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

At 99.5, Sachin Tendulkar's 2010 average matches Don's

BANGALORE: The stats would have you believe that this is the best Sachin Tendulkar has ever batted. And for once, the stats may well be right. On Monday, Sachin posted Test century no. 49. It was his sixth in the calendar year, the most by any Indian ever. And it took his aggregate for the year so far to 1194 runs at an average of - hold your breath - 99.5. Indeed, the only word to describe his form is Bradmanesque (the Don, remember, had a career average of 99.94). And India will play at least five more Tests in 2010.

On Monday, Sachin finished at 191 not out. And if Dhoni and the tail hang around, who's to say 300 is out of reach? On Sunday, he 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.

But the stats, staggering though they undoubtedly are, don't tell the full tale. They fail to capture the utter serenity that Sachin now radiates like an aura while he's at the crease, the sense of inevitability that accompanies yet another big score. Indeed, watching him in action now reminds one of nothing so much as a martial arts grand master, achieving maximum impact with minimum effort.

In fact, the numbers that really make you marvel are 5, 3 and 1. Those were the respective ages of Murali Vijay, Pragyan Ojha and Cheteshwar Pujara when Sachin debuted in Tests. They now play with him, but Sachin still has the passion of a rookie.

On Monday, as Vijay battled his way to his maiden Test century, Sachin Tendulkar handed out yet another batting masterclass. The concentration didn't waver for a moment, the hawk-like patience was intact. These qualities were best exemplified by how he dealt with a slow bouncer from Peter George that never arrived. Tendulkar saw the ball early, started to duck but because he had his eyes on the ball, was able to defend at the last minute as the ball rose less than expected. It had to be seen to be believed.

All this despite the fact that he wasn't exactly up against a world-class bowling unit which may have motivated him to perform harder. The wicket too wasn't a testing one and so it would have taken some effort to buckle down, which he had to do in the circumstances given Australia's imposing first-innings total.

Then again, the Tendulkar of the last two-three years is a much-changed batsman, and definitely more consistent. Where he used to have three to four options for one ball, now he is prepared to wait for the loose ball.

He plays far straighter these days, thus closing that little gate between bat and pad that had seen him get bowled on more than a few occasions. He does bring out the magnificent on drive once in a while but far less frequently than before.

On one other aspect though, he has taken the other route, thanks to someone who wasn't anywhere near being born when Tendulkar took his bow in international cricket. Having got out quite a few times in the nervous 90s, he was advised by his son to try and get there with a six, a la Virender Sehwag. On Monday, he got there with two of them, first to move from 93 to 99 and then on to 105.

So what's next? Well, there's 15,000 Test runs to get, 50 Test centuries, 100 international centuries. All landmarks that once seemed impossible, all now seemingly within touching distance. But first, how about a triple?

Sachin's best years

Year	Runs	Highest	Average	100s
2002	1392	193	55.68	4
2010	1194	203	99.50	6
1999	1088	217	68.00	5
2008	1063	154*	48.31	4

BCCI boots out Kings and Royals from IPL

MUMBAI: In a swift and unexpected move with far-reaching consequences, Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals were scrapped from the Indian Premier League on Sunday.

The BCCI, after its IPL governing council meeting, announced that the two franchises' contracts were being terminated with immediate effect for violating shareholding and ownership patterns.

The Kochi IPL franchise has been given 10 days to incorporate their franchise and get their documents and money in place, failing which their contract will also be terminated.

The shocked team owners of King's XI and RR promised to take the fight to the courts. Preity Zinta and Shilpa Shetty, the faces of their respective teams, said they were too stunned to even react.

Inevitably, suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi's name was invoked: he is believed to have financial interests in both teams. BCCI president Shashank Manohar, however, denied any such motive, saying, "It is not due to any single person."

Kings XI and RR have been feeling the heat right from the time the board decided to increase the number of IPL teams to 10. With major politicians and mega companies aligning with different bidders, the fight turned ugly.

In the process, Modi got engaged in a direct tussle with former minister of state Shashi Tharoor, who had guided Kochi's successful bid. As the war became bitter, the government's investigative agencies got into the act.

They soon discovered that the IPL had apparently violated many laws of the country; they even claimed to have spotted money-laundering trails and foreign exchange violations.

King's XI and RR, who were alleged to have benefited because of their proximity with Modi, were seen as the worst culprits.

According to the two show-cause notices, copies of which are with TOI, Rajasthan Royals have been charged with three gross violations.

Addressed to Jaipur IPL Cricket Private Ltd, it said: "You had claimed that the Emerging Media (IPL) Ltd, UK (Bidco) would be the entity controlling the Indian holding company operating the franchise through its wholly owned Mauritian subsidiary. But you stepped into the shoes of the original bidder on the date of award of the franchise i.e., 14.4.2008, without being a group company or entity controlled by the bidder.

"Accordingly, under clause 11.2 and 11.3 of the franchise agreement, the contract has been terminated."

Shock Decision

Rajasthan Royals

Bid was presented by one company, agreement signed by another. Shareholding pattern too changed. Shares sold or transferred without permission of governing council.

Kings XI Punjab

Change in ownership patterns. Bidders were led by Preity Zinta, as chairperson of KPH Dream Cricket. But shares were held by ACEE Enterprises and Mohit Burman. In 2008, ownership patterns changed twice even though they had signed an agreement barring changes in first three years.

Team holdings

Rajasthan Royals: Originally owned by Emerging Media Group whose chairman is Manoj Badale. Other investors include Lalchan Murdoch, Aditya Chellaram, Suresh Chellaram

Team bought for $67m in 2008 auction

Latest investors

Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty purchased 11.7% in 2009, raising the team value to $130m

Kings XI Punjab: Owned by Preity Zinta, Ness Wadia, Karan Paul and Mohit Burman

Team bought for $76m in 2008

Who's Saying What

It's more than just a team 4 us... We're deeply saddened. Hope the fans support us!

Shilpa Shetty | Co-owner, Rajasthan Royals on twitter

Mulling legal options but I am not sure whether we can have IPL 4 if teams are treated like this.

Raj Kundra | Co-owner

3 seasons ago Royals won first ever IPL, underdogs come good, what a story! Now look. I hope BCCI come to their senses, fingers crossed!

Shane Warne | RR captain on twitter

I wonder if IPL franchisees are serious stakeholders whose investments and participation are respected or are they slaves who only come and play.

Vijay Mallya | Owner, RCB

The owners should get together and run the league on their own. This action is totally illegal. They (BCCI) are hell bent on destroying something that we as Indians are proud of - IPL - to satisfy their personal agendas.

Lalit Modi | former IPL chairman

After working so hard in IPL & putting my everything building this team this is not what I expected! Shocked!

Preity Zinta | Co-owner, KXIP

Key Questions

What happens to the promoters' investments?

They had to pay the sum bid at the auction over 10 years. So far, RR has paid about $20m and KXIP about $22m. In addition, there are player costs, match hosting expenses and brand-building budgets. This money is lost. But they also made money from sponsorships and gate receipts (ballpark estimate: $15m). Royals also got $5m for winning the first IPL and sold an 11.7% stake to Shilpa and Kundra for about $15m

What happens to the players of the two teams?

They will be put in the auction pool and any franchise can pick them up. The player auction will be held in January

Why did BCCI take such an extreme step?

Ostensibly, for unsanctioned changes in shareholding or ownership patterns. But political pressure following money-laundering charges and personal agendas may have played a key role too

Was it pushed into a corner by the govt?

It seems so. The ED's investigations have apparently revealed that IPL caused losses worth hundreds of crores to the exchequer through alleged money laundering and FEMA violations. Allocation of TV rights, mobile rights and other mega deals are also being probed

Did it have no option?

Apparently not. The govt had warned BCCI that if it didn't act, govt agencies would step in. That would have been disastrous for Brand IPL

Could it be a witch-hunt against Modi?

BCCI has denied it. But the Tharoor embarrassment has clearly not been forgotten. Modi is believed to have financial interests in both teams, at least through relatives

What can the 2 teams do?

They'll almost surely take the legal route

What about Kochi?

They have a 10-day breather. If they can resolve their disputes and form a company, they survive

What happens if Kochi gets axed too?

A fresh auction for three teams, or at least one, will be held by January. IPL-4 will be held in April-May as originally planned. It will become a 60-match, home and away affair, if it becomes an 8-team league. If it's increased to 10, there will be 74 matches

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Misbah appointment shocking: Akram

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram is shocked at the appointment of Misbah-ul-Haq as Pakistan captain for the two-Test series against South Africa, starting November 20.

Speaking to Mobile ESPN from Karachi on Saturday, Akram said: "I was surprised when I heard that Misbah has been named the Pakistan captain. He has been out of the team since the beginning of the year and to bring him back as a captain was a bit shocking."

The legendary pacer believes that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) needs to think long term as age is fast catching up with Misbah.

"If they have named him the captain for one series, it's okay. He is already 36 and the PCB needs to find a long-term solution to this problem. I do not know what's the vision of the selectors," Akram said.

However, Akram was quick to point out that the Pakistan board was short of options when it came to naming the captain.

"They (PCB) did not have too many choices. Kamran Akmal is there but he is inexperienced. They have also tried Shoaib Malik. Mohammad Yousuf is making a comeback after a long time and he should just concentrate on his batting at the moment," the 44-year-old said.

Akram also said that Misbah will be under a lot of stress in the upcoming series against South Africa and he may find the going tough initially.

"Misbah will be under pressure. He will have to improve the image of Pakistan cricket. For Misbah handling the media and getting runs himself could be demanding," said Akram.

Looking ahead to the series against the Proteas, Wasim felt, "The wickets in Dubai might suit Misbah's style of batting, but you cannot take the South Africans lightly. They are a very tough opposition under any conditions. Misbah needs to work hard and make sure he earns the faith of the team. If he gets runs, everything else will take care of itself."

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Want to perform for India as long as I play: Tendulkar

BANGALORE: Senior India batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday said playing for the country has been his childhood dream and that he has enjoyed every moment during the last 20 years.

"I have always been focused towards my game. When I started playing cricket, I never had any goals but always wanted to perform for my country and as long as I play for India, my focus will remain so," Tendulkar told the official broadcasters . He added, "Playing for India for 20 years has been magnificent."

The batting maestro said he has worked hard along with Gary Kristen for the last couple of years and the team is doing fantastically.

"It has always been a fantastic feeling to be a part of a successful team," said the batsman who has scored the most number of runs and centuries in Tests and ODIs.

Talking about his fitness, Tendulkar said he tries to work hard and lead a disciplined life but there are bound to be niggles in between.

On India's chances in the ongoing Test match, Tendulkar said, "It is going to be a challenge for us. The wicket is slow and has uneven bounce. We need to try and get good partnerships. We need to stay at the wicket but it is going to be hard work."

Meanwhile, as cricket lovers globally applauded Tendulkar's feat, his teammate Murali Vijay and Marcus North of Australia paid rich tributes to the batting icon.

Vijay said, "I am living my dream now. Sachin was my childhood hero and I am lucky to bat along side with him now. It is unbelievable. I am just enjoying that feel. It is a different kind of feel for me."

On the other hand, North referred to Sachin as an amazing player and said, "His feat of 14,000 plus runs is very special. I guess it is a credit to his career."

"In the pressures of Test cricket, he has had a long journey. He has proven to be a class player."

North also spelt out his team's strategy to get the master batsman out".

"We are somehow work hard and remove him pretty quickly tomorrow. Playing against someone who has had 14,000 plus runs as I have just got in to my first 1,000 runs, speaks as to how is respected," the Australian added.

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Sachin Tendulkar wins ICC Cricketer of the Year Award

NEW DELHI: Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday bagged his maiden ICC Cricketer of the Year trophy along with the People's Choice Award, while compatriot Virender Sehwag was named the Test Cricketer of the Year at a glittering ceremony.

In Pics: ICC Awards Ceremony 2010

Tendulkar, who has an international career spanning over two decades, clinched the coveted trophy by beating South African Hashim Amla, Englishman Graeme Swann and Sehwag.

"It's better late than never. I am getting the award in the 21st year of my career, so it's fantastic. I have been working hard for this award," Tendulkar said after receiving the honour.

Tendulkar, who made his debut as a 16-year-old against Pakistan way back in November 15, 1989, was also named the winner of LG People's Choice Award.

"To play well is a challenge that you take in your stride and work hard to perform. I am doing this for the last 21 years and I take a lot of pride to play for my country," Tendulkar said.

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named captain of the ICC's World Test XI, while Australia was chosen as the best ODI team of the period between August 2009 and 2010.

Team India won the Test Team of the Year whereas Australia bagged the ODI Team of the Year Award.

South Africa's AB de Villiers has won the ODI Player of the Year award.

De Villiers beat off tough competition from Sachin Tendulkar and the Australia duo of Shane Watson and Ryan Harris to take the prestigious award.

During the voting period, de Villiers played 16 ODIs and scored 855 runs at an average of 71.25 and at a rate of 103.38 runs per 100 balls faced. In that time he hit four 50s and four centuries making sure he led his team from the front when it came to batting.

England fast bowler Steven Finn has won the ICC Emerging Player of the Year award at the LG ICC Awards ceremony in Bengaluru.

The 21-year-old, who played in six Test matches in the voting period and took 27 wickets at an average of 21.85, has made an immediate impact within the England side with his extra pace and bounce since making his Test debut in March of this year.

Pakistan Umpire Aleem Dar has won the David Shepherd Trophy for the second time after being named ICC Umpire of the Year.

Dar,42, was voted to this award by the 10 Full Member captains as well as the eight-man Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, based on his decision statistics and officiating skills over the past 12 months.

It is the second year in a row that he has received the ICC award which has been newly named after the late England umpire David Shepherd and upon collecting the trophy from Chris Broad, Dar said: "I think the fact I'm still playing cricket in Pakistan makes me a good umpire, in the last four times I've played cricket I scored centuries so I definitely think that has helped.

West Indies great Joel Garner was inducted into ICC Hall of Fame in the ceremony.

Netherlands all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate has become the ICC Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year at the LG ICC Awards in Bengaluru.

The voting academy chose ten Doeschate over other top Associate and Affiliate players including Afghanistan's Mohammed Shahzad and the Ireland duo of Trent Johnston and Kevin O'Brien. It is the second time ten Doeschate has claimed the award, the first time he picked up the title was in 2008.

The LG ICC Awards ceremony is now in its seventh year. The event was staged in association with Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA). Previous ceremonies were held in London (2004), Sydney (2005), Mumbai (2006), Johannesburg (2007 and 2009) and Dubai (2008).

The nominations for seven of the awards was made by a five-man ICC selection panel chaired by ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, former West Indies captain and Chairman of ICC Cricket Committee Clive Lloyd. The panel also includes former India captain Ravi Shastri, former England fast bowler Angus Fraser, ex- Zimbabwe batsman and England coach Duncan Fletcher and former Australia opener Matthew Hayden.

The ICC on Wednesday announced its Test and ODI Team of the Year, as chosen by a specially appointed selection panel chaired by West Indian batting legend Clive Lloyd.

ICC Test team of the year (in batting order):

Virender Sehwag (IND), Simon Katich (AUS), Sachin Tendulkar (IND), Hashim Amla (RSA), Kumar Sangakkara (SRI), Jacques Kallis (RSA), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (IND /capt and wicketkeeper), Graeme Swann (ENG), James Anderson (ENG), Dale Steyn (RSA), Doug Bollinger (AUS).

ICC ODI Team of the Year (in batting order):

Sachin Tendulkar (IND), Shane Watson (AUS), Michael Hussey (AUS), AB de Villiers (RSA), Paul Collingwood (ENG), Ricky Ponting (AUS/capt), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (IND - wicketkeeper), Daniel Vettori (NZL), Stuart Broad (ENG), Doug Bollinger (AUS), Ryan Harris (AUS).

Winner

Category

Nominees
Sachin Tendulkar (Ind)

Cricketer of the Year

Hashim Amla (SA), Virender Sehwag (Ind), Graeme Swann (Eng), Sachin Tendulkar (Ind).
Virender Sehwag (Ind)

Test Player of the Year

Hashim Amla (SA), Virender Sehwag (Ind), Dale Steyn (SA), Sachin Tendulkar (Ind)
AB de Villiers (SA)

ODI Player of the Year

Ryan Harris (Aus), Sachin Tendulkar (Ind), AB de Villiers (SA), Shane Watson (Aus)
Steven Finn (Eng)

Emerging Player

Umar Akmal (Pak), Steven Finn (Eng), Angelo Mathews (SL), Tim Paine (Aus).
Brendon McCullum

Twenty20 International Performance of the Year
.

Michael Hussey, Mahela Jayawardena, Ryan McLaren, Brendon McCullum
Shelley Nitschke (AUS)

Women's Cricketer of the Year

Katherine Brunt (Eng), Shelley Nitschke (Aus), Ellyse Perry (Aus), Stafanie Taylor (WI)
Aleem Dar

Umpire of the Year

Aleem Dar, Steve Davis, Tony Hill, Simon Taufel
Sachin Tendulkar (Ind)

LG People's Choice Award

Michael Hussey (Aus), Mahela Jayawardena (SL), Sachin Tendulkar (Ind), Andrew Strauss (Eng), AB de Villiers (SA)
New Zealand

Spirit of Cricket

India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe
India

Test Team of the Year

Australia

ODI Team of the Year

MS Dhoni

Test Captain

Ricky Ponting

ODI Captain

Ryan ten Doeschate (Ned)

Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year

Ryan ten Doeschate (Ned)
Trent Johnson (Ire)
Kevin O'Brien (Ire)
Mohammed Shahzad (Afg)


Read more: Sachin Tendulkar wins ICC Cricketer of the Year Award - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Sachin-Tendulkar-wins-ICC-Cricketer-of-the-Year-Award/articleshow/6697993.cms#ixzz11ds09Dzy

1st Test: Three-wicket Hilfenhaus rocks India in Mohali Read more: 1st Test: Three-wicket Hilfenhaus rocks India in Mohali

MOHALI: Fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus grabbed three key wickets in the final session to boost Australia's hopes of winning the opening Test against India on Monday.

India, needing 216 to win in their second innings, were wobbling at 55-4 at stumps on the penultimate day, with Hilfenhaus finishing with 3-22 off seven sharp overs.

With middle-order batsman VVS Laxman suffering from a stiff back, India's hopes largely depended on Sachin Tendulkar who was unbeaten with 10. Nightwatchman Zaheer Khan was batting on five.

Opener Gautam Gambhir was unlucky to be given out leg-before in Hilfenhaus' opening over as TV replays suggested he had inside-edged the delivery on to his pads.

Rahul Dravid (13) was caught behind off paceman Doug Bollinger, while Virender Sehwag (17) and Suresh Raina (0) fell to short rising deliveries from Hilfenhaus.

Sehwag was caught by Michael Hussey at gully, while Raina was caught by Marcus North in the slips.

Indian paceman Ishant Sharma earlier grabbed three big wickets in two sensational overs as Australia were bowled out for 192 in their second innings.

He removed Shane Watson (56), skipper Ricky Ponting (four) and Michael Clarke (four) in the opening two overs of his second spell in the morning.

There was no hint of a collapse when Australia reached 87 without loss following an attractive half-century from Watson, but Sharma jolted the tourists with three wickets for just eight runs.

Spinners Harbhajan Singh (2-40) and Pragyan Ojha (2-59) kept pressure on the middle order on a wearing track, before left-arm paceman Zaheer (3-43) ended the innings with the last three wickets.

Off-spinner Harbhajan trapped Hussey (28) leg-before and then had North (10) caught by close-in substitute fielder Cheteshwar Pujara.

Left-arm spinner Ojha had Simon Katich caught behind after the opener had batted patiently for his 37 runs. Both Katich and Hussey completed 4,000 Test runs during their knocks.

Australia's batting problems began when Watson dragged a Sharma delivery on to his stumps after hitting one six and seven fours in his 59-ball knock.

Three balls later, Sharma removed Ponting who pulled straight to Raina at backward square-leg.

The Indian paceman nearly got a third wicket in his opening over of the second spell when he had Clarke caught by Sehwag at short mid-wicket.

But it was declared a no-ball after on-field umpire Billy Bowden of New Zealand consulted TV umpire Sanjay Hazare.

Sharma did not have to wait long for his next success as he had Clarke caught behind for four runs in his next over.

Watson batted aggressively in the morning, punishing both seamers and spinners.

With Sharma looking unimpressive in his opening two-over spell, India introduced spin after five overs but failed to put pressure on the Australian openers.

Watson greeted Ojha with a four and then a six over long-on in the same over. He completed his 10th Test half-century off just 51 balls, flicking Harbhajan for two runs.

India were bowled out for 405 in their first innings on Sunday in reply to Australia's 428.

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Tendulkar misses ton, India hand Australia 23-run lead Read more: Tendulkar misses ton, India hand Australia 23-run lead - The Times of India http://

MOHALI: India suffered a dramatic batting collapse after Sachin Tendulkar missed his 49th century by a whisker to eventually fold out for 405 in their first innings at stumps on day three of the first Test against Australia on Sunday.

Tendulkar (98) fell short of his 49th Test century by just two runs as, riding on Mitchell Johnson's five for 64, Australian bowlers made a splendid comeback and dismissed the last six Indian batsmen in the final hour of the day for just 51 runs.

Having scored 428 in their first essay, Australia will go into the penultimate day of the match with a slight edge over the home team after registering a 23-run first innings lead.

Part-time off-spinner Marcus North turned out to be party pooper for Indian fans, trapping Tendulkar leg before two runs short of century.

Tendulkar's 189-ball innings consisted of 13 boundaries, bulk of which was hit through region between point and extra cover. Along with Suresh Raina (89), he added 124 runs for the fifth wicket to lay the foundation for a big score.

India were cruising along at that stage with scoreboard reading 354 for four and with Raina for company, it looked as if Tendulkar would provide a substantial lead for his team. But it was not to be as after Tendulkar's dismissal, the lower middle-order fell like a pack of cards with Johnson inflicting the maximum damage.

Johnson dismissed skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (14) and Habhajan Singh (0) in successive deliveries and later accounted for Raina, who dominated the opposition attack from the onset with an aggressive 86 which was studded with 14 boundaries.

Raina failed to keep a Johnson delivery out of his way as it kept low and got him plumb in front.

VVS Laxman, who is suffering from a back injury, came out with a runner to bat at the number 10 position but could hardly make an impact before being the last man to depart.

Earlier, Rahul Dravid wasted a golden opportunity of surpassing Sir Don Bradman's tally of 29 Test hundred as India reached 280 for four at tea.

Dravid scored 77 and looked barely troubled by the Aussie bowlers before he edged a Doug Bollinger delivery to wicketkeeper Tim Paine.

The ball pitched on the middle stump and moved a shade as it kissed the edge of Dravid's bat. He batted for 205 minutes and faced 134 deliveries, hitting 12 fours in the process.

Tendulkar and Dravid put on 79 runs for the fourth wicket where the former was the dominant partner.

Unlike Sehwag, who bludgeoned the opposition bowlers yesterday, Tendulkar seemed to caress the ball to boundary. Out of his nine boundaries, the first five were pierced through the region between point and extra cover.

The first time Tendulkar played on the on-side was a slog sweep off Hauritz that went through the mid-wicket boundary. The next was a drive that went through the vacant mid-on region. Not only did he hit boundaries but he also ran the quick singles and twos well.

Raina also looked confident as he hit some lovely cover drives.

Earlier, the only batsman to be dismissed in the pre-lunch session was night-watchman Ishant Sharma, who scored 18 before shouldering arms to a Bollinger delivery that held its line before hitting the stumps.

A total of 81 runs were scored in the opening session as Indian batsmen played cautiously after starting on their overnight score of 110 for two.

Dravid, who was unbeaten on 21 overnight, started cautiously with Ishant, who did a commendable job and played out the first session to help the top-order batsmen to follow.

Growing in confidence watching Dravid comfortably negotiate the pace-spin duo of Mitchell Johnson and offie Nathan Hauritz, the lanky pacer played a few plucky shots, including a cover drive of Hauritz.

He added 45 runs with Dravid, who was a picture of concentration as he mostly left the deliveries on the off-stump channel. The only risky shot he played was off Hilfenhaus as the ball flew past the vacant third slip region.

Dravid and Ishant took India's score to 150 in the 37th over. But it was after the first drinks' break that Australia managed a breakthrough when Bollinger disturbed Ishant's timber.

On the other hand, the highlight of Dravid's innings was a bowler's back drive off Johnson. He reached his half century when he deliberately opened the face of the bat to guide a Johnson delivery past gully.

Having reached his 50, Dravid square cut Hauritz for a boundary.

Tendulkar too looked in superb form after arriving at the crease and started middling the ball right from the onset.

The Australian bowlers strangely did not attack much. Also the slowness in the strip is causing a problem for the pacers as they love to hit the deck.

Johnson, who has figures of two for 45, has bowled well in patches, while Bollinger was impressive in the morning as he scalped the only wicket of the session.

However, both Hilfenhaus and Hauritz were on the expensive side. While Hilfenhaus gave away 64 runs in 16 overs, Hauritz had an unimpressive none for 48 to show for his efforts.

The off-spinner often bowled short and gave a lot of width to the batsman to go for their cut shots.

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