Duminy greatful for chance, no qualms to sit on bench for Prince
MELBOURNE, Dec 29 (UNI): Despite hitting his maiden century toput South Africa in the driving seat against Australia in thesecond Test here, left-handed batsman Jean-Paul Duminy's placein the side is still in doubt for the third and final Test inSydney starting January 3.
However, Duminy asserted that he is grateful that he got an opportunity to play a Test match for his team and added that he has no problem with sitting on the bench in the Sydney Test.
Duminy joined the squad replacing injured vice captain Ashwell Prince.
He hit the winning runs in the first Test at Perth, and then batted brilliantly yesterday in the ongoning second Test to put South Africa in a commanding position.
"If Ashwell is fit to play, I am sure he will play, but I am thankful for the opportunity.
I have got a taste of Test cricket now, so I am just looking forward to hopefully my next game," Duminy was quoted as saying by 'The Australian'.
His brilliant form has put the South African selectors in a dilemma.
But the youngester appears undisturbed.
"I probably came out here thinking I wouldn't play given I have travelled now for about a year without getting a game, but stranger things have happened in life," Duminy said.
"Ashwell gets hit the day before the first Test and cracks a (thumb) and there I am in the Test.
Ashwell was supposed to have a net to see how he went and unfortunately his (thumb) was still very sore, so I got an opportunity again," he added.
No hatred with Lanka: Shetty NEW DELHI, Dec 29 (UNI): Brushing aside the speculations that theSLC would have to face the ire of the Indian cricket board afterthey agreed to tour Pakisan, the BCCI CAO Ratnakar Shetty statedthat Sri Lanka is independent to decide their own programs.
"I can only say that it is a figment of someone's imagination.
The BCCI has not at all had any talks with the Sri Lankans.
They are completely independent to decide their own programs.
So there is no question of BCCI being happy or unhappy," Shetty told Mobile ESPN last night.
Last week, the Asian Cricket Council met in Kuala Lumpur, and one of the things that did come up was India's cancellation of the Pakistan tour.
Shetty said, none of the boards had raised any objections to India's decision.
"They (cricket boards) understood the situation.
The Pakistan (PCB) president Ijaz Butt was there and met Shashank Manohar (the BCCI president).
Butt realised the situation was beyond the control of cricket administrators," Shetty said.
India-Pakistan relations were badly affected after the terror attacks in Mumbai last month.
Then Indian government decided to call off their tour to Pakistan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had sent an invitation to the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after India cancelled its early next year's tour of Pakistan.
With the tension between the Indo-Pak showing no signs of easing, Pakistani players, are getting mentally prepared to sit out of the cash rich IPL.
Paceman Sohail Tanvir, who was the highest wicket-taker in the inaugural edition for eventual champs, Rajasthan Royals, even went to the extent of saying that Pakistani players were ready to skip the second season, which takes place in April-May.
However, Shetty brushed off the matter, saying the IPL wouldn't miss them much.
"Ultimately we are also looking at the IPL's success with Indian players.
It's not that if X, Y or Z don't come (from Pakistan), the IPL will lose out.
That's definitely not the case," he added.
Dhoni still at top, India at third spot in ODI chart DUBAI, Dec 29 (UNI): India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni isstill leading the batting chart, while his team is currentlyat the third position in the ICC ODI Championship table released here today.
In the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen, Dhoni, has 779 points in his kitty and he is leading the One-Day international charts while his teammates Yuvraj Singh and batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar is currently positioned at the sixth and 12th spot with 744 and 708 points, respectively.
Australian middle-order batsman Mike Hussey is at second spot with 776 points while South Africa captain Graeme Smith has occupied the third spot with 760 points followed by two West Indians Shivnarain Chanderpaul and skipper Chris Gayle.
Meanwhile, Team India and South Africa both have 119 points but when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point, Indian team is placed behind the Proteas at third spot.
Australia is currently leading the ODI team chart with 131 points.
In the bowlers' list, Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan is currently lying at 11th spot with 660 points while his team mate off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is placed at the 20th position with 617 points.
The bowlers list is still headed by Australia's Nathan Bracken with New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori in second spot and Mitchell Johnson, another Australian, in third.
However, New Zealand can climb one place to fourth in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship table but could drop to as low as eighth when it goes head to head with the West Indies in the five-match ODI series starting in Queenstown on December 31.
If New Zealand wins the series 5-0, it will leapfrog Pakistan into fourth place on 118 points and just one point behind South Africa and India while the West Indies will stay in eighth place but will drop to 86 ratings points.
However, if the 5-0 series result goes the other way, New Zealand will concede 11 ratings points and the West Indies will gain 11 points.
This will put both the teams level on 102 ratings points but Chris Gayle's side will be placed higher than the Black Caps in seventh place when ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.
hands over TNHA affairs to Ad-hoc Committee CHENNAI, Dec 29 (UNI): Tamil Nadu Olympic Association(TNOA) today handed over the job of running the game in the state to an adhoc committe headed by former Olympian and coach of the senior team Vasudevan Baskaran, in a sequel to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) taking over the reigns of administration of the sport in the country, following the dissolution of Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) in April this year,.
In a communique to the media here, TNOA General Secretary K Murugan announced that the adhoc committee comprising Baskaran as Chairman, Aezaz Ahmed, Sports Officer, Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) as Convener and Mrs Renuka Laksmi , Additional Secretary Women's Hockey Federation of India and Tamil Nadu Hockey Association Secretary as Member, will manage the affairs of hockey in Tamil Nadu.
The Ad-hoc Committee will also take steps to look into the affairs of the Tamil Nadu Hockey Association(TNHA) and take steps to protect the interest of the players and the game till Madras High Court delivers final judgement regarding the disptes and issues pending in the Tamil Nadu Hockey Assocition.
The Committee will also select and sponsor players to represent Tamil Ndu in the ensuing National Games and other national competitions, the TNOA also announced.
The TNOA's move comes as another blow to former IHF Secretary General K Jyothikumaran, who was heading the affairs of the beleaguered TNHA where two groups- one headed by him, were claiming to be genuine Bodies.
One of them moved Madras High Court to gain legality.
Following the corruption charges against Jyothikumaran and his resignation from IHF post after a private television channel carried out sting operation showing him receiving bribe to select a player to the senior India squad, IOA intervened and dissolved the IHF headed by President K P S Gill, the former Punjab DGP.
YEARENDER: Three Olympic medals, 5 World Champions in Golden year for Indian sports NEW DELHI, Dec 29 (UNI): Three unprecedented Olympic medals, fiveWorld champions, five cricket series victories (including threeODI) showcased India's growing sporting prowess in the year 2008.
It was a roller coaster year which was marred by one ugly spot - India's failure to qualify for the Olympic Hockey competition and other games also hogged the lime light besides the National passion - Cricket.
For the first time since Independence, India won three Medals - One Gold and two Bronze at the World's greatest sporting arena - The Olympics.
Shooter Abhinav Bindra created history by becoming the first Indian to win an individual Gold in the Olympics, the feat was placed ninth in the Time Magzine's best of the Olympics.
Boxer Vijender Singh and wrester Sushil Kumar with grit and determination achieved a bronze each which made them instant national heroes - the praise and prizes they received were even the envy of the cadh rich Cricketers.
Two other boxers - Akhil Kumar and Jitender - missed medals by a whisker but with their tremandous showing, made every Indian proud.
At the fag end of the year, Akhil, Jitender, Dinesh Kumar and Anthresh Lakra did country proud once again, with all four picking up bronze each in World Cup.
Young Hyderabad shuttler Saina Nehwal, made it to the quarter finals in the Beijing Games, the first Indian woman to do so.
The year witnessed five Indians emerging World Champions - Vishwanathan Anand (chess), Pankakj Advani (Billiards), Gagan Narang (shooting), Saina Naiwal (Junior Badminton) and MC Mary Kom (Women Boxing).
India started the year by winning the ODI series against Australia in that country.
After that the cricket team, barring a test series loss to Sri Lanka, looked virtually invincible.
Indians won test series against Australia and England and the ODI series against Sri Lanka, England besides Australia.
Tendulkar surpassed Brian Lara's record to cross 12000-run mark which included 41 centuries.
Spin maestro Anil Kumble and former skipper Sourav Ganguly retired from the game.
Viswanathan Anand beat Vladimir Kramnik in Bonn to become the World Champion.
The Indian Grandmaster in the process became the first player to win the official world title in all the three different formats - knockout, round-robin and matchplay.
Bangalore-based cueist Pankaj Advani, continued his domination on the green baize as he earned the distinction of being the first player to win the Asian Billiards Championship twice.
He also became the first Indian to win the Australian Open Billiards Championship in Melbourne before winning the World Billiards in Bangalore.
Gagan Narang, who was unlucky to have missed an Olympic medal, overcame that disappointment with a gold medal in the 10m air rifle event with a world record at the World Cup.
Ronjan Sodhi won the gold in the double trap event at the World Cup in Belgrade, equalling two world records.
Saina became the first Indian to win the Junior World badminton title.
She battled it out against formidable Chinese and Indonesian shuttlers to win the Chinese Taipei Grand Prix and went on to break into the top-10 to become the second Indian woman after Ami M Ghia to achieve the feat.
Chetan Anand moved into the top-15 in the men's rankings with four title wins, including Bitburger Open and Czech International Open.
Manipur woman boxer MC Mary Kom won her fourth consecutive World Championship title in Mascow.
Chandigarh-based Jeev Milkha Singh dazzled on the golf courses across the world.
He won four titles and achieved the career-best ranking of 36.
Jeev won the Bank Austria title and then went on to win the Singapore Open.
He also won two tournaments on the Japan Tour.
He registered his best performance in Majors after he tied ninth at the PGA Championships.
His win in Singapore helped him to regain the Asian Order of Merit.
At the start of the season, unhearlded Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia created history by winning the first ever European Tour event in India, the 2.5 million dollar prize money Indian Masters.
Indian football also staged a sort of come back as the country qualified for the 2011 Asia Cup for the first time in 24 years after winning the AFC Challenge Cup.
In Tennis, India made it to the play-offs of the Davis Cup World Group after three years.
However, Romania beat them 3-1 in the play off tie.
Young Somdev Devvarman raised hopes for the future by winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for the second successive year and moved up in the ATP rankings to replace Prakash Amritraj as the top-ranked Indian.
Much was expected of veterans Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi in the Olympics, but they could not move beyond the quarter-finals as a resolute Roger Federer and Stanislas Warwinka stopped them.
Tennis had its share of controversies.
Led by Mahesh Bhupathi, Davis cup players revolted against Leander Paes, forcing him to quit as captain.
There were other fallen heroes too.
Athens Olympic silver medallist, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, failed to qualify for the finals of the double trap event.
For tennis star Sania Mirza, it was a forgettable year.
Her debut Olympics ended in a disaster.
She dropped out of top-100 rankings after starting the year among the top 27 on the WTA Tour.
Hockey touched its nadir this year.
For the first time in 80 years, India failed to qualify for the Olympics.
As it was not enough, a sting operation exposed corruption in the selection procedure, which led to the dissolution of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) headed by KPS Gill and it was replaced by an ad-hoc committee set up by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
There was no end to the hockey woes as Ric Charlesworth, the technical director appointed by the International Hockey Federation to assist Indian hockey, quit saying he was not getting any help from the powers that be.
However, the Indian juniors brought some cheer, winning the junior Asia Cup hockey and beating Argentina in their backyard in a Test series.
And ace golfer Jyoti Randhawa, who had a lackluster season, ended the year on a high note as he came from behind to win his fifth consecutive domestic tour title.
He won the BILT Open and pocketed just over Rs 12 lakh as prize money.
Day-night matches to revive Test cricket's fan following: Warne MELBOURNE, Dec 29 (UNI): While the purists have been complaining about Test cricket's dipping fan following, legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne believes that the concept of day-night Tests would help bring back its sanctity among the cricket lovers.
"I think day-night Tests will definitely help Test cricket.
Test cricket is strong in Australia, England, South Africa and India.
"But, we need other countries to support Test cricket and day-night Tests, as I said, will help," Warne said in a live chat with fans organised by 'The Herald Sun' newspaper here.
The former Australian leggie also singled out Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar for making too many mistakes in his decisions and said the standard of Umpiring in international cricket was going down.
"To me, Aleem Dar makes too many mistakes and needs a break.
Umpiring standards are pretty poor," he said.
Warne further silenced the growing speculations about his return to international cricket amid Australian team's slump of form in recent past.
"Of course, I miss playing for Australia.
It was nearly 20 years of my life and I enjoy the ups and downs of playing cricket.
And, I never saw it as a job.
"I saw it as a sport and something to be enjoyed so that I can give my best for the country.
My job is to be the best father I can possibly be to my children.
I especially miss the Boxing day Test match," he added.
Fit-again Mendis joins Sri Lanka squad in Bangladesh DHAKA, Dec 29 (Reuters): Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis joined the squad in Bangladesh today after a quick recovery from an ankle injury that was expected to keep him out of the test series.
Mendis, 23, suffered severe soft tissue damage in his right ankle during a domestic game early this month and was replaced by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for the two-test series.
"My ankle is alright now as I am feeling no pain," Mendis told reporters on his arrival in Dhaka today.
He is now expected to play in the second test starting in Chittagong on Saturday.
Sri Lanka are in command in the first test in Dhaka after taking an overall lead of 406 runs after the third day.
Monday is rest day due to parliamentary elections.
The unorthodox finger spinner was declared Man-of-the-Series on his test debut against India in July-August, taking 26 wickets at 18.38 runs apiece to help clinch the three-game series 2-1.
If he plays in Chittagong, it will only be his fourth test.
Reid commits to Thailand, despite early setback BANGKOK, Dec 29 (Reuters): Former England midfielder Peter Reid insists he has long-term plans to remain as coach of the Thai national team, despite missing out on silverware in his first tournament.
Reid watched Thailand dominate both legs of the Southeast Asian championship final against Vietnam before a stoppage time goal in Hanoi yesterday earned his opponents a 3-2 aggregate victory.
He said the defeat was a blow but stressed his plans for the soccer-mad Kingdom were long term.
"Losing was a setback but I've no intention to go anywhere just yet," Reid told Reuters.
"The players have been brilliant, the people are great, everything's going well." Reid signed a lucrative four-year contract in September to steer the success-starved side to their first World Cup finals in 2014.
His next focus will be reaching the 2011 Asian Cup, for which qualifiers start next month.
The Thais contest a tricky group with Jordan, regional powerhouse Iran and archrivals Singapore.
"I think this side has a lot of potential and we have to build on what we've done," added the former Manchester City boss, who recently ruled out a return to another of his former Premier League clubs, Sunderland.
"There's plenty of work to do and improvements to be made but they're all young lads and they're a committed bunch.
I'm delighted with the way they've conducted themselves." Shukla urges Sports Ministry to reconsider its decision on PIOs NEW DELHI, Dec 29 (UNI): Rajya Sabha member Rajiv Shukla today urged the Sports Ministry to reconsider its decision that only Indian citizens would represent the country in international events.
"On one hand, the government is extending all the facilities to the PIOs (People of Indian Origin) by granting them dual citizenship and rights on properties in India, on the other hand, the Ministry of Sports contradicts the policy of the government of India," Shukla said here.
Last week, the Ministry had directed that players, who do not have Indian passports, will not be allowed to represent the country at international events and said the move was aimed at nurturing home talent at the grassroot level.
With players like Prakash Amritraj, Sunitha Rao, Shikha and Neha Uberoi, all of whom have US passports, tennis has been the most affected game.
"The newly established norms leave the Indian tennis team at crossroads as the tennis quartet of Prakash Amritraj, Sunitha Rao and Neha Uberoi - all US citizens - are ineligible to wear the tri-colours resulting in effectively breaking our tennis team," Shukla, who is also the BCCI Media and Finance Committee Chairman, said in a letter addressed to Sports Minister M S Gill.
Steyn claims five; Proteas 153 runs away from win at MCG MELBOURNE, Dec 29 (UNI): Dale Steyn grabbed his second five-wickethaul of the match as South Africa was in complete control againstAustralia with visitors needing 153 runs more to win the secondTest and seal the series at close of the play on the penultimateday here today.
Captain Graeme Smith had raced to 24 off 19 balls with five fours, while Neil McKenzie (3) was giving him company after Australia was bowled out for 247 to set South Africa a target of 183 to win the match.
Steyn followed his five-wicket haul and a crucial 76 runs in the first innings with another superb bowling performance today as he returned with figures of 5 for 67 to rattle the Aussie batting line-up.
Earlier, Ricky Ponting missed out on his second century of the match by just one run when he was out caught by Smith at short cover off Morne Morkel after spending 40 minutes in the 90s.
However, it was his lone hand that allowed Australian bowlers to get something to bowl at but none of the other batsmen, barring Mitchell Johnson's unbeaten 43, could defy Steyn's ferocious bowling.
Morkel and Jacques Kallis bagged a couple of wickets each to add to Australia's woes.
South Africa, who are leading the three-Test series 1-0, would be the favourites to win the match from here on and a win for the Proteas would also end almost two decades of Australian dominance on home soil.
After allowing the visitors a sensational comeback on the third day, Australia suffered an awful start when their first three batsmen were back in the hut even before they had erased the 65-run deficit.
Steyn captured Matthew Hayden (23) and Simon Katich (15) in two overs in the morning and then returned to knock over Michael Clarke (29) and Andrew Symonds (0) in six balls to limit the recovery.
He bowled in short spells but each time he returned, the batsmen were uncomfortable and his haul, which was completed when Peter Siddle edged to Mark Boucher, pushed him to 74 wickets for the year.
On the other end, Ponting was unperturbed by the fall of wickets and continued to play his strokes as he struck seven boundaries in his 169-ball innings.
The captain tried his best to lift his team out of trouble but went for an expansive drive to be out and with it lost out on an opportunity to become the only player in Test cricket to score twin centuries four times.
With Smith in ominous form and McKenzie surviving some anxious moments, South Africa negotiated the six overs left in the day's play.
FIFA's Football Academy to come up in B'lore BANGALORE, Dec 29 (UNI): Soccer in Karnataka will get a boost when Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) sponsored Football Academy comes up here.
The foundation stone will be layed in January with Union Minister Praful Patel participating in the function.
The Rs three-crore project would be completed in 12 to 15 months time, All India Football Federation (AIFF) Vice President A R Khaleel told UNI.
He said the Academy would be of international standard and even foreign coaches and players selected by FIFA will be trained at the Academy.
Khaleel said the project was taken up under FIFA's Goal Project II.
Under Goal Project I, 'Football House' a sophisticated Academy, was built at Dwaraka in New Delhi and the Bangalore project sanctioned was under an agreement with State Association contributing Rs one crore, AIFF Rs 54,000 and FIFA funding the balance.
He said "the eight-year struggle has finally fructified.
Since 2001, I have been fighting for setting up of Football Academy to give a boost to Football in the State.
"We have already deposited with FIFA our share.FIFA has already completed tender process and the construction work would begin immediately after laying of foundation stone," he added.
Replying to a question, Khaleel said there was no room for any role by the Karnataka State Football Association, for which he is the President, since tenders were called by FIFA and contract allotted by them.
Khaleel said the AIFF would hold an emergent meeting on January 15 to decide the date for foundation laying function.
On December 30, the KSFA would pass a resolution to request Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to lay the foundation stone.
The resolution would be sent to AIFF to select suitable date in consultation with the Union Minister and Karnataka Chief Minister.
He said the Southern Wing of the Bangalore Football Stadium would be allotted for housing the proposed three storeyed Football Academy which would have a gymnasium, sufficient parking, 60 rooms with kitchen and other lodging facilities.
"Once civil works are completed at an estimated cost of Rs 2.5 crore, building of world class infrastructure would be taken up at a cost of Rs 50 lakh." To a question, Khaleel said "the Academy would certainly benefit upcoming players from the State since there would be frequent visit of FIFA officials and training programmes being held." Chappell tips England to win next Ashes MELBOURNE, Dec 29 (UNI): Former captain Ian Chappell feels thatthe Australian team has struggled to overcome the retirementsof Glen McGrath and Shane Warne, and believes England couldstart the next year's Ashes series on home soil as favourites.
"Don't get your knickers in a knot, I haven't forgotten 2005 but that was a bolt from the blue; this time England could easily be favourites going into the Ashes series," Chappell wrote in a column for Britain's Sunday Telegraph.
He said South Africa has once again exposed Australia's downfall with a surprise fightback victory in the first Test at Perth.
"When Australia lost for the second season in a row at fortress WACA, it became clear that the retirements of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath really had hit hard," he said.
Chappell also highlighted problems at the top of Australia's batting order- opener Matthew Hayden's inability to pull himself out of a form slump.
"Matthew Hayden is Australia's other problem area and not even a large Boxing Day crowd was able to will him to a much-needed success.
"Hayden's presence in good form would exacerbate one of the England selectors' headaches: what to do with Steve Harmison? "Harmison doesn't react well to opening batsmen who attack him ...
Australia would be hoping an in-form Hayden is their antidote to the dangers the lanky fast bowler can pose," Chappell pointed.
However, Chappel added that Australia can not be wrtten off completely and said England will have to play really well to overpower the world champions.
"The Australian team led by a determined Ricky Ponting has shown why they can never be written off but there are cracks showing in their armoury.
"Kevin Pietersen's team will never have a better opportunity to wrest back the Ashes but they won't want to let down their guard," he said.
Clarke fails to explain Ponting's tactical moves MELBOURNE, Dec 29 (UNI): Not all is well within the Australianteam which is very much evident with Michael Clarke failing toexplain his captain Ricky Ponting's tactics on a miserable thirdday of the second Test against South Africa here.
Beginning the day as firm favourites yesterday, Australia ended it as outsiders to win the game and level the series after the South Africa tail wagged sufficiently to steer them to 459 - and a first-innings lead worth 65.
South Africa had been reeling at 184 for seven on day two, but a sublime 166 from JP Duminy again highlighted Australia's urgent need to find suitable replacements for Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.
Ponting's decision to bowl Mike Hussey early in the day did yield a wicket five balls into his spell, and the captain was down a frontline bowler following a foot injury to Brett Lee which prevented him featuring all day.
But despite being declared fit to bowl, Andrew Symonds was not introduced into the attack until the 125th over of the innings, the penultimate over before tea.
"I have no idea why he didn't come on until so late," Clarke said.
"You'll have to ask Ricky that.
At the time he did get a bowl, Ricky thought it was appropriate," the Aussie vice-captain was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Left-arm spinner Simon Katich, who has 13 Test wickets, including a haul of 6 for 65, did not bowl at all.
"I asked Simon at some stage if he was okay to bowl and he said he hadn't been bowling in the nets because his shoulder was a little bit sore.
"But had he been asked to bowl I think he would have done that.
(It's) probably another question for the skip.
I don't make the bowling selections," he added.
Australia likely to play first ever night Test against Pakistan MELBOURNE, Dec 29 (UNI): Australia is almost certain to play the first night cricket Test against Pakistan at Adelaide Oval next year, most likely in November.
Cricket Australia (CA) will seek International Cricket Council's (ICC) approval for the day-night match to be played at the Adelaide Oval.
The move comes after growing pressure from television networks to play the AFL Grand Final under lights.
Even next year's Formula One Grand Prix is set to start at twilight.
The Herald Sun reported that while CA is publicly reserved about releasing the target date, it has privately commissioned to step up work on developing a suitable ball for the day-night Tests.
The Test is proposed to start at 2 pm, following the time slot of regular One-day Internationals played under lights.
National broadcaster Channel 9 also supports the concept.
"Test cricket is our premium form of the game so why wouldn't you play it at a time when most people can watch it? There's no doubt it will happen, people can go after work and it's a cooler time of the day for spectators and fans," CA chief executive James Sutherland was quoted as saying by the daily.
"Look at the Olympics, the NRL and the AFL and how much of it is played at night these days because it’s a more convenient time for viewers and fans," he added.
But for CA the main task is to find a suitable ball and they are committed to find the solution by November.
"The white ball for one-day cricket that lasts 50 overs is not suitable," Sutherland said.
Delhi overall champion in National Women Sports Meet HAMIRPUR, Dec 29 (UNI): Delhi women clinched the over all trophy in the 34th National Women Sports Competition which concluded here today.
The Delhi team won six Gold Medals, two Silver Medals and two Bronze Medals.
Kerala came second with four Gold Medals, one Silver Medal and two Bronze Medals.
Hosts Himachal Pradesh got three Gold medals.
Reena Mathew of Kerala won the Gold Medal in 200 meters race.
Banga Hema of Maharashtra got Silver Medal and Bronze medal was won by Reeta Devi of Orissa.
In 3000 meters race, Priti of Haryana won the Gold Medal, Minu Narwal of UP got Silver while Patil Reshma of Maharashtra got the Bronze.
In Javelin throw, Sanjo Devi of Himachal Pradesh won the Gold Medal, Chumki Chaudhry of Delhi Silver Medal and the Bronze went to Poonam of Haryana.
In 4x400 meters race, Kerala won the Gold Medal, Punjab got Silver and UP took away the bronze.
Tennis team championship was won by Delhi.
Tamilnadu got second position, whereas the third position went to Haryana.
In Badminton, team championship and Gold Medal went to Andhra Pradesh.
Chandigarh won Silver Medal and Uttrakahand got the Bronze Medal.
Arju Thakur of Himachal Pradesh won the Gold Medal in the singles final of Badminton.
Purnic Bhandari and Nisha both of Chandigarh won Silver and Bronze Medals, respectively.
In doubles final of badminton, V Sheetal and P Lavanaya of Andhra Pradesh won the Gold Medal.
Swati Mehta and Vineeta of Uttrakhand got Silver while Sushmitra and Moumita of Assam claimed Bronze medal.
Punjab girls won the Gold Medal in Hockey by defeating Karnataka 5-0.
Karnatka got Silver Medal while Orissa bagged the Bronze medal by defeating Haryana 5-0.
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, while addressing the closing ceremony of the four-day-long Event, announced to award Rs 50,000 each to the state's gold medalists, Rs 25,000 to silver medalists and Rs 10,000 to bronze medalists.
He also said these sportspersons would also be given promotion if serving in the State Government departments, besides announcing increase in the daily allowance payable to them.
Hayden, Symonds could be dropped for Sydney Test MELBOURNE, Dec 29 (UNI): The poor performances of senior pros like Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds in the ongoing Test series againstSouth Africa has made skipper Ricky Ponting rethink about his squad,hinting that the selectors may make some changes in the Australian team for the Sydney Test.
South Africa, which is currently leading the three match Test series 1-0, needs just 153 more runs to clinch the series tomorrow.
Ponting refused to guarantee opener Hayden's spot for third and last Test starting from January 3 at Sydney.
"We will leave that up to the selectors to decide," Ponting said of Hayden's spot, after the 37-year-old right handed batsman failed again, scoring only 23.
"Changes tend to happen more when you are losing games.
"If we lose, they (the selectors) might be thinking about changes.
Selectors, I am sure, have had their thinking caps on over the last couple of days already.
There will be time for me and the selectors to talk about that at the end of this game," Ponting was quoted as saying by the 'Herald Sun'.
"We are all feeling for Matthew at the moment.
He is going through a pretty rough trot." Sources close to Hayden last night indicated he could be forced to announce his retirement as he is almost certain to be dropped.
Meanwhile, Symonds also failed to be the middle-order henchman for Australia when desperately needed.
Symonds is certain to make way for fellow all-rounder Shane Watson, who has been fit and firing for months.
Australia crumbled to 6-165 today but a fabulous 99 from Ponting helped build the total to 247.
New South Wales young gun Phillip Hughes, Victoria's prolific left-hand batsman Chris Rogers, bowlers Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger and all-rounder Shane Watson are possibles for the last and final Test.
Australia will forfeit its number one Test ranking if it suffers a series whitewash.
Gujarat opener Nilesh Modi calls it a day VADODARA, Dec 29 (UNI): After playing for 16 long years, veteran Gujarat Ranji opener Nilesh Modi today announced his retirement from first class cricket.
The 34-year-old Modi announced his decision after scoring an unbeaten 57 off 148 balls in Gujarat second innings as the home side lost to Uttar Pradesh in the race for Ranji Trophy semifinal berth on the basis of 188-run first innings deficit here today.
Modi was the only Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) player to play the highest number of 80 first class matches and scored more than 4500 runs.
The second in the rank is Mukund Parmar with 79 matches.
Modi, who made his first class debut for Gujarat in 1991-92 as a wicket-keeper, later got the opening slot for his outstanding performance with the bat.
He was also instrumental in the promotion of Gujarat team from the Plate Group to the Ranji Elite group this year.
His highest score this season was 275 against Hyderabad.
Talking to mediapersons after the match here, Modi said it was high time for him to retire from the first class cricket to make room for youngsters.
Kore continues his winning spree MANGALORE, Dec 29 (UNI): International Master Akshayraj Kore, continued his winning spree in the penultimate round of the 46th National A Chess Championship here today accounting for the joint leader GM Negi of Indian Airlines.
In an absorbing tussle, the giant killer from Pune Kore replying with Pirc chose a rare line thereby accepting disrupted pawn structure.
The exchange of Queens and few pieces saw the players battling out 2 Rooks and 2 Knights ending with excellent piece play.
Kore sacrificed a pawn on 19th move and Negi for his turn sacrificed a Knight on 21st move to get galloping centre pawns.
A gritty play with a counter sacrifice in the endgame, by Kore forced Negi to end up with an Inferior ending.
Kore’s 41 move victory was impressive seeing that he has scored 4.5 pts of the last five rounds and to remind, it is his maiden attempt in National A Chess Championship.
Kore joins GM Ganguly at the top with 7.5 pts.
Tomorrow is the the last round and a rest day for Kore.
GM Negi stayed in the second spot with 7pts.
GM Ganguly of PSPB surprisingly drew quickly in 8 moves with IM Satyapragyan of Indian Airlines and expecting more from Kore.
His gamble paid off and now Ganguly is a safe half point ahead of GM Negi who was till now racing with him.
With still a round to go the last round results may decide the winner.
IM Rathnakaran lost to GM Pravin Thipsay in a disappointing manner and without much of an ado.
From the black side of French defence chose a sharper line in Queen side castling .
Thipsay’s wing pawns and e6 weakness proved too much for Rathnakaran who blundered a piece and resigned immediately.
The game between GM Deepan Chakkravarthy and IM Adhiban fizzled out to a draw in 25 moves, with neither player getting advantage to play with.
IM Sriram Jha of LIC outplayed IM Shyam Sundar of TN in a 36 moves from a game of Four Knights variation.
Jha sacrificing a pawn on the 23rd move, went onto pick Shyam’s queen side pawns at will and completely destroyed his forte.
Haryana doubles sports quota for post of DSP CHANDIGARH, Dec 29 (UNI): The Haryana Government would increase the direct recruitment quota for outstanding sportsperson to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) from the existing three per cent to six per cent.
The Haryana Cabinet, which met here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, approved the amendment to this effect in Haryana Police Service Rules, 2002.
As per the amendment 70 per cent posts of DSPs shall be filled up by promotion from the rank of Poice Inspectors and 24 per cent by direct recruitment.
Six per cent of the total posts of DSPs shall be reserved for outstanding sportspersons of Haryana who win Gold, Silver or Bronze Medal in Olympic games or those sportspersons who bring laurels to the country and Haryana.
Former Australian captains came in support of Ponting MELBOURNE, Dec 29 (UNI): Former skippers Bill Lawry, Richie Benaudand Mark Taylor today backed under-fire Ricky Ponting by sayingthe team is going through a transition phase due to the retirement of great players and urged that the Australian captainshould get support more than before.
"During the past 15 months, nine players have retired, three of them greats of the game.
Besides the void that obviously was left when Don Bradman retired in 1948, only twice since has there been such an impact from player retirements," Benaud said.
"In 1963-64, Neil Harvey, Alan Davidson, (Ken) 'Slasher' Mackay and I retired.
The team needed to be rebuilt and Bob Simpson took over with an attack minus Davo and me.
It was extremely difficult on him, in a similar way that Ponting now is without his main strike bowlers," Benaud was quoted as saying by the 'Herald Sun'.
"And in 1983-84, Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh retired together.
That left a huge hole in the Australian team.
The same thing is happening now with the retirements of so many quality, experienced players, headed by Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist," he added.
Taylor said criticism of a losing captain was the part and parcel of the game in the Australia.
He also added that Ponting was praised by the critics in the past for winning the matches for Australia.
"Criticising an Australian captain in charge of a losing side is something that hasn't changed since the game started.
He is the man most under scrutiny," Taylor Said.
He also insisted that instead of replying to his critics, Ponting should play his game and let his bat to do the talking for him.
"This year he (Ponting) has reacted a lot more instead of doing what he has done best - letting his bat do the talking for him.
But there is no real right or wrong way of doing things.
You can wear your heart on your sleeve and when you win people criticise you for being arrogant," he said.
"You do the same but you lose and you are criticised for showing poor body language.
All that matters is that you have the respect of the players and you get on with it.
You bat as well as you can, lead by example, and don't worry about the outside criticism," he added.
Lawry feels that the world champions had lost to many good players in quick succssesion and urged his countrymen to show some patience as the Australian team is going through a transitional phase.
He also went on to add that Ponting should take care of his batting at this difficult time.
"I think Australians love winners and for five years they have enjoyed nothing but success in all forms of the game.
We have had a great side.
But now Ponting has a difficult task.
He lost so many good players all at once," Lawry said.
"It is never easy to win in India and we lost, as usual.
But immediately the critics were out for him.
He is leading a transition of the Australian team, so the public needs to accept that and be patient.
The crucial thing for him is not to lose his own batting form because if he keeps scoring runs it is the best way for Australia to remain competitive during these difficult times," he added.
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