PCB suspects two players of match-fixing

PCB suspects two players of match-fixing

Karachi, Feb 26: Pakistan Cricket Board today said it suspects two national team players of being involved in match-fixing in Australia even though it did not disclose their identity.

At a time when the local media is abuzz claiming wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal is under the scanner for his conspicuously shoddy performance during the Australia tour, PCB chairman Ejaz Butt confirmed a couple of players are suspected of fixing matches.

“It would be foolish to say no match-fixing takes place,” Butt told a press conference in Lahore.

“But the fact is it is very difficult to prove this. So I am not going to take any names right now,” Butt said.

“We are waiting for a report from the inquiry committee we have set up to probe into the team’s poor performances in Australia,” he said.

“Once the inquiry committee gives its report I will comment further on this issue,” the PCB chief added.

More gold for Samaresh

More gold for Samaresh

New Delhi, Feb 26: Samaresh Jung shot down two more gold medals while Gagan Narang and Joydeep Karmakar combined to shatter a meet record as the Indians continued to rule the roost in the C’wealth Championships here today. (PTI)

Second One Day International against the Proteas at Gwalior

Second One Day International against the Proteas at Gwalior

Gwalior, Feb 23: After escaping with a narrow win in Jaipur, India would aim to plug their bowling loopholes and seal the three-match series to retain the number two spot in ICC rankings when they take on South Africa in the second ODI here tomorrow.

The Indian batsmen are in good nick but the worrying factor for the hosts is the bowling department as they leaked too many runs in the series opener and received an unexpected bashing at the hands of tail-enders Dale Steyn and Wayne Parnell in Jaipur.

What looked like a one-sided contest in India’s favour at one stage became an edge-of-the-seat thriller as the host bowlers let go their grip over the match with their wayward line. India, though, managed to pull it off by just a run, the closest of victory margins.

PL-3 will be played in India: Lalit Modi

PL-3 will be played in India: Lalit Modi

LONDON, Feb 23: Indian Premier League will not move out of India despite security fears raised by the players’ associations of England, Australia and South Africa, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi insisted. Modi rejected any move to shift the IPL to another country after an independent report complied by ECB security advisor Reg Dickason claimed that safety of cricketers cannot be guaranteed during the cash-awash Twenty20 tournament. “We are going to have the tournament in India. I can't see any reason why we should move it at this point in time. The media is reacting to every fringe group saying security is a problem,” Modi told BBC Sport. Despite Modi’s assurances on security, Australian players have not yet committed their participation in the IPL-3 until the issues raised in the report are addressed.

Sehwag develops sore back

Sehwag develops sore back

Jaipur, Feb 22: Star opener Virender Sehwag has developed a sore back even though it is unlikely to affect his participation in the second cricket one-dayer against South Africa in Gwalior on Wednesday.

“Sehwag has a sore back and he underwent a scan yesterday. But it doesn’t look serious enough to render him unavailable for the Gwalior match,” a team official said.

Sehwag batted in last night’s humdinger against South Africa which India clinched by a wafer-thin one-run margin in the final delivery.

Gagan wins third gold, Jung breaks record

Gagan wins third gold, Jung breaks record

NEW DELHI, Feb 22: Gagan Narang added a third gold to his tally, while Samaresh Jung clinched his second as Indian shooters continued to reign supreme shattering three meet records at the Karni Singh range on the fifth day of the Commonwealth Championships here today.

India’s overall medal tally stood at 26 (13 gold, eight silver and five bronze), way ahead of second-placed England, which has won 15 medals so far — three gold, seven silver and five bronze. Australia occupied the third spot with 10 medals.

India stay No. 1 Test team with emphatic victory at Eden

India stay No. 1 Test team with emphatic victory at Eden

Kolkata, Feb 18: India remains world’s top Test team after winning the second cricket Test against South Africa by an innings and 57 runs in a nail-biting finish to level the series 1-1 here on Thursday. The much-criticised off-spinner Harbhajan Singh claimed five wickets, including the last one to bowl India to a dramatic victory even as Hashim Amla (127) stood his ground defying the Indian attack for eight hours, while his colleagues deserted him one after another, to remain unbeaten with his second century of the Test and the third on the trot.

Smith gives full credit to India

Smith gives full credit to India

Kolkata, Feb 18: South African skipper Graeme Smith on Thursday gave full credit to India for the hosts’ performance on the final day of the second Test and took heart from the fact that very few foreign sides have managed to finish with a drawn series in India. After having won by an innings in the first Test at Nagpur, South Africa collapsed to a similar defeat at the Eden Gardens, to finish the series 1-1. “You must give credit to India for the way they performed today (Thursday). The fact that we could draw a series in India is a credit for our players,” Smith, who has been ruled out of the ODI series, told mediapersons. “If you see the recent records of the teams that have toured here, not many teams have been able to push India like we have done in these conditions. That’s the positive for us more than anything else,” he said. “We must give credit to (our) players who have come to India twice and have come so close. Lot of positives have come out of the two Tests. We have not lost a series here.” In 2007-08, India and South Africa finished a three-match series 1-1. Describing the series as ‘fantastic’, Smith said both teams enjoyed the intensity of the battles. However, he expressed disappointment at not having won the series this time. Praising the determination of the middle and the late order Thursday, as South Africa were fighting to save an innings defeat, he said: “Some guys just got stuck in and it worked for them and some didn’t. Hashim was brilliant and guys like Morne (Morkel) and Wayne (Parnell) stuck in there. (IANS)

India, South Africa cricket teams leave for Jaipur ODI

STAFF WRITER 14:59 HRS IST

Kolkata, Feb 19 (PTI) India and South Africa cricket teams today left for Jaipur to play in the first of the three-ODI series scheduled to be held on February 21.

Few of the players who are not part of the ODI squad including South Africa captain Graeme Smith have already left, while the one-day cricketers took a chartered flight to Jaipur at 2.40 pm, local manager Samir Dasgupta said.

"Smith along with other South African players left last night," he said.

Among others Indians, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Gautam Gambhir also left yesterday while Murali Vijay left this morning.

Having injured his right knee, pace spearhead Zaheer could not bowl on the last day of second Test yesterday and had to pull out of the one-day series. Left-handed opener Gambhir is also ruled out because of a groin injury.

We can wrap up the match in 50 overs, says Kirsten

We can wrap up the match in 50 overs, says Kirsten

Kolkata, Feb 17: Indian cricket coach Gary Kirsten believes his bowlers can wrap up the remaining seven South Africa wickets in another 50 overs on the last day of the second Test on Thursday to level the Test series. A major part of the fourth day was lost due to rain and more showers are forecast on the fifth and final day Thursday. South Africa, battling to save the Test, are 115/3 trailing by 232 runs on the first innings. Asked how many overs his team would need to bowl out South Africa, Kirsten said: “As many as we can get. Hopefully, we will need only forty or fifty but it’s very difficult as you know with the weather. We’ve played very good cricket right through the Test match. We are in a good position and we’d like to close it out, and we'll give it our best shot in the amount of time we have.”

India calms terror fears over hockey World Cup

India calms terror fears over hockey World Cup

New Delhi, Feb 17: India on Wednesday allayed security apprehensions of New Zealand and Australian hockey teams maintaining that it was pulling out all stops for the forthcoming World Cup in the wake of terror threats issued to foreign teams during the 12-team quadrennial event. The renewed assurance comes after New Zealand’s hockey team, which earlier planned to continue with its trip to the February 28-March 13 Hockey World Cup in New Delhi despite an Al Qaeda threat against sports events in India, appeared to be having second thoughts on Wednesday.

The team is in Australia’s Perth city to play two practice matches Wednesday and Friday, and will then decide if it will travel to India as per schedule for the World Cup that begins February 28, the New Zealand Herald reported. As for the Australian team, its players say they ready to play, but Hockey Australia says it is awaiting the result of a new security assessment in view of the terror threat. Assuring security to sportspersons visiting India for the Hockey World Cup and the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament that starts March 12, Home Minister P Chidambaram stressed that militants would not be allowed to dictate terms. “All security would be provided to players. No one would be allowed to dictate terms to us,” Chidambaram said at a press conference in Jammu after reviewing the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Symonds, Chappell say India safe for foreign players

STAFF WRITER 15:34 HRS IST

Melbourne, Feb 18 (PTI) Greg Chappell and Andrew Symonds may have had bitter-sweet relationship with the Indian fans but the Australian duo today said cricketers should not have any safety concerns about playing in India.

At a time when terror threats and the recent blasts in Pune have the foreign cricketers apprehensive about playing in the third edition of the Indian Premier League, Symonds said he would turn up for the Deccan Chargers with no fear at all.

"I haven't heard a great deal as yet but India is one of those countries I've never felt intimidated, even when the crowd gets a bit uppity," said Symonds, who was taunted by the Indian fans during Australia's 2007 tour of the country.

Symonds said he felt safer in India than in South Africa where Deccan Chargers won IPL II last year.

2nd Test: India beat SA to level series, retain No 1 spot

Tapan Mohanta

Kolkata, Feb 18 (PTI) India just about managed to thwart a stubborn resistance from South Africa's Hashim Amla and the tailenders to clinch a series-levelling innings and 57 runs victory in the final cricket Test to retain their status as the number one Test team here today.

The hosts, who needed to pick up the remaining seven wickets to draw the series 1-1, were made to wait till the very fag end of a dramatic fifth day's play for their moment of glory with Hashim Amla nearly carrying the proteas to safety with a defiant unbeaten 123.

Resuming at 115 for three after conceding a mammoth 347-run first innings lead, the South Africans were all out for 290 with just 15 minutes remaining on a nail-biting last day.

India retain No. 1 rankings, assured of ICC prize money

STAFF WRITER 17:40 HRS IST

Dubai, Feb 18 (PTI) India today retained their number one status in Test cricket after the thrilling victory over South Africa in Kolkata, which also entitles them to USD 175,000 given to the team that tops the chart at the annual cut-off date.

With this victory, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men also ended Australia's seven-year run of finishing on top spot at the annual cut-off date.

Consequentially, India will retain the ICC Championships mace which they won after beating Sri Lanka 2-0 in the home series in December last year, besides pocketing the USD 175,000 prize money which is presented to the side that reaches the April 1 cut-off date in top spot.

India was in serious danger of losing its top spot after South Africa won the Nagpur Test last week and then bad weather yesterday allowed only 31 overs of play on the penultimate day of the second Test.

Paes returns in Davis Cup squad, Sanam replaces Yuki

STAFF WRITER 18:46 HRS IST

New Delhi, Feb 18 (PTI) Leander Paes made a return while Yuki Bhambri was left out of a five-member Indian squad picked today for the Davis Cup World Group first round tie against Russia in Moscow from March 5-7.

Sanam Singh was included in the squad announced by the selection committee of All India Tennis Association (AITA).

The three other players in the squad are Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and Somdev Devvarman.

S P Misra will be the non-playing captain while Nandan Bal will be the coach.

India had beaten South Africa 4-1 in the play-off in Johannesburg in September last year to advance to the World Group for the first time since 1998.

The Squad: Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, Somdev Devvarman, Sanam Singh.

Team Captain: S P Misra

Coach: Nandan Bal.

Sehwag, Tendulkar tons put India in control

Sehwag, Tendulkar tons put India in control

KOLKATA, Feb 15: Sachin Tendulkar notched up his fourth consecutive Test ton and Virender Sehwag cracked 165 as India relied on the sheer class of the experienced duo to take control of the second and final Test against South Africa on Monday.

After polishing off South Africa’s first innings at 296, the hosts rode on Tendulkar’s 47th ton and Sehwag’s 19th century to reach 342/5 at close on the second day which saw the home team lose three key wickets in quick succession at the fag end.

At stumps on an eventful day, VVS Laxman (9) and night watchman Amit Mishra (1) were at the crease with India having taken a lead of 46 runs. They will now look to take a substantial first innings lead and push to level the series 1-1 in the remaining three days.

Deccan Chargers send legal notice to BCCI

Deccan Chargers send legal notice to BCCI

Mumbai, Feb 15: Deccan Chargers today slapped a legal notice on the Indian Premier League and threatened to skip the third edition of the Twenty20 league beginning next month if its home matches are not re-allotted to Hyderabad and Vishakapatnam. In a legal notice sent to BCCI president Shashank Manohar, Deccan Chargers’ solicitors have asked the cash-awash league’s authorities to reconsider their decision of relocating the home matches of the defending champions to Hyderabad and Vishakapatnam.

The notice claimed that the decision to shift the matches have been taken “arbitrarily, unilaterally, without our client’s consent and in complete breach of the Franchise Agreement dated April 10, 2008 pursuant to which the rights and obligations of both the parties i.e. BCCI-IPL and the Franchisee, i.e. our client are governed”. The notice further charged IPL that the decision to shift the matches was against the objective of having franchisees from various regions of the country and against public interest and consequently was not acceptable to Deccan Chargers. (PTI)

Petersen dedicates debut century to himself

Petersen dedicates debut century to himself

Kolkata, Feb 14: On a high after scoring a fluent hundred on debut in the second Test against India, South African opener Alviro Petersen on Sunday said he would dedicate it to himself for the hard work he has done.

“I’d probably dedicate this century to myself for all the hard work I have put in in the last couple of years,” the 29-year-old right-hand batsman told mediapersons at the end of first day’s play here.

Petersen, drafted into the team in place of Mark Boucher - down with back spasm - got to his three-figure mark in 221 minutes and also stitched together a 209-run stand for the second wicket with Hashim Amla, who struck 114.

Yuvraj ruled out of ODI series against South Africa

NEW DELHI: India's bid to win the ODI series against South Africa got a big blow as the swashbuckling left-hander Yuvraj Singh was ruled out of the series against visiting team starting on February 21.

The hard hitting middle order, who also missed the ongoing Test series, is yet to recover from a finger injury which he sustained during the Bangladesh series.

The Indian selection committee, led by Krish Srikkanth, will meet on Tuesday to pick the ODI squad against South Africa.

TOI

IPL schedule altered substantially

MUMBAI: More than a dozen changes have been incorporated by the Indian Premier League authorities in the revised schedule of the Twenty20 League whose third edition is to be held from March 12-April 25.

These changes were made after IPL shifted all matches of Deccan Chargers from Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam to other centres because of the ongoing Telengana agitation in Andhra Pradesh.

Some matches not involving Deccan Chargers also had to be given a tweak in the new schedule put up on its website.

Nagpur, discarded as an option for the Mumbai Indians to play its home ties, now hosts three matches of Deccan Chargers.

The other four ties featuring the Hyderabad franchise, including the opening match, would be held in Navi Mumbai's D Y Patil Stadium.

The revised schedule is:

Mar 12: Deccan Chargers (DC) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Navi Mumbai, 8 pm.

Mar 13: Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR), Mumbai, 3 pm; Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) vs Delhi Daredevils (DD), Mohali, 8 pm.

Mar 14: KKR vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Kolkata, 4 pm; Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs DC, Chennai, 8 pm.

Mar 15: RR vs DD, Ahmedabad, 8 pm

Mar 16: RCB vs KXIP, Bangalore, 4 pm; KKR vs CSK, Kolkata, 8 pm

Mar 17: DD vs MI, Delhi, 8 pm

Mar 18: RCB vs RR, Bangalore, 8 pm

Mar 19: DD vs CSK, Delhi, 4pm; DC vs KXIP, Nagpur, 8 pm

Mar 20: RR vs KKR, Ahmedabad, 4 pm; MI vs RCB, Mumbai, 8 pm

Mar 21: DC vs DD, Nagpur, 4 pm; CSK vs KXIP, Chennai, 8 pm

Mar 22: MI vs KKR, Mumbai, 8 pm

Mar 23: RCB vs CSK, Bangalore, 8 pm

Mar 24: KXIP vs RR, Mohali, 8 pm

Mar 25: MI vs CSK, Mumbai, 8 pm

Mar 26: RR vs DC, Ahmedabad, 8 pm

Mar 27: KXIP vs KKR, Mohali, 4 pm; RCB vs DD, Bangalore, 8 pm

Mar 28: RR vs CSK, Ahmedabad, 4 pm; DC vs MI, Nagpur, 8 pm

Mar 29: DD vs KKR, Delhi, 8 pm

Mar 30: MI vs KXIP, Mumbai, 8 pm

Mar 31: CSK vs RCB, Chennai, 4 pm; DD vs RR, Delhi, 8 pm

Apr 1: KKR vs DC, Kolkata, 8 pm

Apr 2: KXIP vs RCB, Mohali, 8 pm

Apr 3: CSK vs RR, Chennai, 4 pm; MI vs DC, Mumbai, 8 pm.

Apr 4: KKR vs KXIP, Kolkata, 4 pm; DD vs RCB, Delhi, 8 pm

Apr 5: DC vs RR, Navi Mumbai, 8 pm

Apr 6: CSK vs MI, Chennai, 8 pm

Apr 7: RR vs KXIP, Jaipur, 4 pm; KKR vs DD, Kolkata, 8 pm

Apr 8: RCB vs DC, Bangalore, 8 pm

Apr 9: KXIP vs MI, Mohali, 8 pm

Apr 10: DC vs CSK, Navi Mumbai, 4 pm; RCB vs KKR, Bangalore, 8 pm

Apr 11: DD vs KXIP, Delhi, 4 pm; RR vs MI, Jaipur, 8 pm

Apr 12: DC vs RCB, Navi Mumbai, 8 pm

Apr 13: MI vs DD, Mumbai, 4 pm; CSK vs KKR, Chennai, 8 pm

Apr 14: RR vs RCB, Jaipur, 8 pm

Apr 15: CSK vs DD, Chennai, 8 pm

Apr 16: KXIP vs DC, Dharamsala, 8 pm

Apr 17: RCB vs MI, Bangalore, 4 pm; KKR vs RR, Kolkata, 8 pm

Apr 18: KXIP vs CSK, Dharamsala, 4 pm; DD vs DC, Delhi, 8 pm

Apr 19: KKR vs MI, Kolkata, 8 pm

Apr 21: Semi-final 1, Bangalore, 8 pm

Apr 22: Semi-final 2, Bangalore, 8 pm

Apr 24: 3rd Place match, Navi Mumbai, 8 pm

Apr 25: Final, Navi Mumbai, 8 pm.

TOI

Sehwag, Tendulkar tons put India in control

KOLKATA: Sachin Tendulkar notched up his fourth consecutive Test ton and Virender Sehwag cracked 165 as India relied on the sheer class of the experienced duo to take control of the second and final Test against South Africa on Monday.

After polishing off South Africa's first innings at 296, the hosts rode on Tendulkar's 47th ton and Sehwag's 19th century to reach 342/5 at close on the second day which saw the home team lose three key wickets in quick succession at the fag end.

At stumps on an eventful day, VVS Laxman (9) and night watchman Amit Mishra (1) were at the crease with India having taken a lead of 46 runs. They will now look to take a substantial first innings lead and push to level the series 1-1 in the remaining three days.

The vociferous crowd at the Eden Gardens was treated to a stunning exhibition of strokeplay by the two Indian masters as they put on a 249-run partnership for the third wicket to torment the South Africans, who need to win the match to dislodge India from the number one position in the Test rankings.

But both Sehwag and Tendulkar (106) fell at the fag end of the day alongwith S Badrinath to allow the visitors to claw back into the game to some extent.

Sehwag and Tendulkar, who unleashed some exquisite shots, appeared to be in no discomfort at all against the South Africans who did every thing to break the partnership without much luck till the very end of the day.

With the partnership taking gigantic proportions, South Africa's spinner Paul Harris mainly bowled a negative line outside the leg stump to dry up the runs.

It was Tendulkar's fourth century on the trot since the first Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong last month. He hit his second century in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur and his third came in the first Test of the ongoing series in Nagpur.

The quick dismissals of Sehwag and Tendulkar, the two well set batsmen, meant that India could not finish the day on a really commanding note.

Sehwag fell to part-time bowler J P Duminy with Ashwell Prince taking a simple catch in the cover region. His 174-ball 165 contained 23 boundaries and two sixes.

Tendulkar also returned to the pavilion soon after completing his century, his fifth against South Africa, with Harris plotting his dismissal. The star batsman edged the ball to Jacques Kallis in the slip leaving the Eden crowd shell shocked.

Earlier, India began the day by folding South African first innings at 296, conceding 30 more runs in the opening session.

With a four off Parnell to backward square-leg fence in the 69th over, the batting maestro carved his 47th century as his helmet came off and in his trademark style he looked upwards before acknowledging his feat to dressing room.

Sehwag, who was cruising along at the other end with 163, joined Tendulkar midway down the wicket with a warm hug as a standing ovation came from the near-full Eden crowd.

In the post-lunch session, the duo showed tremendous resilience as India slowly recovered from the twin blows of Gambhir and Murali Vijay.

Gautam Gambhir and Sehwag gave India an explosive start, stitching 73 runs for first wicket in just 9.2 overs before the southpaw was run out for 25.

Dale Steyn, first Test hero for the visitors, found the going tough with Sehwag creaming him for three consecutive boundaries and went on to concede 29 runs in his forgettable first spell of five overs.

With Sehwag on fire, there was a similar treatment at the other end for Morkel who conceded 28 runs from his three-over first spell.

Left-arm pacer Wayne Parnell replaced Morkel but it did not help as he leaked 11 runs in his first over with Sehwag freely dispatching the left-arm quickie over third-man for the first six of their innings.

Gambhir also joined the party as the Indian openers kept an eight-plus run-rate.

Just when South Africa needed a breakthrough badly, India gifted them an easy wicket in the form of Gambhir who became the victim of a Sehwag blunder.

With India cruising 72 for no loss in 9.1 overs, Gambhir responded to a second-run call from Sehwag but only to see himself stranded in the middle of the track as his partner changed mind.

The disappointing end to the entertaining opening stand brought Murali Vijay to the wicket.

However, Vijay (7) did not last long as he was caught brilliantly by AB De Villiers behind the wicket off Morkel.

Sehwag was lucky as he was dropped at the first slip by Duminy in the very next over.

Earlier, resuming at 266/9, South Africa added 30 runs to their overnight total before Wayne Parnell (12) was dismissed by Zaheer Khan leg before wicket in the fourth over of the second day.

Khan was the most successful Indian bowler returning with figures of 22-5-90-4.

Morne Morkel remained not out on 11 as the last wicket pair added 35 runs from 55 balls.

PTI

Watson wins Border Medal, ODI Player of Year award

STAFF WRITER 17:48 HRS IST

Melbourne, Feb 15 (PTI) Shane Watson beat Michael Clarke by a comfortable 15-vote margin to bag the Allan Border Medal besides being named Australia's ODI Player of the Year.

Watson polled 125 votes from the players, media and the umpires, in comparison to Clarke's 90 to run away with the Allan Border, which is given to the best Australian cricketer of the year.

In the ODI Player of the Year category, Watson bagged 33 votes to edge out Michael Hussey who had 25.

Watson's opening partner Simon Katich was adjudged Test Player of the Year with 11 votes, one more than left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson got.

Bhajji, Zaheer script South Africa's late collapse

Tapan Mohanta

Kolkata, Feb 14 (PTI) Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh combined to rip through South Africa's middle order as India staged a dramatic late comeback to reduce the visitors to 266 for nine on the opening day of their second and final cricket Test here Sunday.

It was a stunning collapse for the Proteas, who were at one stage cruising along courtesy fluent centuries by debutant Alviro Petersen (100) and Hashim Amla (114).

At stumps, Wayne Parnell (2) and Morne Morkel (3) were at the crease for South Africa when play was called off early due to bad light.

The South Africans went into tea break at 228 for two but in a stunning reversal of fortunes, the so-far-off-colour Harbhajan picked up three wickets in the space of two overs to wreck the the visiting line-up.

The off-spinner ended the day with figures of 23-2-63-3.

PSPB retain men’s and women’s titles

PSPB retain men’s and women’s titles

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 13: Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) once again proved their supremacy in National Table Tennis Championship winning both men’s and women’s team crowns in the 71st Senior National and Inter-State Table Tennis Championships held at the Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phukan Indoor Stadium here today.

In men’s final, PSPB beat Maharastra by 3-0 while in the women’s section PSPB derailed RSPB by 3-1.

The men’s final was totally a one sided affair as PSPB’s star paddlers A Sharath Kamal, Soumyadeep Roy and A Amalraj were very confident in their games and though Soumyadeep Roy and A Amalraj faced little challenges from their opponent but it never looked that their opponent could be able to make an upset.

A must win for team India

KOLKATA, Feb 13: Their number one ranking under threat, a desperate India cannot settle for anything less than a win when they go into the second and final Test against South Africa, who might have to take the field without inspirational captain Graeme Smith.

Smith has been rendered a doubtful starter because of a finger injury he sustained during practice on Friday and a final call on his availability will be taken on Sunday.

Having crushed India by an innings and six runs in the first Test in Nagpur, South Africa lead the two-match series 1-0 and they just need a draw at the Eden Gardens to snatch the top spot in the ICC rankings from the hosts.

With both the series and their Test ranking at stake, India have been bolstered by the return of VVS Laxman, who is all set to make a comeback at his happy-hunting ground where he scored a 281 in the second innings to script an epochal turn-around in their Test against Australia in March 2001.

IPL bans Jadeja from 2010 edition

NEW DELHI: India and Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja may have to miss this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) for violating the Code of Conduct.

According to well-placed sources, the IPL has suspended the Saurashtra cricketer for this season - as he was bargaining for more salary from various franchisees, without getting a clearance from the Royals for this season. Jadeja can now appeal against this decision.

Sources said that when the Royals signed up Jadeja for the inaugural season, he was an under-19 recruit and was inducted into the team through the 'draft system' for which he was paid the stipulated Rs 20 lakh. In the second season, when the franchise got the opportunity to sign Jadeja for two years, he was reluctant to sign on the dotted line and only agreed to play for the Royals for a year.

After his contract with the Shane Warne-led team ended on December 31, 2009, Jadeja started looking for a better bargain. Rules say that he can talk to other teams only if Royals - who have the first right to refusal - agree to let him go.

Sources added that Royals discussed the issue with the IPL commissioner Lalit Modi and it was decided to suspend Jadeja. "We strictly adhere to the Code of Conduct and if any cricketer is violating it then we won't tolerate it," a BCCI official said.

Jadeja could not be contacted. Sources said that if Jadeja wishes to appeal, he will have to take an appointment with Modi in this regard. "Then, if the governing council decides to consider his case, he could be pardoned."

TOI

Only T20 ideal for Olympics: Logart

EW DELHI: A day after cricket inched closer to the Olympic roster with the International Olympic Committee recognising the International Cricket Council, ICC Chief Haroon Logart said that Twenty20 version of the game is perhaps the only format that could be feasible for inclusion.

Logart added that no decision to bid at all for the 2020 Olympics has been taken yet.

He said, "We are satisfied and proud to have been considered for Olympic recognition. It is definitely a proud moment for cricket. However, we have not yet taken a decision on the same. But only Twenty20 format of the game is ideal and suited to play in an event like Olympics."

Cricket was cleared to pursue its bid to be included in future Games after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rubberstamped the sport's recognition on Thursday.

Cricket, powerboating and sports climbing became the latest sports to be officially recognised by the IOC, a status necessary before launching a bid to become part of the Olympic programme.

"The session gave definite recognition to the three federations," IOC spokesman Mark Adams had told reporters. The three sports can now bid to join the 2020 Olympics as the programme is always determined seven years in advance.

Golf and rugby were latest inclusions in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games when an IOC session voted them in last year.

The decision about new sports for the 2020 Games will be taken at the IOC session in Buenos Aires in 2013 where the host country will also be picked.

TOI

Malik rules himself out of Twenty20 WC captaincy

STAFF WRITER 14:38 HRS IST

Karachi, Feb 12 (PTI) Pakistan Cricket Board sounded out Shoaib Malik to lead the national side in Twenty20 World Cup in May but the senior batsman has told PCB that he is no longer interested to take up captaincy on a permanent basis.

Malik, who will lead Pakistan in the two Twenty20 Internationals against England in Dubai, conveyed this to PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt during a meeting in Lahore to discuss preparations for the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies.

Butt had called Malik to discuss about 30 probables for the Twenty20 World Cup but was advised to do this with Afridi.

"After reluctance of Malik, the Board has decided to continue with Afridi as captain for T20 World Cup despite his ball tampering incident in Australia for which it has been decided to fine him at board level," one source said.

Watson replaces injured Marsh in Aussie team

TAFF WRITER 9:35 HRS IST

Melbourne, Feb 13 (PTI) With Shaun Marsh ruled out due to a back injury, Australia today included all-rounder Shane Watson in their squad for the fourth one-dayer against the West Indies in Brisbane tomorrow.

"The Cricket Australia (CA) National Selection Panel has today announced that Shane Watson has replaced Shaun Marsh in Australia's squad for tomorrow's Commonwealth Bank Series match at the Gabba," CA said in a statement.

Watson was originally rested for the match but Marsh's injury ended his break.

"While it was initially planned for Shane to miss games three and four of the Commonwealth Bank Series, it was decided that with potential opening batsman Brad Haddin currently having his workload managed, the best course of action for the balance of the squad was to bring Shane back one game early," NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said.

Marcel Siem leads Avantha Masters, Gangjee tied third

Marcel Siem leads Avantha Masters, Gangjee tied third

Gurgaon, Feb 11: Germany’s Marcel Siem took the opening honours at the at the 1.5 million euros (approximately $2.1 million) Avantha Masters golf with an eight-under-par 64 for a single shot lead over Chinese Taipei's Chan Yih-shin here on Thursday. Rahil Gangjee was the best Indian in the field in tied third with a birdie-birdie finish that saw him card a 67 for the day alongwith six others. The event is tri-sanctioned event by the Asian Tour, European Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). “I also feel I am getting my game back,” said Gangjee. “The plan is to play one shot a time and to stay in the present. I don't want to get ahead of myself. Last week (in Asian Tour International) I was rusty. I actually planned to start with an Indian Tour event in Dhaka, but I fell ill and began last week in Bangkok. Now I am feeling fine and the rust is going." The 29-year-old German looking for his second career win on the European Tour gave the 16-year-old Indian ladies No. 1 Vani Kapoor the credit for his flawless eight-under 64 to take the lead at the end of the first round.

Laxman fit for Eden Test

Laxman fit for Eden Test

NEW DELHI, Feb 11: India’s seasoned batsman Venkatsai Laxman will return for the final Test against South Africa after recovering from a finger injury, an official said on Thursday. “Laxman is fit and will definitely be playing,” chairman of selectors Krish Srikkanth told reporters ahead of the decisive Test which starts at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday. India, who lost the first Test in Nagpur by an innings and six runs, need a series-levelling win to retain their top spot in the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings. Laxman, 35, missed the Nagpur match after a finger injury sustained during last month's tour of Bangladesh failed to mend in time. With star batsmen Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh ruled out of the series with injuries, Laxman was sorely missed in Nagpur as India crashed for 233 and 319 in reply to South Africa’s 558-6 declared.

Mukesh Ambani denies eyeing Liverpool FC

Mukesh Ambani denies eyeing Liverpool FC

New Delhi, Feb 9: Mumbai Indians owner Mukesh Ambani has denied reports of picking up 51 per cent shares in English Premier League side Liverpool. Some reports say have claimed that Ambani is said to have offered to pay off the club's £237 million debt in return for a huge stake in the club.Liverpool’s American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr have been under pressure all season to sell the club after reports of mounting debts that’s curbing the club’s expenses, specially in the transfer market. It has also been reported by the British media that Sahara Group’s Chairman, Subrata Roy has also made a similar bid. (Agencies)

India suffer big defeat

India suffer big defeat

NAGPUR, Feb 9 (PTI): Sachin Tendulkar’s defiant ton merely delayed the inevitable as India crashed to a humiliating innings and six runs defeat against South Africa in the first cricket Test here today.

The miracle that India needed to save the match did not happen and even though Tendulkar (100) starred in two brief partnerships and the tail wagged for a while too, it was not enough to avert what was Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s first Test defeat as captain that came with full one day to spare.

Following on, the home side that resumed on 66 for two this morning, folded for 319 in their second essay to allow South Africa to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Down the order, Wriddhiman Saha (36), Harbhajan Singh (39) and Zaheer Khan (33) showed the kind of grit that was missing in most of their frontline batting colleagues.

Wish to get rid of T20 specialist tag: Yusuf Pathan

After leading West Zone to a historic Duleep Trophy title win with a scintillating double hundred, all-rounder Yusuf Pathan is hoping that the Twenty20 specialist tag attached to his name would be wiped off.

Pathan's unbeaten 210, his maiden double century, helped West overhaul a mammoth 536-run target, a feat never achieved before while chasing in world cricket, and the Baroda batsman termed the knock his best ever.

"Definitely it is the best innings of my career so far and I scored a hundred in the first innings as well. I had played a 187-run knock in first class cricket before and also took 10 wickets in the same. I hope this Twenty20 specialist tag goes out now," Yusuf told 'PTI-Bhasha'.

Pathan is baffled how the tag got attached to his name when he has performed well enough in the four-day games in domestic cricket.

"I don't know why this Twenty20 tag is there with my name? We play four-day matches in first class cricket."

"Although there are 50-50 and Twenty20 games in first class cricket but Ranji and Duleep Trophy are long format games," he said.

Yusuf, a prominent member of the inaugural Indian Premier League winners Rajasthan Royals, last played an ODI for India in September last year.

The Baroda batsman conceded that being out of the national team hurts and making a comeback is difficult.

"You feel bad when you get dropped. So I focus on my performance, it's our job to impress selectors. There is stiff competition for every place in the team as there is lot of talent around," he said.

"I will be playing Deodhar Trophy next and there are a few Twenty20 matches. I want to continue this good performance and attract selectors," he added.

Talking about the recent ball tampering incident involving all rounder Shahid Afridi, Yusuf said he had no clue about Pakistani all-rounder's claim that all teams indulge in it.

"I don't know why he said so. I can't say anything about that since I have not seen anyone biting the ball like that. I have not seen anything like that in international cricket," he said.

© PTI

India's heaviest defeats at home

The last time a side other than South Africa beat India in India by an innings was way back in 1983. After that, India went through a long period where no team was able to beat them by an innings at home, until South Africa did it in Bangalore in the year 2000.

In the ten years since, South Africa have repeated the feat twice for a total of three innings victories over India in India in the past decade.

Innings defeats suffered by India in India:

Opposition	Margin	Ground	Date
West Indies	inns & 193 runs	Chennai	27 January 1949
Pakistan	inns & 43 runs	Lucknow	23 October 1952
West Indies	inns and 336 runs	Kolkata	31 December 1958
Australia	inns & 127 runs	Delhi	12 December 1959
Australia	inns & 55 runs	Chennai	13 January 1960
West Indies	inns & 45 runs	Kolkata	31 December 1966
England	inns & 25 runs	Delhi	17 December 1976
Pakistan	inns & 119 runs	Hyderabad (Sind)	14 January 1983
West Indies	inns & 83 runs	Kanpur	21 October 1983
West Indies	inns & 46 runs	Kolkata	10 December 1983
South Africa	inns & 71 runs	Bangalore	02 March 2000
South Africa	inns & 90 runs	Ahmedabad	03 April 2008
South Africa	inns & 6 runs	Nagpur	06 February 2010

With India's No.1 Test ranking at stake as the teams travel to Kolkata, those who believe in history repeating itself will not be very comforted if they are Indian fans, but will be elated if they are South African fans. As the table shows, India has suffered three innings defeats in Kolkata - more than at any other ground.

© Cricbuzz

South Africa win Nagpur Test by an innings and 6 runs

NAGPUR, Feb 9 (IANS): South Africa defeated India by an innings and six runs on the fourth day of the first cricket Test here Tuesday.

Following on, India were bowled out for 319 runs with Sachin Tendulkar scoring 100.

Harbhajan Singh (39), Wriddhiman Saha (36), Zaheer Khan (33) came up with useful contributions, but India folded up in 107.1 overs.

Dale Steyn took a match haul of 10 wickets while Paul Harris got three for 76 in the second innings.

South Africa had declared their first innings at 558/6 and bowled out India for 233

Duleep Trophy: Pathan seals record-breaking win for West Zone

HYDERABAD: West Zone created a world record in first class cricket by successfully chasing down a mammoth 536-run target to clinch the Duleep Trophy with a dramatic three-wicket victory, riding on Yusuf Pathan's scintillating double century.

Yusuf's phenomenal unbeaten 210, his maiden first class double century, steered West Zone to a sensational win as they scored 541/7 to lift the Duleep Trophy for the 16th time on an eventful final day's play.

The win marked the highest successful run chase in the history of first class cricket although the total, 541 for seven, is not the highest fourth-innings total.

Teams have scored more runs in their fourth innings in the past but they never resulted in a victory.

England had scored 654/5 while chasing 696 to win against South Africa in Durban way back in 1938-39. The match was drawn after 10 days.

Maharashtra had scored 604 in their second innings while chasing an impossible 959 to win against the then Bombay in 1948-49 in Poona, now Pune.

Everything depended on Yusuf when West resumed at 379/6 and he did not disappoint his team and fans as he stood their like a rock till the job was done.

Resuming at the individual score of 84 along with other overnight partner Pinal Shah, Yusuf cashed in on the three dropped chance and made South Zone bowlers pay heavily.

Scoreboard:

South Zone 1st Innings: 400
West Zone 1st Innings: 251
South Zone 2nd Innings : 386/9 decl
West Zone 2nd Innings: (Overnight 379/6) CR Pathak b Absolem 130 HH Khadiwale c Gautam b Anirudha 45 W Jaffer lbw b Ganapathy 66 BD Thaker c Gautam b Aravind 0 Y Pathan not out 210 RA Jadeja b Aushik Srinivas 1 I Pathan b Absolem 42 PR Shah c & b Prem 16 RR Powar not out 18
Extras (B-2, LB-1, W-4, NB-6) 13
Total (for 7 wickets in 136.3 overs) 541
Fall of wickets: 1-117, 2-224, 3-239, 4-263, 5-294, 6-378, 7-483.

Bowling : C Ganapathy 33-7-96-1, A Absolem 23-2-79-2, S Aravind 24.3-3-99-1, R Aushik Srinivas 37-4-157-1, S Anirudha 3-0-14-1, PR Prem 13-1-81-1, AB Karthik 3-0-12-0.

Lara robbed, six arrested

Six people have been arrested for allegedly stealing USD one million in cash, jewellery and several personal belongings of legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara from his Lady Chancellor mansion.

A report in 'Trinidad and Tobago Guardian' said the honorary 'Order of Australia' which was bestowed on Lara by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during the hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Port-of-Spain on November 29, last year, was also stolen.

The thieves also took away over 40 VVIP tickets worth USD 1,600 each for B3 Beyonce 'I AM' concert, to be held on February 18 at Queen's Park Savannah.

According to Police, Lara discovered the burglary on Wednesday morning and investigators feel it might be a work of an insider as it seems the safe was stolen while Lara was asleep in the TV room.

"It has to be people who knew exactly where to go, and they knew what they were looking for...They timed him very well before making their move," a police source was quoted as saying by the paper.

Lara told investigators that the last time he saw the vault, which was in a bedroom, was around 4 pm on Tuesday.


After that around 8 pm, Lara fell asleep while watching television in his TV room. When he got up at around 2 am, he found the vault missing.

© PTI

Ind-SA ODI shifted from Kanpur to Gwalior

The BCCI shifted the second one-dayer between India and South Africa on February 24 from Kanpur to Gwalior.

Without giving any reason, the Cricket Board said in a release that the second ODI has been shifted from Kanpur to Gwalior.

"The second One Day International between India and South Africa scheduled to be played at Kanpur on 24th February 2010 has now been shifted to Gwalior," BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan said in the release.

The first ODI will be played in Jaipur on February 21 while the third and last match will be held in Ahmedabad on February 27.

© PTI

Umpire Benson retires from the elite panel

ICC umpire Mark Benson has retired from the Elite Panel and has decided to return home to England to take up a contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Benson, who has been on the panel since 2006, has umpired a total of 27 Tests, 72 ODIs and 19 T20Is. In that time he stood in the final of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 final in Johannesburg and was also shortlisted for Umpire of the Year at the LG ICC Awards in 2007 and 2008.

Although Benson's contract was not due to expire until the end of June 2010, he asked if he could be released from it three months early so he could take up a contract with the ECB and this request was granted.

"I have enjoyed my time on the elite panel immensely," said Benson.

"The opportunity to be part of the global game has given me memories that I will always treasure. But travel and being away from home takes its toll on the family and some warning bells have started to ring regarding my health.

"So, having thought about it carefully, I feel now is the right time for me to step down and move to a more settled and familiar environment in England.

"I'd like to thank the ICC and my umpiring colleagues on the elite panel for their support over the years. Umpiring at the top level has been a very rewarding experience for me and it is not an easy decision to walk away from it but I believe it is the right one as far as my health and family are concerned.

"I also want to thank the ECB for giving me the opportunity to be part of the county circuit again. I'm looking forward to the new season as much as I did when I played, and hope that I can add value with my international experience as an ICC elite umpire."

ICC Umpires' and Referees' Manager Vince van der Bijl said: "Mark's immense love for and enjoyment of cricket shines through his umpiring. His on-field calm demeanour will be missed, as will his friendly and easygoing disposition.

"We fully understand and support his decision, which was brought on by a desire to spend more time in England with his family and some concerns about health issues. He will add richly to the county circuit as he is a talented and hugely experienced umpire and we wish him great success."

© ICC

Injury rules Siddle out of the summer

Australian pacer Peter Siddle was ruled out of the team's upcoming Test and one-day tour of New Zealand due to a stress fracture in his back.

"Cricket Australia announces that fast bowler Peter Siddle has been diagnosed with a stress fracture of his back and will be unavailable for the rest of the summer," CA announced in a statement.

Australia team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said Siddle's injury was revealed in scan conducted after the five-match one-day series against Pakistan last week.

"Peter experienced pain in his back during the recent Pakistan ODI series. The source of the pain was investigated after the fifth ODI and scans revealed that he has a lower back stress fracture," he said.

Siddle has also been forced out of Australia's domestic competition.

"The nature of this injury means that Peter will require a long rehabilitation period and as such he'll be unavailable for the remainder of the domestic summer and the tour of New Zealand," Kountouris said.

Australia's tour of New Zealand starts March 3 with a five-match ODI series to be followed by two Tests.

© PTI

Afridi gets a 2-match ban for ball tampering

Shahid Afridi has been banned for two Twenty20 internationals after being caught up in a ball-tampering row during his team's defeat in final ODI against Australia.

Afridi quoted in an interview with ABC Radio that he was trying to move somethings on the ball. He said, "I tried to smell it. There were some things on it that I tried to move. I don't know what made me do such a mad thing. It was not right and I apologise for my actions . This was very unfortunate and should not have happened. I have learnt from my mistake and will not repeat it again".

Afridi, who was captaining Pakistan in the absence of Mohammad Yousuf, was caught on TV cameras apparently biting the ball in the match at the WACA in Perth where Australia completed a 5-0 whitewash of the one-day series.

A team source, speaking to Cricinfo, said "Shahid Afridi has been banned for two T20Is after the incident. He pleaded guilty to the charge."

Afridi, who captains the Pakistan side in Twenty20 cricket, will miss the match against Australia on February 5 as well as the first of two matches against England in Dubai on February 19.

The International Cricket Council confirmed that Afridi had received two suspension points after breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the game.

Two suspension points in the code means a ban of a Test, two ODIs or two T20Is.

Shahid was charged with an article 2.2.9 offence of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to "changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3 of the Laws of Cricket".

The charge was laid by on-field umpires Asoka de Silva and Paul Reiffel, as well as third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth official Mick Martell.

Match referee Ranjan Madugalle handed Afridi the maximum penalty under the provision of the code.

"I imposed the maximum penalty under the code to Shahid and reminded him of his responsibilities as a national captain which is to ensure that the match is played according to the laws of the game and in the spirit in which it is intended to be played," said Madugalle.

"Shahid, when pleading guilty, apologised and regretted his actions," the match referee said.

Afridi, who was ashamed of his actions, apologised for his act and said he would never commit the mistake again.

"I'm ashamed of myself. I shouldn't have done such an act. It happened in the heat of the moment. I apologise for my mistake," Afridi said.

"It was a close match and Pakistan had not won any match. We needed a win and I just wanted to help the fast bowlers. I did it on that spur of moment. I have been banned now and I have learnt my lessons. I will ensure it doesn't happen again," Afridi added.

In 2005, Afridi was banned for twisting his spikes and trying to change condition of pitch during a Test match in Faisalabad against England.

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam said Afridi's actions were unacceptable. He wondered why he was behaving as if he was "eating an apple" and remarked that he did not know what Afridi wanted to achieve.

"It's unacceptable. It shouldn't have happened but it happened and I feel sorry for him. Being a captain you should be above everything but unfortunately it's happened," Alam said.

Immediately after television cameras showed Afridi biting into the ball to change its condition, a top official called up team manager Abdul Raquib and instructed him not to send Afridi for the closing ceremony and instead ask regular captain Mohammad Yousuf to do that job, said PCB sources.

"Raquib was also told that Afridi should not be allowed to speak to the media after the match and that he should immediately accept his mistake and apologize to match referee, Ranjan Madugalle," one PCB official said.

He said this was done to avoid more controversy and problems for Afridi.

"The board has now asked the team management to send Afridi back home early as he is no longer required with the team," he added.

Well placed sources, however, said despite the ball tampering incident and the two match ban, the board officials were impressed with the way Afridi wholeheartedly led the side in the absence of Yousuf.

"He is definitely our next one-day internationals captain but since he himself is not very keen on playing Test cricket the board will look at other candidates to lead the side in the longest format," one source said.
© Cricbuzz

Shaun Tait unleashes 160 kmph thunderbolt

Shaun Tait bowled what was reportedly the quickest delivery on Australian soil in the home side's two-run win over Pakistan, when he unleashed a 160.7 kmph rocket off just the third ball of his opening over.

Tait was the man-of-the-match for figures of 3/13, but talk centred equally on his magnificent bowling as on that particular delivery.

The huge crowd of more than 60,000 at the MCG let out a collective gasp when the scoreboard immediately flashed just how quick it was with Channel Nine later reporting that it was the fastest ball ever delivered by any bowler in Australia.

Tait's thunderbolt was the third-fastest ball ever bowled, behind Brett Lee, whose quickest is 160.9kph, and Pakistan's record holder Shoaib Akhtar, who unleashed a 161.3kph ball during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

Tait, whose decision to give up first-class cricket in order to ensure he remains injury-free for the shortened forms of the game is starting to pay off, said fans should not expect him to bowl as quick as he did at the MCG on Friday night on a regular basis.

"I was obviously feeling pretty good today and every now and then there are nights when everything goes well and your timing is right," he said after Friday night's game when quizzed about his record-breaking delivery.

"You can't really explain why some nights it comes out so well and the next night is not so good."

Tait, who has battled countless injuries during his career given the toll his unique slingshot action takes on his body, said he was feeling fresh going into the game because rain in the lead-up to the match had prevented him from bowling in the nets.

"As far as I am concerned that (not bowling in the nets before a game) is good preparation," he joked.

However despite coming so close to bowling the fastest ball in the history of the game, Tait doubts he will break Akhtar's record.

"Shoaib bowled whatever he bowled - I don't know how because I almost killed myself out there tonight," he said.

"It's not something I think about all the time and there are only certain moments when you are bowling in your career when you have got a chance to do it."

"You have probably only got two balls in a game where you can do it and then after that it's hard to get back up to that sort of pace."

"But the decision I have made to only play the short forms of the game was a good one and I have been feeling fresh for a majority of games this season apart from just a couple maybe."

© Cricbuzz

SA get good batting practice

Nagpur, Feb 3 (PTI): South Africa made the most of their drawn practice match against Board President’s XI with their top order looking in good nick even though Piyush Chawla and R Ashwin proved that the Proteas can be vulnerable against quality spin here today.

Having bowled out the local side for 318, Graeme Smith and his men did overwhelm the target to reach 354 before folding but leg-spinner Chawla (4/88) and offie Ashwin (3/96) exposed the vulnerability of the Proteas, especially the middle and lower order, against turning balls.