would not work in Australia. "It wouldn't help if he was to just come and release the delivery in Australia as he did in England. There is a different method to obtaining swing in this part of the world", Akram said.Zaheer was asked to run in quicker than he normally does and instead of just releasing the ball, he should look to hit the deck on Australian pitches.Zaheer worked on the advice and turned in a brilliant performance at the MCG in both the innings, never mind there were a dozen no-balls in Australia's second innings.Even though he grabbed just a wicket in Australia's second innings, he troubled all Australian batsmen as he had done during his four-wicket haul in the first innings. The only trouble was that in order to run-in and hit the crease hard, Zaheer was overstepping time and again.One such transgression cost him the wicket of Andrew Symonds. The hefty all-rounder was bowled but much to Zaheer's disappointment, the right arm of umpire Billy Bowden was already stretched out in a signal for no-ball. "When you bowl with the old ball, trying to gain reverse swing, you tend to overstep, that's common," said Akram. "I like the way he has bowled in this Test though I would like him to keep switching on either side of the wicket, lest a batsman gets used to his style of bowling".Akram's pearls of wisdom did not stop here. He also gave tips to Zaheer on how to hide the ball away from the gaze of batsmen when trying to reverse swing it.Akram wanted Zaheer to hold the ball in his right hand and then switch it to his bowling left-arm in the final strides of his run-up.Earlier, Zaheer used to keep the ball in his left palm before delivering it at the batsmen.Akram also paid attention to the bowling style of Rudra Pratap Singh, another left-arm bowler like him and Zaheer, and asked him to try and bowl a lot from the edge of the crease.He told RP Singh it would help him make batsmen play the wrong line."By bowling from the edge of the crease, it would fool a batsman into believing that the ball might angle away. But RP has an action which naturally brings the ball in. It can confuse a batsman," Akram said.Even though the pacers did not quite get bagful of wickets in Australia's two innings, it's fair to say that there were periods of play when they kept the batsmen on a leash.

Dravid needs to establish his credentials again

2007-12-28T18:52:00.000-08:00

Melbourne: If there was muted criticism of the move to promote Rahul Dravid as India's opening batsman till today, the voices opposing that decision are now getting louder. Dravid has looked reluctant to play that role but he may have little choice left.66 agonising deliveries had got Rahul Dravid a mere 5 runs before Stuart Clarke put him out of his misery. But for the out of form Dravid, there is little chance in the near future of a return to his preferred slot at number three."Not always are you going to strike the ball the way you want to. Sometimes the balls are also not in the areas where you can put them away comfortably. You just have to fight it out and it was one of those days when both the openers had to fight it out. But it is not the first time that it has happened in Test cricket. There are some wonderful spells which you have to play out. Today was one of those cases and it is pretty normal. No complains against the openers," said Sachin Tendulkar. Dravid has cut a forlorn figure in Australia so far. He is no longer captain, has been dropped from the One-Day team and has now been asked to front up against the world's best new ball attack. He offered bravado when asked if he was keen on the job but its hard to miss the edge in this response."I have batted all my career in different positions and if the management at this stage feels that the best chance for us to beat Australia on this tour is for me to do that (opening the batting for India) then I will do that," Dravid had said before the start of the first Test match in Melbourne. Less than six months ago, Dravid led Team India to a series win in England. Now in hushed tones even the unthinkable is being said. If Dravid fails again in Melbourne and in Sydney; he may face a spell on the sidelines. Just like the legendary Bill Ponsford at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Rahul Dravid too will go down in history as one of India's greatest batsmen. But what has been a remarkable career, he now faces a career defining moment. He needs to establish his credentials as an opening batsman.

More woes for India; Yuvraj faces hearing

2007-12-27T23:51:00.000-08:00

Melbourne: India's star middle order batsmanYuvraj Singh faces a disciplinary hearing with Match Referee Mike Proctor for showing dissent after his dismissal in the Boxing Day Test against Australia.Umpire Billy Bowden ruled Yuvraj caught behind off Stuart Clark yesterday, a decision that failed to amuse the left-hander who was yet to open his account. Though snickometer suggested a thin edge, Yuvraj lingered for a few seconds at the crease before finally departing.The left-hander is expected to attend a hearing with Proctor later today and if found guilty, Yuvraj might lose part of his match fee, media reports claimed on Friday.

Showman Shoaib may pay for antics in India

2007-12-27T23:46:00.000-08:00

Karachi: PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf on Friday hinted that pacer Shoaib Akhtar could face disciplinary action when the governing body of the Board meets to review the performance of the Pakistan team on their tour of India. The meeting will be held next month here. "We are not happy with the antics and efforts of Shoaib at times during the tour, particularly in the final Test in Bangalore and this will be discussed by the governing body," Ashraf told PTI. "It would be premature to comment on what the governing body might decide but it is authorised to recommend any disciplinary action against any player or official if it feels he has not shown enough commitment to the national team." Shoaib made a comeback to the team on the Indian tour after serving a 13-match ban and being fined Rs 3.4 million for four charges of misconduct. He was also put on a one-year probation during which any act of indiscipline could automatically lead to a lifetime ban. he speedster took nine wickets in the three Tests in India at an average of around 31.The on-field show may not have fetched him many headlines but he made news for his off-field activities after being offered a role in a Bollywood film and appearing on a music show on an Indian channel as judge. Ashraf said the board was not happy with some of the things seen in India and specially with the commitment shown by Shoaib in the final Test. "Some of his behaviour was not right. We will be studying the reports of the manager and coach before the governing body decides to take any action against anyone," he said. Ashraf reiterated that the Board had made it clear time and again that it would not compromise on discipline with anyone. "No one is bigger than the game and there will be no compromise on discipline. No player should think he is bigger than the team or game." Sources say Talat has in his report made some disparaging remarks about Shoaib's behaviour while report of coach Geoff Lawson's report was still awaited. Since returning home from India, Shoaib has maintained a low profile.

Mountain to climb for India as Aussies declare

2007-12-27T22:54:00.000-08:00

Australia piled on the agony for the Indians as they handed the visitors a fourth innings target of 499 on the third day of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG on Friday Half-centuries from Michael Clarke and Phil Jaques, and handy contributions from the rest of the batting order ensured Australia were firmly on top as captain Ricky Ponting declared their second innings on 351-7 with an overall lead of 498.Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds restored Australia's momentum after India's bowlers managed to peg the hosts back during the second session.Captain Anil Kumble got into the act to remove opener Phil Jaques who fell for his second straight half-century, before RP Singh struck to remove Michael Hussey (36) to stem the flow of runs.Zaheer Khan, too, appeared to get into the act when he bowled Symonds with a swinging delivery only to return to his mark as he had overstepped the line.Harbhajan Singh snared two wickets in two overs in the morning session as India attempted to claw back even as Australia continued to build their lead. Off-spinner Harbhajan reached 250 Test wickets with his second wicket after openers Matthew Hayden and Phil Jaques gave Australia a breezy start. Hayden followed up an imperious 124 in the first innings with a quickfire 47 before he holed out for the off-spinner's first wicket in the game. The burly batsman, too, reached a personal milestone of 8,000 Test runs.Captain Ricky Ponting had a rare bad outing in both innings of a Test when he edged Harbhajan to the slips for three as Australia fell to 89-2. He was out for four in the first essay. India's effort with the ball to close out Australia for 343 in the first innings was wasted as the hosts' fast bowling duo of Stuart Clark and Brett Lee bagged four wickets each to establish a huge 147-run lead.

Kiwis flay Bangladesh; set mammoth score

2007-12-27T22:17:00.000-08:00

Napier: An injury-free Peter Fulton led New Zealand to an imposing 335-run total batting first against Bangladesh in their second one-day cricket international at McLean Park here on Friday. Fulton, who missed the recent tours of South Africa and Australia where New Zealand were comprehensively outplayed, scored an impressive 83 off 93 balls. Opener Jamie How chimed in with 74 and Jacob Oram blasted a rapid 55 off 31 balls as New Zealand made light of the Bangladesh bowling and scored freely around the ground. A New Zealand win would wrap up the series with a game in hand after they won the opening match in Auckland on Wednesday by six wickets. Brendon McCullum was the first batsman to fall, run out by a direct hit from Tushar Imran for 35 with the score at 82, and How and Fulton then put on 65 for the second wicket. How, still looking for his maiden one day international century after falling for 88 in the first game, was lucky to survive a caught behind appeal when on 12. He then went on to stroke a dozen boundaries to strengthen his claim for a Test recall. Scott Styris joined Fulton to put on 83 for the third wicket before he was well caught by Tushar Imran off the bowling of Farhad Reza for 41.When Fulton was dismissed 17 runs later, with the score at 246, Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram then attacked the Bangladesh bowlers, who wilted over the final eight overs.Taylor was not out 34 and Oram, whose 55 included four fours and four sixes, was out on the last ball of the innings, caught in the deep by Tamim Iqbal off the bowling of Mashrafe Mortaza. For Bangladesh Abdur Razzak took two for 75 and Mushrafe Mortaza finished with one for 66.

Teams:

New Zealand: Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Peter Fulton, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Mathew Sinclair, Jacob Oram, Kyle Mills, Daniel Vettori, Mark Gillespie, Chris Martin.

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Aftab Ahmed, Mohammad Ashraful, Saqibul Hasan, Tushar Imran, Farhad Reza, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mashrafe Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain.
Umpires: Tony Hill (NZL), Peter Parker (AUS). Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG).

Feisty Chanderpaul sets record

2007-12-27T22:15:00.000-08:00

Port Elizabeth: West Indian batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul equaled the world record for most consecutive Test half-centuries when he reached 50 on the second day of the first Test against South Africa at St George's Park.It was Chanderpaul's seventh consecutive score of 50 or better, equalling a mark set by fellow West Indian Everton Weekes in 1948 and 1949 and repeated by Andy Flower of Zimbabwe in 2000 and 2001. Chanderpaul's sequence started when he made 69 against Pakistan in Karachi in November 2006 and continued when he had scores of 74, 50, 116 not out, 136 not out and 70 in a series in England earlier this year.The left-handed Chanderpaul resumed on 43 Thursday and reached his half-century when he pulled Dale Steyn to the boundary 40 minutes into the second day's play. At that stage the West Indies were 304 for five.

Powell, Taylor send South Africa reeling

2007-12-27T22:08:00.000-08:00

Port Elizabeth: Fast bowlers Daren Powell and Jerome Taylor struck hard at the South African top order as the tourists took control on the second day of the first Test at St George's Park Thursday. South Africa were crashed to 122-5 at close of play in reply to a West Indian total of 408 in which Shivarine Chanderpaul made a patient century. Powell took three for 40 and Taylor two for 28 as South Africa were left with their last two recognised batsmen, AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher, at the crease. While South Africa's bowlers were notably unable to strike with the new ball after the West Indies were sent in to bat Wednesday, their West Indian counterparts were on the mark almost immediately. Powell struck with the fifth ball of the innings when Herschelle Gibbs edged a catch to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin. South Africa captain Graeme Smith made an aggressive 28 but was then trapped palpably leg before wicket when he played across a full delivery from Taylor. In his next over, Taylor claimed the prize wicket of Jacques Kallis, who had made five centuries in his previous four Test matches. Kallis failed to score before he tried to withdraw his bat from a lifting delivery by Taylor but instead steered a catch to third slip. Powell came back for a second spell, changing ends, and with his first ball sent Hashim Amla's middle stump flying with a superb yorker. Amla had looked in good form in making 29 off 30 balls.Ashwell Prince and De Villiers put on 33 for the fifth wicket and seemed to have steadied the innings until Powell struck again three balls after a drinks interval when Prince edged a catch to second slip. At that stage, half South Africa's batsmen had been dismissed for 96. Boucher was hit on the gloves by a bouncer from Powell but he and De Villiers survived until the close when South Africa, who started the match as hot favourites, still needed 87 runs to avoid the follow on. Chanderpaul made 104 for the West Indies before he was ninth man out, bowled by Andre Nel after a patient vigil which lasted 398 minutes during which he faced 254 balls and hit 12 fours.It was Chanderpaul's 17th Test century and his fourth against South Africa. He also made his seventh consecutive score of 50 or better, equalling a world Test record set by fellow West Indian Everton Weekes in 1948 and 1949 and repeated by Andy Flower of Zimbabwe in 2000 and 2001. Fast bowlers Makhaya Ntini and Nel took three wickets each but none of the South African bowlers found any of the help in the pitch that Smith expected when he won the toss on Wednesday. Ntini, armed with the second new ball, made two early strikes for South Africa on the second morning before Chanderpaul and Darren Sammy came together in a seventh wicket stand of 71. Chanderpaul's sequence started when he made 69 against Pakistan in Karachi in November 2006 and continued when he had scores of 74, 50, 116 not out, 136 not out and 70 in a series in England earlier this year. He was finally bowled by an excellent delivery from Nel, bowling around the wicket. The ball angled in to the left-hander and straightened off the pitch.

Troublemakers give tough time to police at MCG

2007-12-27T20:40:00.000-08:00

Unruly spectators marred the opening day of Boxing Day Test between India and Australia with police arresting a dozen and evicting more than 110 people from the Melbourne Cricket Ground.Police said they were 'disappointed' with the behaviour of the spectators on Wednesday, after more than 110 people were evicted from the MCG and a dozen arrested, according to a report in 'The Age'. While authorities praised the overall crowd behaviour, Victoria Police warned unruly cricket spectators that its zero-tolerance approach to misconduct would continue."There's an element of the crowd that have decided they are going to come here for one reason, and that is to have a little bit of cricket, and also to see if they can get thrown out," Superintendent Stephen Leane was quoted as saying.Among those sent from the ground were instigators of the Mexican wave, which circled the stadium several times throughout the day despite being banned for the first time at the Boxing Day event, the report said.Several people were caught throwing items during the Mexican wave including food were also ejected from the ground, along with a female fan who revealed herself.Two streakers invaded the pitch late in the day, one of them draped in an Indian flag. Both were arrested and face fines of up to $6000, it said.Other arrests include nine for drunkenness and one for assaulting a police officer.However, Superintendent Leane said there were no reports of racial abuse.It had been 'a very good day' for relations between Indian and Australian supporters, he said.

Waugh blames Dravid for handing momentum to Aussies

2007-12-27T20:27:00.000-08:00

Rahul Dravid's timidity while facing an aggressive Australian pace battery has turned the match in the favour of Ricky Ponting's men, feels former skipper Steve Waugh."Rahul Dravid looked out of touch and instead of being bold and countering with aggression, he opted for a grafting response which would have been fine if he went on to make a significant score. But to fall for five off 66 balls was to hand the momentum clearly back to Australia," Waugh wrote in his column for the 'Daily Telegraph'. India collapsed to 196 all out after having done well to bundle out Australia for 343 and Waugh said the visitors only had themselves to blame for being in a precarious position as they buckled under the pressure of being faced with a pace onslaught from Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson."India would have been well pleased to bowl Australia out for 343 but immediately gave the impetus back by getting bogged down at the crease and allowing Lee and Johnson to determine the way forward," he pointed out.Waugh, however, lavished praise on Sachin Tendulkar for applying himself well against a hostile attack."Much in the same mould as (Matthew) Hayden, Tendulkar appeared primed for a big innings, playing straight off the quicker bowlers and accumulating runs before setting himself for a premeditated assault on Brad Hogg where he swatted across the line and over the infield, much in the same way he took to Warne on the subcontinent," he said.Waugh felt despite coming in for some hammering early on, chinaman bowler Hogg justified his selection in the Australian squad with a couple of crucial wickets."With two exceptional players of spin in Ganguly and Tendulkar clearly showing their intent against Brad Hogg, the blowtorch was well and truly on, with no place to hide.""The perceived weakness in the past was his temperament, which could falter under pressure, but on this occasion he showed a calmness and control over his emotions, culminating in Ganguly's dismissal, in a display that justified his spot in the side," Waugh said.

Bad umpiring Down Under haunts India

2007-12-26T22:49:00.000-08:00

The bogey of bad umpiring decisions refuses to leave India when they tour Down Under.Yuvraj Singh, that man in sublime touch and a scourge for bowlers from around the world, was on Thursday adjudged caught behind off Stuart Clark by umpire Billy Bowden before the left-hander had scored a run.At least a couple of inches seemed to separate the line of the ball from the prodigious left-hander’s bat, but there was not even an iota of doubt in Kiwi umpire Billy Bowden’s mind. He was quick to raise the dreaded finger, though Yuvraj did not respond as fast to the decision. The left-hander shook his head in dismay, prolonged his stay in the middle while showing his dissent, before walking off with his head still shaking.The MCG may not be the easiest place to officiate in, as pointed out by commentator Ravi Shastri earlier in the day while praising the same umpire, but the fact is that a decision here or there can still have a bearing on the outcome of the match. That Mahendra Dhoni was adjudged lbw immediately afterwards to a ball that swung in a lot to hit the stretched left foot did not seem to help the Indians either, which also seemed to be a close decision and Dhoni could have enjoyed the benefit of doubt.It is just the second day of a tough Test series and there have also been some other doubtful decisions both for and against India, leaving one hoping that umpiring does not become the topic of debate in the series.It might just be a matter of chance that Sachin Tendulkar got quite a few bad decisions on previous tours of Australia and in a practice game against Victoria last week in which he was given out off a no ball, but the fact is that India have suffered at the hands of the best of the umpires Down Under.

Lee, Clark shine as India collapse for 196

2007-12-26T22:34:00.000-08:00

India's momentary revival in the first innings was halted by twin dismissals of Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh as the visitors fell to 112-5 at tea on the second day of the opening Test at the MCG on Thursday.Stuart Clark starred with the ball with three wickets as Australia eclipsed India's effort as the visitors were in disarray at 55-3 soon after the first session, but Sachin Tendulkar had other plans.A laborious start to India's first innings was resurrected by Tendulkar who tore into the Aussie bowlers, stamping his class on his way to a half-century in just over a run-a-ball.The master batsman brought about his own downfall by playing on to his stumps after a classy 62 from 77 balls, which was followed by the wicket of Yuvraj Singh for a duck as the teams broke for tea.After closing out Australia's first innings for 343, India surrendered the initiative by losing both their openers for just 31 runs at lunch, and further slumping to 55-3 in a painstakingly slow batting display, and the batsmen had themselves to blame.The running between the wickets failed to capture the imagination after opener Wasim Jaffer fell for a 27-ball four. Rahul Dravid, promoted to open the innings along with Wasim Jaffer, took 41 balls to open his account before he, too, departed out leg before to Stuart Clark for five, after surviving a catch off a no-ball and a dropped chance. Aussie bowling spearhead Brett Lee had India hopping to his accuracy and pace, and a bombardment of well-directed bouncers unsettled the visitors with Laxman fending one awkwardly that took his glove on its way to Ricky Ponting for 26.Australia's last pair of Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson added six runs to their overnight tally of 337-9 before Clark holed out to fine leg after the duo added 31 runs for the final wicket.Zaheer Khan took four wickets for 94 runs while his skipper bagged his 35th five-wicket haul in Tests to finish with 5-84, also his 10th five-for against the reigning world champions.On Boxing Day, Matthew Hayden provided the crowds with his 19th Test century on home soil and was involved in a 135-run first wicket stand with partner Phil Jaques.

Tendulkar, Yuvraj dismissals peg India back

2007-12-26T20:56:00.000-08:00

India's momentary revival in the first innings was halted by twin dismissals of Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh as the visitors fell to 112-5 at tea on the second day of the opening Test at the MCG on Thursday.Stuart Clark starred with the ball with three wickets as Australia eclipsed India's effort as the visitors were in disarray at 55-3 soon after the first session, but Sachin Tendulkar had other plans.A laborious start to India's first innings was resurrected by Tendulkar who tore into the Aussie bowlers, stamping his class on his way to a half-century in just over a run-a-ball.The master batsman brought about his own downfall by playing on to his stumps after a classy 62 from 77 balls, which was followed by the wicket of Yuvraj Singh for a duck as the teams broke for tea.After closing out Australia's first innings for 343, India surrendered the initiative by losing both their openers for just 31 runs at lunch, and further slumping to 55-3 in a painstakingly slow batting display, and the batsmen had themselves to blame.The running between the wickets failed to capture the imagination after opener Wasim Jaffer fell for a 27-ball four. Rahul Dravid, promoted to open the innings along with Wasim Jaffer, took 41 balls to open his account before he, too, departed out leg before to Stuart Clark for five, after surviving a catch off a no-ball and a dropped chance.Aussie bowling spearhead Brett Lee had India hopping to his accuracy and pace, and a bombardment of well-directed bouncers unsettled the visitors with Laxman fending one awkwardly that took his glove on its way to Ricky Ponting for 26.Australia's last pair of Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson added six runs to their overnight tally of 337-9 before Clark holed out to fine leg after the duo added 31 runs for the final wicket.aheer Khan took four wickets for 94 runs while his skipper bagged his 35th five-wicket haul in Tests to finish with 5-84, also his 10th five-for against the reigning world champions.On Boxing Day, Matthew Hayden provided the crowds with his 19th Test century on home soil and was involved in a 135-run first wicket stand with partner Phil Jaques.

Kumble has outstanding intuition: Waugh

2007-12-26T20:48:00.000-08:00

Melbourne: Hailing Anil Kumble as a bowler with "outstanding intuition," former Australian captain Steve Waugh said one should never underestimate the veteran leg-spinner.Impressed with Kumble's performance on the opening day of the first cricket Test here, Waugh said Kumble was a clever bowler capable of reading the minds of batsmen well."Having played against him many times, I knew never to underestimate Anil Kumble - even though you wogSep stressing over how to combat his bowling out in the middle," Waugh wrote in his column for daily Herald Sun."His methods are subtle and often most effective when you think you have him under control. He possesses outstanding intuition, which enables him to sense complacency or uneasiness from a batsman, and in turn he cleverly mixes up his deliveries and angles at the crease," Waugh said.Analysing his old adversary's performance, the Aussie great said the spinner exhibited great artistry while scalping Phil Jaques and Mike Hussey today."He tempted Jaques with a flighted delivery that was a well-concealed wrong 'un, while Mike Hussey departed to a quicker, flatter wrong 'un that beat him for pace."Both were clever pieces of artistry from a street-fighter, who for many years has been the benchmark in mental toughness in Indian cricket."Waugh felt that this series would be demanding on Kumble as he would play a double role of captain and strike bowler against tough opponents like Australia."Being the captain this tour will provide him greatest challenge, as his focus will have to be shared and not channelled," he said."It was in the first session that he appeared unsettled when he continually rotated his fieldsmen where the ball has just gone, but as the day evolved he became progressively pro-active and comfortable with the leadership," Waugh said.Waugh said playing the Test series against Pakistan would help India during the tour of Australia, who had a cakewalk in the home series versus Sri Lanka."One advantage India has over Australia is it has just come off a demanding three-Test series against its arch-rival Pakistan, while Australia steamrolled a lacklustre Sri Lanka."This was evident when Australia was perfectly placed at 0-135 and on remote control again to dominate, but the Indians hung tough, stuck to the basics and turned things around."This appears to be an Indian team that is ready for the challenge and willing to ask questions of Australia's batsmen through swing bowling and spinners with attitude," he said.Expressing astonishment over the slow track of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Waugh said the Aussies might be losing the home advantage because of the wicket.
"Deliveries not carrying through to the wicketkeeper, batsmen checking their shots and edges falling short of the slip cordon on the first day."Even with a limited preparation because of rain and the fact it will bake, harden and quicken with the sunshine during the next two days, it is becoming a common theme that our pitches are losing their character. Consequently, home-ground advantage is a thing of the past as the playing surfaces become all too familiar."On this particular pitch, Australia will be hard-pressed to bowl India out twice with the limited sideways movement and lack of exaggerated bounce," he said.

'Aussie crowd will love macho Dhoni'

2007-12-26T20:39:00.000-08:00

Melbourne: Mahendra Singh Dhoni has emerged as a showstopper in India and manager Lalchand Rajput believes it is just a matter of time before the Australian people fall in love with the stylish wicketkeeper."I am 100 per cent sure the Australian public will love him by the end of the series. He is our flamboyant macho man with the bat, and he has become a very crucial member of this side," Rajput was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.Rajput said Dhoni was India's answer to the charismatic Australian stumper Adam Gilchrist."To have a person just like Gilchrist gives everyone great confidence. He can change the course of a game very quickly, and he gives the batsmen above him great confidence," he said.Rajput felt Dhoni's meteoric rise internationally and his exceptional leadership in India's Twenty20 World Cup triumph has made him as big a star as Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly back home.
"I think people forgot about Sachin and Sourav (Ganguly) for a while after the Twenty20 World Cup. When he came back,he was a demigod to the people. He is on the verge of being at the status of Sachin, Sourav and Rahul. After his success at the Twenty20 World Cup, he has just about reached that elite group," he explained."People feel they can relate to him, and they love the way he plays the game. Nobody thought it was possible to come from where he did and become captain of India. That kind of fame could have a bad effect on some people, but he is very mature about it," Rajput added.

BCCI not happy with Munaf's attitude

2007-12-26T20:36:00.000-08:00

New Delhi: The Indian team management may be keen to have Munaf Patel in the squad for the Test series against Australia, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not too happy with the pacer's attitude. In fact, the BCCI appears to have second thoughts about sending him to Australia and has taken a strong exception to Munaf's decision to skip the Ranji Trophy match between Maharashtra and Karnataka currently being played in Ratnagiri.
To make matters worse, neither Maharashtra nor the BCCI officials have been able to contact him to get a feedback on his availability."It is something which has not gone down well with the officials. If the Board does not get a proper feedback on his recovery and if he does not prove his fitness in domestic matches, it will be difficult for him to go to Australia", a BCCI source said.
It is also learnt that Chief Selector Dilip Vengsarkar has not been able to contact Munaf nor does he have an idea about his whereabouts.Munaf, recuperating from a back strain, was supposed to play the Maharashtra-Karnataka Ranji match but had to be omitted from the team since Maharashtra Cricket officials could not establish contact with him."He is prone to injuries and it is necessary for the BCCI to know how his rehabilitation programme is going. He has to show some seriousness", the source said.Munaf was to join the Indian team in Australia as the 17th member from the third Test in Perth but the BCCI had made it clear that he would have to prove his fitness before embarking on the tour.

Kumble rattles Australia after Hayden hundred

2007-12-26T20:26:00.000-08:00

Captain Anil Kumble led from the front by scalping five wickets as Australia squandered a flying start to allow India come back strongly in the opening Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today.Electing to bat, the hosts got off to a solid start with Matthew Hayden (124) and Phil Jaques (66) putting on 135 runs for the first wicket but the visitors bounced back splendidly to restrict Australia to 337/9 at close on the opening day. The formidable Aussies threatened to seize early control of the Boxing Day Test and were cruising along briskly before the complexion of the game changed after the lunch break with the Indians ripping through the strong Australian batting line-up.Mitchell Johnson (10) and Stuart Clark (21) were at the crease at stumps on an eventful day watched by a sizable crowd.The seasoned Kumble turned out to be the hero as he produced a devastating spell to pick up 5/84, his 34th five-wicket haul to bring to help his team bounce back on a good batting track at the MCG.Pacer Zaheer Khan also played a stellar role by taking three wickets while fellow pacer Rudra Pratap Singh chipped in with one wicket to thwart Australia's hopes of putting up an imposing first innings total on the board.
The burly Hayden, who has always scored heavily against the Indians, continued to torment the visitors by notching up his 28th Test century but none of the other Australian batsmen, barring Jaques, could get going against a disciplined bowling attack.The match turned when Australia lost three wickets in the hour after lunch and then six more in the final session of play.Australia crumbled under pressure as batsmen after batsmen tried to hit their way out of trouble instead of playing to the situation.Kumble picked two wickets in the afternoon in a space of four overs and then three late in the day inside eight overs to let the world champions know they have a battle on hands.The skipper started the slide when he fooled Jaques with a googly that beat his defensive bat and undid him with a stumping.Three overs later, Kumble got rid of Michael Hussey (2) who played the wrong line and was declared leg before wicket.In between, Zaheer bowled the Australian captain Ricky Ponting (4) with a peach of a delivery which moved that bit slightly to clip his off-stumpAustralia were 213/3 from 56 overs at Tea as Hayden and Michael Clarke appeared to be digging in their heels for a home revival. RP Singh nipped those ambitions in the bud when he had Clarke (20) flaying at an overpitched delivery, wide off stumps, into the hands of VVS Laxman in slips.Clarke had struggled in his 80-minute stay during which he made 20 from 40 balls and put on 60 runs for the fourth wicket with Hayden.
Zaheer then earned Indians the wicket they wanted. Hayden tried to force a delivery off the backfoot which rose higher than he expected and a simple catch went to Rahul Dravid at mid-on.
Kumble then took over and gutted the host with three quick wickets inside 28 balls.Andrew Symonds (35) and Adam Gilchrist (23) were both guilty of trying to force the issue against Kumble and departed to ill-judged strokes.Symonds aimed a pull at a shortish delivery and was smartly caught by substitute Dinesh Kaarthick at midwicket.Gilchrist attempted a hoick at a widish delivery and the leading edge was safely caught by Sachin Tendulkar at short third man.
Brett Lee became the eighth victim of the day when he played forward the wrong line and umpire Mark Benson had no hesitation in ruling him leg before wicket.Johnson had a reprieve when he inside-edged Kumble to Yuvraj Singh at forward short-leg but umpire Benson ruled not out.With four overs to go, the new ball was taken and it paid immediate dividends with Brad Hogg's (17) attempted drive off Zaheer nestling in the safe hands of Dravid at third slip.
Some good hitting towards the end by Johnson and last man Clark got some valuable runs for Australia, but India should be happy with their day's work. Following are the statistical highlights of the first day's play: Sourav Ganguly became the seventh Indian player to appear in 100 Tests or more, joining Sachin Tendulkar (143), Kapil Dev (131), Sunil Gavaskar (125), Anil Kumble (122), Dilip Vengsarkar (116) and Rahul Dravid (116).India became the second nation in Test annals to achieve the feat of featuring four players (Tendulkar, Dravid, Kumble and Ganguly) with 100 or more appearances in the same Test squad.The Australian team was the first to achieve the distinction during the 2006-07 Ashes series against England when Justin Langer, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Ricky Ponting appeared together.Matthew Hayden (124 off 183 balls) registered his 28th hundred, fourth against India. Only Ponting (33), Steve Waugh (32) and Don Bradman (29) have recorded more hundreds than Hayden for Australia.
Hayden's 124 is his sixth hundred at MCG - the last three in successive innings - 137 vs South Africa in 2005-06, 153 vs England in 2006-07 and 124 vs India in 2007-08.Hayden recorded his second successive hundred against India at MCG. In the 2003-04 Melbourne Test, he had made 136 and 53 not out.Only Bradman has registered more hundreds (9) than Hayden (6) at MCG.Hayden, during the course of his innings, became the sixth batsman to amass 1,000 runs or more at MCG. Bradman (1671 in 11 Tests) holds the record for most runs at this venue.
Dravid, with Hayden's catch, overtook Mark Taylor's tally of 157, moving into the fourth place in the list of all time leading fielders. His tally of 159 catches is exceeded only by Mark Waugh (181), Brian Lara (164) and Stephen Fleming (161).Phil Jaques (66) registered his fifth 50-plus score in succession.The 135-run stand between Hayden and Jaques is Australia's second best for the first wicket against India at Melbourne, next only to the 191 between Bobby Simpson and Bill Lawry in 1967-68. The aforesaid partnership is Australia's first century partnership in 32 innings.Kumble became the third Indian bowler to claim five wickets in an innings twice at Melbourne, joining Bhagwat Chandrasekhar and Kapil Dev.Kumble became the fourth bowler to capture 10 five-wicket hauls or more (in 15 Tests) against Australia, joining Richard Hadlee (NZ) - 14 in 23 Tests; Sydney Barnes (England) - 12 in 20 Tests and Tom Richardson (Eng) 11 in 14 Tests.Kumble has now claimed 35 five-wicket hauls and only Muttiah Muralitharan (62), Shane Warne (37) and Richard Hadlee (36) have claimed more five-wicket hauls than Kumble.
Kumble became the third Indian captain to bag five wickets in an innings against Australia, joining Bishan Singh Bedi (thrice during the 1977-78 series - twice at Perth and once at Brisbane) and Kapil Dev (Adelaide, 1985-86).

Dhoni India's answer to Gilchrist?

2007-12-26T20:23:00.000-08:00

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has emerged as a showstopper in India and manager Lalchand Rajput believes it is just a matter of time before the Australian people fall in love with the stylish wicketkeeper."I am 100 per cent sure the Australian public will love him by the end of the series. He is our flamboyant macho man with the bat, and he has become a very crucial member of this side," Rajput was quoted as saying by the 'Sydney Morning Herald'. Rajput said Dhoni was India's answer to the charismatic Australian stumper Adam Gilchrist."To have a person just like Gilchrist who gives everyone great confidence. He can change the course of a game very quickly, and he gives the batsmen above him great confidence," he said.Rajput felt Dhoni's meteoric rise internationally and his exceptional leadership in India's Twenty20 World Cup triumph has made him as big a star as Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly back home.
"I think people forgot about Sachin and Sourav (Ganguly) for a while after the Twenty20 World Cup. When he came back, he was a demigod to the people. He is on the verge of being at the status of Sachin, Sourav and Rahul. After his success at the Twenty20 World Cup, he has just about reached that elite group," he explained."People feel they can relate to him, and they love the way he plays the game. Nobody thought it was possible to come from where he did and become captain of India. That kind of fame could have a bad effect on some people, but he is very mature about it," Rajput added.

HC relief for Yuvraj Singh

2007-12-26T20:18:00.000-08:00

Star cricketer Yuvraj Singh can negotiate a fresh contract with a new talent management agency and his current agency, Percept, can not stop him from doing so, observed the Bombay High Court.Currently, Yuvraj is bound by a contract with Percept Talent Management Agency. This contract will expire on December 11. However, he has already started negotiations with another agency. Percept had moved the High Court, saying that the existing contract had a "first refusal clause", which means he could not have a fresh agreement with a new agency unless Percept had a chance to offer him better terms.But Justice Dhananjay Chandrachud, in an order late last evening, held that such a clause amounted to restraint on trade, which is not permissible under the Indian Contract Act.Percept had asked Yuvraj for details of the contract that he was negotiating with another agency.Yuvraj's lawyer however assured the High Court that he would sign the new contract until December 11.

Yuvraj can enter into new contract

2007-12-26T20:15:00.000-08:00

Yuvraj Singh can enter into a fresh contract with a new portfolio management agency, but it will be subject to judgment on appeal filed by Percept before the Bombay High Court.Division bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice J P Deodhar today reserved the judgment. However, the court did not restrain the Indian batsman from inking deal with the new agency, but said it will be subject to outcome of the present case. Both Yuvraj's counsel, as well as that of Globosport, with which he is likely to sign a new deal, agreed to this.Percept Talent Management Agency has appealed against Justice Dhananjay Chandrachud's judgment, which held that Percept cannot bind him by 'right of first refusal' clause. Such clause requires that on expiry of existing contract with Percept, Yuvraj must give the agency right to match an offer made by outside agency.However, Yuvraj was not willing to abide by this clause, and Justice Chandrachud held that such a clause was illegal as per Indian Contract Act, as it puts restraint on trade.Before the division bench, Yuvraj's lawyer Iqbal Chhagla cited Supreme Court's judgment in similar case against Zaheer Khan."Post termination restraint is void, as per the law laid down by Supreme Court," Chhagla said, adding that Yuvraj's existing contract had come to an end on December 11.However, Percept's argument is that first-refusal clause was a separate agreement itself, and it will not be hit by the Contract Act's provision that bars any term, which restrains trade.

Cricketers to show solidarity on World Aids Day

2007-12-26T20:07:00.000-08:00

Leading cricketers including Indian captain Anil Kumble will show their support for people living with HIV when they wear red ribbons in international matches taking place on 1st and 2nd December.Players taking part in the India-Pakistan, Sri Lanka-England, South Africa-New Zealand and Zimbabwe-West Indies games, as well as those taking part in the ICC World Cricket League Division 2, will wear the ribbons to raise awareness and reduce stigma about the disease.

India captain Kumble said: ''India-Pakistan is one of the most exciting and important matches in world cricket. If we can use this high profile game to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, then hopefully we can make a difference in reducing the prevalence of the disease across the globe.''The ICC has been working closely with UNAIDS to address the issue of HIV/AIDS in cricket playing countries and has undertaken a wide range of activities since 2003 to raise awareness and reduce stigma around people living with HIV/AIDS.This partnership was joined by the UNICEF in 2006 to back the 'Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS' campaign and is also supported by the Global Media AIDS initiative.

South African captain Graeme Smith said: ''World AIDS Day is an opportunity for everybody to show their support for people living with HIV/AIDS.''As a South African in a high profile position, I feel that it is important to support the International Cricket Council's partnership with UNAIDS and UNICEF and use the reach and popularity of cricket to deliver important messages that hopefully will play a role in reducing AIDS not just in my own country but across the world as well,'' he added. continued..Echoing the same thought, England's Test captain Michael Vaughan added: ''International sportsmen are lucky to be in a position where we can deliver important messages on social causes such as HIV/AIDS to millions of people. ''By wearing red ribbons on World AIDS Day in our match against Sri Lanka, we hope to play an important role in showing support for people living with HIV/AIDS.''Activities will also be delivered by the ICC Development Program, including a series of coaching and awareness activities at the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 in Namibia, a HIV/AIDS awareness cricket match in Gambia and a joint AIDS awareness promotion in a match between the Uganda and Rwanda women's teams.The support for the World Aids Day is the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at using the popularity of cricket to deliver messages on HIV/AIDS.During the ICC World Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 2007, players from competing teams visited local community projects to illustrate the cricketing world's support for people living with HIV and recorded Public Service Announcements that were shown by broadcasters around the world.

Brett Lee to make guest appearance in Bollywood movie

2007-12-26T20:02:00.000-08:00

Australian pacer Brett Lee's much-talked about Bollywood career is all set to take off next year when he lands in India to shoot for a cameo in a film titled 'Victory'.Although the details of the film are not yet known, a report in the 'Sunday Telegraph' said the tearaway pacer will do a day-long shoot for the movie next year. "There's no question Brett is among the most marketable athletes in Australian sport," Lee's agent Neil Maxwell, who is himself a former cricketer, was quoted as saying by the newspaper."There are Australian athletes offshore who can tap into bigger markets and possibly make more money, but the Indian market has been a massive coup for Brett. It's given him a platform to launch himself globally," he added.The affable bowler, who has a huge fan-base in India, has never been shy of admitting that he was interested in foraying into acting in Bollywood.Lee, who also sings and plays bass-guitar for a band Six and Out, last year teamed up with legendary Indian singer Asha Bhonsle for a chart-buster duet 'You are the one for me'.And his manager said Lee's squeaky clean image has increased his opportunities in the entertainment industry."Obviously there's his blond, fresh-faced appeal, but one thing about Brett is his make-up as a person," Maxwell said."No sponsor needs to worry about him taking drugs or being pulled out of a nightclub at 3am. I've never seen anyone so pedantic about what goes into his body," he added.The 31-year-old, who is one of the highest-paid Australian cricketers, has a multi-year Cricket Australia contract and would end the year with earnings of more than USD three million.However, Lee said he would not allow money to influence his choice of brands for promotion. The pacer said he would never take up any campaign for a alcohol brand.

Tendulkar to donate pullover for Bradman museum

2007-12-26T19:47:00.000-08:00

Sachin Tendulkar will donate a pullover that he wore while scoring his 30th Test hundred at Headingley, overtaking Don Bradman's record of 29 tons, to the Australian legend's museum in Adelaide.Tendulkar will make the donation at the 'Bradman Pavilion' in Adelaide when the touring Indians arrive there for the fourth and final Test of the series against Australia.
Along with Tendulkar, former India captain Sourav Ganguly will also gift his shirt that he wore during the epic Test win over Australia in the second Test in Kolkata in 2001. India went on to beat the Aussies 2-1 after clinching the third Test in Chennai.The Kolkata-Test was made unforgettable by VVS Laxman, who stroked a masterly 281, and his 300-plus stand with Rahul Dravid. The duo batted out the fourth day to turn the game on its head and lead India to an epic win after the hosts had been asked to follow on.

India will find it tough, says Hayden

2007-12-26T19:42:00.000-08:00

Melbourne: The Indians may have done exceptionally well to reduce Australia to 337 for nine in the opening cricket Test but Matthew Hayden reckons the visitors will also find the going tough on a pitch that will "definitely get difficult to bat on over the next few days.”Hayden stood out among the Aussie batsmen to score a dominating 124 and gave a healthy start to his team by putting on a 135-run opening stand with Phil Jaques. But the hosts could not capitalise on the solid foundation on the first day. "I think we've lost a few too many wickets, there's no doubt about that, but in my mind it was a difficult enough wicket and those conditions will be revealed over the next four days," Hayden said after the opening day's play."The fact is we are facing quite a difficult wicket. It's definitely a par effort (Australia's score), but maybe one or two more wickets down. I think it is going to be a wicket that will be definitely hard to score on over the next few days," he said. Hayden said with the wicket getting slower, Australia would make life difficult for the visiting batsmen. "They are going to be slow conditions, they are going to be challenging for run-scoring and I think you will see Australia putting the pressure with good in-out fields and really try to constrict India", he said."I definitely think the pitch is going to deteriorate, just looking at it, and it is definitely going to be difficult to bat on over the last day," Hayden said.The 36-year-old opener, who overtook former skipper Allan Border in terms of most Test centuries scored by the Australians, said he was well-prepared for the Boxing Day Test."I've built this particular match up in my mind more than any other, it announces the summer, it's the vibe of the ground, the spirit of Christmas, having your families around, I just think it's one of those events that I really enjoy. I really enjoy playing spin bowling, and the majority of overs today were spin on a first-day wicket as well," he added.

Farhat to apply for British nationality

2007-12-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

Karachi: Former Test opener Imran Farhat, who appeared in the rebel Indian Cricket League, on Wednesday said he would apply for British nationality next year, saying the cricket authorities had closed all doors on him for pursuing a cricket career in Pakistan."My wife is a British national and after discussions with my family I feel the best thing is to apply for a British passport next year in March. At least that way I can earn my livelihood from cricket as a professional without any problems," Farhat said.The Pakistan Cricket Board has banned all those players, who appeared in ICL Twenty20 tournament, from playing in PCB-organised events.
Farhat said he had no option but to move ahead for the sake of his livelihood."The fact is that it is appearing more difficult everyday to play cricket in Pakistan because of the PCB attitude. I have to earn my living from cricket and have no option but to apply for British nationality."If we are not allowed to even play domestic cricket and do our jobs how can we earn our living," he said.Ehsan Malik, a PCB official, though said the order was interim and would be discussed at the governing body meeting next month."It is an interim policy decision and it can be reversed if the governing body does not support it but for the moment the ban on these players stays," Malik said.

Samuels, Gayle put Windies on top

2007-12-26T19:27:00.000-08:00

Port Elizabeth: Marlon Samuels and captain Chris Gayle played contrasting innings as the West Indies belied their underdog status on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at St George's Park on Wednesday.Gayle hit an explosive 66 and Samuels made a watchful 94 as the West Indies reached 281 for four at the close after being sent in to bat on what proved to be an easy-paced pitch.Opening batsman Gayle hammered his runs off 48 balls in his first innings since injuring his right hamstring against Zimbabwe 26 days ago.Mainly through Gayle, who was a doubtful starter until declaring himself fit shortly before the start, the West Indies raced to 130 for two at lunch but the scoring rate slowed during the afternoon as the South Africans opted for containment and the West Indian batsmen dug in.Samuels and Shivnarine Chanderpaul were particularly careful as they eked out a 50-run partnership off 163 balls. But the rate picked up and they made the stand worth 100 off only another 58 balls. Samuels seemed set for only the second century of a 25-Test career as he moved imperiously from 67 to 92 in nine balls, with three fours each off Andre Nel and left-arm spinner Paul Harris.But the second new ball was his undoing as he launched an extravagant drive against Dale Steyn's fifth ball and Jacques Kallis leapt to his right at second slip to hold a spectacular catch.It was consolation for Steyn, who twice thought he had dismissed Samuels, who was caught off a no-ball by Graeme Smith at first slip when he had 14.Samuels did not initially hear the call from umpire Aleem Dar and started walking towards the pavilion. Six runs later he gloved the ball to AB de Villiers, also at first slip, but the ball had looped off his right glove, which he had taken off the bat.Samuels batted for 267 minutes, faced 195 balls and hit 12 fours.Gayle and Daren Ganga put on 98 for the first wicket in just 16 overs but both were out within the space of three balls.Ganga edged a drive at a wide ball from Andre Nel and was caught behind by Mark Boucher after making 33 off 57 deliveries with four fours.In the next over Gayle cracked left-arm spinner Paul Harris' first ball of the match through extra cover for four but was then caught at slip by Jacques Kallis when he attempted to drive the next ball. He hit 13 boundaries.Runako Morton and Samuels put on 64 for the third wicket but it became slow going before Morton was caught at backward point off Makhaya Ntini for 33 off a ball that bounced higher than expected and looped off a thick edge.Gayle barely managed a jog in his pre-match fitness trial but after a discussion with coach John Dyson he took his place as West Indian captain for the first time in a Test match.He put the injury to the test when he scored his first run with a sharp single off Steyn, having to dive to make the crease, but then played a typical Gayle innings, pounding the ball mainly off the back foot with minimal footwork to race to his half-century off 42 balls.

The Teams:

South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher (wk), Shaun Pollock, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini.

West Indies: Chris Gayle (capt), Daren Ganga, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Runako Morton, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Fidel Edwards, Daren Powell, Darren Sammy, Jerome Taylor.

New Zealand cruise to six-wicket win

2007-12-26T00:06:00.000-08:00

A rash shot by Mohammad Ashraful triggered a sensational Bangladesh collapse as they failed to bat out their 50 overs in the opening One-Day cricket international against New Zealand here on Wednesday.Bangladesh were all out for 201 with 21 balls remaining after a score in excess of 250 had earlier been on the cards.Captain Ashraful and opener Tamim Iqbal had lifted Bangladesh from a tentative start, where they were 39 for two, to a positive 125 for two at the halfway mark.But their partnership ended soon after and so to Bangladesh's hopes of a high score on a ground where 300 has become the norm in recent years.Iqbal was first to go, out for 50 after a 97-run partnership with his skipper and the score at 136. Ashraful was out 14 runs later.After blasting a masterful 70 off 57 balls, Ashraful mistimed a short ball from Jacob Oram and sent it straight to Peter Fulton at deep midwicket.Bangladesh were then 150 for four after 29 overs, and in 20 more balls they added just four runs and lost three wickets to be 154 for seven.Mashrafe Mortaza (17) and Abdur Razzak (not out 22) added some life to the tail and ensured the tourists posted a record score for Bangladesh against New Zealand and passed the 200 mark.For New Zealand, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram and Mark Gillespie took three wickets apiece, although Chris Martin was the pick of the bowlers conceding just 35 runs off his 10 overs.

2007 – A forgettable year for Pakistan cricket

2007-12-26T00:02:00.000-08:00

2007 was a tumultuous year laden with controversies and disappointments for Pakistan cricket. It was a period that most Pakistan cricket fans would like to forget quickly. The irony was that 2007 was notable more for off-field news with the retirement of batting stalwart Inzamam-ul-Haq and the death of coach Bob Woolmer in mysterious circumstances, plunging the team into disarray. Both events came in the wake of Pakistan's shock first round exit from the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies brought about by an upset defeat to minnows Ireland.The team bounced back to reach the final of the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa before losing narrowly to India. But successive Test and ODI series defeats to the Proteas at home and India away ended 2007 on a bitter note.It was after 28 years that India managed to win a Test series against Pakistan at home.Given what unfolded during the year, it is not surprising that Pakistan cricket fans remain concerned about the future.It was a year when Pakistan cricket had several opportunities to dress itself in glory but none of these were taken with the national team winning just one and losing four out of eight Tests played.In one-dayers, it managed to win only eight out of 23 matches."The turmoil which hit our cricket in 2007 highlights the need for radical steps to be taken to put things right. But unfortunately the Board is avoiding taking honest and strong decisions for the future," former captain Mushtaq Mohammad said.

Team-mates, rivals pay tribute to Ganguly

2007-12-25T23:29:00.000-08:00

Melbourne: For some, respect on the cricket field is earned through their stature, for others it's gained through their sheer weight of performances.For Behala Boy Sourav Ganguly though, who will turn a 100-Tests old at Melbourne, it's a mix of both, with the awe-inspiring story he's scripted for himself. Naturally, the accolades flow in:

Rahul Dravid: I think to play for 12 years or 13 years to achieve 100 Test matches takes a lot out of you. And I think it's a tribute to his skill. It's a good time to sit and look back at some of the achievements that he has achieved over these last 10 years. It's just a Test match, but at the end of the day it's a milestone. It gives you a chance to reflect back and see some of the good things that's Sourav's done and he has done a few great things over these years. I would just like to wish him all the best and hope he has a great Test.

Sachin Tendulkar: He has never looked back since and to play 100 Test matches is a big moment. Very few guys have done that in India. So, congratulations to Sourav and we are all proud of your achievements.

Bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad: A great achievement as far as Sourav is concerned and as far as everybody is concerned for Indian cricket. Tremendous contribution from Sourav. I'm wishing him the very best on his 100th Test match, and many more Test matches and many more runs.

Wasim Jaffer: I Congratulate Sourav. To play your 100th Test is a big achievement. Only 7-8 Indians have managed to do so prior to him. So I wish him all the best.

Pankaj Singh: It's a great honour for anyone and so it is for Sourav playing his 100th Test match. I wish him best of luck and we hope he scores a hundred for his team.

Ricky Ponting: I think what happened with me in my 100th game I played was that I was quite nervous going in and it probably put a little bit more pressure on myself going in than any other game. So I'm sure Sourav will be feeling a little bit anxious tomorrow, a bit nervous as well. But, look, he's a class player and he has been for a long time. It hasn't surprised me the way he has played in the last 12 months.

Kumble heroics overshadow Hayden milestone

2007-12-25T23:16:00.000-08:00

The Boxing Day Test was to be a milestone for the venue as well as for former India skipper Sourav Ganguly, but it was a robust Aussie batsman with a voracious appetite for tons, who stole the show on the opening day of the much awaited first Test on Wednesday. Left-handed opener Matthew Hayden slammed his 19th century at home in an aggregate of 28 to shatter the great Sir Donald Bradman’s world record of three-figure scores on home soil in what is the 100th Test at the MCG and also the 100th for Ganguly. Hayden was back to milking his favourite opposition, slamming a resolute 124, but with the other batsmen, save Phil Jacques, failing to play themselves in, Hayden did not have the satisfaction of seeing his team in a solid position against an opposition ever keen to make inroads. Australia finished the day on 337-9 with Anil Kumble providing his team with important dismissals as the four-Test series looked set for a competitive time ahead. Electing to bat, Australia openers Hayden and Phil Jacques (66) added 135 runs that came with the help of some crisp shots combined with some quick running between the wickets. A probing opening spell by Zaheer was warded off as the batsmen played others with consummate ease and frustrated the bowlers by chipping the ball around to keep the scoreboard moving. Hayden’s doughty effort came off 183 balls with the help of only nine boundaries but quite a few threes. Hayden played confidently and also had a go on the odd occasion, but was generally happy to play along the carpet even as the spinners avoided pitching up to him, knowing fully well that he is the best Aussie batsman when it comes to handling the slow stuff. The left-handed duo of Hayden and Jacques took the team to 111 without loss after the first session, but just as the Aussies looked set to take command, the Indians dented the batting line-up with some crucial blows. Kumble and Zaheer shared three scalps in the second session to peg the Aussies back and it was a keen contest in the remaining part of the day. Jacques was lured out by Kumble and stumped easily by Mahendra Dhoni. Zaheer then removed the dangerous Ricky Ponting with a superb delivery that moved away after pitching to dislodge the Aussie skipper’s off stump. Kumble came back to trap Michael Hussey lbw as Australia fell from 135 without loss to 165-3. Hayden’s was a soft dismissal as he offered an easy catch to Rahul Dravid at mid-on off Zaheer, while Michael Clarke swiped at one outside the off stump off RP Singh to give a stiff catch to VVS Laxman at second slip. Kumble completed a five-wicket haul, which included the scalp of a dangerous looking Andrew Symonds, showing once again that he is capable of taking wickets by the bagful, whatever be the opposition or venue. Battling hard to get the right combination to take the field after much debate over the MCG wicket, the visitors included two spinners, playing Harbhajan Singh apart from Kumble. Zaheer and Rudra Pratap Singh filled up the two slots for the pace-men. Former captain Rahul Dravid took over the mantle of opening partner to Wasim Jaffer, while Yuvraj Singh retained his place in the eleven. Australia skipper Ponting preferred left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson over the express Shaun Tait, while Brett Lee led the bowling attack along with Stuart Clark. Left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg is the lone slow bowler in the side.

Hayden, Symonds dismissals give India hope

2007-12-25T21:51:00.000-08:00

Matthew Hayden has always enjoyed batting against Indian bowlers, be they pacemen or spinners. The robust left-handed opener was back to tormenting his favourite opposition, slamming a resolute 124 on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test.Hayden added 135 with opener Phil Jacques (66) as Australia dominated the opening session after electing to bat. Australia were cruising along, having finished the first session at 111 without loss, but Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan shared three scalps in the second session to peg them back.Hayden slammed nine boundaries off 183 balls before giving an easy catch to Rahul Dravid at mid-on off RP Singh.Jacques was lured out by Kumble and stumped easily by Mahendra Dhoni. Zaheer then removed the dangerous Ricky Ponting with a superb delivery that moved away after pitching to dislodge the Aussie skipper’s off stump. Kumble came back to trap Michael Hussey lbw as Australia fell from 135 without loss to 165-3.Earlier, Hayden and Jaques weathered a probing opening spell from Zaheer and launched into the Indian attack in Sourav Ganguly’s 100th Test match.Battling hard to get the right combination to take the field after much debate over the MCG wicket, the visitors included two spinners, playing Harbhajan Singh apart from Kumble. Zaheer and Rudra Pratap Singh filled up the two slots for the pace-men.Former captain Rahul Dravid took over the mantle of opening partner to Wasim Jaffer, while Yuvraj Singh retained his place in the eleven.Australia skipper Ponting preferred left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson over the express Shaun Tait, while Brett Lee led the bowling attack along with Stuart Clark. Left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg is the lone slow bowler in the side.

Teams:

India: Anil Kumble (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly, Wasim Jaffer, Zaheer Khan, MS Dhoni, VVS Laxman, Harbhajan Singh, RP Singh.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, ML Hayden, Michael Clarke, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark.

Shoaib helped prepare for Lee & Co: Ganguly

2007-12-25T21:41:00.000-08:00

These days, you just can’t ignore what Sourav Ganguly has to say.Not only is Ganguly in the best form of his life, the quiet confidence that he exudes is also unmistakable. So, while many an international cricketer will get butterflies in the stomach while padding up in the 100th Test, the ‘dada’ of Indian cricket is looking at it as just another game, where he still has to start from zero.
December 26 will be an unforgettable date in Sourav Ganguly’s diary. The Boxing Day Test will be his 100th Test match. He will join the elite company of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble- all of whom have played 100 Tests. That he is going into his 100th match in scintillating form is the proverbial icing on the cake."It’s more of a satisfying feeling than feeling any pressure,” Ganguly said when asked whether the fact that he would be playing his 100th Test brings an additional pressure on him. "I am looking at it as just another Test match even though I am happy to be part of that club."Known to have rattled the "ice-man" of cricket, Steve Waugh while taking on the rampaging Australian team in the 2001 and 2003 series at home and away, Ganguly confidently stated that this time around too, while the current Australian team is on a winning spree, India could well be the team to stop it in its track."We are probably the only team in the world which has played well both at home and away against them and competed with them. I know the Australians realize that we compete with them better than any other team in the world."The message is out to the Aussies as far as the former skipper is concerned. He believes that India has a more balanced and battle ready team this time around to take the hosts on.
"We have beaten everyone overseas. We know what it takes to win abroad. Last time, during the 2003 series here, we had a very weak bowling attack. This time we have a better bowling attack. Besides, the presence of MS Dhoni adds depth to our batting. At the end of the day, it’s about putting the runs on the board," he said.Ganguly brushed aside any fears of facing the likes of pacemen Brett Lee and Shaun Tait. In fact, he said that contrary to what many believed, playing Pakistan was a good thing before coming to Australia. "Lee is bowling well, but it is not the first time we will be facing bowlers who bowl over 90mph. It’s a good thing that we played against Shoaib- all our batsman got runs against him. Shoaib is an awkward and world-class bowler, probably the fastest." On the last tour, Ganguly was the main target of the Australian team and media- who unleashed a verbal and mental assault on the skipper. Ganguly responded with elan by leading from the front. This time around, a feeble battle was started when he was asked about verbal battles and whether it was good for the game. Brushing aside any attempt to goad him into saying anything controversial he signed off by saying that “verbal battles and all others off the field were part and parcel of the game. Not even the mention of Greg Chappell provoked a reaction from him. It was yet another reminder of the kind of positive frame of mind he is currently in.

Ganguly seventh Indian to play 100 Tests

2007-12-25T21:37:00.000-08:00

Sourav Ganguly today became the seventh Indian cricketer to play 100 Tests when he took the field in the first match of the series against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne.Ganguly is the oldest Indian to reach the milestone at the age of 35 years and 171 days. Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Anil Kumble, Dilip Vengsarkar and Rahul Dravid are the other Indians to have played 100 Tests.He is the third fastest to get to the landmark taking 11 years and 189 days. Only Dravid and Kapil Dev, among Indians, have reached the milestone quicker.There were presentations made by BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah and Indian captain Anil Kumble to Ganguly before start of play in the first Test to mark the occasion.

Warne accepts development role with CA

2007-12-25T21:32:00.000-08:00

Former Australian leg-spin great Shane Warne will help develop Australia's next generation of spin bowlers after accepting a development role with Cricket Australia.Warne will take on a Leadership in Cricket role, working with Cricket Australia and state associations to coach and develop young spin bowlers, Cricket Australia said today. His new association with Australian cricket will see him spending time with state captains to ensure spin bowling is properly encouraged, as well as at the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence, working with all Australian men's and women's squads.``The work I'm going to be doing with young spinners and their state captains is a really important role and I believe I've got a lot to offer,'' Warne said.
``I've already had some contact with some youngsters around the country, but to be able to work in a structured way with spin bowlers and their captains will hopefully give teams an even greater understanding of how to develop spin bowling talent.''Warne will also join former Test captains Mark Taylor and Allan Border on Cricket Australia's Playing Conditions Committee, which scrutinizes playing conditions in Australia and makes recommendations to the International Cricket Board about the development of the game.``I'm in a different phase of my life now and it's going to be interesting being on the other side of the table and helping to influence and shape the future direction of the game in Australia,'' Warne said.Warne retired in January while holding Test cricket's wicket taking record of 708 dismissals from 145 matches. His world mark was eclipsed by Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan in early December.

We need to dominate the Indian skipper

2007-12-25T21:24:00.000-08:00

The Boxing Day Test gets underway tomorrow, and all eyes are on whether the power-packed Indian batting line-up would be able to replicate the success that they enjoyed here four years ago. At that time it was felt that the Australians were outplayed for large parts of the Test series. The team that confronts us is pretty similar, but they would find in us a newer, fitter and dare I say, more capable attack. He bowling is led by Brett Lee, who was unfit in 2003-2004. There is Mitchell Johnson, who caused trouble in India during the recently concluded one-day series and Stuart Clark who has seamlessly fit into the role of an accurate bowler. We are still uncertain about whether we should go with Shaun Tait or with Brad Hogg because it depends on how conditions are tomorrow. The weather has not been too good recently, and if it continues this way play could get disrupted. The pace bowling fraternity is constantly reminding us that the Indians would rather play the spin of Hogg instead of the steaming pace of Tait. I believe even Shoaib Akhtar has pleaded the young paceman’s case! It is tempting to play young Tait in both Melbourne and at the SCG because the wicket does scuff up the ball, bringing reverse swing into the equation. And if Tait gets the ball to reverse at his pace, it’s going to be tough for even the seasoned Indian pros. For the Indians to do well, it will be important to see how the batsmen handle the pace bowlers we will throw at them. A lot of cricket has been played between the two sides over these four years, and it would be right for me to say that we have dominated almost always. Be it in the subcontinent or elsewhere, we are better equipped to play the Indians, and we have learnt to plan and execute our plans better against the talented Indian batsmen. From the looks of it Rahul Dravid will open in order to accommodate Yuvraj Singh, and it will be interesting to see if he can be successful in this new role. That apart, there is a familiarity between their batsmen and our bowlers, and I am sure they have their plans chalked out as to how to face our bowlers. The main change in the Indian side is the ‘new’ captain we see in the form of Anil Kumble. He is greatly respected because he is a fierce competitor, which is why he has been his team’s main bowler for so long. He was successful against us last tour, but he had to work for his wickets and was made to bowl many overs for them. It’s always been our aim to get on top of the opposition captain, because if we can dominate the captain, the rest of the team can be controlled. Once again we confront India after a long winning streak, but strangely enough we never talked about the streak at all during our team meetings. We prefer to take every game as it comes and plan for the next game and not for a spot in any record book. India have a stronger batting line-up and a more varied attack than Sri Lanka, so I do expect the fight which starts tomorrow to be more challenging than what we have faced for the last 12 months

Punches need to land early for India

2007-12-25T21:21:00.000-08:00

The moment of truth is upon both India and Australia. Their much-hyped Test series gets underway in Melbourne on Wednesday. In fact India's finalised their 12-member squad for the first test. As sports editor Gaurav Kalra now reports from Melbourne, both teams are looking for some action.Combining work with family time. A light work-out on Christmas day to prepare for Boxing day meant the players kids were allowed into the nets. They got their share of tips and even a chance to show off their talents."The Australian coach's kid is no good. He's going to be a problem I think," joked Ricky Ponting. It wasn't an intense session but there is a hard to miss aura about Ricky Ponting's team. They are on a 14-match winning streak and appear determined to extend it."They played well last time they were here. Their batsmen played well the last time they were here in Australia. I think we learnt from our all those things. And every time we have played against India over the last few years we have learnt more about their senior players. This time hopefully we can adopt what we have learnt in our game plan going into this game, " said Ponting.Ponting's opposite number is a man of few words but Anil Kumble too is confident his troops are ready for battle. Preparation has been far from ideal but now the focus is on starting."Any series these days because there are back to back Test matches it is important to get the momentum early on. But having said that in Test cricket you still have time to catch up. But we will kike to get in to the right momentum and right spirit early on," said Kumble.In 60 years of playing cricket in Australia, India have never won a series. But perhaps this time believes it's in their destiny to rewrite history this time around. However, the punches need to start landing early. Perhaps from day one here in Melbourne

Haunted by injured pacers, opening woes

2007-12-25T21:17:00.000-08:00

As the Indian team prepares for one of the most arduous battles in world cricket, an ardent follower would definitely look into the run- up to this all important series. In the last one year, Indian cricket has seen some astonishing turn of events.It all started from the departure of the seemingly imperious coach Greg Chappel after the disastrous World-cup. Greg's exit from Indian cricket left serious doubts in the minds of both, the players and the management on the rationale of hiring a foreign coach. A Test series victory in England followed by a stunning T20 world cup triumph was just the beginning of few good things to follow. The doubters of Indian cricket witnessed a resiliently fought Australian home series and a convincing double win against arch rivals Pakistan recently.Taking away the reins from a tired Rahul Dravid, two new captains in young Dhoni and the veteran Anil Kumble have proved equal to the task. All the good things have happened in the absence of a so called coach. All collected data points to the meaningful involvement of the seniors which has paved way for the Indian success. But will the backdrop of having played some good cricket in the recent past propel the Indian team to do something unusual in winning an ever formidable test series down under?Before I do a brief SWOT analysis of our team, let me congratulate Anil on his initial success as a captain. It would have been travesty of all sorts had Anil not captained the Indian side in his illustrious 15 years of cricket.
The age old problems of Indian cricket, the wanting of a solid opener and the form and fitness of the fast bowlers continues to haunt endlessly.Although Sehwag, more than Dinesh Karthik can claim stake along side renewed Jaffer, the Indian think tank seems to be more inclined to go with Rahul Dravid as the opener. With Yuvraj coming good in tests, some changes would be imminent at the top order. Here again the previous captain and the Coach could be blamed for poor thinking in making all and sundry open and also mindless shuffling lead to the chaotic batting order.Stop gap opener like Dinesh Karthik, who could have been a good resource at number six or seven as a wicket keeper batsman, was pushed to do the specialist job of an opener. Inadequacies in his technique have made the Indian team management to fall back on Rahul Dravid to do the job. Rahul might have reluctantly agreed to open the innings. But at the bottom of his heart he knows that the situation in which he finds himself, is his own making.
The second worrying part is the ever growing injury list of fast bowlers. Intermittent international cricket is no good for any cricketer. Injury to a cricketer not only puts his own career in jeopardy but also throws the team's long term plan out of gear. A strong message needs to be communicated to the new set of fast bowlers that injured players will be treated on par with players who are out-of-form. At times the sympathy that comes with the injury gives enough room for complacency. One good show followed by a string of injuries has been the trend of many recent fast bowlers.Now at the beginning of such an important series, Anil Kumble can't even count 3 fit fast bowlers on his fingers.Never the less lets hope that the Rookies will do a miracle.

Sehwag, Karthik left out; Dravid to open

2007-12-25T21:15:00.000-08:00

India have decided to leave out opener Virennder Sehwag from the 12-member squad against Australia for the Boxing day Test match starting on Wednesday in Melbourne. All-rounder Irfan Pathan, Rajhasthan pacer Pankaj Singh and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik also failed to make the final cut.With Sehwag and Karthik on the sidelines, the onus of opening the batting will fall on Rahul Dravid, who will accompany regular opener Wasim Jaffer.
It is going to be a toss up between rookie pacer Ishant Sharma and off spinner Harbhajan Singh for the final berth in the playing eleven. The final decision regarding the eleventh member will be taken in the morning of the Test match.

The squad:
Anil Kumble (captain), MS Dhoni (Wicketkeeper, Vice-Captain), Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, RP Singh, Ishant Sharma, Harbhajan Singh.

Old rivals on verge of another classic

2007-12-25T21:02:00.000-08:00

What is it when India take on Australia that it gets marketed as a best-seller? Is it the quality of cricket, or verbal warfare that becomes soup for the media? Perhaps it is all of this and something more.Indians have started to appreciate the many facets that make Australia the team they are: how the Australian media is an extension of the national side; how despite their mind-games they are the first to appreciate "good cricket" even if you are the opponent.
"Australia have taken the game to such a level that it has caught the frenzy of our aspiring cricketers," says Kiran More. "Now our boys talk about Glenn McGrath’s pitching, Matthew Hayden’s walk down the wicket, they want to emulate the feats of Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne. And it delights them no end to see the Indian team give them the jitters."Jitters may be the apt word. To stand level with the world champions session after session, game after game takes some doing. Not many teams, barring India in 2001 and 2003 and England in the 2005 Ashes, have managed to do that.As the great Glenn McGrath once told an Indian reporter: "What makes you think we are arrogant? We do what we say. Haughty are those who don't execute what they say."For long the Indian supporter has been pining to see that streak of fallibility in "the execution.""There was a time when we could silence them with cricket," emphasises Karsan Ghavri. "Greg Chappell and Co. let loose a string of swearwords on us in the Melbourne Test (81). We outsmarted him (Chappell) when he came to bat. I bowled a few short ones and noticed his exaggerated shuffle. I pitched in a short one on the leg stick knowing that the ball wouldn't bounce much. It didn't and down went the stumps. We won the Test and squared the series."Such fables have seared into the next generation's consciousness. Former cricketers have some splendid stories to tell.Sadagoppan Ramesh recalls the pull shot he played off Shane Warne in the Mumbai Test, 2001. The Tamil Nadu opener had hit the ball with such might that it rebounded off Justine Langer's shoulder at short leg."I thought Langer was dead," Ramesh recalls. "You would expect any other mortal to break down but Langer just looked right through me and remarked, 'Is that all you have you weak pussy? Come on, pack some power in your shots.' That was enough for Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh, who was standing at slips, to have a dig at me.'"Till to date Ramesh regrets having asked Gilchrist why Australians prefer using bats with thin blades. Believe me Ramesh, it goes," Gilchrist said.Gilly, as he is popularly called, thought it instructive to demonstrate the thin blade's effect when Australia were tottering at 90-odd runs, in that same Mumbai Test, with half the side back in the shack.Bending on one knee he walloped Harbhajan Singh between long on and mid-wicket. And then he turned to Ramesh and pronounced, "Saw that Ramesh? It goes."That day Gilchrist sent the ball flying to all corners of the Wankhede Stadium. Every time the ball took leave of his blade, he reiterated, "Aren't you convinced Ramesh? It goes."Of such thrills are India-Australia stories spun. More will be added to the lot in the next 90 days; you bet.

Indian batting wonders Down Under

2007-12-25T20:58:00.000-08:00

India may not have a great Test record Down Under but there certainly have been a lot many memorable performances since their first tour of Australia in December 1947, which they started with a match at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and VVS Laxman are just some of the many names to have showcased their wares in Australia, mostly when the odds were stacked against them in the face of some fiery bowling.In 1947, though India though lost the five-match Test series 4-0, there were quite a few cherished moments.Dattu Phadkar turned out to be the find of the series during the first tour to Australia when he stood out with his fine knock of 51 in a drawn match at the Sydney Cricket ground in the second Test. He continued with his good form in the next encounter as well, at Melbourne, to score a fine 55 in the first innings, while an all-time great – Vinoo Mankad scored a remarkable 116. However, Don Bradman's century in both the innings (132 and 127) saw Australia win the tie comfortably by 233 runs. At Adelaide Oval, Vijay Hazare astonished one and all with a century in both the innings, scoring 116 in the first and following it up with145, to put up a great resistance against the mighty Aussies. In-form batsman Phadkar also hit a fine 123 in the first to give India a glimpse of hope against the hosts' first innings mammoth total of 674. But ultimately, India lost that match by an innings and 16 runs, with Bradman coming up with a fabulous double-century. The last tie at Melbourne, once again witnessed India getting badly thrashed by the hosts by an innings and 177 runs but here also Phadkar maintained his fine form to come up with another half-century, while Vinoo Mankad hit an impressive 111 and Vijay Hazare scored 74. India's next tour of Australia came in 1967-68, and once again the visitors were torn apart as Australia blanked India in the four-match series but yet again there were some outstanding batting performances. India captain, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, led by example, scoring consistently throughout the series. Barring his first match at Adelaid, Oval, he scored half-centuries in at least one innings of the rest of the three Tests to follow and though he failed to convert those into hundreds, never posed as an easy customer against some of the great Australian bowlers. Other batsmen also made their mark in that series – be it left-handed Rusi Surti, Abid Ali or M L Jaisimha, who was the lone Indian centurion on the tour. He was not even named in the original squad but was called midway through the series and practically went to the ground from the airport to score 74 in the first and 101 in the second innings in the third Test match.

Trescothick values life more than cricket

2007-12-25T20:38:00.000-08:00

England opener Marcus Trescothick has admitted that his dream of returning to Test cricket is being kept in check by his fears over succumbing to long-term illness. The Somerset left-hander who turns 32 on Tuesday, has not played at the highest level since August last year because of a stress-related illness which twice forced him to return at the start of high-profile overseas tours. Trescothick made a comeback for his county last summer and appeared to suffer no significant ill-effects. He will, however, make absolutely sure he is ready to go under the spotlight before he makes himself available to England again. "I still have aspirations to do it," said Trescothick, speaking just days after an out-of-sorts England lost their latest Test series in Sri Lanka. He is, however, realistic about his prospects of a return - and cautious about doing the right thing too.
"I understand the older I get and longer I have been away it will be harder to do it," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "One thing I will not do is I will not sacrifice my health to make it happen again. My life is more important after cricket."

Hoggy is bowling very well: Ponting

2007-12-19T19:05:00.000-08:00

Australian captain Ricky Ponting today said the Indian team could say what they liked about his bowling line-up but they would still have difficulty against it.India arrived in Australia on Tuesday for the four-Test series with captain Anil Kumble confidently targeting his opponent's bowling as their weakness following the retirement of leg-spinner Shane Warne. But Ponting said left-arm spinner Brad Hogg, who was named in the squad to replace an injured Stuart MacGill, deserved his place in the side despite only having played four Tests."A lot of international players have struggled reading Hoggy in one-day cricket especially," Ponting said in Hobart."He's brought a lot of guys undone with his variations in that form of the game and I can't see why it would be any different in Test cricket.""If they (the Indians) want to go after him then good because that's probably the best way for us to take wickets as well.""Hoggy is bowling very well, he's very confident, he's been talking up how well he's been bowling right through the summer, he'll do a good job." Cricket Australia has named a 12-man squad, which also includes four fast bowlers, for the first Test, which begins on December 26. Officials have said they will decide the playing line-up based on conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but Hogg or fast bowler Shaun Tait are considered the most likely contenders to carry the drinks.India, who have won just four of 32 Tests played in Australia, are aiming to become the first team to pull off a series victory Down Under since the West Indies triumphed in 1991-1992.
They will play their one and only practice match against the Victorian state side in Melbourne beginning on Thursday, something vice-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said did not give the squad much time to adjust to Australian conditions."It's always better to have a few sessions before you go into a big Test match," he said."We really don't have much time, this is the only session we have. It's very crucial now, not only for me but all the individuals."

Great to get a chance against best players of spin: Hogg

2007-12-19T19:03:00.000-08:00

Unperturbed at being identified by Indian skipper Anil Kumble as a weak link in the Australian team, spinner Brad Hogg is confident of his success in the Test series.Hogg hopes Melbourne's drop-in pitch will help earn him a Test recall after a four-year absence. The condition of the MCG surface will be crucial for selectors as they decide between four fast men or pick three quicks and Hogg. "You have got to go in with a bit of confidence. It's great to get an opportunity against the best players of spin," Hogg was quoted in 'The Australian'"I liked it as a spin bowler," Hogg said of the ground in the Australian."It's always in your favour having a good performance there under your belt."The 36-year-old Hogg, who last played a Test against Zimbabwe in 2003, believes he is far better equipped to succeed in Test cricket now."I have always wanted to be in a rush. It's like being out in the middle; I am trying to get wickets all the time. But at Test level you've got to work on it. You've got to starve the batsman and then set him up. You've got to make sure you bowl in tandem with the bloke up the other end, and that will be my job if I am in," he said."Being able to play a couple of Test matches has been sensational in my career but to be able to represent Australia in a Boxing Day Test match, even if I am 12th man, it just makes me ecstatic. It's just great to be able to achieve something that you've always wanted as a child," he said.

Australia will miss Warne: Kumble

2007-12-19T19:01:00.000-08:00

Indian skipper Anil Kumble today said absence of a quality spinner like Shane Warne makes the Australian spin-attack vulnerable and his team is looking to forward to take advantage of this weakness."Definitely the spinners. They miss Warnie (Shane Warne), somebody like him, so that's something, an area, we can (exploit)," he was quoted as saying by the 'Herald Sun'. India's 16-man squad arrived in Melbourne on Monday to play a four-Test series, beginning at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the Boxing Day.Kumble said beating Australia in their den means a lot to the Indian cricket."It means a lot to all of us in the team and also it means a lot to Indian cricket. We came pretty close to doing that the last time we came here (in 2003-04).
"Leading up to the (final) Sydney Test match it was 1-1 and we did extremely well in the last Test series (to draw), so it's going to be very crucial for all of us," he said.The ace-leg-spinner, in an apparent reference to players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, said seniors had a great opportunity to achieve on their last tour Down Under, what has eluded Indian team for a long time. "Most of the senior cricketers are here on their last tour of Australia, so it's very important we go back victorious. Not many teams have come here and gone home victorious, so it's a great opportunity for all of us," Kumble said.Indians will play their only warm up game, a three-day match against Victoria, from Thursday, to kick start their preparations for the tough series.

India kick off Australian tour against a weak opponent

2007-12-19T18:56:00.000-08:00

A weak opponent and a familiar pitch is not an ideal preparation before the gruelling series against Australia, but India will have to contend with that when they take on Victoria in their lone pre-Test three day warm-up game in Melbourne on Thursday.Anil Kumble's men are unlikely to meet strong rivals and the pitch at Junction Oval in Melbourne is expected to stay low as it was the case back home on turfs in Kolkata, if not Bangalore, against Pakistan. It would mean poor preparation for the tourists who have won just four of the 32 Tests in nearly six decades of visit to the Australian shores and are yet to claim a Test series win Down Under.India is expected to field their likely Test XI, which means that Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik, Harbhajan Singh, Pankaj Singh and Irfan Pathan will remain on the bench.It would be interesting to see whether Rahul Dravid comes out to open and how fit are a few members of the side after their recent injury travails.All eyes will be on Sachin Tendulkar and pace spearhead Zaheer Khan who missed out the final Test against Pakistan in Bangalore because of knee and ankle strain.Vice captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni too skipped the Bangalore game because of ankle strain and split webbing in his left palm.India need not worry though as Victoria is fielding a stingless attack and a modest batting but for stand-in captain David Hussey. Regular skipper Brad Hodge has been ruled out with an inflamed disc in his lower back, which erupted during Australia's Twenty20 match against New Zealand in Perth last Tuesday.Four years ago in a similar pre-Test game against the Indians, Hodge had hit a grinding double century.Hussey would lead the side in Hodge's absence and at 30 years he is the most experienced bat in the line-up, having scored 8674 runs from 114 first class games at 56.32 average with 32 hundreds.
The rest of the batters in Nick Jewell, Robert Quincy and Matthew Wade have only averaged in the 20s and 30s in the first class games for Victoria this season.Pacers Shane Harwood and Gerard Denton were not picked up because of groin and ankle injury.Aaron Finch and all-rounder Justin Hastings then come into the side. Hastings is a tall fast bowler and a big hitter and would be eager to prove himself against an international side.

Zaheer's fitness a worry ahead of Boxing Day Test

2007-12-19T18:51:00.000-08:00

Pace spearhead Zaheer Khan's fitness must be a worrying factor for the Indian think-tank ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Australia with the left-arm seamer yet to recover from his ankle injury.The pacer, who missed the final Test against Pakistan in Bangalore due to the injury, had his right heel heavily bandaged while the Indians had their first practice session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this afternoon. Zaheer has impressed one and all with his performance since his return to international cricket last November and is seen as the central figure in achieving India's long-cherished aim of a maiden Test series victory Down Under.After his stint with Worcestershire, a transformed Zaheer picked up 13 wickets at 30.38 from three Tests against South Africa in the away series and gave England a dose of their own medicine to grab 18 wickets at 20.33 in three matches.So good was Zaheer against England on their own turf that the home batsmen had then conceded that it was almost impossible to pick his line and movement.He picked up eight wickets from two Tests against Bangladesh (21.88), and five against Pakistan from two matches (38.20). Zaheer has also claimed 40 wickets from 34 one-dayers since last year. However, Zaheer's previous trip to Australia was not a happy one even though he picked up a five-wicket haul in the opening Test in Brisbane.The speedster, who was not fit enough, then played the second Test in Melbourne only to return sorry figures of none for 103. He took no further part in the series.Zaheer's fitness worries could force the team management to get in touch with the Indian board to send in lanky Munaf Patel as replacement for the first Test.Patel, who missed the Bangalore Test against Pakistan due to injury, has been declared fit though the board has advised him to play domestic games before putting his hand up for selection.

Indian spin won't wash, says Ponting

2007-12-19T18:34:00.000-08:00

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting on Wednesday said the Indian team could say what they liked about his bowling line-up but they would still have difficulty against it. India arrived in Australia on Tuesday for the four-Test series with captain Anil Kumble confidently targeting his opponent's bowling as their weakness following the retirement of leg-spinner Shane Warne. But Ponting said left-arm spinner Brad Hogg, who was Tuesday named in the squad to replace an injured Stuart MacGill, deserved his place in the side despite only having played four Tests. "A lot of international players have struggled reading Hoggy in One-day cricket especially," Ponting said. "He's brought a lot of guys undone with his variations in that form of the game and I can't see why it would be any different in Test cricket." "If they (the Indians) want to go after him then good because that's probably the best way for us to take wickets as well. Hoggy is bowling very well, he's very confident, he's been talking up how well he's been bowling right through the summer... he'll do a good job." Cricket Australia has named a 12 man squad, which also includes four fast bowlers, for the first Test which begins on December 26. Officials have said they will decide the playing line-up based on conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but Hogg or fast bowler Shaun Tait are considered the most likely contenders to carry the drinks. India, who have won just four of 32 Tests played in Australia, are aiming to become the first team to pull off a series victory Down Under since the West Indies triumphed in 1991-1992. They will play their one and only practice match against the Victorian state side in Melbourne beginning on Thursday -- something vice-captain MS Dhoni said did not give the squad much time to adjust to Australian conditions. "It's always better to have a few sessions before you go into a big Test match," he said. We really don't have much time, this is the only session we have. It's very crucial now, not only for me but all the individuals."

Dhoni's straight bat floors Oz

2007-12-19T18:31:00.000-08:00

So high is Mahendra Singh Dhoni on confidence these days that less than 36 hours after his arrival in Australia, he was inviting 'bouncers' from the media. The few 'short-pitched' ones lobbed by the Australian media were summarily dispatched to the boundary, the grin never quite leaving Dhoni's face. Among the few tricky questions posed at Wednesday's official press conference was whether he was disappointed at not having come to Australia as India's captain. "This is my first tour of Australia and I am looking forward to the pleasure of playing the game. I will think about the captaincy when the ODIs and Twenty20 matches come around," said Dhoni, under whom India have a 100 per cent record against Australia in the shortest version of the game. Dhoni also maintained that he never found it difficult to handle three (with Sehwag's inclusion, it's now four) former captains in the line-up. "I see it as more of a boon, really. As these guys have so much experience, one can always consult them before taking any major decision," said Dhoni. Asked about his expectations from his maiden tour of Australia, the Indian vice-captain said: "Lots of bounce and good aggressive cricket. The Aussies are known for it and it's not for nothing that they are the world champions." When someone pointed out that bounce may not be a big factor in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG as the match will be played on a drop-in wicket, Dhoni grinned. "Even the slowest wicket here will have more bounce than the fastest track back in India. Succeeding in Australia remains the ultimate challenge for any player or a team. We are focused to do well," he added. Will it be easy to take on someone like Shaun Tait against whom the Indians have not played much? Dhoni was forthright, once more: "We have watched video recordings of his action. That's a common practice these days. Whenever a bowler with a unique action comes along like Malinga, Tait or Tanvir, you have got to watch them closely on the videos. The real challenge, of course, is to sort them out in the middle."

Howzzat! No takers for BCCI website so far

2007-12-19T18:29:00.000-08:00

For the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the richest cricket board in the world, it has been a long-standing dream to launch its official website. But recently, that million-dollar dream got a big jolt when four bidders - Reliance, Tata, Nimbus and an Australian company - failed to submit their bids for the web portal. According to industry sources, BCCI floated its tender for the web portal last month with a base price of $50 million and the last date for submitting the tender was December 17. But to the BCCI's disappointment, none of the parties came forward to bid for the website. Reason? The reserve price of the tender is very high. When TOI contacted BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi on Wednesday, he said: "We have extended the submission date of the bid till Janaury 24 and I am confident that we are going to get the right bidders for the website. It's too early to say that there are no takers for the Indian cricket website." However, sources close to the bidders have something else to say. Two of the bidders found the proposal unfeasible at the price of $50 million, while the others want to take up the project on a revenue-sharing basis. Sources also say the BCCI indentified five sources of income from the website, whose rights are restricted to advertising and sponsorship, subscription, gaming, merchandising, sydication and contests. Industry sources say that live streaming rights will take at least two-three years for genuine broadband to be available with users. Even with the merchandise rights, industry sources say that since the BCCI has sold apparel and sports goods rights, there is hardly anything lucrative. Also, the rights are restricted to online purchase, which anyway is not very popular. "The web portal has a revenue potential of $15 to $20 million. Having said that, the site would require huge infrastructure and that will involve a cost of $5 to $6 million. Given this scenario, the BCCI should work out a more viable proposition," the source said.

Classy Jayawardene torments England in final Test

2007-12-19T18:26:00.000-08:00

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene became Sri Lanka's leading century-maker on Wednesday to dampen England's hopes of a series-levelling win in the third and final Test. Jayawardene was unbeaten on 149 as Sri Lanka, taking advantage of a butter-fingered English display, carried their overnight score of 147-4 to an almost impregnable 384-6 by stumps on the rain-hit second day. Play began 90 minutes late due to a wet outfield caused by heavy rain on Tuesday evening, further curtailing a match in which just 55 of the stipulated 90 overs were bowled on the first day. Jayawardene, who became Sri Lanka's leading run-getter during his 195 in the drawn second Test, surpassed Aravinda de Silva's record of 20 centuries with his second consecutive ton. His five-hour knock, studded with 15 boundaries, gives the hosts a chance to press for a 2-0 series win over the remaining three days and clinch second place in the official rankings behind Australia. Jayawardene and his overnight partner Tillekeratne Dilshan defied the England bowlers till just before tea in a 149-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Dilshan, returning to the side after being ignored for the recent tour of Australia and the previous two Tests against England, marked his comeback with a stroke-filled 84. England grabbed two wickets against the run of play in the last over before tea, but Chaminda Vaas (46 not out) prolonged the tourists' agony by adding 97 for the unbroken seventh wicket with Jayawardene. Jayawardene was on 99 when he patted a ball from Ravi Bopara and Dilshan called for a run that would have given his captain his 21st century. Dilshan was however unable to complete the run as Alastair Cook ran in from slip and broke the stumps before the batsman made his ground at the striker's end. Three balls later, Bopara dismissed wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene for no score, caught behind by Matt Prior, as Sri Lanka slipped from a comfortable 287-4. The unexpected breaks came after a bungling effort in the field by England, who dropped three catches, had one turned down, and saw an unnecessary overthrow from captain Michael Vaughan go for four runs. Dilshan had not added to his overnight score of seven when Cook at gully failed to hold a slash against left-armer Ryan Sidebottom. Wicket-keeper Prior missed both Jayawardene and Dilshan - and was denied one catch when Dilshan (65) gloved Matthew Hoggard down the leg-side, but Australian umpire Daryl Harper disallowed a loud appeal. Television replays showed Dilshan was lucky to be given not out. Jayawardene reached his century soon after tea and then found a valuable ally in Vaas to strengthen Sri Lanka's position. Vaughan employed seven bowlers to curtail the Sri Lankan run-rate in good batting conditions. Steve Harmison returned with 3-72 while Sidebottom and Bopara were the other two wicket-takers.

Hogg ready for the Indian challenge

2007-12-19T18:24:00.000-08:00

Unperturbed at being identified by Indian skipper Anil Kumble as a weak link in the Australian team, spinner Brad Hogg is confident of his success in the Test series. Hogg hopes Melbourne's drop-in pitch will help earn him a Test recall after a four-year absence. The condition of the MCG surface will be crucial for selectors as they decide between four fast men or pick three quicks and Hogg. "You have got to go in with a bit of confidence. It's great to get an opportunity against the best players of spin," Hogg was quoted in The Australian . "I liked it as a spin bowler," Hogg said of the ground in the Australian. "It's always in your favour having a good performance there under your belt." The 36-year-old Hogg, who last played a Test against Zimbabwe in 2003, believes he is far better equipped to succeed in Test cricket now. "I have always wanted to be in a rush. It's like being out in the middle; I am trying to get wickets all the time. But at Test level you've got to work on it. You've got to starve the batsman and then set him up. You've got to make sure you bowl in tandem with the bloke up the other end, and that will be my job if I am in," he said. "Being able to play a couple of Test matches has been sensational in my career but to be able to represent Australia in a Boxing Day Test match, even if I am 12th man, it just makes me ecstatic. It's just great to be able to achieve something that you've always wanted as a child, he said.

Indian cricketers to be taxed in Australia

2007-12-19T18:21:00.000-08:00

The gruelling tour of Australia is all set to get tougher for the Indians as the entire team will be taxed for playing in Australia this summer. Cricket Australia (CA) has sent in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the BCCI, which has sent the Indian Board into a spin. According to a change in the tax laws since India's last visit to Australia in 2003, entertainers and sports people working in the country are being taxed for the income they generate. Indian cricketers would thus be taxed for the present tour from their match-fee which could be to the tune of nearly $1.5 million (Approximately Rs 6 crore). An Indian cricketer will get around $6,200 and $4,000 for a Test and a One-dayer. The Indian team media manager Dr MK Shridhar has confirmed that the BCCI is asking for an amendment in the law. "The taxation issue is being handled in Mumbai. We are in touch with our tax consultants whose advice we would follow," said Shridhar. Shridhar said Cricket Australia (CA) was extending all possible help and the two boards are working to find a solution to the problem. "It's not that we want to avoid it but we just want to make sure as it is applicable to the cricketers for the first time," Shridhar said. It is learnt that the BCCI has resolved to bear the tax brunt on themselves and let cricketers have their full match fees in the working committee meeting held earlier this month. "We do not want cricketers to suffer because of the laws in Australia. If we have to part money and can’t avoid it, we would foot the tax from the boards coffers," said a senior board official. Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young said CA was helpless and the MoU for the tour was inescapable. "The details of the MOU reflect Australia's tax laws and that's standard of the MOUs we do in Australia. When you are in Australia, the Australian tax law applies," he said. A few Indian players privately said they were not concerned as long as it was ensured that they receive their full match fee.

Weak opponents for opener

2007-12-19T18:17:00.000-08:00

For a team that desperately needs match-practice in order to quickly adapt to the conditions Down Under, the rain threat over India's three-day game against Victoria Bushrangers at St Kilda starting on Thursday is a cause for major concern on the part of the team management. It has been drizzling intermittently over the last two days and rain is forecast on all three days of the match, but Team India vice-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni played it with a straight bat. "It would have been ideal had we got another practice game before the first Test at the MCG, but that not being possible, we would look to go into the three-day game with all the regulars to give the guys a small chance to adapt. There is not much we can do if it rains. We will then practice indoors and make sure that we are ready when we take the field on the Boxing Day," Dhoni said. Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan's participation in Wednesday's nets session was a highly curtailed affair, triggering a speculation that both could sit out the game. Dhoni didn't see anything wrong with that. "A decision on the final XI will be taken on Thursday morning, but if Sachin and Zaheer need more rest before the first Test, it's fine," he said, adding India are likely to adopt the 3+1 (three pacers and a spinner) formula in Australia unless a particular wicket demands the inclusion of another spinner. Irrespective of whether rain intervenes, India are unlikely to be impressed by quality of the opposition in the three-day game as they look to fine-tune their line-up. There's not a single familiar name in the Victoria ranks. Their lone Test player, Brad Hodge, is nursing bad back and is unlikely to take the field against India. The Australian state side also has a number of players, including their three frontline pacers - Shane Harwood, Dirk Nannes and Gerrard Denton - on the injured list. In skipper Hodge's absence, the Victoria team would be led by Mike Hussey's younger brother, David on the very ground that can be aptly described as Shane Warne's backyard. The mood in the Indian camp is upbeat. There was plenty of leg-pulling and horsing around during Wednesday's training session at the MCG to suggest that Anil Kumble's men were indeed looking forward to the testing times ahead. ahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag were among the first to get into the nets. Both enjoyed three stints each with Dravid imploring Sourav Ganguly to bowl a few more, long after 'nets manager' Venkatesh Prasad had blown the final whistle. Sehwag looked every bit rusty and was pushed on to his back-foot time and again by a couple of young local lads who bowled flat-out to impress the visitors. Among Indian bowlers, RP Singh bowled the best. Pankaj Singh worked up a good pace, but Ishant Sharma overstepped time and again, inviting Prasad's ire.

India (from): Anil Kumble (capt), MS Dhoni (vice-capt), Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, RP Singh, Pankaj Singh.

Victoria Bushrangers (from): Brad Hodge (capt), David Hussey (vice-capt), Aiden Blizzard, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Nick Jewell, Mike Klinger, Andrew McDonald, Bryce McGain, Robert Quinney, Peter Siddle, Matthew Wade, Allan Wise.