Melbourne: India let Australia off the hook and allowed them to end the first day in the first Test at 277 for six in the first innings at stumps at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Monday.
Debutant opener Ed Cowan (68) and under-pressure Ricky Ponting (68) hit half-centuries in their crucial 113-run third wicket stand while Indian pacers Umesh Yadav (3-96) and Zaheer Khan (2-49) did the damage. Test vice captain Brad Haddin was on 21 along with Peter Siddle (34) at stumps.
India had the whiphand soon after tea, when Zaheer dismissed skipper Michael Clarke (61) and Mike Hussey off successive deliveries and two overs later off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (1-71) removed Cowan to leave Australia reeling at 214 for six. But Haddin and Siddle saved the day with their unfinished 63-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Clarke made a brave decision to bat first despite heavy overnight rains, and openers Cowan and David Warner (37) weathered a difficult first hour before settling down for 46-run opening stand. They batted well in tandem but had contrasting approaches. While Cowan was watchful, Warne was forceful.
A brief rain delay broke Warner's concentration and he was caught behind gloving a short ball from Yadav's first delivery after the break. Marsh survived just six balls before pushing hard at a Yadav delivery outside off for an easy catch.
At 46/2, Ponting walked in and was soon greeted with a bouncer from Yadav that struck on his helmet grille trying to pull a ball which then almost dropped onto his stumps. Ponting, who came into this match struggling to retain his place in the side, settled down soon and hit back at his detractors with a crafty half-century.
Ponting's balance and timing were superb, perhaps helped by last week's batting camp. Ponting fell for 62, caught at second slip off a Yadav delivery that moved away from him and induced a sliced bat.
Cowan was cautious in his approach in both the sessions and allowed Ponting to take charge in the second. They ran well between the wickets and their 113-run stand came off 200 balls. At a time when the partnership grew strong, Yadav got a delivery to rear up menacingly forcing Ponting to edge it to V.V.S. Laxman in the slip.
Cowan and Clarke then added a 46-run stand for the fourth wicket as Australia went past the 200-run mark. But three wickets in four overs, including two in successive deliveries, swung the game in India's favour as Australia slumped to 214/6 from 205/3.
Clarke was out first, chopping Zaheer's delivery onto his stumps and in the next delivery the veteran Hussey was dismissed for a golden duck caught behind to a ball that rose sharply on him but appeared to miss his bat and gloves.
Two overs later, Cowan's five-hours gritty knock came to an end when he was caught behind off Ashwin. Cowan's innings was the second highest for an Australian opener on debut since Wayne Phillips' 159 at the WACA in November 1983.
The pressure will now be on Hussey to retain his side in the team once Shane Watson returns to the side from injury. Both Ponting and Hussey were under tremendous pressure for the first time in their career. While Ponting might have assured his place in the side for some time the pressure will increase on Hussey.
Friday 30 December 2011
Tuesday 6 December 2011
Rohit Sharma smashes 95, but India lose third ODI against West Indies
Ahmedabad: Rohit Sharma's valiant 95 went in vain as the West Indies defeated India by 16 runs in the third One-Day International here Monday and kept the series alive.
Chasing a target of 261 runs, India again fumbled at the top before Sharma guided the innings scoring his third fifty of the series. Wickets kept falling at the other end. Sharma was run out to a sharp pick and throw by West Indies captain Darren Sammy, and it looked it was all but over for India.
But Abhimanyu Mithun (23) and Umesh Yadav (11) raised visions of a victory with some scintillating hitting. The two added 28 runs for the last wicket before Mithun was dismissed lbw to Ravi Rampaul, who took four wickets. India folded up in 46.5 overs.
It was the first victory for the West Indies team on this tour. The series is now wide open with India leading 2-1 and two more matches to go.
India had a bad start again with opener Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir falling to Rampaul in successive balls for a golden duck. Sehwag's opening partner Parthiv Patel (39) and Virat Kohli (20),however, added 25 runs for the third wicket before debutant Sunil Narine (2/34) trapped Kohli lbw.
Marlon Samuels bowled Parthiv and Rampaul dismissed Suresh Raina (2), caught behind. Ravindra Jadeja (11) did not stay for long and soon India were left reeling at 105/6.
Sharma, who got away with a life when Sammy dropped an easy catch at gully, together with Ravichandran Ashwin added 91 runs to stabilise the innings.
Sharma, who has been a revelation in the series, hit 10 well-timed fours and a six. He was out to direct throw from Sammy.
Earlier, the West Indies smashed 73 runs in the last five overs to post a competitive 260/5.
All-rounder Andre Russell and captain Darren Sammy took the Indian pacers to the cleaners in the death overs after Marlon Samuels scored a patient 58 at the top of the order.
Russell's 40 off 18 balls and Sammy's 41 off 17 turned things around for the visitors, who are looking for their maiden win of the tour.
Their brutal attack also exposed the inexperience of the likes of Umesh Yadav and Abhimanyu Mithun, who gave away 43 runs in the last 12 balls.
Mithun, playing his first match of the series and in hunt to be Praveen Kumar's replacement on the Australia tour, conceded 47 runs in seven overs. His last over went for 23 with Sammy hitting him for consecutive sixes over long on and cover. Yadav leaked 75 runs from nine overs.
The West Indies also got off to a bad start as they lost in-form opener Lendl Simmons (1) early on and found scoring tough for as long as the 40th over.
Pollard (29) once again got out after a promising start with Ravindra Jadeja taking a blinder in the deep off Vinay Kumar (2/39).
Darren Bravo (26) and Samuels had shared 55 runs for the third wicket before the stylish southpaw was forced to retire at the end of the 26th over.
Chasing a target of 261 runs, India again fumbled at the top before Sharma guided the innings scoring his third fifty of the series. Wickets kept falling at the other end. Sharma was run out to a sharp pick and throw by West Indies captain Darren Sammy, and it looked it was all but over for India.
But Abhimanyu Mithun (23) and Umesh Yadav (11) raised visions of a victory with some scintillating hitting. The two added 28 runs for the last wicket before Mithun was dismissed lbw to Ravi Rampaul, who took four wickets. India folded up in 46.5 overs.
It was the first victory for the West Indies team on this tour. The series is now wide open with India leading 2-1 and two more matches to go.
India had a bad start again with opener Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir falling to Rampaul in successive balls for a golden duck. Sehwag's opening partner Parthiv Patel (39) and Virat Kohli (20),however, added 25 runs for the third wicket before debutant Sunil Narine (2/34) trapped Kohli lbw.
Marlon Samuels bowled Parthiv and Rampaul dismissed Suresh Raina (2), caught behind. Ravindra Jadeja (11) did not stay for long and soon India were left reeling at 105/6.
Sharma, who got away with a life when Sammy dropped an easy catch at gully, together with Ravichandran Ashwin added 91 runs to stabilise the innings.
Sharma, who has been a revelation in the series, hit 10 well-timed fours and a six. He was out to direct throw from Sammy.
Earlier, the West Indies smashed 73 runs in the last five overs to post a competitive 260/5.
All-rounder Andre Russell and captain Darren Sammy took the Indian pacers to the cleaners in the death overs after Marlon Samuels scored a patient 58 at the top of the order.
Russell's 40 off 18 balls and Sammy's 41 off 17 turned things around for the visitors, who are looking for their maiden win of the tour.
Their brutal attack also exposed the inexperience of the likes of Umesh Yadav and Abhimanyu Mithun, who gave away 43 runs in the last 12 balls.
Mithun, playing his first match of the series and in hunt to be Praveen Kumar's replacement on the Australia tour, conceded 47 runs in seven overs. His last over went for 23 with Sammy hitting him for consecutive sixes over long on and cover. Yadav leaked 75 runs from nine overs.
The West Indies also got off to a bad start as they lost in-form opener Lendl Simmons (1) early on and found scoring tough for as long as the 40th over.
Pollard (29) once again got out after a promising start with Ravindra Jadeja taking a blinder in the deep off Vinay Kumar (2/39).
Darren Bravo (26) and Samuels had shared 55 runs for the third wicket before the stylish southpaw was forced to retire at the end of the 26th over.
Friday 22 July 2011
Pietersen piles on the runs at Lord's as England take control of first Test
A mighty double hundred from Kevin Pietersen, his first century at home for nearly three years, put England in charge on day two of the first npower Test against India at Lord's.
Having last reached three figures in this country in August 2008, Pietersen chose the occasion of the 2000th Test to score 202 not out, his fifth ton at the home of cricket, 18th Test century and third score over 200.
Pietersen's innings started doggedly, and he can consider himself fortunate to have survived a debated catch on 49, but by the declaration on 474 for eight, he was at his swaggering best.
In all Pietersen had batted for over eight hours, hitting 21 fours and a six and passing 6,000 Test runs in the process.
India, meanwhile, survived a tricky five overs at the close to reach 17 without loss.
They had toiled for large periods without their stricken spearhead Zaheer Khan, absent with a hamstring strain, though there was some joy for Praveen Kumar.
The swing bowler twice took two wickets in an over to check English momentum and closed with five for 106 to join Pietersen on the famous honours board.
England resumed this morning on 127 for two, with Jonathan Trott driving the first boundary of the day off Praveen and Pietersen immediately more assured than during his skittish 22-run cameo on Thursday.
He got going with two punchy fours through mid-on and was soon collecting regular singles.
Trott looked typically solid and it was a surprise to see Praveen beat the bat and trap him lbw on the back foot for 70.
India installed a leg slip for Praveen and it looked like a master stroke when Pietersen, one short of his half-century, turned one round his pad to the waiting Rahul Dravid.
Having dropped Trott on eight yesterday, the 38-year-old got down well this time but could not be certain of the catch and the umpires sent the decision upstairs.
As so often happens, replays gave the batsman the benefit of the doubt and Pietersen survived, though he can feel fortunate to have done so.
His 50 followed off 134 deliveries, the longest Pietersen has ever taken to reach that mark.
Harbhajan Singh was bowling to some defensive fields but was struggling to contain England, Pietersen timing a four over mid-off and Ian Bell scoring briskly on both sides of the wicket.
Pietersen then clubbed an aggressive, though not entirely impressive, stroke off Ishant Sharma for two to bring up the 200.
Pietersen's innings started doggedly, and he can consider himself fortunate to have survived a debated catch on 49, but by the declaration on 474 for eight, he was at his swaggering best.
In all Pietersen had batted for over eight hours, hitting 21 fours and a six and passing 6,000 Test runs in the process.
India, meanwhile, survived a tricky five overs at the close to reach 17 without loss.
They had toiled for large periods without their stricken spearhead Zaheer Khan, absent with a hamstring strain, though there was some joy for Praveen Kumar.
The swing bowler twice took two wickets in an over to check English momentum and closed with five for 106 to join Pietersen on the famous honours board.
England resumed this morning on 127 for two, with Jonathan Trott driving the first boundary of the day off Praveen and Pietersen immediately more assured than during his skittish 22-run cameo on Thursday.
He got going with two punchy fours through mid-on and was soon collecting regular singles.
Trott looked typically solid and it was a surprise to see Praveen beat the bat and trap him lbw on the back foot for 70.
India installed a leg slip for Praveen and it looked like a master stroke when Pietersen, one short of his half-century, turned one round his pad to the waiting Rahul Dravid.
Having dropped Trott on eight yesterday, the 38-year-old got down well this time but could not be certain of the catch and the umpires sent the decision upstairs.
As so often happens, replays gave the batsman the benefit of the doubt and Pietersen survived, though he can feel fortunate to have done so.
His 50 followed off 134 deliveries, the longest Pietersen has ever taken to reach that mark.
Harbhajan Singh was bowling to some defensive fields but was struggling to contain England, Pietersen timing a four over mid-off and Ian Bell scoring briskly on both sides of the wicket.
Pietersen then clubbed an aggressive, though not entirely impressive, stroke off Ishant Sharma for two to bring up the 200.
Wednesday 29 June 2011
M S Dhoni's cheque for Rs 645 bounced
According to media reports, a cheque for Rs 645 issued by MS Dhoni in favour of the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has bounced. The bank authorities returned the checque due to "insufficient fund" in the account.
MS Dhoni, one of the biggest tax-payer in the state of Jharkhand, issued the cheque towards the annual holding tax for his house at Kunwar Singh Colony. But unfortunately, the cheque was returned by the SBI, Doranda branch.
The Times of India quoted the tax collector of ward 52, RN Jha as saying, "Dhoni had issued a cheque (number 550703) of the State Bank of India, Doranda branch, from his savings account 01190108959 amounting to Rs 645 on March 15."
However, officials said that Dhoni has been paying the holding tax "regularly" and it would be a case of human error and oversight.
Friday 10 June 2011
Match-fixing - Tillakaratne denies naming former cricketers
In a statement, Tillakaratne said that he hasn't named any cricketer during a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The Daily Mirror reported that Tillakaratne is co-operating with the Sri Lanka Police and International Cricket Council (ICC), who are investigating the allegations made by him.
'The Criminal Investigation Department summoned me twice and I fully co-operated on both occasions. I would like to insist that I am the plaintiff and not the accused in this case. My telephone numbers have been provided to the ICC to let them contact me at any time they want. Sri Lanka Cricket has also provided me with the telephone numbers of the relevant authorities for me to contact them,' Tillakaratne said.
Saturday 4 June 2011
Not satisfied yet with my career, says Sachin Tendulkar
In the latest issue of Sky Sports magazine, Tendulkar said: “When you win something or score a century you say you are happy, but not satisfied. Satisfaction is like engaging the handbrake and hoping a car moves forward.”
“I am not satisfied yet with my career and what I have done, not at all. I feel the moment you start to feel satisfied, then it is only natural that you begin to cool down and lose it,” he said.
The 38-year-old Tendulkar feels he still has a lot of cricket left in him and doesn’t want to think about retirement any soon.
“I still love cricket as much as ever. It is my job, but it is also my passion. Cricket remains in my heart, I don’t need anything else to motivate me. I dreamed of playing for my country when I was young and it is still my dream, it is still fun for me,” he said.
For Tendulkar, “life without cricket is unthinkable.”
“I am still learning about the game. I figure something out about my batting all the time, you have to keep your mind open. I learn all the time, those small adjustments, with your footwork or bat swing can improve your game, I love doing that. You never know everything. Mentally that makes you feel so good. That is the best form of preparation,” Tendulkar said.
Tendulkar said India’s World Cup win after a gap of 28 years in his home ground of Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was the most defining moment of his career. He was sitting in the dressing room, praying to god during the second innings, he said.
“It was a different kind of feeling, a high, like living on a different planet, it felt as though I was flying,” he said.
Thursday 2 June 2011
Sania first Indian to reach women’s doubles Grand Slam final
Sania, who lifted a Grand Slam title when she won the mixed doubles with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi at the Australian Open in 2009 after losing the final the previous year, is in the midst of her best year on the Tour.
From a career-best ranking of 27 in 2007, Sania went hurtling down to 141 at the start of the year after a series of injuries in the last two years.
It was a hard grind for Sania who had to qualify for even second-tier Tour events. She received a wild-card at both the Dubai and Qatar Open and the turnaround came when she won three matches to qualify for the main draw at the season's first Grand Slam, the Australian Open.
Sania not only improved her singles ranking steadily to 72 before she came to Paris but she also made rapid progress in the doubles with Russian Elena Vesnina. The two women came together at the Qatar Open and quickly established themselves as a potent doubles combination.
Sania and Vesnina were seeded seventh here. Their 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, upset win over fourth seeds American Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond was preceded by their stunner against top seeds Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pannetta at Stade Roland Garros.
The 37-year-old Raymond is a former French Open doubles champion and her partner Huber has won four Grand Slam doubles titles with Zimbabwean Cara Black, but she doesn't have French Open title to her credit yet.
Sania and Vesnina played some brilliant tennis to 4-1 up in the first set and in 30 minutes they were a set up. However, a stream of errors saw them lose the second set. Both the players came back strongly in the decider and Elena served out the set and the match.
The Indo-Russian pair play Czechs Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka in today's final, with the winning team splitting $475,000 prize money.
The unseeded Czech pair shocked third-seeded Vania King of the US and Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-3. King, a former partner of Sania, and Shvedova are the reigning US Open and Wimbledon champions.
The two finalists have met once before, with Sania and Elena winning in straight sets in the first round at Indian Wells. Vesnina is the only one of the four finalists to play in a Grand Slam women's doubles final, having been runner-up at the 2009 French Open alongside Victoria Azarenka and in 2010 Wimbledon alongside Vera Zvonareva.
Hlavackova and Hradecka are the second unseeded French Open finalists in 30 years, the others being the 2008 runners-up Casey Dellacqua and Francesca Schiavone. If they win today, they would be the sixth unseeded team to capture a major in three decades. — IANS
Sania-Vesnina finish runners up at French Open
Wednesday 1 June 2011
Imogen Thomas says I thought Ryan Giggs wanted marry me
She even thought the footballer would leave his wife Stacey and actually wanted to marry her because he refused to let the affair end and kept coming back.
Miss Thomas, 28, met Giggs - who is now being named thanks to Lib Dem MP John Hemming using parliamentary privilege to identify him on Monday - in hotels throughout their relationship.
They even met up in hotels on nights before two crucial matches.
Miss Thomas spoke recently about the pressure she is being put under, saying she has turned to 'three big glasses of wine a night' to cope with it all.
She said that she has not been sleeping well because of an injunction taken out against her and has lost a lot of weight.
Talking about her affair with 37-year-old Giggs she said: 'I called it off a million times but he kept coming back. He knew it was wrong as well, he said as much, but he was pursuing me.'
Stacey Giggs was at Old Trafford for family day celebrations but was seen yesterday without her wedding ring
Stacey Giggs was at Old Trafford for family day celebrations but was seen yesterday without her wedding ring
Her family has echoed warnings over her state of mind made by publicist Max Clifford. Her sister Alana went as far as saying that she was frightened her sister might commit suicide.
A friend said: 'Imogen was 100 per cent certain he would leave Stacey and the kids and move in with her. It wasn't a relationship built totally on sex. She thought it went much deeper. She was in love but now she has been left high and dry.'
Their affair began, perhaps inevitably, at a London club one night last September. According to Miss Thomas, Giggs did not initially know who she was.
'We hit it off straight away because we had so much in common,’ she told a Sunday tabloid a little over a month ago.
Miss Thomas's recollection suggests that the Manchester United footballer knew what he was doing and had a clear mind.
'He was quiet and seemed quite sober,' she said. 'Back at the hotel bar we were just chatting about life but I could tell he was interested in me.
'We kissed and I ended up staying the night with him. I knew he was married but I was caught up in the moment and I never thought it was going to go anywhere.'
She claims she tried to end the affair there and then, but he insisted that she give him her number and the following day he called to check she had arrived home safely and subsequently pursued her with a stream of flirty texts.
What followed has filled column inches and called into question the UK's privacy laws which, in the days of Facebook and Twitter, appear outdated.
Last night Giggs made his first public appearance following the revelations about his private life, playing the opening 30 minutes of a testimonial match for Gary Neville.
His wife - who 24 hours earlier was pitch-side cheering him on during family celebrations at Old Trafford - was photographed leaving the couple's £6m home near Manchester without her wedding ring.
www.dailymail.co.uk
Tuesday 31 May 2011
Indian cricket team leaves for West Indies
The Indian team boarded a connecting flight to Barbados via London at 0230 hours from the Chhattrapati Shivaji
International Airport here.
India will play one T20 at Trinidad (June 4) and five-ODIs on June 6 (Trinidad), June 8 (Trinidad), June 11
(Antigua), June 13 (Antigua) and June 16 (Jamaica).
Besides, it will also participate in a three match Test-rubber that will be held at Jamaica (June 20-June 24),
Barbados (June 28-Jul 2) and Dominica (Jul 6-Jul 10). The Indian squad for the ODIs and the lone T20 is without
nine players who were part of the World Cup winning team under regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The players missing out include Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan-- who has been rested, the injured Gautam Gambhir,
Virender Sehwag and Ashish Nehra and an unwell Yuvraj Singh.
S Sreesanth and Piyush Chawla have been dropped. However, Dhoni and Zaheer will join the team for the Test matches along with V V S Laxman, Murali Vijay, Abhinav Mukund, Rahul Dravid, and Sreesanth.
When India last toured the Caribbean Islands in 2006 under Dravid, it created history by beating the home team (1-0
in a four match rubber) in a Test series for the first time in 35 years.
However, the team will certainly look to change the 1-4 thrashing it got in the five-match ODI series then.
ODI and T20 squad
: Suresh Raina (capt), R Ashwin, S Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh (vc), Virat Kohli, Praveen Kumar,Amit Mishra, Munaf Patel, Parthiv Patel (wk), Yusuf Pathan, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Vinay
Kumar, Manoj Tiwary, Shikhar Dhawan.
Test squad
: M S Dhoni (capt), VVS Laxman (vc), M Vijay, Abhinav Mukund, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, S Badrinath,Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Suresh Raina, Parthiv
Patel. PTI
Shahid Afridi quits from international cricket
'The people have given me lot of respect and love and I don't want to waste that working with this board who don't know how to respect players,' an angry Afridi said.
In a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board, Afridi described the current set of administrators as a disgrace to Pakistan cricket.
Afridi who announced his retirement from all international cricket as a protest against the board for removing him as captain of the national one-day team told Geo News channel that nothing was greater to him than his self-respect.
The experienced all-rounder said until the present board under the chairmanship of Ijaz Butt was in place he would not play international cricket.
'I will continue to play domestic and league cricket but not international cricket but it is not worth my while under this board which gave me no reason nor did it bother to hear me out before sacking me as captain,' he said.
'I don't want to work with such disgraceful people. I don't know on what grounds they sacked me as captain. I worked hard on building up a broken team and turned it into a fighting combination. We played in the World Cup semifinal and yet they sacked me without hearing me out.'
Afridi also claimed that there was a group of people belonging to the Punjab province in Lahore who had always been against him.
'This group has always kept on working against me. They are the ones who keep on filling the chairman's ears against me. Maybe they don't want me to play because I get in the way of their plans.'
Afridi also claimed that as captain he was never consulted in selection of teams nor was he sure about his captaincy before a series until the last moment.
'This board never gave me a feeling of assurance that I would be captain. I would not know before a series until the last few days whether I was going to be captain and I can't continue to play under these circumstances.'
Afridi also made it clear that he had spoken to some of his elders and seniors before taking his retirement decision and they supported him.
'I want to make it clear that till this board is there I will not play international cricket. When it goes and if people want me to play on I will consider a comeback,' he added.
The retirement announcement came just a few days after the board chairman, Ijaz Butt had in a surprising move sacked the all-rounder as captain of the national limited overs team although Afridi had led the team to the World Cup semifinals and to a 3-2 win over the West Indies in the Caribbean.
It was after returning from the West Indies that Afridi ruffled the board feathers when he told the media that he didn't like people interfering in his work an obvious reference to an ongoing row with head coach, Waqar Younis over selection issues.
After issuing him a notice for speaking to the media on team issues in contravention of the players code of conduct the board while announcing the squad for the one-day series against Ireland replaced Afridi as captain with Test captain, Misbah-ul-Haq who on Monday led Pakistan to a 2-0 win over Ireland.
Afridi after the sack also pulled out of the series against Ireland telling the board that he wanted to stay with his father who was under treatment in the United States.
Afridi defended his statement saying he had only spoken the truth and nothing else.
'I didn't speak against anyone nor did I criticize anyone by name. What I said was for betterment of team. But if they don't want me to speak the truth than I can't accept working with such people,' he said.
'I didn't want any problems what I said was keeping in the benefits of the team. I can't continue to play under a board that does not respect senior players,' he added.
Afridi had last year already retired from Test cricket after losing the first Test to Australia at Lords.
Afridi after his sacking also pulled out of the series against Ireland telling the board that he wanted to stay with his father who was under treatment in the United States.
But the all-rounder reached England from the US and on Monday made his retirement announcement from London.
Afridi who played 325 ODIs and 27 Tests told the channel that whatever he had said on returning home was in the better interests of the team. PTI
Monday 30 May 2011
Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar differ on club vs country row
Kapil said just like any individual of the country, the cricketers have also the right to choose whether to play for the country or for the clubs.
"Everybody has the right to choose whether they want to play for the country or for their club. I loved to play for my country and I did it. But, things have changed now and life has changed. You cannot control anybody's life at this age.
Whatever anybody wants to do he should be allowed to do," Kapil said when asked about the raging debate at the sidelines of a mobile phone launch here.
Gavaskar agreed with Kapil as fas as the players' right to choose but said that the Cricket Board should not select those who prefer IPL over country in the Indian team.
"It is the prerogative of the players whether to play for the country or the club but they have to be made accountable for their choice. If a player chooses IPL over playing for India, the selectors can say hang on you have preferred IPL over country so we also have the right not to consider you for the national team," Gavaskar said.
Top Indian cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag will be missing the West Indies tour due to injury or pulling themselves out and this has kicked up the country versus club debate that the cricketers have started to prefer IPL over playing for national team.
source: cricketnext.in.com
Domestic players continue to shine in IPL
New Delhi: With the crowds fading, the popularity of the Indian Premier League (IPL) dipped in the fourth season but it continued to be a platform for the cricket crazy nation's domestic talent.
Kings XI Punjab's explosive opener Paul Valthaty, who is yet to make a first class debut, Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Iqbal Abdulla, Bangalore Royal Challenger fast bowler Sreenath Aravind and Pune Warriors' Rahul Sharma have been the new stars this season and have staked their claim for a potential national cap in the future.
Valthaty took the IPL by storm with his match-winning 120 runs off 63 balls for Kings XI Punjab against eventual champions Chennai Super Kings in a league match at Mohali. He overshadowed his opening partner and captain Adam Gilchrist on many occasions during the league stages, smashing the ball from the word go with the great Australian batsman being a mere spectator.
Valthay, with 463 runs from 14 matches, ended up as the sixth-highest run-getter despite being inconsistent.
"Paul has an attacking style of play and in such a style results are always inconsistent. I know this because I am speaking through personal experience," said Gilchrist.
Mumbai's Abdulla also made had a fairytale run and from a bench-warmer emerged as a match winner for Knight Riders.
Abdulla had an impressive Ranji season and continued in the same breadth in the IPL as well.
The left-arm spinner from Azamgarh played a crucial role in the turning the the fortunes of Kolkata Knight Riders, who made their maiden second knock-out appearance after faring poorly in the last three seasons. With 16 wickets in 15 matches, Abdulla was the pick of the bowlers for the Kolkata franchise.
The 21-year-old delivered whenever the team needed wickets in the first six overs and was also handy down the order. Abdulla, who has played for India A, was adjudged as the rising star of the tournament.
"I never thought I will get this award before the start of the tournament. It will motivate me to get into the Indian team," said Abdulla.
The IPL was also the turning point of Punjab younsger Sharma's career as one time he thought of giving up the game due to a career-threatening facial nerve dysfunction during his stint with the Deccan Chargers last season.
But the leggie has fought back strongly as looked as if he was the lone warrior in Pune Warriors team, who finished ninth in their debut season.
The leggie took 16 wickets in 14 games, conceding a mere 5.46 runs per over, the best economy rate of the season.
"IPL 4 has been the turning point of my career. I had played for Deccan Chargers in previous season and took six wickets in as many matches. But this time, I am extremely happy with my performance. I played well in the Ranji circuit also but unfortunately those matches do not get telecast," Rahul said.
But among all Indian bowlers, Karnataka boy Aravind was the show stealer. He was the second highest Indian wicket-taker in the IPL with 21 scalps.
Aravind came into the Royal Challengers as a replacement for Dirk Nannes and the made the most of the opportunity that came his way.
"During the last two years, I have been improving a lot on each day by watching the seniors. I can say that in Karnataka, many people are helping me out in domestic circuit.
source: cricketnext.in.com
Valthaty took the IPL by storm with his match-winning 120 runs off 63 balls for Kings XI Punjab against eventual champions Chennai Super Kings in a league match at Mohali. He overshadowed his opening partner and captain Adam Gilchrist on many occasions during the league stages, smashing the ball from the word go with the great Australian batsman being a mere spectator.
Valthay, with 463 runs from 14 matches, ended up as the sixth-highest run-getter despite being inconsistent.
"Paul has an attacking style of play and in such a style results are always inconsistent. I know this because I am speaking through personal experience," said Gilchrist.
Abdulla had an impressive Ranji season and continued in the same breadth in the IPL as well.
The left-arm spinner from Azamgarh played a crucial role in the turning the the fortunes of Kolkata Knight Riders, who made their maiden second knock-out appearance after faring poorly in the last three seasons. With 16 wickets in 15 matches, Abdulla was the pick of the bowlers for the Kolkata franchise.
The 21-year-old delivered whenever the team needed wickets in the first six overs and was also handy down the order. Abdulla, who has played for India A, was adjudged as the rising star of the tournament.
"I never thought I will get this award before the start of the tournament. It will motivate me to get into the Indian team," said Abdulla.
But the leggie has fought back strongly as looked as if he was the lone warrior in Pune Warriors team, who finished ninth in their debut season.
The leggie took 16 wickets in 14 games, conceding a mere 5.46 runs per over, the best economy rate of the season.
"IPL 4 has been the turning point of my career. I had played for Deccan Chargers in previous season and took six wickets in as many matches. But this time, I am extremely happy with my performance. I played well in the Ranji circuit also but unfortunately those matches do not get telecast," Rahul said.
Aravind came into the Royal Challengers as a replacement for Dirk Nannes and the made the most of the opportunity that came his way.
"During the last two years, I have been improving a lot on each day by watching the seniors. I can say that in Karnataka, many people are helping me out in domestic circuit.
source: cricketnext.in.com
Never got this much love back home: Chris Gayle
Gayle was in devastating form in the tournament, amassing 608 runs in 12 matches that deservedly got him the Player of the Tournament award. He missed out in the final against Chennai Super Kings here on Saturday, getting out for a duck in the team's 58-run loss. The big-hitting Jamaican, however, was floored by the love he got from fans in India.
Its amazing I can score no runs and still be love and appreciated round the World!! Never get these sort of luv an respect in West Indies!!!," Gayle wrote on his Twitter account.
Gayle, who was ignored by the national selectors for the West Indies-Pakistan series, was roped in by Royal Challengers at the last moment as a replacement for injured fast bowler Dirk Nannes.
He ended as the losing finalist but he congratulated fellow West Indian and Chennai Super Kings player Dwayne Bravo for winning the title.
The explosive opener thanked RCB for giving him the opportunity.
"Well everything got an end...the IPL is 1...Thanks again every1, players, coach, boss, staff...and of course The Fans!!! More Blessings.."
source: cricketnext.in.com
Saturday 28 May 2011
Chennai Super Kings beat RCB by 58 runs to retain IPL trophy
CSK: 205-5 in 20 overs
RCB: 147-8 in 20 overs.
Man of the Match : Murali Vijay (95 runs in 52 balls)
Man of the series : Cris Gayle (608 runs from 12 innings)
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) crushed the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by a huge margin of 58 runs and won the Indian Premier League (IPL) Edition 4. CSK defended their title successfully by winning the IPL for the second time consecutively.
CSK, after winning the toss, opted to bat first and started their innings with their openers, the left-handed Australian batsman, Michael Hussey, and, the Indian batsman, Murali Vijay. They provided CSK a dream opening partnership of 159 runs in just 14.5 overs.
Hussey contributed 63 blistering runs off just 45 balls, while, M Vijay, scored 95 thundering runs off just 52 balls. They both played a breath taking and stunning innings of a life time.
Mike Hussey smashed three exclusive boundaries and the same number of sixes to crush the Bangalore bowlers. Similarly, M Vijay whacked four spectacular boundaries and six sky scrapers, which stunned the opposition, and, equally amused the supporters of CSK.
Hussey was the first batsman dismissed but the damage had already been done by the stunning left-handed batsman from Australia. He was caught by A Mithun off the bowling of Syed Mohammad.
Hussey was followed by skipper, MS Dhoni, to come into bat with a stage set to bang on to the opposition. Dhoni joined the party with M Vijay and could not stay behind his openers and straight away banged on the opponent’s bowlers.
M Vijay was the second man to go back into the hut after crushing the RCB’s bowlers. He was caught by Daniel Vettori off the bowling of S Aravind.
Dhoni was soon caught by Virat Kohli off the bowling of S Aravind. He scored a blistering 22 runs off just 13 balls and smashed two huge sixes.
RCB in pursuit of a gigantic target of 206 runs started their innings but lost a couple of early wickets on just 16 runs, which demoralised them severely and they soon came under immense pressure.
However, Virat Kohli (35) out and SS Tiwari (42) not out, did their best to reach the target but none of the other batsmen could bear the pressure exerted by the mountainous target as well as the opponent’s bowlers.
So RCB could only manage to score 147 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs and lost the IPL final by a huge margin of 58 runs.
Wednesday 25 May 2011
IPL 4 play-off: Knight Riders knocked out, Mumbai Indians to clash with RCB
The hosts defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by four wickets and will now face Royal Challengers Bangalore in Friday's qualifier match for a place in Saturday's final.
After Ryan ten Doeschate lifted Kolkata Knight Riders from a disastrous start to 147/7 with a magnificent unbeaten 70, Mumbai started aggressively to put the side on course with an 81-run stand for the first wicket.
Adien Blizzards demolished Kolkata’s attack and slammed a fiery 51 off 30 balls, fastest half-ton by any MI batsman in the tournament. Tendulkar on the other hand appeared calm as he allowed the Australian to take charge of the chase.
However, tide rapidly turned in Kolkata’s favour as Mumbai stumbled after the dismissal of Blizzard in the 8th over. From 81/1, the hosts were soon reduced to 103/4, bringing Kolkata back into the game.
It was New Zealander James Franklin who rescued his side from the flurry of wickets and steered Mumbai to a terrific victory with his gritty knock.
The hosts lost two more wickets in the process, but Franklin didn’t succumb under pressure and shattered the IPL dream of KKR.
Earlier, incredible attack by Mumbai bowlers restricted Kolkata Knight Riders to a modest 147/7.
Munaf Patel, the third leading wicket taker in the tournament finished with an impressive 3/27. The Baroda boy got Mumbai off to a dream start, after they elected to bowl, by dismissing the dangerous Jacques Kallis (4) early.
Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh capitalised on the terrific start and got rid of skipper Gautam Gambhir (4) in the next over to rattle Kolkata.
Before, the visitors could recover from the double jolt, Patel once again struck to dismiss Shreevats Goswami for a duck.
Dhawal Kulkarni, who opened the Mumbai attack in the match, then sent back Manoj Tiwary (4), reducing Kolkata to 20/4 in 5 overs.
Yusuf Pathan and Ryan ten Doeschate then lifted the side with a gritty partnership of 60 runs for the fifth wicket.
Pathan scored a responsible 26 and paired up well with Doeschate. However, after a brief recovery he became the third victim of Patel who got him caught by Pollard at long on.
Doeschate, however, looked determined to steer the side to a challenging total. After Pathan’s dismissal he got ample support from Shakib-Al Hasan who smashed 26 off 16 balls to keep Mumbai’s hope alive.
Tuesday 24 May 2011
Chennai Super Kings beats Bangalore Royal Challengers in IPL play off
Mumbai: A thunderous 72 not out by Suresh Raina handed Chennai Super Kings an incredible win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first IPL playoff at the Wankhede Stadium here on Tuesday. The Super Kings reached the challenging 176-run target with two balls to spare in a thrilling run chase.
Earlier, Virat Kohli’s whirlwind half-century powered Royal Challengers Bangalore to 175/4 after initial hiccups. Kohli slammed an unbeaten 70 off 43 balls, setting up for an exciting finish of the first playoff. He hit three sixes and five boundaries during his swashbuckling knock.
After being invited to bat, Mayank Agarwal got RCB off to a steady start. While Agarwal looked impressive in his approach, Bangalore’s biggest bet Chris Gayle looked quite calm.
And before his bat could do much noise, Ravichandaran Ashwin struck to remove him, giving RCB the first blow at the score of 30.
Dwayne Bravo then got Agarwal caught by Doug Bollinger at long on at the score of 65 to give Chennai control.
Agarwal’s dismissal was followed by the wicket of AB de Villiers (11) after the addition of twenty runs on the scorecard.
However, Kohli and Australian Luke Pomersbach (29) consolidated the inning with a gritty 48-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Both the teams fielded the same squad that played in the last league clash on Sunday
Teams:
Bangalore Royal Challengers: CH Gayle, MA Agarwal, V Kohli, AB de Villiers, M Kaif, SS Tiwary, LA Pomersbach, DL Vettori, S Aravind, A Mithun, Z Khan
Chennai Super Kings: M Vijay, MEK Hussey, SK Raina, MS Dhoni, JA Morkel, S Badrinath, DJ Bravo, WP Saha, R Ashwin, DE Bollinger, SB Jakati
Earlier, Virat Kohli’s whirlwind half-century powered Royal Challengers Bangalore to 175/4 after initial hiccups. Kohli slammed an unbeaten 70 off 43 balls, setting up for an exciting finish of the first playoff. He hit three sixes and five boundaries during his swashbuckling knock.
After being invited to bat, Mayank Agarwal got RCB off to a steady start. While Agarwal looked impressive in his approach, Bangalore’s biggest bet Chris Gayle looked quite calm.
And before his bat could do much noise, Ravichandaran Ashwin struck to remove him, giving RCB the first blow at the score of 30.
Dwayne Bravo then got Agarwal caught by Doug Bollinger at long on at the score of 65 to give Chennai control.
Agarwal’s dismissal was followed by the wicket of AB de Villiers (11) after the addition of twenty runs on the scorecard.
However, Kohli and Australian Luke Pomersbach (29) consolidated the inning with a gritty 48-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Both the teams fielded the same squad that played in the last league clash on Sunday
Teams:
Bangalore Royal Challengers: CH Gayle, MA Agarwal, V Kohli, AB de Villiers, M Kaif, SS Tiwary, LA Pomersbach, DL Vettori, S Aravind, A Mithun, Z Khan
Chennai Super Kings: M Vijay, MEK Hussey, SK Raina, MS Dhoni, JA Morkel, S Badrinath, DJ Bravo, WP Saha, R Ashwin, DE Bollinger, SB Jakati
Chennai Super Kings enters IPL final
കൂറ്റന് സ്കോര് പിന്തുടര്ന്ന ബാംഗ്ലൂര് രണ്ടാം ഓവറില് രണ്ടിന് ഏഴ് എന്ന നിലയിലേക്ക് കൂപ്പുകുത്തുകയും 10 ഓവര് കഴിയുമ്പോള് രണ്ടിന് 62 എന്ന സങ്കീര്ണമായ ഘട്ടത്തിലുമായിരുന്നു. എന്നാല്, അസാധ്യം എന്നൊന്നില്ല എന്ന മാനസികാവസ്ഥയില് ബാറ്റുവീശിയ ചെന്നൈ താരങ്ങള് ലക്ഷ്യം നേടിയെടുക്കുക തന്നെ ചെയ്തു. ഈ ഘട്ടത്തിലായിരുന്നു, പാര്ട്ട്ടൈം സ്പിന്നറായ ക്രിസ് ഗെയ്ലിന്റെ ഉജ്വല ബൗളിങ്. ബാറ്റിങ്ങില് പരാജയപ്പെട്ട ഗെയ്ല്, ബൗളിങ് മികവിലൂടെ ബാംഗ്ലൂരിനെ വിജയത്തിന്റെ വക്കത്തെത്തിച്ചതാണ്. എന്നാല് തുടക്കത്തില് നന്നായി പന്തെറിഞ്ഞ സഹീര്ഖാന് രണ്ടാം സ്പെല്ലിലെ ഒരേയൊരു ഓവറില് 20 റണ്സ് വഴങ്ങി. മിഥുന് എറിഞ്ഞ 13-ാം ഓവറില് 23-ഉം അരവിന്ദ് എറിഞ്ഞ 19-ാം ഓവറില് 21 റണ്സുമാണ് ചെന്നൈ വാരിയത്. അവസാന ഓവറില് ജയിക്കാന് 12 റണ്സ് മതിയായിരുന്ന ചെന്നൈ നാല് പന്തില് വിജയം പിടിച്ചെടുത്തു.
ടോസ് നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടിട്ടും ആദ്യ ബാറ്റിങ്ങിന് അവസരം കിട്ടിയ ബാംഗ്ലൂരിന് വിരാട് കോലിയുടെ (44 പന്തില് പുറത്താവാതെ 70) അര്ധസെഞ്ച്വറിയും മായങ്ക് അഗര്വാള്(34), പോമര്ബാഷ്(29) എന്നിവരുടെ പിന്തുണയുമാണ് മികച്ച സ്കോര് സമ്മാനിച്ചത്. തോറ്റെങ്കിലും ബാംഗ്ലൂരിന് ഫൈനലിലെത്താന് ഒരവസരം കൂടിയുണ്ട്്. ബുധനാഴ്ച നടക്കുന്ന കൊല്ക്കത്ത നൈറ്റ് റൈഡേഴ്സ്-മുംബൈ ഇന്ത്യന്സ് മത്സരത്തിലെ വിജയികളെ തോല്പിച്ചാല് ബാംഗ്ലൂര് ഫൈനലിലെത്തും.
ടോസ് ജയിച്ച് ബൗളിങ് തിരഞ്ഞെടുത്ത ചെന്നൈ നായകന് മഹേന്ദ്രസിങ് ധോനിയ്ക്ക് ആശ്വാസം പകര്ന്ന് അപകടകാരിയായ ക്രിസ് ഗെയ്ലിനെ അശ്വിന് തുടക്കത്തില് തന്നെ മടക്കി. നാലാം ഓവരില് ഗെയ്ല് പുറത്താവുമ്പോള് സ്കോര്ബോര്ഡില് 30 റണ്്സേ എത്തിയിരുന്നുള്ളൂ. മാരക പ്രഹരശേഷികൊണ്ട് ബൗളര്മാരുടെ പേടിസ്വപ്നമായി മാറിയ ഗെയ്ലിനെ അശ്വിന് വിക്കറ്റിനുമുന്നില് കുടുക്കുകയായിരുന്നു.
സ്കോര്ബോര്ഡ്
ബാംഗ്ലൂര്
അഗര്വാള് സി ബോളിഞ്ജര് ബി ബ്രാവോ 34(33,5,0), ഗെയ്ല് എല്ബിഡബ്ല്യു അശ്വിന് 8(9,0,1), കോലി നോട്ടൗട്ട് 70(43,5,3), ഡിവില്ലിയേഴ്സ് സി വിജയ് ബി ജക്കാട്ടി 11((10,0,1), പോമര്ബാഷ് ബി ബോളിഞ്ജര് 29(18,2,2), സൗരഭ് തിവാരി നോട്ടൗട്ട് 9(6,1,0), എക്സ്ട്രാസ് 14 ആകെ 20 ഓവറില് 4ന് 175. വിക്കറ്റുവീഴ്ച: 1-30, 2-65, 3-85, 4-133. ബൗളിങ്: ആല്ബി മോര്ക്കല് 4-0-40-0, ബോളിഞ്ജര് 4-0-20-1, അശ്വിന് 4-0-33-1, ബ്രാവോ 3-0-28-1, ജക്കാട്ടി 4-0-37-1, റെയ്ന 1-0-8-0.
ചെന്നൈ
മൈക്ക് ഹസ്സി എല്ബിഡബ്ല്യു -സഹീര്ഖാന് 0(4), വിജയ് എല്ബിഡബ്ല്യു -അരവിന്ദ് 5(5,1,0), റെയ്ന നോട്ടൗട്ട് 73( 50,4,6), ബദരിനാഥ് സി അരവിന്ദ്് ബി മിഥുന് 34(5,0), ധോനി സി മിഥുന് ബി സഹീര്ഖാന് 29(19, 3,1), മോര്ക്കല് നോട്ടൗട്ട് 28(10,1,3), എക്സ്ട്രാസ് 8, ആകെ 19.4 ഓവറില് 4ന് 177. വിക്കറ്റുവീഴ്ച: 1-3, 2-7, 3-70, 4-131.
ബൗളിങ്: സഹീര്ഖാന് 4-0-31-2, അരവിന്ദ്് 3-0-32-1, മിഥുന് 3-0-32-1 , കോലി 2-0-19-0, വെറ്റോറി 3.4-0-,42-0, ഗെയ്ല് 4-0-19-0.
Sunday 22 May 2011
Mahendra Singh Dhoni : world’s tenth most marketable athlete
Dhoni came in at number 10 behind the likes of Usain Bolt, LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Pune Warriors India captain and 2011 ICC World Cup Man-of-the-Tournament Yuvraj Singh is the only other Indian to figure in the list. Yuvraj made it to the list at No. 49.
World and Olympic 100- and 200- metre champion Usain Bolt tops the list, pushing last year's topper and NBA superstar LeBron James to second position. The only woman to figure in the Top 10 list is tennis star Carolin Wozniacki who comes in at Number 9, one spot ahead of Dhoni.
According to a report published on Sports Pro’s website, “Athletes have been ranked according to their marketing potential over a three-year period. James drops to second in the list, with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo ranked third. The list comprises the 50 athletes deemed by SportsPro to offer value for marketing money if signed today to a long-term global endorsement deal.”
"MS Dhoni's marketability has reached another new high in India in the aftermath of the Cricket World Cup. Although he will never attain quite the Messianic status that Sachin Tendulkar has with the Indian population, Dhoni has undeniably become the number one choice for those looking to boost their brand in the south-eastern Asian country," SportsPro editor David Cushnan said in a statement.
Sports Pro's top ten list
1. Usain Bolt
2. LeBron James
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
4. Lionel Messi
5. Lewis Hamilton
6. Carmelo Anthony
7. Sebastian Vettel
8. Michael Phelps
9. Caroline Wozniacki
10. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Click here to see the complete list from Sports Pro.
Just last month, Dhoni had figured in TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people for 2011 list.
Click here to see the complete list of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people for 2011.
Saturday 21 May 2011
Rajastan Royals beats Mumbai Indians by 10 wickets in Shane Warne's last IPL match
സ്കോര്: മുംബൈ ഇന്ത്യന്സ് 20 ഓവറില് അഞ്ചിന് 133. രാജസ്ഥാന് റോയല്സ് 13.1 ഓവറില് വിക്കറ്റ് പോകാതെ 134.
തുടര്ച്ചയായി മൂന്ന് മത്സരങ്ങള് തോറ്റതോടെ, മുംബൈ ഇന്ത്യന്സിന്റെ പ്ലേ ഓഫ് പ്രതീക്ഷകള് തുലാസ്സിലായി. ഒരുമത്സരം ശേഷിക്കുന്നുണ്ടെങ്കിലും, ആ മത്സരത്തില് കൊല്ക്കത്ത നൈറ്റ് റൈഡേഴ്സിനെ തോല്പ്പിച്ചേ മതിയാകൂ എന്ന നിലയിലാണ് മുംബൈ ഇന്ത്യന്സ്. ശനിയാഴ്ച ഡെക്കാണ് ചാര്ജേഴ്സുമായി നടക്കുന്ന മത്സരത്തില് കിങ്സ് ഇലവന് പഞ്ചാബ് വിജയിച്ചാലാണ് മുംബൈയ്ക്ക ഈ പ്രതിസന്ധി ഘട്ടം നേരിടേണ്ടിവരിക. ഈ മത്സരത്തില് പഞ്ചാബ് തോറ്റാല്, മുംബൈയും കൊല്ക്കത്തയും കളിക്കാതെതന്നെ പ്ലേ ഓഫിലെത്തും.
തുടക്കം മുതലേ ആക്രമിച്ചുകളിച്ച ഷെയ്ന് വാട്സണിന്റെ പ്രകടനമാണ് റോയല്സിന് പത്തുവിക്കറ്റ് വിജയം സമ്മാനിച്ചത്. ഒമ്പതു ബൗണ്ടറികളും ആറ് സിക്സറും അടങ്ങുന്നതാണ് വാട്സണിന്റെ ഇന്നിങ്സ്. ദ്രാവിഡിന്റെ ഇന്നിങ്സില് ആറ് ബൗണ്ടറികള് പെടുന്നു. നേരത്തെ, നാലോവറില് വെറും 19 റണ്സ് വിട്ടുകൊടുത്ത് മൂന്ന് വിക്കറ്റെടുത്ത വാട്സണിന്റെ ഓള് റൗണ്ട് മികവാണ് റോയല്സിന് വിജയം ഉറപ്പാക്കിയത്. വാട്സണാണ് കളിയിലെ കേമന്.
അവസാന മത്സരം കളിക്കാനിറങ്ങിയ ഷെയ്ന് വോണിന് മത്സരത്തില് ഒരു വിക്കറ്റ് ലഭിച്ചു. മുംബൈയുടെ ടോപ്സ്കോററായ രോഹിത് ശര്മ(58)യെയാണ് വോണ് പുറത്താക്കിയത്.
സ്കോര്ബോര്ഡ്
മുംബൈ ഇന്ത്യന്സ്: സുമന് സി മെനാറിയ ബി വാട്സണ് 5(6,1,0), സച്ചിന് സി വാട്സണ് ബി അമിത് സിങ് 31(35,3,0), റായുഡു സി ടെയ്ലര് ബി വാട്സണ് 2(8), രോഹിത് ശര്മ സ്റ്റംപ്ഡ് ഷാ ബി വോണ് 58(47,5,1), പൊള്ളാര്ഡ് ബി വാട്സണ് 20(18,2,0), ഫ്രാങ്കഌന് നോട്ടൗട്ട് 11(5,2,0), ഹര്ഭജന് നോട്ടൗട്ട് 1(1), എക്സ്ട്രാസ് 5, ആകെ 20 ഓവറില് 5ന് 133.വിക്കറ്റുവീഴ്ച: 1-7, 2-17, 3-65, 4-118, 5-131.ബൗളിങ്: ചവാന് 4-0-17-0, വാട്സണ് 4- 0- 19-3, ത്രിവേദി 1-0-9-0, വോണ് 4-0-30-1, ബോത്ത 4-0-24-0, അമിത് സിങ് 2-0-20-1, മെനാറിയ 1-0-12-0.
രാജസ്ഥാന് റോയല്സ്: ഷെയ്ന് വാട്സണ് നോട്ടൗട്ട് 89 (47,9,6), രാഹുല് ദ്രാവിഡ് നോട്ടൗട്ട് 43 (32,6,0), എക്സ്ട്രാസ് 2, ആകെ 13.1 ഓവവറില് വിക്കറ്റ് പോകാതെ 134. ബൗളിങ്: മുനാഫ് പട്ടേല് 3-0-23-0, ഹര്ഭജന് 2-0-27-0, മലിംഗ 4-0-42-0, കുല്ക്കര്ണി 2-0-19-0, കീറണ് പൊള്ളാര്ഡ് 2-0-19-0, ഫ്രാങ്കഌന് 0.1-0-4-0.
Friday 20 May 2011
Good Bye to Shane Warne
15 വര്ഷം നീണ്ട അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര കരിയറിനും പിന്നീട് നാല് ഐ.പി.എല് സീസണുകള്ക്കുംശേഷമാണ് ഷെയ്ന് വോണ് ക്രിക്കറ്റിനോട് വിടപറയുന്നത്. ടെസ്റ്റില് 708-ഉം ഏകദിനത്തില് 293-ഉം വിക്കറ്റുകള് നേടിയ വോണ് ഐ.പി.എല്ലില് ഇതേവരെ 54 മത്സരങ്ങളില്നിന്നായി 56 വിക്കറ്റുകള് നേടിയിട്ടുണ്ട്.
Kochi Tuskers out of IPL 2011, but the team has half a dozen wins in credit
മുംബൈ, ചെന്നൈ, കൊല്ക്കത്ത, ഡല്ഹി എന്നീ നാല് മെട്രോ ടീമുകളെയും അട്ടിമറിച്ച ടസ്കേഴ്സ് ദുര്ബലടീമുകള്ക്കെതിരെ അനാവശ്യതോല്വികള് വഴങ്ങാതിരുന്നെങ്കില് പ്ലേ ഓഫ് റൗണ്ടിലെത്തുമായിരുന്നു. തുടക്കത്തില് ഒത്തിണങ്ങാന് വൈകിയതാണ് ആദ്യമത്സരങ്ങളിലെ തോല്വിക്ക് കാരണം. ബാംഗ്ലൂരിനെതിരെ കൊച്ചിയില് നടന്ന ആദ്യകളിയില് 161 റണ്സടിക്കാന് കഴിഞ്ഞെങ്കിലും ജയം കൈവിട്ടു. ക്യാപ്റ്റന് മഹേല ജയവര്ധനെ അന്ന് ഉച്ചയ്ക്ക് മാത്രമാണ് ടീമിനൊപ്പം ചേര്ന്നത്. ക്യാപ്റ്റന് മുഖപരിചയം പോലുമില്ലാത്ത കളിക്കാരായിരുന്നു പലരും.
രണ്ടാം മത്സരത്തില് പുണെ വാറിയേഴ്സിനോട് തോറ്റതും ഇതേ ഒത്തിണക്കക്കുറവുകൊണ്ടുതന്നെ. എന്നാല് പിന്നീട് കണ്ടത് ടസ്കേഴ്സിന്റെ കുതിപ്പാണ്. സച്ചിന് തെണ്ടുല്ക്കറുടെ മുംബൈ ഇന്ത്യന്സിനെതിരെയായിരുന്നു ആദ്യജയം. 183 റണ്സ് പിന്തുടര്ന്ന് നേടിയജയം സച്ചിന് തെണ്ടുല്ക്കറുടെ സെഞ്ച്വറിയെപ്പോലും നിഷ്പ്രഭമാക്കി. അടുത്ത കളിയില് ഹോംഗ്രൗണ്ടില് ഇന്ത്യന് ക്യാപ്റ്റന് എം.എസ്.ധോനിയുടെ ചെന്നൈയെ വീഴ്ത്തി. കൊല്ക്കത്തയേയും തോല്പ്പിച്ച് തുടര്ച്ചയായ മൂന്നാം ജയം. പിന്നീട് ഒരു പതനമായിരുന്നു, തുടര്ച്ചയായ മൂന്ന് പരാജയങ്ങള്. അതിനുശേഷം തുടരെ രണ്ട് കളികള് ജയിച്ചെങ്കിലും അവസാനഘട്ടത്തില് ഇടറി.
സ്ഥിരതയില്ലാത്ത പ്രകടനമാണ് കൊച്ചിക്ക് പ്ലേ ഓഫ് തടഞ്ഞത്. മുന്നിര ടീമായ മുംബൈയെ അവരുടെ മണ്ണില് പ്പോയി തോല്പ്പിച്ചപ്പോള് പോയന്റ്ടേബിളില് ഏറ്റവും താഴെയായിരുന്ന ഡെക്കാണ് ചാര്ജേഴ്സിനോട് സ്വന്തം മണ്ണില് പരാജയപ്പെട്ടു. ടീമിന്റെ അസ്ഥിരതയ്ക്ക് ഇതുതന്നെ വലിയ തെളിവ്. മധ്യനിരയില് ഒരു മികച്ച ബാറ്റ്സ്മാന്റെ അഭാവമാണ് കൊച്ചിക്ക് തിരിച്ചടിയായത്.
ബ്രണ്ടന് മെക്കല്ലവും മഹേല ജയവര്ധനെയും പരാജയപ്പട്ടാല് ഇന്നിങ്സ് ഭദ്രമാക്കാന് പിന്നീട് ആരുമില്ലാത്ത അവസ്ഥ. മധ്യനിരയില് ഒന്നോ രണ്ടോ ബാറ്റിങ് ഓള്റൗണ്ടര്മാര്കൂടിയുണ്ടായിരുന്നെങ്കില് ടസ്കേഴ്സിന്റെ വിധി മറ്റൊന്നാകുമായിരുന്നു.
മഹേല ജയവര്ധനെയിലൂടെ ഒരു മികച്ച ക്യാപ്റ്റനെ കിട്ടി എന്നതാണ് കൊച്ചിക്ക് നേട്ടമായത്. ടീമിനെ ഒന്നടങ്കം പ്രചോദിപ്പിക്കാന് ക്യാപ്റ്റന് കഴിഞ്ഞു. സ്റ്റേഡിയങ്ങളില് സ്വന്തം ആരാധകരുടെ പിന്തുണ കുറഞ്ഞത് കൊച്ചിയുടെ പ്രകടനത്തെ ബാധിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ടാവാം. കൊച്ചി നെഹ്രു സ്റ്റേഡിയത്തില് നടന്ന അഞ്ച് മത്സരങ്ങളില് രണ്ടെണ്ണമാണ് ടസ്കേഴ്സ് ജയിച്ചത്. ഇതില് കൊല്ക്കത്തക്കെതിരായ അവസാന മത്സരത്തില്മാത്രമാണ് സ്റ്റേഡിയം മുക്കാല് ഭാഗമെങ്കിലും നിറഞ്ഞത്. വഴിപാട് തീര്ക്കുന്നതുപോലെയാണ് കൊച്ചിയിലെ മത്സരങ്ങള് കഴിഞ്ഞുപോയത്. വിവാദങ്ങളുടെ ഘോഷയാത്രയ്ക്കിടയിലായിരുന്നു ഈ മത്സരങ്ങള്.
കൊച്ചിതാരങ്ങള് ഏറ്റവും ഉയര്ന്ന നിലയിലുള്ള പ്രകടനങ്ങളൊന്നും നടത്തിയിട്ടില്ല. ഒരു സെഞ്ച്വറിയോ അഞ്ച് വിക്കറ്റോ ടസ്കേഴ്സ് താരങ്ങളില് നിന്നുണ്ടായില്ല. മെക്കല്ലമാണ് കൊച്ചിയുടെ റണ്വേട്ടക്കാരന്-357 റണ്സ്. എന്നാല് കൂടുതല് റണ്സ് നേടിയവരുടെ പട്ടികയില് മെക്കല്ലം 12-ാം സ്ഥാനത്താണ്. മെക്കല്ലത്തിന്റെ 81 റണ്സാണ് ടസ്കേഴ്സിന്റെ ഉയര്ന്ന വ്യക്തിഗത സ്കോര്. ജയവര്ധനെ(299), ബ്രാഡ് ഹോജ് (285), രവീന്ദ്ര ജഡേജ (283), പാര്ഥിവ് പട്ടേല് (202) എന്നിവരാണ് ടസ്കേഴ്സിനുവേണ്ടി ഭേദപ്പെട്ട് കളിച്ച മറ്റ് ബാറ്റ്സ്മാന്മാര്.
കൊച്ചിക്കുവേണ്ടി ഏറ്റവുംകൂടുതല് വിക്കറ്റ് വീഴ്ത്തിയത് ആര്.പി.സിങ്ങാണ്-14. എന്നാല് ലസിത് മലിംഗ (27) നേതൃത്വംനല്കുന്ന വിക്കറ്റ് വേട്ടക്കാരില് ആര്.പി 14-ാം സ്ഥാനത്താണ്. പത്ത് വിക്കറ്റിന് മുകളില് പിന്നീട് നേടിയത് വിനയ്കുമാര് മാത്രമാണ്.പ്രശാന്ത് പരമേശ്വരന് ഒഴിച്ചുള്ള കേരളതാരങ്ങളെ സംബന്ധിച്ച് ഈ ഐ.പി.എല്. നിരാശാജനകമായിരുന്നു. റെയ്ഫി വിന്സന്റ് ഗോമസിന് 11 മത്സരങ്ങള് കളിക്കാന് അവസരം ലഭിച്ചെങ്കിലും ഒരു കളിയില്മാത്രമാണ് തിളങ്ങാനായത്.
കൊല്ക്കത്തക്കെതിരെ കൊച്ചിയില് നാലോവറില് 14 റണ്സ്മാത്രം വഴങ്ങി വീഴ്ത്തിയ രണ്ട് വിക്കറ്റുകള് ജയത്തില് നിര്ണായകമായി. എന്നാല് 11 കളികളില് റെയ്ഫിക്ക് കിട്ടിയത് വെറും അഞ്ച് വിക്കറ്റാണ്, ബാറ്റിങ്ങില് കിട്ടിയത് 46 റണ്സും. മൂന്നു വട്ടം റെയ്ഫി നേരിട്ട ആദ്യപന്തില്ത്തന്നെ പുറത്തായി. ഒമ്പത് മത്സരങ്ങള് കളിച്ച ഇന്ത്യന്താരം ശ്രീശാന്തിന്റെ വിക്കറ്റ്നേട്ടം വെറും ഏഴാണ്. ഇക്കോണമി റേറ്റില് ടസ്കേഴ്സ് താരങ്ങളില് മുന്നിലെത്താന് ശ്രീക്ക് കഴിഞ്ഞു- 6.47.
എങ്കിലും ഇക്കോണമി റേറ്റിങ്ങിന്റെ പട്ടികയില് ശ്രീ 16-ാം സ്ഥാനത്താണ്. ഡല്ഹിക്കെതിരെ കൊച്ചിയില് ശ്രീയുടെ ബൗളിങ്ഫിഗര് ശ്രദ്ധേയമായിരുന്നു, 4-1-10-2. ഇത് ഈ സീസണിലെ ഏറ്റവും മികച്ച അഞ്ചാമത്തെ ബൗളിങ് ഫിഗറാണ്. ഒരു കളിയില്മാത്രം അവസരം ലഭിച്ച പി.പ്രശാന്ത് ആകെ ഒരോവറാണ് എറിഞ്ഞത്, അതില് 18 റണ്സും വഴങ്ങി. കൊച്ചിനിരയില് ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതല് സിക്സറുകള് നേടിയത് മെക്കല്ലമാണ്-16. എന്നാല് ഇതിന്റെ ഇരട്ടി അടിച്ച ക്രിസ് ഗെയ്ലാണ് പട്ടികയില് ഒന്നാമന്.കേരളക്രിക്കറ്റിനെ സംബന്ധിച്ച് ചെറിയ നേട്ടങ്ങളുണ്ടായെങ്കിലും പ്രതീക്ഷിച്ചത്ര കുതിപ്പ് നല്കാതെയാണ് ഐ.പി.എല്ലിന്റെ ആദ്യസീസണ് അവസാനിക്കുന്നത്.
Wednesday 18 May 2011
Serena Williams removes half-naked picture from twitter
Serena Williams has certainly given people something to tweet about.
The tennis star was forced to remove a half-naked picture of herself hours after she used it as her avatar Twitter, amid online outcry. The 29-year-old initially put the saucy snap of her posing in high heels and wearing matching lingerie up on Thursday.
And while the sportswoman's silhouette was concealed by the veil of a sheer curtain, criticism quickly followed, with many deeming the posting irresponsible following a man being arrested for stalking her, after following her every move on the social networking site.
Tennis star Serena Williams was forced to remove a half-naked picture of herself hours after she used it as her avatar Twitter after a loud protest online.
The 29-year-old Williams initially put the saucy snap of her posing in high heels and wearing matching lingerie last Thursday.
Many online tweeters criticized the sports star for being irresponsible after the recent incident when a man was arrested for stalking her on the social networking site.
Some online sporting websites were also puzzled about Williams' plain recklessness.
"It's a sexy photo, she looks great and it's not pornographic. To be honest, I would actually find it to be somewhat artistic if it weren't for the serious business of stalking women," the Daily Mail reported Greg Couch of The Sporting News as writing.
"What was her message anyway? What was she trying to say? Just this: Look at me. Instead, what she was saying was this: Peep at me, but don't stalk me. Huh?
"Someone must have gotten to her and suggested something about common sense and hypocrisy," he added.
Patenema Ouedraogo, accused of stalking Williams and arrested outside of her Florida home earlier this month, had said he knew where the tennis star was all of the time because of her twitter updates. (ANI)
The tennis star was forced to remove a half-naked picture of herself hours after she used it as her avatar Twitter, amid online outcry. The 29-year-old initially put the saucy snap of her posing in high heels and wearing matching lingerie up on Thursday.
And while the sportswoman's silhouette was concealed by the veil of a sheer curtain, criticism quickly followed, with many deeming the posting irresponsible following a man being arrested for stalking her, after following her every move on the social networking site.
Tennis star Serena Williams was forced to remove a half-naked picture of herself hours after she used it as her avatar Twitter after a loud protest online.
The 29-year-old Williams initially put the saucy snap of her posing in high heels and wearing matching lingerie last Thursday.
Many online tweeters criticized the sports star for being irresponsible after the recent incident when a man was arrested for stalking her on the social networking site.
Some online sporting websites were also puzzled about Williams' plain recklessness.
"It's a sexy photo, she looks great and it's not pornographic. To be honest, I would actually find it to be somewhat artistic if it weren't for the serious business of stalking women," the Daily Mail reported Greg Couch of The Sporting News as writing.
"What was her message anyway? What was she trying to say? Just this: Look at me. Instead, what she was saying was this: Peep at me, but don't stalk me. Huh?
"Someone must have gotten to her and suggested something about common sense and hypocrisy," he added.
Patenema Ouedraogo, accused of stalking Williams and arrested outside of her Florida home earlier this month, had said he knew where the tennis star was all of the time because of her twitter updates. (ANI)
Controversial IPL cheergirl Gabriella Pasqualotto gets Bollywood offer
New Delhi, 18-May-2011:
Mumbai Indians cheerleader Gabriella Pasqualotto has been offered a role in a major Bollywood movie after being sent home midway through IPL 4 for exposing the antics of some of the top players on a blog.
The gorgeous has also been invited to the inaugural India Grand Prix in October.
Pasqualotto was sent back home after she wrote about her role as a cheerleader and the after-dark activities of some of the world's top cricketers in her blog.
The South African cheerleader, in a report, has claimed that her blogs were light, fun and innocent and not malicious.
"I mentioned Graeme Smith, but that was old news anyway. When I called Aussies ''naughty'', it was meant as mischievous and not in a sexual way," Pasqualotto was quoted as saying by ''The Independent''.
Pasqualotto''s mother Amanda was furious at the treatment meted out to her daughter by the IPL orgainsers.
"The girls were told to move around in groups, but they packed her into a taxi on her own and sent her off to the airport. She had no airtime, no-one called us from the Indian agency despite promising Gabby (Pasqualotto) they would do so.
"She had an eight-hour stopover in Dubai and no US dollars to even buy a cup of coffee -- we did not even know where she was. It's a disgrace the way they treated her," said Amanda.
Pasqualotto, meanwhile, said that she was quite happy to stand by her blog and tweets.
"I would like to thank everyone on Twitter and Facebook for their support this week and I'm still a big fan of my team, the Mumbai Indians. Maybe there will be a Part III and if there is, it will probably be about this whole debacle," she said.
Pasqualotto was sent back home after she blogged about her role as a cheerleader and the after-dark activities of some of the world's top cricketers.
Mumbai Indians cheerleader Gabriella Pasqualotto has been offered a role in a major Bollywood movie after being sent home midway through IPL 4 for exposing the antics of some of the top players on a blog.
The gorgeous has also been invited to the inaugural India Grand Prix in October.
Pasqualotto was sent back home after she wrote about her role as a cheerleader and the after-dark activities of some of the world's top cricketers in her blog.
The South African cheerleader, in a report, has claimed that her blogs were light, fun and innocent and not malicious.
"I mentioned Graeme Smith, but that was old news anyway. When I called Aussies ''naughty'', it was meant as mischievous and not in a sexual way," Pasqualotto was quoted as saying by ''The Independent''.
Pasqualotto''s mother Amanda was furious at the treatment meted out to her daughter by the IPL orgainsers.
"The girls were told to move around in groups, but they packed her into a taxi on her own and sent her off to the airport. She had no airtime, no-one called us from the Indian agency despite promising Gabby (Pasqualotto) they would do so.
"She had an eight-hour stopover in Dubai and no US dollars to even buy a cup of coffee -- we did not even know where she was. It's a disgrace the way they treated her," said Amanda.
Pasqualotto, meanwhile, said that she was quite happy to stand by her blog and tweets.
"I would like to thank everyone on Twitter and Facebook for their support this week and I'm still a big fan of my team, the Mumbai Indians. Maybe there will be a Part III and if there is, it will probably be about this whole debacle," she said.
Pasqualotto was sent back home after she blogged about her role as a cheerleader and the after-dark activities of some of the world's top cricketers.
Tuesday 17 May 2011
Tony Greig wants to end India's domination of the International Cricket Council (ICC)
dawn.com (17-May-2011)
LONDON: Former England captain Tony Greig has called for an end to India’s “domination” of the International Cricket Council (ICC), saying it was the first thing he’d change if in charge of the governing body.
“Number one, we have got to try and get the ICC right,” Greig told the BBC in an interview.
“We have a situation at the moment where the ICC is dominated by India.
“They tell Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and one or two other countries what to do and they always get the vote.
“It’s very hard, but somehow we have got to change things at that level.”
South Africa-born Greig added: “We are playing too much cricket. I would be getting all the countries from the world and saying hey listen, what is this nonsense of giving Indian domestic cricket an open window?
“To give the IPL (Indian Premier League, a domestic Twenty20 competition) an open window, and reduce by two months the time available for cricketers to play around the world, in the current environment is just ridiculous.
“We have got to look very, very closely and make sure we do not destroy the cornerstone of the game which is Test cricket,” said the 64-year-old former all-rounder, who settled in Australia after his playing days were over and has since enjoyed a long career as a television cricket commentator.
“It is laughable that (Chris) Gayle and (Kieron) Pollard are playing in the IPL when the West Indies are playing Pakistan — that is just ridiculous.”
Greig, though, stressed his longstanding affection for Indian cricket, dating back to his time as a player which included leading England to a 3-1 Test series win in India in 1976/77.
“I took to India and the subcontinent very much…I loved the place,” he said while giving an interview to coincide with the publication of a new biography, ‘Tony Greig: A Reappraisal of English Cricket’s Most Controversial Captain,’ by David Tossell.
“It was the first time I really felt as if we were entertaining people, as the people there loved the game so much — to go to those stadiums and find them packed full,” explained Greig, who made his name in England with south coast county Sussex.
“To this day (Kolkata’s) Eden Gardens remains one of my top three grounds, just because of the incredible atmosphere.”
“Number one, we have got to try and get the ICC right,” Greig told the BBC in an interview.
“We have a situation at the moment where the ICC is dominated by India.
“They tell Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and one or two other countries what to do and they always get the vote.
“It’s very hard, but somehow we have got to change things at that level.”
South Africa-born Greig added: “We are playing too much cricket. I would be getting all the countries from the world and saying hey listen, what is this nonsense of giving Indian domestic cricket an open window?
“To give the IPL (Indian Premier League, a domestic Twenty20 competition) an open window, and reduce by two months the time available for cricketers to play around the world, in the current environment is just ridiculous.
“We have got to look very, very closely and make sure we do not destroy the cornerstone of the game which is Test cricket,” said the 64-year-old former all-rounder, who settled in Australia after his playing days were over and has since enjoyed a long career as a television cricket commentator.
“It is laughable that (Chris) Gayle and (Kieron) Pollard are playing in the IPL when the West Indies are playing Pakistan — that is just ridiculous.”
Greig, though, stressed his longstanding affection for Indian cricket, dating back to his time as a player which included leading England to a 3-1 Test series win in India in 1976/77.
“I took to India and the subcontinent very much…I loved the place,” he said while giving an interview to coincide with the publication of a new biography, ‘Tony Greig: A Reappraisal of English Cricket’s Most Controversial Captain,’ by David Tossell.
“It was the first time I really felt as if we were entertaining people, as the people there loved the game so much — to go to those stadiums and find them packed full,” explained Greig, who made his name in England with south coast county Sussex.
“To this day (Kolkata’s) Eden Gardens remains one of my top three grounds, just because of the incredible atmosphere.”
Monday 16 May 2011
Former Pak spinner Akram Raza arrested for IPL betting
AFP (16-May-2011) : Lahore :
Former Pakistan Test spinner Akram Raza, fined in a match-fixing inquiry 11 years ago, was arrested over betting on lucrative Indian Premier league matches, police said yesterday.
The 46-year-old Raza, who played nine Tests and 49 one-day internationals for Pakistan, was one of seven men arrested from a busy Lahore shopping area when police raided a gang of bookmakers who were taking illegal bets on Indian Premier League (IPL) games.
"Seven men were arrested after a tip-off that they were taking bets on IPL matches, and one of them has been identified as Raza, a former Pakistan player," a police officer at Gulberg police station, told AFP.
Police said they recovered telephone sets, computers, televisions and a large amount of money in the raid, and will charge the arrested men.
Raza, who currently stands as umpire in Pakistan's domestic matches, was one of six Pakistan players fined in a match-fixing inquiry conducted by Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum in 2000.
The former off-spinner was regarded as a close friend of former Pakistan captain Salim Malik, who was banned for life by the Qayyum inquiry. Former paceman Ata-ur-Rehman was also handed a life ban.
Former Pakistan Test spinner Akram Raza, fined in a match-fixing inquiry 11 years ago, was arrested over betting on lucrative Indian Premier league matches, police said yesterday.
The 46-year-old Raza, who played nine Tests and 49 one-day internationals for Pakistan, was one of seven men arrested from a busy Lahore shopping area when police raided a gang of bookmakers who were taking illegal bets on Indian Premier League (IPL) games.
"Seven men were arrested after a tip-off that they were taking bets on IPL matches, and one of them has been identified as Raza, a former Pakistan player," a police officer at Gulberg police station, told AFP.
Police said they recovered telephone sets, computers, televisions and a large amount of money in the raid, and will charge the arrested men.
Raza, who currently stands as umpire in Pakistan's domestic matches, was one of six Pakistan players fined in a match-fixing inquiry conducted by Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum in 2000.
The former off-spinner was regarded as a close friend of former Pakistan captain Salim Malik, who was banned for life by the Qayyum inquiry. Former paceman Ata-ur-Rehman was also handed a life ban.
Kochi Tuskers wins against Rajasthan Royals
mathrubhumi.com (16-May-2011) :
Brad Hodge's all-round performance saw Kochi Tuskers thump Rajasthan Royals by eight wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL) here Sunday.
Kochi Tuskers first bowled out Rajasthan Royals for 97 in 18.3 overs with Hodge taking four wickets. They then raced to the target in just 7.2 overs with the help of seven sixes. Hodge top scored with 33 off 17 balls, slamming two sixes.
Brendon McCullum (29) and Parthiv Patel (21) also scored at a quick pace.
Rajasthan Royals, who made as many as six changes to the side, struggled with their batting. S.Sreesanth took two wickets at the top and Rajasthan Royals were reduced to 26 for three.
Shane Watson hit some lusty blows, smashing three sixes in his 13-ball 20, but could not carry the momentum. Left-hand seamer Prasanth Parameswaran (2-20) bowled Watson in the 9th. Watson and Ashok Menaria (31), who has been the most consistent batsman for Rajasthan Royals, put up 37 runs for the fourth wicket. But once the partnership was broken, the rest of the batting caved in.
With this loss, Rajasthan Royals are out of contention for the play-offs. They have 11 points from 13 matches. Kochi Tuskers have a slim chances of making the cut depending on how other top five teams perform. They are at sixth place with 12 points from 13 matches. Tuskers wil take on Chennai Super Kings in their last match.
Brad Hodge's all-round performance saw Kochi Tuskers thump Rajasthan Royals by eight wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL) here Sunday.
Kochi Tuskers first bowled out Rajasthan Royals for 97 in 18.3 overs with Hodge taking four wickets. They then raced to the target in just 7.2 overs with the help of seven sixes. Hodge top scored with 33 off 17 balls, slamming two sixes.
Brendon McCullum (29) and Parthiv Patel (21) also scored at a quick pace.
Rajasthan Royals, who made as many as six changes to the side, struggled with their batting. S.Sreesanth took two wickets at the top and Rajasthan Royals were reduced to 26 for three.
Shane Watson hit some lusty blows, smashing three sixes in his 13-ball 20, but could not carry the momentum. Left-hand seamer Prasanth Parameswaran (2-20) bowled Watson in the 9th. Watson and Ashok Menaria (31), who has been the most consistent batsman for Rajasthan Royals, put up 37 runs for the fourth wicket. But once the partnership was broken, the rest of the batting caved in.
With this loss, Rajasthan Royals are out of contention for the play-offs. They have 11 points from 13 matches. Kochi Tuskers have a slim chances of making the cut depending on how other top five teams perform. They are at sixth place with 12 points from 13 matches. Tuskers wil take on Chennai Super Kings in their last match.
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