Spot-fixing: ICC upholds suspension of Pakistani duo

DUBAI: The code of conduct commissioner of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Michael Beloff, on Sunday rejected the appeals of Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamer against suspensions for spot-fixing.

The two, along with fast bowler Mohammad Asif, were provisionally suspended by the ICC over allegations they were involved in spot-fixing during Pakistan's summer tour of England.

All three appealed, but Asif later withdrew his application.

Beloff announced the decision after a two-day hearing which started early Saturday, saying the players will have to appear before another tribunal to further their cases.

"Salman (Butt) and (Mohammad) Aamer had appealed against the suspension imposed on them by the ICC on September 2 for various breaches of the code of conduct.

"Having considered every aspect of the case I dismiss their appeals and they remain suspended," Beloff told reporters outside the ICC headquarters.

The two cricketers arrived with their lawyers - Salman with Khalid Ranjha, a former law minister, and Aftab Gul, a former Pakistan player, and Aamer with his lawyer Shahid Karim.

Beloff said all three cricketers, including Asif, will have to appear before a ICC code of conduct commission which he will announce in due course.

"The players have denied the charges, but they will remain suspended before a code of conduct commission is formed to hear the case.

"It was not up to me to decide whether they committed any crime, the commission will establish their guilt and if they are found guilty then they will be given punishment as per the ICC code of conduct."

The scandal broke after a report by British tabloid The News of the World prompted Scotland Yard to launch an investigation into allegations of spot-fixing during the Lord's Test against England in August.

Police raided the team's hotel in London and questioned Salman, Aamer, Asif and bowler Wahab Riaz, but they have yet to formally level any charges.

Owing to their suspensions, the trio have been excluded from Pakistan's current tour of the United Arab Emirates, where South Africa is the opposition.

Pakistan Cricket Board legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said the decision was under the ICC jurisdictions.

"The decision is within the ICC's jurisdiction but it will not affect the actual case which we hope will be heard soon," said Rizvi.

ICC in its brief statement said: "The chairman code of conduct commission heard the case in which players had challeneged the suspension under the ICC Anti-Corruption code. After considering all the evidence Beloff has rejected the challenges.

"As such, the players remain provisionally suspended from all cricket pending the outcome of the independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal which will hear their disciplinary case in due course."

The ICC said Asif also remained suspended.

"As Asif chose not to challenge his provisional suspension, he also remains suspended. The ICC will make no further comments."

The ICC code of conduct carries a minimum of five year punishment if corruption charges are proved. The maximum punishment is a life ban.

Read more: Spot-fixing: ICC upholds suspension of Pakistani duo - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Spot-fixing-ICC-upholds-suspension-of-Pakistani-duo/articleshow/6846306.cms#ixzz1402qrpls

Tiger Woods upbeat despite losing top spot

LOS ANGELES: A world golf rankings list without Tiger Woods atop it is an unfamiliar sight, but 2010 has been nothing if not "different" for the player who remains the game's undisputed superstar.

The ascent of England's Lee Westwood to the world number one ranking as of Monday sees Woods' 281-week tenure at the top end.

The moment offered little drama, with both Westwood and Woods idle last week. And the American's No. 1 spot had already been under threat for much of the season.

"It has been a different year," Woods noted in September, as he reflected on a 2010 that started amid scandal over his extra-marital affairs and has left him -- so far -- in search of even one title.

Woods, 34, has only two top-five finishes in 12 PGA Tour events. His pursuit of Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major titles has stalled at 14 -- his last coming at the 2008 US Open.

Until this year -- when Masters champion Phil Mickelson has challenged steadily, if unsuccessfully -- for the top spot since May, Woods had faced only one potential dethroning in two years.

Spain's Sergio Garcia had been in position to overtake Woods with a victory at Doral in 2009 largely because of Woods' lengthy injury layoff in the wake of his 2008 US Open victory.

Woods first assumed the number one ranking in 1998. Until this week he had been unseated only twice, by Vijay Singh and David Duval.

And Woods will no doubt do all in his power to insure Westwood's reign is short.

The two face off at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai this week, and Woods has made it clear that with three tournaments remaining on his schedule he still has hopes of putting at least one victory, if not more, on his slate for 2010.

"I like where my game is headed," Woods said this month as he promoted his Chevron World Challenge tournament in December. "I like the pieces of it and how they're falling into place.

"In particular at the Ryder Cup, and especially in the singles how I played, and that's the way I know I can play the game of golf."

Woods was 2-down early to Francesco Molinari in their Ryder Cup singles match but rallied to post his biggest ever Ryder Cup win.

Woods finished with seven birdies and an Eagle to win the match on the 15th hole.

For Woods, it was further proof that the swing changes he has been working on with Sean Foley are coming together.

"I don't have it all dialed in yet. But I figured if I could play the way I did in the singles match, which I hadn't done that all year, that's a positive sign," Woods said.

Woods has acknowledged that the personal turmoil of the year - which saw his marriage end in August and is reckoned to have cost him tens of millions in endorsement earnings - has been mirrored by his frustrations on the course.

"All in all it was a long, frustrating year, but in the end it turned out that everything's headed in a positive direction now," he said.

Read more: Tiger Woods upbeat despite losing top spot - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/golf/top-stories/Tiger-Woods-upbeat-despite-losing-top-spot/articleshow/6850057.cms#ixzz1402cialq

Maradona eyes Premier League coaching role

STAFF WRITER 19:0 HRS IST

London, Oct 29 (AFP) Argentina football legend Diego Maradona has revealed his desire to manage in the English Premier League.

Maradona is seeking a new challenge after parting company with the Argentina national side which he lead to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup.

The former World Cup-winning captain, who will celebrate his 50th birthday tomorrow, is now seeking a return to management, and admitted he was attracted by England's top flight.

He told Sky Sports News: "Yes, I would like to manage in the Premier League.

"It has very good teams, an exceptional level and great players.

"The only problem is all the teams I like in England have good coaches.

"If any important job comes along I will accept it.

Advani out of World Pro Billiards C'ship, Geet in semis

LEEDS: Pankaj Advani's hopes of winning the World Professional Billiards title for the second consecutive time went up in smoke after compatriot Dhruv Sitwala registered a hard fought 723-608 win over the reigning champion in the quarterfinals of the event on Saturday.

Advani, who had last year created history by becoming the second Indian, after Geet Sethi, to win the elusive World Pro title, suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of Sitwala, who compiled three century breaks (118, 109 and 161) in his 32 visits to the table to reign supreme at the green baize.

Advani, on the other hand, failed to score even a single century break during his two hour stay at the table with his highest break accounting for 91.

Dhruv played very confidently and with consistency. He went ahead 360 points when only 30 minutes left in the clock. Advani, known for his strong comeback, tried hard to cover the lead but fall short on a break of 184 and lost by 115 points when clock alarmed and failed to defend his title.

On Friday, the second day of the event, the 25-year-old Bangalorean Advani notched up his third straight victory in Group A after brushing aside the challenge of compatriot Devendra Joshi 818-469 to advance to the last-eight stage at the Northern Snooker Centre.

Earlier, in the final group battle to decide the pool winner from Group A, Advani had defeated team-mate Saurav Kothari 965-457 in 21 visits to the table with the help of three century breaks.

In the other quarterfinal of the day, five-time winner Geet Sethi, making his 19th appearance at the event, scored an emphatic 959-445 win over Singapore's Peter Gilchrist to sail into the semifinals of the event, where he is expected to meet Advani's tormentor Sitwala.

Sethi came out with two century breaks including one accounting for 267 in his 35 visits to the table while Gilchrist managed to score none.

Sethi had confirmed his berth for knockouts. With an all-win record in his Group B.

Other two Indians in the quarterfinal stage are Saurav Kothari, who will be up against David Causier of England, and Rupesh Shah, pitted against nine-time champion and title favourite England's Mike Russell.

Read more: Advani out of World Pro Billiards C'ship, Geet in semis - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/snooker/billiards/Advani-out-of-World-Pro-Billiards-Cship-Geet-in-semis/articleshow/6838931.cms#ixzz13oMtB57Q

14,000 Test runs, Tendulkar yearns for "next level"

LONDON: He has been hailed as one of the most accomplished players in world cricket but Sachin Tendulkar still yearns to reach the "next level" as a batsman.

Tendulkar, who made history earlier this month by becoming the first batsman to score 14,000 runs in Test cricket, says his desire to improve remains as intense as it has ever been.

"I'm really focusing now on how I can get to the next level as a batsman. How can I get even more competitive? How can I get even more consistent? How can I get better?" Tendulkar said, according the extract of an interview to 'The Guardian' to be published in full on Saturday.

Instead of struggling for form with advancing age, 37-year-old Tendulkar has had the most prolific year of his Test career in 2010 and he insists rather than considering retirement he has many more goals to fulfill.

"Life would be flat without dreams. I think it's really important to dream -- and then to chase those dreams. I really believe in this because it's this dreaming that makes me work so hard. I want to continue doing that because I've worked very hard the last couple of years on my batting," he said.

"(Coach) Gary Kirsten has been instrumental in this. Together we've worked hard in the last couple of years to improve my batting. He's given me the freedom to express myself, and to pace my innings as I see fit. I can slow down occasionally. Gary has helped me do this and it's because he's more a friend than a coach," said Tendulkar who is just one short of hitting 50 Test centuries.

He described 2010 as his "sweetest year" as he won his first ICC's Player of the Year Award and returned to the top of the world batting rankings for the first time since 2002.

In February, Tendulkar scored centuries in successive Tests against South Africa before becoming the first man to reach 200 in an ODI against the same opponents.

Tendulkar was the highest run scorer in IPL and also made a Test double-hundred against Sri Lanka before his remarkable performances against Australia which saw him reach the 14,000 landmark in the second Test at Bangalore while scoring 214 and an unbeaten 53 to complete India's 2-0 series victory.

The iconic but down to earth batsman conceded that his form subsided a few years ago, prompting critics like Australia's Ian Chappell to call for his retirement.

"There was a little dip for me, around 2005 and 2006. But I had a lot of injuries then. I had finger and elbow injuries, and then a back injury. All these upper-body injuries may have altered my back-swing a little. But, fortunately, all that is behind me now and I've been able to put in the hours of practice that I need," he said.

Tendulkar had earlier expressed his desire to win the 2011 World Cup and he said the cricket-mad Indian fans would be demanding to win the prestigious tournament at home.

"It's going to be massive. Everyone in India is already looking forward to hosting a mega tournament and although people haven't started talking yet about 1983 (when India won the World Cup) it will happen soon. But, given our recent form, people have a right to be excited and have extremely high hopes for us. There are going to be big expectations."

Tendulkar also talked about the influence of his late father, a novelist and poet, as well as his brother, Ajit, who remains his closest cricketing confidante.

He also revealed the surprise identity of the bowler who has troubled him most in Test cricket and reflects on the day he and Shane Warne visited Don Bradman on his 90th birthday.

Read more: At 14,000 Test runs, Tendulkar yearns for "next level" - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/At-14000-Test-runs-Tendulkar-yearns-for-next-level/articleshow/6834965.cms#ixzz13kQcT8We

Cricket Australia approves Twenty20 private ownership

MELBOURNE (Australia): Cricket Australia has approved minority private ownership in a revamped domestic Twenty20 competition to start next season, paving the way for potential Indian-based investors.

A Cricket Australia board meeting on Friday gave the approval to an extended Twenty20 competition - to be called the Big Bash League - which will run over the December-January period starting in the 2011-12 Australian summer season.

It will initially feature teams based on the current six state associations, plus two further cities which will be decided over coming months

Read more: Cricket Australia approves Twenty20 private ownership - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Cricket-Australia-approves-Twenty20-private-ownership/articleshow/6833994.cms#ixzz13kQOGRKV

Anand, Humpy opt out of Asian Games

NEW DELHI: World chess champion Viswanathan Anand will not be available for next month's Asian Games in China due to prior commitments, officials said on Friday.

With the top woman player Koneru Humpy also opting out of the mega event, the Indian squad will be same that played in the Olympiad last month.

Humpy had won two gold medals including one in the team event in the last edition in Doha while Anand was absent there as well.

Both the players have already told the All India Chess Federation that they will not be available for the November 12-27 Games.

" AICF Secretary had approached Anand to play in the Asian Games. But he said he will not be available," Delhi Chess Association President Bharat Singh Chauhan, who has been named team manager of the 10-member squad said.

Medals will be up for grabs in the team events for men and women apart from the two individual rapid events.

Team:

Men: K Sasikiran, P Hari Krishna, Surya Shekhar Ganguly, G N Gopal and B Adhiban.

Women: D Harika, Tania Sachdev, Eesha Karavade, S Meenakshi and Nisha Mohota.

Coaches: Lev Psakhis and Oleg Romanishin; Manager: Bharat Singh Chauhan.

Read more: Anand, Humpy opt out of Asian Games - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/2010-asian-games/Anand-Humpy-opt-out-of-Asian-Games/articleshow/6834528.cms#ixzz13kQ5W81N

Chetan, Pawar out of Danish Open Super Series

STAFF WRITER 19:27 HRS IST

New Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) Anand Pawar lost to sixth seed Marc Zwiebler of Germany after a tough fight in the second round as Indians disappointed in the men's singles event of the Denmark Open Super Series at Odense today.

Pawar, who beat local lad Hans-Kristian Vittinghus in a thrilling first round match, came back from a game down but ran out of steam against his higher-ranked opponent to lose 10-21 21-14 15-21 in a 59-minute contest.

World number 52 Pawar could not match his opponent, ranked 37 places above him, in the first game which the German took in quick time.

The Indian, however, fought back strongly with some fine smash winners and points from long rallies to take the second game and the match to the decider.

Only men swimmers for Asian Games

BANGALORE: With the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) deciding to strictly adhere to the qualification standard, India will field an all-men swimming team for the 14th Asian Games in Guangzhou.

Top men swimmers, including Sandeep Sejwal and Virdhwal Khade, will carry the country's hopes as SFI announced a nine-member squad for the quadrennial event on Thursday.

It is for the first time since 1998 Bangkok Games that the Indian swimming contingent does not have a woman swimmer in its ranks. "None of the women swimmers met the qualification times set by the federation," national coach S Pradeep Kumar said, explaining the reason for not including women swimmers in the squad.

The swimmers needed to clock the sixth-place timing of the last Asian Games to make the cut. But all the girls came a cropper in three qualification meets — junior nationals, senior nationals and Federation Cup — held this year.

"The dropout rate among women swimmers is alarming. We had lot of swimmers in the junior level. But once they started concentrating on academics they failed to perform in swimming," Pradeep said.

"Even in Karnataka, which is a traditional swimming powerhouse, the dropout rate among girls is high. In the men's section, we can pick from a talent pool of 5,000. But in the women's section it is only 500," he said.

In 1998, the Indian squad for Asian Games had five women swimmers as Nisha Millet, Meghna Narayan, Abhinaya Shetty, Shikha Tandon and Richa Mishra vied for honours. But the numbers started dwindling from then on. Only two women — Richa and Shikha — took part in the 2002 Busan Games, while only Shikha carried the the hopes of Indian women in the 2006 edition in Doha.

Expressing shock, Nisha Millet said lack of dedication towards swimming has cost the Indian women dear. "They concentrate on education. It's not easy to find a balance between your studies and competition. It's time the girls took to swimming seriously. Otherwise, we won't see women swimmers in next Olympics too," she said.

After a week-long confusion, the preparatory camp for the Games began at the Sports Authority of India, South Centre on Thursday. SAI officials in Delhi had directed the SFI to start the camp on Oct 21. But the officials in Bangalore got the letter only on Wednesday. "We lost seven precious days," lamented Pradeep.
Of the nine swimmers, only Sejwal and Khade met the qualification marks in the individual events while other made the grade in relays. Sandeep will compete in the 50m, 100m and 200m, while Khade will figure in 50m and 100m freestyle and butterfly events.

Team: Sandeep Sejwal, Rehan Poncha, Virdhawal Khade, Aaron D'Souza, Rohit Havaldar, Arjun JP, Mandra Divase, Balakrishnan MB, Anshul Kothari.

Read more: Only men swimmers for Asian Games - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/2010-asian-games/Only-men-swimmers-for-Asian-Games/articleshow/6831869.cms#ixzz13iVvr2Q6

We should keep Gary even after World Cup: Gambhir

NEW DELHI: Prolific Indian opener Gautam Gambhir feels that the Indian Cricket Board should renew the contract of coach Gary Kirsten after it expires at the end of the World Cup next year.

"Gary is the best coach India has ever had. I have often said that and I keep on stressing that we need Gary. I don't need to speak much about him. His fabulous record speaks for itself. He has been a great man-manager. So I believe that he should be retained after the World Cup also," Gambhir said at the sidelines of a promotional event.

Gambhir is thus the latest among the Indian stars to join the bandwagon who want the South African to be retained as Cricket South Africa wants him to take over once he finishes his stint with the Indian team.

The opener also supported Kirsten's idea of sending the top-order batsmen to South Africa, a week in advance so that they can get themselves acclimatised to the pace and bounce of wickets over there.

"We haven't played much cricket in South Africa of late. So it will be a great idea if we go there a bit early to get used to the conditions. If such a thing happens, it may just work in our favour," Gambhir said.

He also reiterated that one can't continue his blazing form for life and there is bound to be ups and downs.

"Right now I am coming back from injury. It's always a difficult thing when you come back from injury. Only when you spend considerable time out there in the middle, you get to know how it's shaping up for you," he said.

The Delhi batsman also feels that just because Bangladesh whipped New Zealand 4-0 in the ODI series, it did not mean that it will be a cakewalk for the Indians when they meet the Black Caps from November 4.

"You can never take any international opposition lightly. Just because Bangladesh beat them 4-0 doesn't mean that we can take it easy against the New Zealanders. Their team consists of some proven match-winners who can turn a match head on. So we need to be very careful and can't take things for granted," Gambhir said.

On a lighter vein, he said that walking ramp is tough but not as tough as opening the batting for the country.

He also said that he hasn't seen the likes of Yuvraj Singhs and Mahendra Singh Dhonis walk the ramp but said that a cricketer's endeavour is to perform on field rather than score points off it.

Read more: We should keep Gary even after World Cup: Gambhir - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/icc-world-cup-2011/top-stories/We-should-keep-Gary-even-after-World-Cup-Gambhir/articleshow/6829732.cms#ixzz13eyhsa00

I am successful because of a good team: Dhoni

KOLKATA: Skipper of the No. 1 Test side, Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday attributed his success to the team and said he was lucky to get a good side.

"I am a successful captain because I have got a good team. Cricket is all about a team game. I have got some great players who back each other, help each other and that really helps the cause of the team," Dhoni said of his side which boasts of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag.

Asked about India's preparation for the World Cup next year, Dhoni said, "It's about four months away which seems a short time, but we have two series against New Zealand at home and South Africa away, in between. I really hope that the top players don't get injured and are available."

Dhoni was at a promotional programme with wife Sakshi Singh Rawat who hails from Kolkata.

Read more: I am successful because of a good team: Dhoni - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/new-zealand-in-india/interviews/I-am-successful-because-of-a-good-team-Dhoni/articleshow/6816156.cms#ixzz13WwtxqOE

Poonia accepts Samuels challenge but spurns January date

NEW DELHI: Commonwealth Games gold medallist Krishna Poonia is game for the $20,000 winner-takes-all discus throw contest with world champion Dani Samuels of Australia but rejected January 22 date for the duel as she wants to spend time with her family after a gruelling season.

Poonia said she has been contacted by Samuels' representatives but has made it clear that she is ready for the contest in India next month before Asian Games which starts on November 12 or it will have to be after February next year.

Samuels' coach Hayden Knowles had proposed a January 22 contest between Poonia and the Australian world champion who had pulled out of the Commonwealth Games citing security and health concerns.

"I have accepted Dani's challenge and my federation has also given me permission. The two managers are discussing the date now. If Dani wants to come to India for the contest I am ready to take her in November before Asian Games. But I can't go abroad now as I am preparing for the Asian Games in Guangzhou," Poonia told reporters.

"In January, I want to spend some time with my family. After January, I have no problem going to Australia for the contest. It can be anytime before World Championships (in August in South Korea)," she said.

Poonia's husband Virendra said she is ready to take on Samuels anytime between March and the World Championships in August if not next month.

"If she (Dani) does not come to India next month before the Asian Games it can be anytime between March and August. After the gruelling season Poonia wants to take rest at least a month or two. For now, she is concentrating on her preparations for the Asian Games," he said.

If the contest materialises, it would be the first of its kind high-stake duel involving an Indian athlete.

Hurt by the reported comments of Poonia that Samuels had pulled out of the Commonwealth Games due to "poor form", the support staff of the Australian had dared the Indian to the contest.

Knowles had proposed to hold the contest at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Center as part of Pirtek Athletic Allstars Meet which is considered as athletics counterpart of Twenty20 cricket with celebrities from Hollywood and sports world taking part.

Pirtek Athletic Allstars organisers will raise the $20,000 amount for the contest between Poonia and Samuels through sponsors.

Recently on September 15, world and Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt took part in men's 100m relay event in the Pirtek Athletic Allstars Meet.

In that Meet, Samuels won the discus throw event with a 61.90m effort to beat Olympic champion Stephanie Brown Trafton of United States and former world champion Beatrice Faumina of New Zealand, who finished fifth in Commonwealth Games.

Read more: Poonia accepts Samuels challenge but spurns January date - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/athletics/Poonia-accepts-Samuels-challenge-but-spurns-January-date/articleshow/6816275.cms#ixzz13WuJYf8j

Somdev achieves career high rank of 94

NEW DELHI: Rising singles star Somdev Devvarman on Monday gained two positions to career best 94 in the latest ATP ranking chart.

Somdev, who now has 568 points, failed to make the main draw of the ATP 250 event in Austria after losing the second round of the qualifiers.

In the WTA list, Sania Mirza gained a place to 166 in the singles chart with 356 points while she jumped three positions in the doubles to 64 with 1238 points.

Leander Paes (5), Mahesh Bhupathi (14) and Rohan Bopanna (16) remained static in the doubles chart.

Read more: Somdev achieves career high rank of 94 - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Somdev-achieves-career-high-rank-of-94/articleshow/6809713.cms#ixzz13R6kN6ge

Gambhir, Ishant return for New Zealand series

CHENNAI: When the selectors met here to pick the Indian team for the Tests against New Zealand, the only concern was the fitness of Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma and VVS Laxman.

Once they received news of their availability it took less than an hour to finalise the team at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday.

In the end, the 15-member squad for the three-Test series is the same one which played against Australia. Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma have recovered from knee injuries, while Laxman has also recovered from the back injury which plagued him during the Australia series.

However, despite a blistering double ton in the Irani Trophy early this month, Yuvraj Singh will have to wait a little longer to regain his Test spot. With Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay performing well in the second Test in the absence of the senior players, the selectors obviously chose to overlook Yuvraj.

With Ishant Sharma back in the squad, Sreesanth will be the third seamer. Abhinav Mukund and Jaidev Unadkat, who were included in the squad after the injuries of Gambhir and Ishant, will now be available to play Ranji Trophy for their respective state sides, Tamil Nadu and Saurashtra.

"We have selected the best possible squad for the series. Gambhir and Ishant have been declared fit and Laxman has recovered from the back injury. So, we'll have a full-strength team against New Zealand," selection committee chairman Krishnamchari Srikkanth said after the meeting.

He made it clear that he and his colleagues were satisfied by the performances of the youngsters. "We are proud of the bench strength we have. The young guns played superbly along with the senior pros in the Tests as well as in the only one-dayer. We look to continue this victory march and be in supreme touch before the South Africa series commences. Hence, we have decided to pick a full-strength side," he said.

With Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh leading the pace and the spin departments and Ishant and Pragyan Ojha doing the back-up job, the bowling looks formidable. Amit Mishra will be the reserve spinner.

However, the reserve wicket-keeper still does not seem to be an area of concern for the selectors, though Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been overworked for quite a while.

After the New Zealand series, the long South Africa series and World Cup follow and the selectors must ensure Dhoni is fit and well-rested before these big events. The skipper did not attend the meeting but was consulted over phone by the selection panel.

Test squad: MS Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice-captain), Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Suresh Raina, Cheteshwar Pujara, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, S Sreesanth, Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra.

Read more: Gambhir, Ishant return for New Zealand series - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/top-stories/Gambhir-Ishant-return-for-New-Zealand-series/articleshow/6809191.cms#ixzz13R6PjLjk

Tendulkar in ESPNcricinfo's all-time Test World XI

NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar was the only current cricketer named in ESPNcricinfo's all-time Test World XI which did not include Australian captain Ricky Ponting and the likes of Brian Lara, Glenn McGrath, Sunil Gavaskar.

Tendulkar has been chosen at number four batting position along with legends like Don Bradman, Vivian Richards, Garry Sobers and Shane Warne.

Others in the World XI, dominated by Australians and West Indians, were Jack Hobbs, Len Hutton, Adam Gilchrist, Malcolm Marshall, Wasim Akram and Dennis Lillee.

Gavaskar and Lara found themselves in the second World XI along with Barry Richards, George Headley, Wally Hammond, Imran Khan, Alan Knott, Bill O'Reilly, Fred Trueman, Muttiah Muralitharan and SF Barnes.

Ponting was not in any of the two teams, the same as McGrath and India's world Cup winning captain Kapil Dev.

The jury comprised one former captain from each of the top Test-playing teams -- Ian Chappell, Clive Lloyd, Tony Greig, Duleep Mendis, Ali Bacher, Intikhab Alam, John Wright, Ajit Wadekar -- and four cricket historians and writers.

Warne, Gilchrist and Akram were the other players from the last two decades to make it to the XI, which featured seven players who made their debuts after 1970.

Four Australians, three West Indians, two Englishmen, an Indian and a Pakistani make up the XI.

Three players were unanimous choices, figuring in the first XIs of each of the 12 members of the jury (each juror was asked to pick a first XI and a second) -- Don Bradman, Garry Sobers and Shane Warne, each of whom got the maximum points possible in the exercise, 60. Tendulkar followed with 51 points.

The biggest surprise the XI threw up was the gap between Warne and Muralitharan, the two leading wicket-takers in cricket history. Muralitharan made it to the World Second XI, tallying 34 points fewer than Warne.

The closest battles were for one of the opening spots and for number five. Gavaskar lost out to Hobbs by one point and Headley by two to Richards.

Hutton (47 points) partners Hobbs at the top. They are followed by Bradman, Tendulkar, Richards and Sobers. While there was no competition to Sobers for the all-rounder's spot, Imran (19) narrowly edged out Keith Miller to make it to the Second XI.

Gilchrist beat Alan Knott to the wicketkeeper's spot by eight points. The next closest contender was Kumar Sangakkara, who got nine points.

The bowling positions were all decided by handsome margins. Three of cricket's most highly rated fast bowlers - Dennis Lillee, leading with 48 points, Wasim Akram and Malcolm Marshall (in addition to Sobers, who could bowl left-arm fast, spin and chinamen) -- accompany Warne.

Tendulkar, Bradman, Sobers, Gilchrist, Warne and Akram were voted by the ESPNcricinfo readers in their XI which also have Virender Sehwag, McGrath and Gavasakar.

Sehwag and Gavaskar were the overwhelming favourites for the opening slots, while Lara edged out Richards for a place in the middle order.

The readers went with a two-spin, two-quicks bowling combination. Their XI has Warne and Murali bowling in tandem. McGrath and Akram comfortably beat competition from all the West Indian bowlers in the shortlist.

The World XI:

Jack Hobbs, Len Hutton, Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Viv Richards, Garry Sobers, Adam Gilchrist, Malcolm Marshall, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Dennis Lillee.

The Second XI:

Sunil Gavaskar, Barry Richards, George Headley, Brian Lara, Wally Hammond, Imran Khan, Alan Knott, Bill O'Reilly, Fred Trueman, Muttiah Muralitharan, SF Barnes

Readers' XI:

Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Garry Sobers, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath.

Read more: Tendulkar in ESPNcricinfo's all-time Test World XI - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Tendulkar-in-ESPNcricinfos-all-time-Test-World-XI/articleshow/6807939.cms#ixzz13R6A2sua

India-Aus final ODI abandoned, hosts win series 1-0

STAFF WRITER 15:33 HRS IST

Margao, Oct 24 (PTI) The third and final ODI between India and Australia was today abandoned without a ball being bowled due to wet outfield caused by overnight rains to give the hosts a 1-0 series victory, their first in over two decades.

With the abandonment of today's ODI, the second such case in the three-match series, Australia returned home without winning a single game in their tour of India. They had lost the two-match Test series 0-2 before the ODI series.

India had beaten Australia by five wickets in the second ODI at Visakhapatnam on October 20 while the first match in Kochi on October 17 was washed out.

India thus notched up their first ever whitewash of Australia in both Test and ODI series in the same tour.

Rajasthan Royals to appeal in Bombay HC on Monday

MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals is set to file an appeal in the Bombay High Court on Monday against the Board of Control for Cricket's October 10 order throwing it out of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Royals, which won the 2008 IPL tournament, had its contract terminated after BCCI charged that it had changed its shareholding pattern without taking the consent of the board or the IPL governing council.

The promoters of Rajasthan Royals have now retained Supreme Court lawyer Harish Salve to argue their case. Salve, who was out of the country, returned late on Saturday and is learnt to have met Royals co-owner Manoj Badale in New Delhi. Following the meeting, it was decided to go to court.

When contacted, Badale told TOI, "As a group of overseas investors promoting Indian cricket, I still fail to see what we have done wrong. We will now have to put our full faith in the legal system."

Ranjit Barthakur, chairman of Jaipur IPL Pvt Ltd, said; "As an early promoter of Indian cricket, I am saddened the situation has come to this. Manoj and I have made multiple attempts to meet the BCCI without success. So, legal recourse is the only option." Salve, despite several attempts, was unavailable for comment.

Suresh Chellaram, a 44% stakeholder in the franchise, is suspended IPL chief Lalit Modi's brother-in-law. However, when asked, BCCI chief Shashank Manohar had insisted, "The decision to sack Royals has not been taken because of any individual."

toi

Top players likely to skip ODI series vs Kiwis

New Delhi, Oct 21 (PTI) Some of India's top cricketers are likely to miss the ODI series against New Zealand next month with the Cricket Board planning to send them to South Africa to prepare for the Test series there.

India has never won a Test series in South Africa yet and the BCCI is keen to send the senior cricketers well before the start of the rubber to get fully acclimatised to the conditions.

"We are planning to send the key Test players to South Africa early to prepare for the series. The conditions in South Africa are quite different and we want to give our players enough time to come to terms with the conditions" a BCCI source said.

New Zealand are scheduled to play three Tests and five one-dayers in India from November 4 to December 10.

India, Australia arrive for final ODI in Goa

STAFF WRITER 19:54 HRS IST

Margao, Oct 21 (PTI) India and Australia today arrived here from Vishakapatnam ahead of the third and final one-dayer scheduled to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Sunday.

After the first ODI was washed off in Kochi, India won the second match by five wickets yesterday at Vizag to take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The Australians arrived here with only 12 playing members after injured speedster Doug Bollinger and key middle order batsman Michael Hussey flew home at the conclusion of the second match.

Cricket Australia's Communications advisor Lachy Patterson, who is traveling with the visiting team, said that no replacements have been called for as the October 24 fixture was the concluding tie of the rubber.

"Yes, that's correct. We have come here with 12 players.

2nd ODI: Kohli, Raina power India to 5-wicket win over Australia

VISAKHAPATNAM: Young Virat Kohli overcame a bout of cramps to make a career-best 118 as India posted a thrilling five-wicket win over Australia in the second one-day international on Wednesday.


The 21-year-old hit one six and 11 fours in his third hundred to help India achieve a stiff 290-run target with seven balls to spare in the day-night game for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The opening match was washed out due to rain. The third and final international will be played in Goa on Sunday.

Kohli upstaged Australia captain Michael Clarke, who scored an unbeaten 111 for his fifth one-day hundred, helping his side post a big total.

Australian paceman Clint McKay jolted India with two quick wickets before Kohli and Yuvraj Singh (58) steadied the innings with a 137-run stand for the third wicket.

Batting with a runner because of leg cramps in the later part of his innings, Kohli was also involved in an 84-run stand for the fourth wicket with Suresh Raina, who smashed one six and nine fours in his 47-ball 71 not out.

McKay took three wickets and debutant paceman John Hastings two.

Clarke earlier played a key role in boosting Australia as he added 144 for the third wicket with Mike Hussey (69) and 129 for the unfinished fourth with Cameron White (89 not out).

White hammered six sixes and as many fours in his 49-ball knock as the tourists plundered 84 runs in the last five overs.

Australia were struggling at 16-2 after being put in to bat before Clarke and Hussey steadied the innings.

Clarke completed his century in the 46th over, hitting paceman Vinay Kumar for two successive fours and then turning the next ball to mid-wicket for a single. He cracked one six and seven fours in his 138-ball knock.

Hussey was trapped leg-before by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin after hitting seven fours, but not before setting the stage for a closing-overs onslaught.

Left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra did the early damage when he dismissed openers Shaun Marsh and Tim Paine in his opening four overs.

India had to work hard for their next success as Clarke and Hussey paced their innings remarkably well, taking no risks and relying more on singles and twos to keep the scoreboard moving.

India and Australia rested top players for the series to test their bench strength ahead of next year's World Cup.

Read more: 2nd ODI: Kohli, Raina power India to 5-wicket win over Australia - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/australia-in-india/top-stories/2nd-ODI-Kohli-Raina-power-India-to-5-wicket-win-over-Australia/articleshow/6782471.cms#ixzz12xled0tM

Kochi investors fail to form JV, seek 10 more days from BCCI

MUMBAI: The future of the Kochi franchise of the Indian Premier League remains uncertain. The franchise managed to submit a reply to the BCCI before the deadline of 6pm on Wednesday to incorporate their joint venture elapsed. However, the shareholders have merely sought more time from the board to resolve their dispute.

The Kochi investors have submitted to BCCI that they need time (approximately another 10 days) to bring changes in their shareholding pattern. They have thus put the ball back in BCCI's court.

"Our legal team is going through it (Kochi's reply)," top BCCI officials said on Wednesday evening about the Kochi reply. The board, it is learnt, is looking at legal implications if it decides to grant Kochi an extension.

Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab, the franchisees that were recently axed, are bound to protest if Kochi does get an extension. Further, allowing changes in the Kochi franchise's shareholding pattern would mean allowing it to do exactly what the board had held against the two expelled franchises.

Over the last two months, the Kochi investors had met several times to resolve their internal dispute but failed to do so. However, the last 24 hours seem to have made them see the issue in a different light when they all unanimously agreed to the bigger picture that the franchise was slipping out of hand.

Therefore, backed with a horde of legal advisors, the Kochi investors and the sweat equity holders met at an undisclosed location in Mumbai and are learnt to have come to certain agreements in changing the shareholding pattern. "The only way they could reach a solution to their internal problems is by making the Gaikwads listen to their demands. So, if there's finally a patch-up, that means the Gaikwads have relented," said another official. The proposed idea is likely to have been submitted to the board.

The Gaikwads partly own the 25% free sweat equity held by Rendezvous Sports World Pvt Ltd (RSWPL) that includes Kisan, Shailendra and Pushpa Gaikwad, Puja Gulathi, Jayant Kotalwar, Vishnu Prasad and Sundip Agarwal. Apart from this, Shailendra Gaikwad also holds 1% paid up equity.

The bone of contention was that the remaining investors didn't want the Gaikwads to hold such a huge stake which would give them a larger say in the team affairs.

The Kochi franchise, jointly owned by RSWPL, Anchor Earth Private Ltd, Parinee Developers, Anand Shyam Estates, Film Waves Combine and Vivek Venugopal, was bought at $333.333m, making it IPL's second costliest team. As per the 10-year contract, the franchise would earn BCCI a minimum of $33.33m per year which, as one official pointed, is far more than Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab put together.

TOI

India aim to keep all-win record intact at Vizag

VISAKHAPATNAM: Back in their happy-hunting ground, an upbeat India will look to take the lead against a wounded and depleted Australia in the second ODI on Wednesday after the series-opener was washed out in Kochi.

The three-ODI series has now been reduced to a two-match affair after the first match in Kochi two days ago was abandoned before a ball could be bowled because of heavy rains.

Back-to-back losses in the recently-concluded two-Test series have dented the world champion Australia's pride and they would be looking to get back at the hosts at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ADA- VDCA Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Known for their fighting spirit, Australia have won every one-day series in India since 1998 and the pressure will clearly be on Michael Clarke who had a barren Test series that added fuel to criticism against him.

Clarke will lead a side light on experience after regular skipper Ricky Ponting, all-rounder Shane Watson and pacer Mitchell Johnson were rested from the series, while the fast bowling stocks were further thinned by injuries to Shaun Tait, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle among others.

For Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men, it is all about carrying on the momentum on a ground where India have won all the two matches they have played.

It was at the same venue that Dhoni had announced his arrival on the big stage with a 123-ball 148 against Pakistan in what was his fifth ODI on April 5, 2005.

Playing hard and true, unlike typical Indian wickets, the Vizag strip saw a total of 654 runs scored with India winning comfortably.

India followed it with a win over Sri Lanka in the second ODI that the stadium hosted on February 17, 2007.

Dhoni did not get a chance to bat then as Yuvraj Singh guided the team home and the Team India skipper would look for another big knock when the match is played on Wednesday for the first time under lights.

Bright and sunny weather here means that the cricket starved crowd of the coastal city in Andhra Pradesh will witness an international match after about four years.

Star players including Sachin Tendulkar and Ponting being rested, the series is seen as a battle of upcoming prospects in the two cricketing powerhouses ahead of the ICC World Cup early next year.

Dhoni will lead a new-look Indian side in absence of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, while the bowling department will see the absence of speedster Zaheer Khan and spinners Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha.

But the team is bolstered by the return of an off-colour but determined Yuvraj Singh, who was dropped for the Asia Cup.

The stylish Punjab batsman, not in best of form, will look to find the rhythm at the same venue where he had scored an unbeaten 95 in India's win over Sri Lanka.

With one more series -- against New Zealand -- coming up, this will perhaps be his last chance to pass the litmus test before the quadrennial extravaganza next year.

In the absence of regular openers, the in-form Murali Vijay will start the proceedings with Shikhar Dhawan looking to don Team India colours as well.

The line-up may also mark the debut of explosive rookie batsman Saurabh Tiwary who played for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

"He has got exposure against the best bowlers in the IPL and CL T20. I think it is an ideal opportunity for us to give him a place in the final XI and let him play the kind of cricket he plays," Dhoni had said.

The side also has the tried and tested trio of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who will again be under scrutiny for the middle order slots.

With little assistance from the Vizag strip, Indian seamers of Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar and rookie Vinay Kumar will be tested.

In R Ashwin, India have an in-form off-spinner who had a fantastic run in the Twenty20 version helping Chennai Super Kings win the Champions League. It will be a big test for him ahead of the World Cup.

Australia too will have a new-look side, with players like David Warner, John Hastings and Mitchell Starc keen to show an aptitude for Indian conditions.

"This is great experience for a lot of the guys who haven't played international cricket especially in India," said Clarke.

"I think India is one of the greatest places to play international cricket, but it is a challenge, it is hard, and this is where the World Cup is going to be as well.

"There's a lot of guys who've been waiting for an opportunity, been doing well in first-class cricket, but now with Watto, Punter and Mitch resting and the other bowlers being injured, it has given the guys an opportunity.

"Our preparation is for the World Cup, the selectors pick certain guys to see how they go in these conditions to work out who is going to be in that squad.

Warner will be the danger man for India especially on the flat track of Vizag while the Aussie middle-order will be manned by Clarke who will be keen to score runs after forgettable outings in the Test series.

In Michael Hussey, the Aussies have the experience while Callum Ferguson will be the one to watch out for especially after his stupendous show in Champions League Twenty20.

Doug Bollinger will lead the bowling attack if he has recovered from the abdominal strain that ruled him out of the Bangalore Test.

Youngster Clint McKay is likely to partner him while Mitchell Starc may make his debut in case the senior-most bowler misses out.

A batting paradise, the Vizag strip is seen as one of the best batting pitches of the country and has seen totals of more than 650 and 500 in the last two occasions.

Andhra's director of cricket operations MSK Prasad has promised a run feast for the fans.

"The pitch is a batting beauty. We expect another run feast," the former India wicketkeeper said.

But with the stadium hosting its first match under lights, dew may play a role towards the evening.

Teams (from)

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt/wk), Murali Vijay, Shikhwar Dhawan, Saurabh Tiwary, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar and Vinay Kumar

Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), Cameron White, Michael Hussey, Tim Paine (wk), Doug Bollinger, Callum Ferguson, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Clint McKay, Shaun Marsh, Steven Smith, Michael Starc and David Warner.

Umpires: Billy Bowden, Shavir Tarapore
TV: Sudhir Asnani
Match Referee: Chris Broad.

Hours of play: 2.30pm to 6pm and 6.45pm to end of the match.

Read more: India aim to keep all-win record intact at Vizag - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/australia-in-india/top-stories/India-aim-to-keep-all-win-record-intact-at-Vizag/articleshow/6773616.cms#ixzz12rrQ0vcG

Wrestlers removed from Delhi Games now in Asiad squad

CHENNAI: Sushil Kumar's exclusion from the 18-member wrestling squad for Asian Games came as no surprise as he is recovering from shoulder and knee injuries.

However, the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) selection committee's decision to pick three grapplers who are under the dope cloud did lead to raised eyebrows in wrestling circles.

Freestyle wrestlers Rajiv Tomar (120 kg), Mausam Khatri (96 kg) and Gursharan Preet Kaur (women's 72 kg), who didn't feature in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) after testing positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine (MHA) just days before the Games, have made it to the squad for the Guangzhou Games.

The National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) had cleared the wrestlers for CWG after the provisional hearing on the technicality that World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) has moved MHA from non-specified substances to specified substances category in the 2011 list of prohibited stimulants.

With MHA coming into the specified list, its usage will attract, at the most, a warning. Earlier, its abuse invited a two-year ban.

The trio will appear before a NADA panel for a final hearing on Thursday and if the authorities don't clear the wrestlers, the WFI will have to look for replacements. This brings us to the question: Why were they included in the first place? And, why didn't WFI wait for the Thursday hearing?

WFI president GS Mander explained: "We are very strict about doping. And we follow the NADA and WADA codes. Here, the substance in question (MHA) has been removed from the non-specified list by WADA. It was just added in January and now the authorities have changed their stance. These wrestlers were cleared to take part in the CWG along with the other 10 sportspersons who were originally pulled up by NADA. In fact, one of the athletes from that group (shot-putter Shaurab Vij) took part."

Mander added, "The use of MHA is not a big offence according to doping rules and that is why we have included the wrestlers in the Asiad squad. We are confident they will be cleared by NADA in the next hearing too. If they are not we will find replacements for them."

But with our coaches advertising the depth of talent in Indian wrestling now, was it that difficult to find replacements for these wrestlers? "All three are the best in their respective categories. Rajiv Tomar would have won gold in CWG had he played.

"But we didn't allow him or the other two, even after they were cleared provisionally by NADA, as we wanted to set an example that we wouldn't tolerate any form of substance abuse," said Mander. "Now, since the authorities are clear that it is not a serious offence, we wanted to go with the best possible team to China."

Meanwhile, Sushil was confident the team, even without his presence, would come back with a rich haul from China. "Yogeshwar (60kg) and Narsingh Yadav (74kg) are strong gold medal contenders. They are in good form right now. Besides, Rajiv and Mausam are also back in the team and they are in good touch," he said. "But tough competition will be there from Iran, Japan, China, Korea and wrestlers from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan."

The team: (Freestyle) Vinod Kumar 55kg, Yogeshwar Dutt 60 kg, Pradeep Kumar 66 kg, Narsingh Yadav 74 kg, Ram Vir 84 kg, Mausam Khatri 96 kg, Rajiv Tomar 120 kg; (Greco-Roman): Rajender Kumar 55 kg, Ravinder Singh 60kg, Sunil Kumar 66kg, Sanjay 74 kg, Manoj Kumar 84 kg, Anil Kumar 96 kg, Dharmender Dalal 120 kg; (Women): Nirmala Devi 48 kg, Geeta 55 kg, Suman Kundu 63 kg, Gursharan Preet Kaur 72 kg.

Read more: Wrestlers removed from Delhi Games now in Asiad squad - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/2010-asian-games/Wrestlers-removed-from-Delhi-Games-now-in-Asiad-squad/articleshow/6777494.cms#ixzz12rrAajxo

Asian Games: Easy for Saina, tough draw for other Indians

NEW DELHI: Going by current form and the draw, India's badminton star Saina Nehwal should have little difficulty in making the women's singles semifinals at the Asian Games at Guangzhou, China, starting November 12.

Other Indian players, however, will have a tough time right from the first round.

India won two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze at the Commonwealth Games, but repeating the feat at the Asian Games will be a tough ask. They will have to reckon with powerhouse China who will be in full force.

World No.3 Saina and the gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, is seeded second and has a bye in the first round. Saina could face Hong Kong's Pui Yin Yip, sixth seed, in the quarterfinal. She is likely to encounter her first Chinese opponent only in the semifinals, possibly third seeded Shixian Wang.

The other women's singles player Aditi Mutatkar may face fourth-seeded Eriko Hirose of Japan in the second round as she is expected to beat her first-round opponent Thilini Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka.

In the men's singles, Chetan Anand will open against Sri Lankan Niluka Karunaratne in the first round and may face sixth-seeded Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand in the next round.

Parupalli Kashyap, who emerged India's star player at the Commonwealth Games with singles bronze, will take on world No. 9 Vietnam's Tien Minh Nguyen, seeded fifth, in the first round.

World No.1 Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and China's Lin Dan are seeded one and two respectively in men's singles.

In the men's doubles, Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas will face top-seeded Malaysian Kien Keat Koo and Boon Heong Tan.

India's women's pair Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, who won the doubles gold at the Commonwealth Games, meet Thailand's Savitree Amitrapai and P. Munkitchokecharoen in the first round. However, they are expected to run into second seeded Chinese Shu Cheng and Yunlei Zhao in the next round.

In mixed doubles, Gutta and V Diju, seeded fourth, have got a bye in the first round.

In the men's team event, India will open against Chinese Taipei. If they win they will meet third seeded Indonesia in the second round.

The women's team will face Indonesia first and is likely to take on fourth seeded Chinese Taipei in the next round. China is the top seed in both men's and women's team event.

Read more: Asian Games: Easy for Saina, tough draw for other Indians - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/2010-asian-games/Asian-Games-Easy-for-Saina-tough-draw-for-other-Indians/articleshow/6769478.cms#ixzz12m3yvKkJ

Asian Games: Easy for Saina, tough draw for other Indians

NEW DELHI: Going by current form and the draw, India's badminton star Saina Nehwal should have little difficulty in making the women's singles semifinals at the Asian Games at Guangzhou, China, starting November 12.

Other Indian players, however, will have a tough time right from the first round.

India won two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze at the Commonwealth Games, but repeating the feat at the Asian Games will be a tough ask. They will have to reckon with powerhouse China who will be in full force.

World No.3 Saina and the gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, is seeded second and has a bye in the first round. Saina could face Hong Kong's Pui Yin Yip, sixth seed, in the quarterfinal. She is likely to encounter her first Chinese opponent only in the semifinals, possibly third seeded Shixian Wang.

The other women's singles player Aditi Mutatkar may face fourth-seeded Eriko Hirose of Japan in the second round as she is expected to beat her first-round opponent Thilini Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka.

In the men's singles, Chetan Anand will open against Sri Lankan Niluka Karunaratne in the first round and may face sixth-seeded Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand in the next round.

Parupalli Kashyap, who emerged India's star player at the Commonwealth Games with singles bronze, will take on world No. 9 Vietnam's Tien Minh Nguyen, seeded fifth, in the first round.

World No.1 Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and China's Lin Dan are seeded one and two respectively in men's singles.

In the men's doubles, Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas will face top-seeded Malaysian Kien Keat Koo and Boon Heong Tan.

India's women's pair Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, who won the doubles gold at the Commonwealth Games, meet Thailand's Savitree Amitrapai and P. Munkitchokecharoen in the first round. However, they are expected to run into second seeded Chinese Shu Cheng and Yunlei Zhao in the next round.

In mixed doubles, Gutta and V Diju, seeded fourth, have got a bye in the first round.

In the men's team event, India will open against Chinese Taipei. If they win they will meet third seeded Indonesia in the second round.

The women's team will face Indonesia first and is likely to take on fourth seeded Chinese Taipei in the next round. China is the top seed in both men's and women's team event.

Read more: Asian Games: Easy for Saina, tough draw for other Indians - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/2010-asian-games/Asian-Games-Easy-for-Saina-tough-draw-for-other-Indians/articleshow/6769478.cms#ixzz12m3yvKkJ

Gavaskar first non-Australian in Bradman Hall Of Fame

MUMBAI: Sunil Gavaskar and Adam Gilchrist will be recognised as Bradman Honourees at the annual Bradman Foundation's gala dinner to be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 20.

Adam Gilchrist's award is significant as he is the first honouree to still be playing the game at some level. Gavaskar will be the first international Bradman Honouree. According to the citation, "Embodying the Bradman principles of courage, honour, humility, integrity and determination, Gavaskar had a profound impact on cricket in India and around the world. He is recognised as the most successful of all opening batsmen and is credited for teaching his teammates and their successors the virtue of unconditional professionalism."

Gilchrist and Gavaskar join the ranks of cricketing greats such as Sam Loxton, Norman O'Neill, Alan Davidson, and Arthur Morris. Dennis Lillee, one of last year's Honourees, will also be attending the dinner.

The 2010 gala dinner which is now recognised as the premier cricket event will feature Michael Slater and Ian Healy as masters of ceremony with Barry Humphries giving his unique view on cricket.

The event will also have special significance as it will be held only a few weeks before the world's only International Cricket Hall of Fame will open at Bradman Oval in Bowral.

Read more: Gavaskar first non-Australian in Bradman Hall Of Fame - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Gavaskar-first-non-Australian-in-Bradman-Hall-Of-Fame/articleshow/6771485.cms#ixzz12m3aGYg2

Rain abandons India-Australia Kochi ODI

KOCHI: The first one-dayer between India and Australia was called off without a ball being bowled due to heavy rains on Sunday.

Incessant rains for the last few days resulted in a wet outfield and fresh downpour in the morning, forced match referee Chris Broad to abandon the match.

The umpires inspected the conditions at 9:00 am but found the areas near the bowlers' run-up and a few parts near the boundary lines quite damp.

They were scheduled to carry out a second inspection at 11:00 am but after the fresh drizzle hitting the port city at around 10:20 am, Broad decided to abandon the opening encounter.

The officials were of the view that with all the water already on the field, it was impossible to play.

Though, it was not raining at the time of toss, but the wet outfield caused due to persistent rain in the last few days, delayed the start of play at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.

Groundsmen were making efforts to make the field dry for play but the heavy downpour again meant covers were brought back on the ground.

Both India and Australia players were indoors at the hotel and it was decided that after second inspection of the pitch and outfield by match referee Broad, they would be asked to leave the hotel for the ground.

The teams now travel to Visakhapatnam for the second one-dayer on October 20.

The organisers have decided to refund the cost of tickets bought by the 30,000-odd spectators.

Kochi has been witnessing heavy downpour since last Thursday which washed out the practice sessions of both the teams.

The Indian and Australian team members had reached Kochi on Thursday after the second Test in Bangalore, which the host won. India had also won the first Test at Mohali.

Read more: Rain abandons India-Australia Kochi ODI - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/australia-in-india/top-stories/Rain-abandons-India-Australia-Kochi-ODI/articleshow/6762477.cms#ixzz12g6LPwuV

Indian Cricket team to debut in new ODI kit

STAFF WRITER 15:41 HRS IST

Kochi, Oct 16 (PTI) Team India will debut in the new Nike One-Day International kit, which has brighter and bolder blue jersey made from recycled polyester in their first match against Australia at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here tomorrow.

The new jersey is made entirely from recycled polyester, each one produced from up to eight recycled plastic bottles, Ravi Kallayil, Business Director-Cricket Nike India Private Ltd, told reporters here.

The new kit is an important step in the process to make all Nike products more sustainable.

Kallayil said Nike continuously strives to bring technology and innovations into the sport and help athletes improve their game.

"The new ODI kit not only looks great and delivers performance benefits, but is also made with recycled materials, creating less impact on the environment," he said.

Nike would provide cricket fans an assortment of jersey replicas, including the authentic game day jersey.

Aussies should learn the 'art of cricket' from Tendulkar: Jones

MELBOURNE: Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar's dominance in batting is well known, but what makes him a genius and separates him from other batsmen in world is his ability to perform the basics in a better manner, and that too also in pressure conditions, according to Australian legend Dean Jones.

"Tendulkar is a freak, a pure sporting genius. I have seen a few in my time, such as Viv Richards, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting, players who had something different to others," Jones said.

"What makes a genius? To me, the difference between a genius and mere mortals is that their defence is better. They perform the basics better. When athletes or teams are under pressure and momentum goes against them, it is their defensive skills that stand out the most," he writes in The Age.

"For a mortal to aspire to something higher, he needs to know this. Take Andrew Symonds, whose defensive game was non-existent when he started playing Test cricket. He learnt to defend and became a better player," Jones said.

Commenting on the Australian players slide in form during the Test series in India, Jones said that spinner Nathan Hauritz was struggling because he forgets the basics of bowling under pressure.

"He simply cannot bowl six balls in a shoe box when he is under the heat. For Marcus North, his problem is that he does not read the length early enough and doesn't play straight early. Therefore he struggles with inconsistency. Our top-line bowlers do not bowl straight enough, particularly to new batsman at the crease. Just basics, really," he said.

Jones further asked Australia to take a few lessons from Tendulkar in the way he goes about his game, and added that never mumbles to himself when he is batting, never curses or gets rushed or irritated.

"Tendulkar is 37 and showing everyone up; making runs at will. He has about six gears in his batting, but for a while he was boring to watch as he never got out of third. Now, his attitude has changed and he is bringing some fun into his batting by hitting sixes. His current bat has made 13 Test centuries," Jones said

"He is meticulous about the way he prepares for a series or a game. When India is training, you never see him sitting down, he is always busy. Tendulkar hates running and is not keen on the gym. But he works hard on the stationary bike and watches what he eats. He plays enough cricket and makes enough runs to keep himself in top condition," he added.

Read more: Aussies should learn the 'art of cricket' from Tendulkar: Jones - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/australia-in-india/top-stories/Aussies-should-learn-the-art-of-cricket-from-Tendulkar-Jones/articleshow/6758429.cms#ixzz12Wdo3OPW

120 billion yuan invested in Guangzhou Asian Games

The gross investment for the upcoming 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games reached up to more than 120 billion yuan, said Wan Qingliang, mayor of Guangzhou City, on Oct. 13.

Wan said that the investment mainly covered three aspects.

The city budgeted 6.3 billion yuan for construction and maintenance of stadiums and 7.3 billion yuan as operating funds for the upcoming Asian Games and the Asian Paralympic Games.

Moreover, Guangzhou City also invested 109 billion yuan to improve the urban landscape and environment, which included the construction of subways, city roads and bridges. It also built up of infrastructure, integrated environmental management and industrial wastewater treatment and carried out a program of comprehensive environmental improvement, including air, water, transportation, living environment and comprehensive environmental barrier-free facilities.

It was reported that 70 stadiums are to be used in the Asian Games, of which 12 are newly built and 58 are renovated or expanded. Meanwhile, the Asian Games Village, covering an area of 2.73 square kilometers, was built to gather major non-competition venues, including the athletes' village, the technical officers' village, the media village and a main media centre.

By Li Mu, People's Daily Online

Asian Games 2010: 27 Days Remaining

Guangzhou: China: The 16th Asian Games has 30 days remaining before the Opening Ceremonies of the Games on Friday, November 12. The Asian Games 2010 are the part of the worldwide Olympic movement and governed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)

The Asian Games are the second largest sports event in the world after the Summer Olympic Games.

Games organizers and civic officials are in the final preparation work for the Games with all final construction within the city, including all final beautification projects, must be completed by November 1.

More than 80 percent of the stadiums used for training and competition during the Games will be connected by subway trains.

This includes an all-new subway line from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport – some 35 kilometers from downtown Guangzhou – linking the city of 10 million residents with the airport which has doubled in size in anticipation of the Games and future growth of the Pearl River Delta.

The Asian Games Torch Relay has started from its lighting last week at the Great Wall from Beijing to 21 cities in Guangdong Province

It will also travel to Harbin in Heilongjiang, Changchun in Jilin and Haiyang in Shandong.

More than 2,000 torch bearers ranging from 6 to 100 years old will participate in the one-month relay.

Demonstrative Torch Relay for Asian Games held in Harbin

Harbin, October 14 - The torch of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games reached Harbin in Northeast China on Thursday (October 14) and 21 torchbearers took part in a demonstrative relay on the ice at Harbin Ice Hockey Gym, according to Xinhua.

Cricket to be in 2010 Asian Games

The 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China will feature cricket for the first time. The proposal to include cricket was approved at the Olympic Council of Asia's General Assembly in Kuwait recently.

The four Asian Test nations have committed to sending their best available teams, though as all but Bangladesh have home series scheduled at the time the event takes place, the strength of those teams may not be full strength.

The first Asian Games were held in Delhi in 1951, and Guangzhou will be the sixteenth games. Forty two sports will be played, 14 more than take place in the Olympics. The games will take place between the 12th and 27th of November.

Cricket has featured in multi-sports events before. The South Pacific games has had cricket as a discipline for a number of years, and will do so again this year, but this is the highest profile such event since the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

That tournament, in Kuala Lumpur was a disappointment, with England not sending a team, the West Indies being broken up into individual islands and most other Test nations sending weakened sides. The gold medal then was won by South Africa, with Australia taking the silver and Sri Lanka the bronze. It provided an upset moment as well, when a Northern Ireland side featuring recent World Cup squad members Kyle McCallan and Peter Gillespie beat Bangladesh in the group stage.

It had been hoped that the Glasgow bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games would include cricket as one of the sports, but the bid they issued recently saw cricket conspicuous by its absence.

Cricket has also featured in the Olympics, way back in 1900. Only one game was played, between a club side called Devon and Somerset Wanderers representing Great Britain, and a French Athletic Club Union team mainly made up of British Embassy staff in Paris representing France. Britain won the match by 158 runs, though neither of the sides seemed to be aware they were playing in the Olympics. Matches involving Belgium and the Netherlands were not played.

http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ARTICLES/articles/000044/004449.shtml

Tendulkar jumps to top spot in the ICC Test ranking

DUBAI: Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday reclaimed the number one position in the Test rankings, following his stupendous show with the bat in the just concluded Test series against Australia.


Tendulkar was the highest run-getter with 403 runs in the two-match series, which India won 2-0.

Tendulkar also scored his sixth double hundred and was adjudged Man-of-the-series.

The Indian batting legend has now 891 points, according to the ICC ranking table on its website.

Virender Sehwag is the next best Indian at number three with 819 points, behind Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara (874).

TOI

India need to beat Australia to retain ODI second spot

DUBAI: India will have to beat Australia in the three-match ODI series starting on Sunday if they want to retain their second spot in ICC rankings.

While Australia sits pretty at number one position on 132 ratings points, India, South Africa and Sri Lanka are locked on 115. However, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side is placed second by a fraction.

India will retain second place if it beats Australia 3-0 or 2-1 as they will have 121 or 118 ratings points in that case.

Dhoni's side, however, can drop to fourth if it loses the series against Australia as South Africa are playing against Zimbabwe in a three-match series starting on Friday.

If South Africa wins all the three ODIs, it will move to 116 ratings points.

In the ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen, South African AB de Villiers and Dhoni resume their battle for the coveted number one position in different continents.

De Villier, ODI Player of the Year, claimed the top spot from Dhoni on August 29 but with the South African enjoying a slender nine-point lead, all that could change depending how the two perform with the bat.

Australia batsman Mike Hussey is narrowly behind Dhoni in third place and will also be aiming to regain the top position which he last achieved back in February after the series against Pakistan.

Also inside the top-20 and aiming for upward movements are Hashim Amla (joint-fourth), Jacques Kallis (seventh), Virender Sehwag (eighth), Graeme Smith (13th) and Michael Clarke (17th).

In the ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers, left-arm fast bowler Doug Bollinger in sixth place is the highest-ranked player who will be featuring in these two series.

The list is headed by New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori whose side currently trails 3-0 against Bangladesh with the last ODI in Dhaka on Sunday.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan leads the ICC Player Rankings for ODI all-rounders. The left-hander is the only player with more than 400 points while second-ranked Shane Watson of Australia is on 367 ratings points.

Only 16 ratings point separate fourth-ranked Kallis from fifth-placed Vettori with Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi occupying third spot.


Read more: India need to beat Australia to retain ODI second spot - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/australia-in-india/top-stories/India-need-to-beat-Australia-to-retain-ODI-second-spot/articleshow/6754178.cms#ixzz12UXLKqaZ

India strengthen top position in ICC Test rankings

DUBAI: With a crushing 2-0 series win, India on Wednesday not only consolidated its position at the top of ICC Test ranking table but also pushed Australia down to number five.


India, which came into the two-match series with 127 rating points, are now sitting pretty at 130 points, 11 clear of second-placed South Africa.

Australia had entered the series on 113 points and ended up conceding three ratings points, slipping to fifth position behind England (112).

Sri Lanka are placed third with 115 points. This is Australia's lowest ranking since the ICC Test Championship rankings were introduced in 2003.

However, Australia will have a chance to regain its fourth position when it goes head to head with England in a five-Test Ashes series which starts in Brisbane on 23 November.

India beat Australia by 7 wickets, win series 2-0

BANGALORE: India thrashed Australia by seven wickets in the second Test to make a clean sweep of the series and win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.

Riding high on his first innings score of 207, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar (53) and Rahul Dravid (21) scored an unbeaten 61 runs for the fourth wicket to see the team through. With that India won both Tests - the first by a wicket, and the second by seven wickets.

After the quick exit of dashing opener Virender Sehwag (7), Murali Vijay (37) and Test debutant Cheteshwar Pujara steered the Indian second innings with a 72-run stand for the second wicket.

Pujara scored a fluent 72 with seven fours before being bowled by off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

Earlier, resuming at overnight 202 for seven, Australia's second innings folded up quickly with tail-enders perishing in a span of five overs.

Indian speedster Zaheer Khan packed off Mitchell Johnson for 11 and Peter George for a duck, caught behind by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, while pacer S Sreesanth bowled Ben Hilfenhaus for a duck.

Zaheer and spinner Pragyan Ojha took three wickets each, while Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh snared two each.

With a 17-run lead from the first innings, India began chasing 207, looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In reply to Australia's 478, India made 495 in the first innings with Tendulkar scoring a double century

India won the first Test at Mohali by one wicket.

TOI

ICC approves creation of Test Championship

The International Cricket Council has approved the creation of a Test Championship and has also called for a creation of an ODI league.

During the ICC meeting held in Dubai, the following recommendations were approved by the ICC Chief Executives' Committee:

1. The FTP should consist of a Test league to provide context for all Test matches. The league would determine the top four teams to qualify for an ICC Test play-off

2. The play-off should be held once every four years to determine the Test champion team with a request to hold the first such play-off in 2013

3. The FTP should also consist of a One-Day International league, the first to run from April 2011 until April 2014, culminating in the crowning of an ODI league champion. This would run separate to the ICC Cricket World Cup

4. The ICC Cricket World Cup should consist of a 10-team format from 2015

5. The ICC World Twenty20 should consist of a 16-team format from 2012, with the women's event continuing to run alongside

6. The introduction of Twenty20 International rankings table as soon as this is justifiable.

The Board agreed that any discussion of performance-related ranking and the issue of qualification for ICC global events, including finding opportunities for Associate Members to play ODI cricket, should be considered by the ICC Governance Committee and a recommendation brought back to the Board.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: "Restructuring international cricket is a significant strategic challenge and one that must be dealt with. We have now agreed in principle to exciting and far-reaching proposals to tackle this most important issue.

"Achieving balance and unanimous agreement is not easy but we have responded well to a strategic priority to restructure international cricket. The proposals, especially introducing more meaningful context, means we now have the potential to follow international cricket that is even more exciting."

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011:

ICC chief Executive said he was happy with the progress made by the venues for the 2011 WOrld Cup.

Lorgat said: "We are pleased with the considerable progress made particularly in the areas of venue preparation and security."

"The ICC Cricket World Cup is the ICC's flagship event which will provide a showcase for some of the best players who have ever played this great game and it will also provide the world with a glimpse of the colour and passion for cricket that exists in the host nations.

"This is an exciting time for cricket. We have just witnessed two thrilling Test matches between India and Australia which have demonstrated the strength and the enduring appeal of the longest form of the game. We have some more mouthwatering contests such as the Ashes and India's visit to South Africa, the top two teams in the world, before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011."

"Earlier this year we witnessed the West Indies stage a wonderfully successful ICC World Twenty20 and now we have the prospect of a truly spectacular ICC Cricket World Cup, the opening match of which will take place in Dhaka on 19 February when Bangladesh takes on India. To us, this demonstrates the viability and continued success of the three formats of our great sport."

Decision Review System:

Decision Review System (DRS)

The three host countries confirmed to the ICC Board that the Decision Review System (DRS) should be used in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka subject to ensuring the reliability of ball-tracking technology. The Board agreed that Hotspot technology would also be used in the semi-finals and final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Mr Lorgat said: "I have agreed with Cricket Australia to attend the Ashes matches between Australia and England with representatives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to understand the successful application of the technology and its contribution to correct umpiring decisions."

The ICC Executive Board also agreed to explore sponsorship for the DRS and the revenues generated from this will be distributed among those Members who have pooled their rights, after costs have been deducted. Members who do not pool their rights will be free to exploit such rights themselves.
© ICC

Aussies slip to fifth place in Test rankings

Following the 2-0 clean-sweep by India in the 2-match Test series, the Ponting led Australian team has slipped to fifth place in the ICC rankings for Test teams.

India had entered the series ranked number one and even if they had lost both matches to the Australians, they would still have been ranked number one.

India entered the series with 127 rating points, and they now have 130 points following their series win.

South Africa, who are second in the ICC rankings, are on 119 points followed by Sri Lanka with 115 points and England who have 112 points.

Australia, who started the Test series against India with 113 points, lost 3 points following their losses.

ICC rankings for Test teams at the end of the India-Australia series:

Ranking	Team	Matches	Rating Points
1	India	34	130
2	South Africa	29	119
3	Sri Lanka	23	115
4	England	39	112
5	Australia	37	110
6	Pakistan	23	83
7	West Indies	21	79
8	New Zealand	25	78
9	Bangladesh	19	7

Australia struggles against spinners at Bangalore

Indian spinners Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh shared five wickets as Australia struggled to 202 for seven at stumps Tuesday, an overall lead of 185 with one day remaining in a delicately poised second cricket test.

After conceding a 17-run first-innings lead to India, Australia raced to 58 in 16 overs before losing three top-order batsmen in quick succession. A determined Ricky Ponting (72) figured in useful half-century stands with Michael Hussey (20) and Tim Paine (23) to bolster the middle order.

Openers Shane Watson (31) and Simon Katich (24) had started well, but the advent of the spinners pegged the visiting side back.

Watson was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Ojha, missing a half-century for the first time on the tour.

He scored a century in each innings (115 and 104) of a three-day practice game in Chandigarh. He then struck 126 and 56 in the first test at Mohali, where Australia lost by one wicket, and followed it up with 57 in the first innings here.

Watson's dismissal was followed by two more wickets in the space of seven runs.

Katich was caught behind by Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Harbhajan, while Clarke was stumped by Dhoni off Ojha as the batsman stretched out to reach a delivery that dipped sharply.

The pace bowlers started to get some reverse swing later in the innings. Left-armer Zaheer Khan removed Ponting after the Australian captain had struck one six and seven fours, while Paine (23) fell to Sreesanth just six runs later.

Ojha returned 3-57 and Harbhajan had 2-63 as India chased its first victory at the Bangalore venue since 1995.

Earlier, Sachin Tendulkar completed his sixth test double-century to guide India to 486 for five before India had a dramatic late collapse.

Resuming at 435 for five, India progressed to 486 before losing five wickets for nine runs and being dismissed for 495 on in reply to Australia's 478.

"We are disappointed at losing those five wickets this morning," said Tendulkar. "But we came back pretty well and the bowlers have done a fantastic job so far. It is going to be an exciting and big day for us tomorrow."

Tendulkar, who was on 191 at stumps on Monday, was first out, dragging a delivery from rookie paceman Peter George onto his stumps. His magnificent 214 was laced with 22 boundaries and two sixes.

Skipper Dhoni made 30 in 87 minutes, but Harbhajan, Zaheer and Sreesanth failed to deliver.

The lanky George, who also accounted for the wicket of Zaheer, combined with others to restrict the Indians.

Nathan Hauritz took two wickets in five balls as he dismissed Dhoni and last-man Sreesanth. Dhoni was caught at slip as he tried to drive a delivery from the spinner, while Sreesanth was trapped lbw.

Watson accounted for Harbhajan, who gave a simple catch to Ponting at mid-wicket.

"The match is at a critical stage and it is all about how we deal with pressure and apply ourselves," said Tendulkar, adding that it would be a serious challenge batting last in the match.

"The wicket has become slower. Cracks have widened, so we may need to adjust to the bounce and the pace. Hopefully our bowlers would make the target as low as possible for us," he said.

Sachin Tendulkar hits sixth double century

NEW DELHI: Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday completed his sixth double hundred in Test cricket, adding to the mountain of runs he has accumulated in his over two-decade career.

Tendulkar continued to grind the Australian bowling attack on the fourth day of the second and final Test in Bangalore.

Tendulkar, who was unbeaten on 191 at the end of the third day's play, reached the landmark in the sixth over of the day.

This is Tendulkar's second double century against Australia, the first one being an unbeaten 241 in Sydney in January 2004.

Tendulkar is the only batsman in the world to hit a double century in ODI cricket.

Tendulkar is the only man to post 1,000 runs in a calendar year on six occasions -- with Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and Brian Lara hitting this milestone five times.

His superb knock took Tendulkar's aggregate for the year so far to 1194 runs at an average of 99.5.

On Day 3, Tendulkar wrote another record by his name by making a 150-plus score for the record 20th time, surpassing Brian Lara's 19. He also became only the third batsman, after David Gower and Jack Hobbs to score 3000 Test runs against Australia.

On the second day of the Test, Tendulkar had passed 14,000 Test runs, taking just 12 innings to race there - the fastest he has ever gone from one 1,000-run mark to the next.

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

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

Following is the list of Tendulkar's double centuries in Test cricket:

Opponent	Venue	Year
New Zealand	Ahmedabad	October 1999
Zimbabwe	Nagpur	November 2000
Australia	Sydney	January 2004
Bangladesh	Dhaka	December 2004
Sri Lanka	Colombo (SSC)	July 2010
Australia	Bangalore	October 2010

TOI

Second Test: Australia 202/7 at stumps on Day 4

BANGALORE: Australian captain Ricky Ponting defied India's bowlers with a spirited half-century as his team fought a grim battle for survival in the final Test on Tuesday.

After Sachin Tendulkar had made 214 to give India a slender 17-run lead, the Aussies slumped to 131/5 in their second innings before recovering to post 202/7 by stumps on the fourth day.

Ponting made 72, his second half-century of the match, when seamer Zaheer Khan trapped him leg-before towards the end of the day's play to put India on top.

Australia, seeking a series-levelling win after losing the first Test in Mohali by one wicket, start the final day's play 185 runs ahead with three wickets in hand.

India's spin twins, Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha, wrecked Australia's top-order on a wearing wicket at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore that assisted turn.

Openers Shane Watson and Simon Katich put on 58, before both fell in the space of four deliveries without a run being added.

Watson was trapped leg-before by left-arm spinner Ojha, while Katich edged a catch to wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in off-spinner Harbhajan's next over.

Seven runs later, Michael Clarke was stumped by Dhoni off Ojha to reduce the tourists to 65/3, barely 48 runs ahead.

Michael Hussey put on 61 for the fourth wicket with Ponting, before he was leg-before to Ojha for 20 and first-innings centurion Marcus North was bowled by Harbhajan for three.

Tim Paine (23) added 50 with Ponting and when play ended Mitchell Johnson was on seven and Nathan Hauritz was on eight.

Earlier, India took their overnight score of 435/5 to 495 before they were all out at the stroke of lunch in reply to Australia's 478.

Tendulkar's dismissal at 486/5 triggered a lower order collapse in which the last five Indian wickets fell for nine runs.

Tendulkar, who was on 191 overnight, reached his double century 25 minutes after the start with a quick single off Ben Hilfenhaus.

It was the world batting record holder's sixth double-century and his second in four Tests, having made 203 against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo in July.

The 37-year-old, who is in his 21st year in international cricket, has already notched up six three-figure knocks this year, besides making 98 in the previous Test in Mohali.

Tendulkar was dismissed in the second over after resumption of play when he edged an intended cut off fast bowler Peter George onto his stumps, giving the tall South Australian a treasured first Test wicket.

The Indian's vigil at the crease lasted nearly nine hours, in which he hit 22 boundaries and two sixes.

Hauritz claimed the last two wickets, including Dhoni for 30, to finish with two for 153 from 39.5 overs.

Left-arm fast bowler Johnson was the most successful bowler with 3-105, while George took two wickets.

TOI