'Tendulkar defied the advancing years'

Chappell described Sehwag as the most dangerous batsman in the world right now.
"A dashing opener who can win a game in the opening session of a Test. The most dangerous batsman in world cricket," he said.
Chappell lavished praise on Tendulkar, saying the 37-year-old, who recently became the first batsman to notch up 50 Test hundreds, seems to be getting better with age.
"Unlike Ponting, Tendulkar defied the advancing years and enjoyed a tremendous resurgence. He even rediscovered the art of dominating bowlers," Chappell said.
Explaining the reasons for picking Dhoni and Zaheer, Chappell said both have been consistent in their respective roles. "Dhoni has batted consistently, scoring runs when India need them and doing an adequate job with the gloves. He's a calm leader with some flair," Chappell said.
"Zaheer is a left-armer who has developed into a dangerous bowler with both the new and old ball. He performs well against good opposition," he added.

Image: Sachin Tendulkar

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'Tendulkar defied the advancing years'

Chappell described Sehwag as the most dangerous batsman in the world right now.
"A dashing opener who can win a game in the opening session of a Test. The most dangerous batsman in world cricket," he said.
Chappell lavished praise on Tendulkar, saying the 37-year-old, who recently became the first batsman to notch up 50 Test hundreds, seems to be getting better with age.
"Unlike Ponting, Tendulkar defied the advancing years and enjoyed a tremendous resurgence. He even rediscovered the art of dominating bowlers," Chappell said.
Explaining the reasons for picking Dhoni and Zaheer, Chappell said both have been consistent in their respective roles. "Dhoni has batted consistently, scoring runs when India need them and doing an adequate job with the gloves. He's a calm leader with some flair," Chappell said.
"Zaheer is a left-armer who has developed into a dangerous bowler with both the new and old ball. He performs well against good opposition," he added.

Image: Sachin Tendulkar

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'It's been a slippery dip for Australia'

Batting icon Sachin Tendulkar and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni were among the four Indian cricketers who found a place in former Australia captain Ian Chappell's '2010 World XI', which did not feature a single Aussie.
Dashing opener Virender Sehwag and pace spearhead Zaheer Khan were the other two Indians in the XI, which features five South Africans.
"Four years ago the Australian cricket team was cock-a-hoop. They'd regained the Ashes and had accentuated their superiority by smashing England at the MCG on the way to an eventual 5-0 series victory. Now the team is in tatters and it's best illustrated by a comparison of World XIs chosen at the end of the calendar year," Chappell wrote in his column for 'The Daily Telegraph'.
"In 2006, Australia had six players in the XI, with Brett Lee 12th man. In the 2010 side, no Australian made the XI and Shane Watson is the 12th man," he pointed out.
"It's been a slippery dip for Australia since the retirement of bowlers Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. The ride gathered pace when Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden called it a day. They have now hit the sand pit because of the struggles of the one player who kept the brake on the downhill ride, Ricky Ponting," he further explained.

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'It's been a slippery dip for Australia'

Batting icon Sachin Tendulkar and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni were among the four Indian cricketers who found a place in former Australia captain Ian Chappell's '2010 World XI', which did not feature a single Aussie.
Dashing opener Virender Sehwag and pace spearhead Zaheer Khan were the other two Indians in the XI, which features five South Africans.
"Four years ago the Australian cricket team was cock-a-hoop. They'd regained the Ashes and had accentuated their superiority by smashing England at the MCG on the way to an eventual 5-0 series victory. Now the team is in tatters and it's best illustrated by a comparison of World XIs chosen at the end of the calendar year," Chappell wrote in his column for 'The Daily Telegraph'.
"In 2006, Australia had six players in the XI, with Brett Lee 12th man. In the 2010 side, no Australian made the XI and Shane Watson is the 12th man," he pointed out.
"It's been a slippery dip for Australia since the retirement of bowlers Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. The ride gathered pace when Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden called it a day. They have now hit the sand pit because of the struggles of the one player who kept the brake on the downhill ride, Ricky Ponting," he further explained.

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Ponting out of fifth Test for Australia

Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting will miss the fifth Ashes Test against England because of continuing problems with a broken finger.

Vice-captain Michael Clarke will lead Australia in the Sydney Test starting on Monday. The Australia squad for the final Test of the series will be named later on Thursday.

Ponting was ruled out of playing after further x-rays on his broken little finger on his left hand “showed evidence that the fracture . . . has moved during the course of the Melbourne test,” Australia’s team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said on Thursday in a statement.

England retained the Ashes with an innings win in Melbourne and leads the series 2—1.

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Ponting out of fifth Test for Australia

Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting will miss the fifth Ashes Test against England because of continuing problems with a broken finger.

Vice-captain Michael Clarke will lead Australia in the Sydney Test starting on Monday. The Australia squad for the final Test of the series will be named later on Thursday.

Ponting was ruled out of playing after further x-rays on his broken little finger on his left hand “showed evidence that the fracture . . . has moved during the course of the Melbourne test,” Australia’s team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said on Thursday in a statement.

England retained the Ashes with an innings win in Melbourne and leads the series 2—1.

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Laxman knock puts India marginally ahead

DURBAN: Another day of taut-wound drama and wild-swinging momentum ended with South Africa on 111 for three in pursuit of 303.
The second Test, which careened breathlessly on the second day, moved less rapidly on the third, but the action was no less engrossing. Both India and South Africa appeared in control at various periods on Tuesday, and at stumps, drawn early because of the gloom that had gathered, neither team was out of it.
India, marginally ahead, has V.V.S. Laxman to thank for its position. Laxman (96) again summoned his nerveless best in desperate times, playing an innings of soft-handed finery. His ability to bat with lower-order batsmen, elevating their game as he does so, resulted in India making 228 after falling to 148 for seven.
The eighth-wicket partnership of 70 between Laxman and Zaheer Khan — identical to the stand the pair raised in Johannesburg in December 2006 when India won its first Test in South Africa — looked game-turning.
But the host fought its way back into the game, securing India's last three wickets for 10 and beginning its chase forcefully.
Graeme Smith attacked Zaheer, driving, cutting, on-driving, and short-arm pulling the left-armer for boundaries. Better rhythm
Alviro Petersen took on Ishant Sharma, hooking a bouncer for four after slashing the seamer over the slips. Despite the boundaries, Ishant showed good signs — his run-up, and as a result, his delivery, had better rhythm and balance.
These intangible gains were doing little for India though; the possibility of a wicket falling looked remote. Out of the blue, Smith failed to control a pull-stroke off Sreesanth.
The bowler did direct his bouncer better than he has all game, forcing the left-hander to fetch it. Their exchange of words before the dismissal may also have affected the South African captain's concentration.
It was the perfect way to go to tea for India; more gains were to follow. Harbhajan Singh got one to spin and bounce to have Petersen caught at short-leg. Sreesanth then struck a psychological blow, goading Hashim Amla to cut a short, wide delivery that left him.
Dhoni got his gloves under the edged ball, prompting Sreesanth to point to the heavens and applaud. It was the wicket India most wanted.
India might have also had Jacques Kallis had Cheteshwar Pujara held a sharp chance at short-leg, placed behind square. Harbhajan was the unlucky bowler.
By then it had grown overcast and it was a matter of time before the players left the field.
The day began with a hot, drying nor'easterly wind blowing across Kingsmead, not the moisture-bearing sou'westerly, but it made little difference to Dale Steyn, whose exceptional skill was allowing him to swing a 30-over-old ball.
It was Morne Morkel, however, who broke through, causing Pujara to play on. The angle of the batsman's blade in a defensive backstroke allowed the ball to slip off the bat's face onto the stumps.
M.S. Dhoni played his strokes, ensuring that the runs came at a comforting pace. The 48-run partnership between Laxman and Dhoni was significant because it changed the game's texture.
But when Dhoni pushed at a ball angled across him from left-arm over, feet following the exploratory stroke, to be caught behind off Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Harbhajan edged Morkel to second slip after being turned inside-out by the delivery, India was in peril.
Zaheer's knock
Zaheer didn't appear keen to last, moving to the leg-side as he tried to smear Tsotsobe to all parts. Lucky to survive, he settled into the role of supporting his great friend and batting advisor.
Zaheer had further fortune — two strong shouts for ‘lbw' off Steyn and Paul Harris were turned down with the lead at 256 and 260 respectively.
Laxman played beautifully — his battles against Steyn, who was first armed with swing and seam, then with medium-paced cutters, were fascinating. All the old magic was there, the graceful backfoot drives, the wrist-flicks, the back-cuts, and there was something new, the fine paddle against the left-arm spinner, when other avenues were blocked.
Steyn eventually had Laxman touch a ball to Mark Boucher, giving the wicketkeeper his ninth catch of the match; thus was a well-deserved hundred thwarted, although with Laxman, it's about more than the numbers.
SCOREBOARD
India — 1st innings: 205.
South Africa — 1st innings: 131.
India — 2nd innings: V. Sehwag c Boucher b Tsotsobe 32 ( 31b, 6x4), M. Vijay c Amla b Morkel 9 ( 27b, 1x4), R. Dravid c Boucher b Tsotsobe 2 ( 7b), S. Tendulkar c de Villiers b Steyn 6 ( 10b, 1x4), V.V.S. Laxman c Boucher b Steyn 96 ( 171b, 12x4), C. Pujara b Morkel 10 ( 56b, 1x4), M.S. Dhoni c Boucher b Tsotsobe 21 ( 35b, 4x4), Harbhajan c Kallis b Morkel 4 ( 7b), Zaheer c de Villiers b Harris 27 ( 63b, 4x4), Ishant c Amla b Kallis 0 ( 16b), Sreesanth (not out) 0 ( 2b); Extras (b-8, lb-4, w-9): 21; Total (in 70.5 overs): 228.
Fall of wickets: 1-42 (Sehwag), 2-44 (Vijay), 3-48 (Dravid), 4-56 (Tendulkar), 5-93 (Pujara), 6-141 (Dhoni), 7-148 (Harbhajan), 8-218 (Zaheer), 9-223 (Ishant).
South Africa bowling: Steyn 15.5-1-60-2, Morkel 15-1-47-3, Tsotsobe 13-3-43-3, Kallis 13-2-30-1, Harris 14-2-36-1.
South Africa — 2nd innings: G. Smith c Dhoni b Sreesanth 37 ( 38b, 5x4), A. Petersen c Pujara b Harbhajan 26 ( 45b, 4x4), H. Amla c Dhoni b Sreesanth 16 ( 16b, 3x4), J. Kallis (batting) 12 ( 28b, 2x4), A.B. de Villiers (batting) 17 ( 38b, 1x6); Extras (nb-3): 3; Total (for three wickets in 27 overs): 111.
Fall of wickets: 1-63 (Smith), 2-82 (Petersen), 3-82 (Amla).
India bowling: Zaheer 6-2-25-0, Ishant 5-0-21-0, Sreesanth 7-0-30-2, Harbhajan 8-0-29-1, Tendulkar 1-0-6-0 .

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Laxman knock puts India marginally ahead

DURBAN: Another day of taut-wound drama and wild-swinging momentum ended with South Africa on 111 for three in pursuit of 303.
The second Test, which careened breathlessly on the second day, moved less rapidly on the third, but the action was no less engrossing. Both India and South Africa appeared in control at various periods on Tuesday, and at stumps, drawn early because of the gloom that had gathered, neither team was out of it.
India, marginally ahead, has V.V.S. Laxman to thank for its position. Laxman (96) again summoned his nerveless best in desperate times, playing an innings of soft-handed finery. His ability to bat with lower-order batsmen, elevating their game as he does so, resulted in India making 228 after falling to 148 for seven.
The eighth-wicket partnership of 70 between Laxman and Zaheer Khan — identical to the stand the pair raised in Johannesburg in December 2006 when India won its first Test in South Africa — looked game-turning.
But the host fought its way back into the game, securing India's last three wickets for 10 and beginning its chase forcefully.
Graeme Smith attacked Zaheer, driving, cutting, on-driving, and short-arm pulling the left-armer for boundaries. Better rhythm
Alviro Petersen took on Ishant Sharma, hooking a bouncer for four after slashing the seamer over the slips. Despite the boundaries, Ishant showed good signs — his run-up, and as a result, his delivery, had better rhythm and balance.
These intangible gains were doing little for India though; the possibility of a wicket falling looked remote. Out of the blue, Smith failed to control a pull-stroke off Sreesanth.
The bowler did direct his bouncer better than he has all game, forcing the left-hander to fetch it. Their exchange of words before the dismissal may also have affected the South African captain's concentration.
It was the perfect way to go to tea for India; more gains were to follow. Harbhajan Singh got one to spin and bounce to have Petersen caught at short-leg. Sreesanth then struck a psychological blow, goading Hashim Amla to cut a short, wide delivery that left him.
Dhoni got his gloves under the edged ball, prompting Sreesanth to point to the heavens and applaud. It was the wicket India most wanted.
India might have also had Jacques Kallis had Cheteshwar Pujara held a sharp chance at short-leg, placed behind square. Harbhajan was the unlucky bowler.
By then it had grown overcast and it was a matter of time before the players left the field.
The day began with a hot, drying nor'easterly wind blowing across Kingsmead, not the moisture-bearing sou'westerly, but it made little difference to Dale Steyn, whose exceptional skill was allowing him to swing a 30-over-old ball.
It was Morne Morkel, however, who broke through, causing Pujara to play on. The angle of the batsman's blade in a defensive backstroke allowed the ball to slip off the bat's face onto the stumps.
M.S. Dhoni played his strokes, ensuring that the runs came at a comforting pace. The 48-run partnership between Laxman and Dhoni was significant because it changed the game's texture.
But when Dhoni pushed at a ball angled across him from left-arm over, feet following the exploratory stroke, to be caught behind off Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Harbhajan edged Morkel to second slip after being turned inside-out by the delivery, India was in peril.
Zaheer's knock
Zaheer didn't appear keen to last, moving to the leg-side as he tried to smear Tsotsobe to all parts. Lucky to survive, he settled into the role of supporting his great friend and batting advisor.
Zaheer had further fortune — two strong shouts for ‘lbw' off Steyn and Paul Harris were turned down with the lead at 256 and 260 respectively.
Laxman played beautifully — his battles against Steyn, who was first armed with swing and seam, then with medium-paced cutters, were fascinating. All the old magic was there, the graceful backfoot drives, the wrist-flicks, the back-cuts, and there was something new, the fine paddle against the left-arm spinner, when other avenues were blocked.
Steyn eventually had Laxman touch a ball to Mark Boucher, giving the wicketkeeper his ninth catch of the match; thus was a well-deserved hundred thwarted, although with Laxman, it's about more than the numbers.
SCOREBOARD
India — 1st innings: 205.
South Africa — 1st innings: 131.
India — 2nd innings: V. Sehwag c Boucher b Tsotsobe 32 ( 31b, 6x4), M. Vijay c Amla b Morkel 9 ( 27b, 1x4), R. Dravid c Boucher b Tsotsobe 2 ( 7b), S. Tendulkar c de Villiers b Steyn 6 ( 10b, 1x4), V.V.S. Laxman c Boucher b Steyn 96 ( 171b, 12x4), C. Pujara b Morkel 10 ( 56b, 1x4), M.S. Dhoni c Boucher b Tsotsobe 21 ( 35b, 4x4), Harbhajan c Kallis b Morkel 4 ( 7b), Zaheer c de Villiers b Harris 27 ( 63b, 4x4), Ishant c Amla b Kallis 0 ( 16b), Sreesanth (not out) 0 ( 2b); Extras (b-8, lb-4, w-9): 21; Total (in 70.5 overs): 228.
Fall of wickets: 1-42 (Sehwag), 2-44 (Vijay), 3-48 (Dravid), 4-56 (Tendulkar), 5-93 (Pujara), 6-141 (Dhoni), 7-148 (Harbhajan), 8-218 (Zaheer), 9-223 (Ishant).
South Africa bowling: Steyn 15.5-1-60-2, Morkel 15-1-47-3, Tsotsobe 13-3-43-3, Kallis 13-2-30-1, Harris 14-2-36-1.
South Africa — 2nd innings: G. Smith c Dhoni b Sreesanth 37 ( 38b, 5x4), A. Petersen c Pujara b Harbhajan 26 ( 45b, 4x4), H. Amla c Dhoni b Sreesanth 16 ( 16b, 3x4), J. Kallis (batting) 12 ( 28b, 2x4), A.B. de Villiers (batting) 17 ( 38b, 1x6); Extras (nb-3): 3; Total (for three wickets in 27 overs): 111.
Fall of wickets: 1-63 (Smith), 2-82 (Petersen), 3-82 (Amla).
India bowling: Zaheer 6-2-25-0, Ishant 5-0-21-0, Sreesanth 7-0-30-2, Harbhajan 8-0-29-1, Tendulkar 1-0-6-0 .

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South Africa vs India, 2nd Test

RSA: 131, 215-all out (72.3 Ovs)

Ind: 205, 228

India won by 87 runs

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Posted in: CricketNext,SPORTS

South Africa vs India, 2nd Test

RSA: 131, 215-all out (72.3 Ovs)

Ind: 205, 228

India won by 87 runs

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Posted in: CricketNext,SPORTS

The Ashes 2010: Australia v England fourth Test, day three as it happened

Australia 169/6 trailing by 246 (Haddin 11*, Johnson 6*) Another superb day for England. Tim Bresnan led the attack brilliantly to take three-fer with accurate, nippy swing, well backed up by another super spell from Chris Tremlett and a miserly Graeme Swann. Earlier in the day, the indefatigable Jonathan Trott closed unbeaten on 168, and no Aussie batsman could get anything like that sort of huge, vital score.

England couldn't quite finish it off tonight, but they will surely do so fairly early tomorrow. Please join Jonathan Liew from about 11pm for the build-up and, we hope, the victory that retains The Ashes. I'm Alan Tyers, thanks a lot for your tweets and emails, have a great day.

OVER 66: AUS 169/6 Jimmy A brings one back into Mitch and hits him on the pad, but the accident-prone Aussie got an inside edge. A nice drive from Mitch through the covers gives him three, and then Bard Haddin manages to survive two. The very last one of the day jags back and hits him on the upper part of the pad, but sliding down leg and barely a half appeal - and that is stumps.

OVER 65: AUS 166/6 The mighty, mighty Bresnan is right back with his A-game to Haddin. A nice off-stump line, gets one to in-duck. Haddin drives off the thick outside edge for four and there's no wicket for Timmy B on this occasion.

OVER 64: AUS 162/6 Mitch gets a couple through leg off Jimmy. But yay! Tim Bresnan is coming back on for the penultimate over of the day. 
OVER 63: AUS 160/6 It won't come this over, Mitch keeps Swann at bay for three balls and then gets a single. Haddin defends a couple. Trott has been having a few words with Mitch; Aleem Dar tells him to give it a rest.
OVER 62: AUS 159/6 Smith's departure brings Mitch to the crease. Poor Ryan Harris is apparently going under the knife tomorrow for his Achilles tendon problem, so I really don't see that they will send him out to bat. So Aussies are effectively eight down - one more wickets and I should think England could claim half an hour. Four overs left.
WICKET! Oh yes they can! Smith b Anderson 38 Smith's innings comes to an end as he drags Jimmy Anderson onto his stumps. Not a great ball, bit short, bit wide, but it has done the trip. Some encouraging signs in that knock from Smith.
OVER 61: AUS 154/5 Haddin plays out a maiden against Swann. Can England nip one more out before the close?
OVER 60: AUS 154/5 Another nice shot from Smith, driving Jim back past the bowler for four.

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Posted in: CricketNext,SPORTS

The Ashes 2010: Australia v England fourth Test, day three as it happened

Australia 169/6 trailing by 246 (Haddin 11*, Johnson 6*) Another superb day for England. Tim Bresnan led the attack brilliantly to take three-fer with accurate, nippy swing, well backed up by another super spell from Chris Tremlett and a miserly Graeme Swann. Earlier in the day, the indefatigable Jonathan Trott closed unbeaten on 168, and no Aussie batsman could get anything like that sort of huge, vital score.

England couldn't quite finish it off tonight, but they will surely do so fairly early tomorrow. Please join Jonathan Liew from about 11pm for the build-up and, we hope, the victory that retains The Ashes. I'm Alan Tyers, thanks a lot for your tweets and emails, have a great day.

OVER 66: AUS 169/6 Jimmy A brings one back into Mitch and hits him on the pad, but the accident-prone Aussie got an inside edge. A nice drive from Mitch through the covers gives him three, and then Bard Haddin manages to survive two. The very last one of the day jags back and hits him on the upper part of the pad, but sliding down leg and barely a half appeal - and that is stumps.

OVER 65: AUS 166/6 The mighty, mighty Bresnan is right back with his A-game to Haddin. A nice off-stump line, gets one to in-duck. Haddin drives off the thick outside edge for four and there's no wicket for Timmy B on this occasion.

OVER 64: AUS 162/6 Mitch gets a couple through leg off Jimmy. But yay! Tim Bresnan is coming back on for the penultimate over of the day. 
OVER 63: AUS 160/6 It won't come this over, Mitch keeps Swann at bay for three balls and then gets a single. Haddin defends a couple. Trott has been having a few words with Mitch; Aleem Dar tells him to give it a rest.
OVER 62: AUS 159/6 Smith's departure brings Mitch to the crease. Poor Ryan Harris is apparently going under the knife tomorrow for his Achilles tendon problem, so I really don't see that they will send him out to bat. So Aussies are effectively eight down - one more wickets and I should think England could claim half an hour. Four overs left.
WICKET! Oh yes they can! Smith b Anderson 38 Smith's innings comes to an end as he drags Jimmy Anderson onto his stumps. Not a great ball, bit short, bit wide, but it has done the trip. Some encouraging signs in that knock from Smith.
OVER 61: AUS 154/5 Haddin plays out a maiden against Swann. Can England nip one more out before the close?
OVER 60: AUS 154/5 Another nice shot from Smith, driving Jim back past the bowler for four.

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Posted in: CricketNext,SPORTS

Savio Club to lock horns with Mastan YMCA

Savio Club and Mastan YMCA progressed to the final of the junior boys (Under-16) category with wins in the final rounds of the semifinal league in the 23rd Bombay YMCA Annual Open state level basketball tournament at the Ghatkopar YMCA on Tuesday.

Defending champions, Savio Club, Matunga, defeated the already eliminated Central YMCA 77-50.

The victory meant that the only scenario that would have seen Savio eliminated was a win for Mastan YMCA over Ghatkopar YMCA with a margin of under four points in the other match of the day.

The Mastan boys, who would have themselves been eliminated if they lost their match, made sure that they booked their place in the final with a comfortable 64-50 victory over the hosts.

Central YMCA the only team without a chance in the league showed that they were keen on a consolation win by giving Savio Club a difficult time in the first half. Savio only had one point cushion in the first quarter which ended with the score, 13-12.

Central YMCA remained within touching distance in the second quarter, which ended with the score at 27-21 in favour of Savio.

The Matunga side showed ruthlessness in the second half to make the game one sided.

The Savio boys had a clear advantage over their opponents when it came to height as four of their starting five, were in excess of six feet tall. Central YMCA attempted to nullify this edge while defending by ‘boxing’ their attackers and forcing them to take shots from a distance. Savio Club overcame this strategy by using fast breaks before their opponents could form their defense and showing great proficiency in jump-shots from within the ‘D’.

Luv Lahankar of Savio showed both, speed in the breaks and good accuracy in shooting to notch up the game top score of 36.

In defense, Savio Club opted for man-to-man strategy and it seemed that they had identified Kartik Counder as their main threat and double teamed him occasionally when he got himself into a good position.

Results: Junior Girls: Semifinals: St Anthony’s, Chembur 37 (Preet Arora 11, Ankita Negi 8, Shraddha Shah 8) bt Holy Cross, Thane 29 (Tanvi Dabhade 10, Aditi Waghmare 8); Indian Gym 55 (Aishwarya 20, Devika 16) bt Bandra YMCA 48 (Nameer 10, Pooja 15); Junior Boys: Savio Club 77 (Lav 36, Yohan 15) bt Central YMCA 50 (Kartik 31, Anukul 10); Mastan YMCA 64 (M Salim 29, K Zoyeb 9) bt Ghatkopar YMCA 50 (Nikhilesh Jagtap 14, Praful Chauhan 14)

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Posted in: DNA India,SPORTS

Savio Club to lock horns with Mastan YMCA

Savio Club and Mastan YMCA progressed to the final of the junior boys (Under-16) category with wins in the final rounds of the semifinal league in the 23rd Bombay YMCA Annual Open state level basketball tournament at the Ghatkopar YMCA on Tuesday.

Defending champions, Savio Club, Matunga, defeated the already eliminated Central YMCA 77-50.

The victory meant that the only scenario that would have seen Savio eliminated was a win for Mastan YMCA over Ghatkopar YMCA with a margin of under four points in the other match of the day.

The Mastan boys, who would have themselves been eliminated if they lost their match, made sure that they booked their place in the final with a comfortable 64-50 victory over the hosts.

Central YMCA the only team without a chance in the league showed that they were keen on a consolation win by giving Savio Club a difficult time in the first half. Savio only had one point cushion in the first quarter which ended with the score, 13-12.

Central YMCA remained within touching distance in the second quarter, which ended with the score at 27-21 in favour of Savio.

The Matunga side showed ruthlessness in the second half to make the game one sided.

The Savio boys had a clear advantage over their opponents when it came to height as four of their starting five, were in excess of six feet tall. Central YMCA attempted to nullify this edge while defending by ‘boxing’ their attackers and forcing them to take shots from a distance. Savio Club overcame this strategy by using fast breaks before their opponents could form their defense and showing great proficiency in jump-shots from within the ‘D’.

Luv Lahankar of Savio showed both, speed in the breaks and good accuracy in shooting to notch up the game top score of 36.

In defense, Savio Club opted for man-to-man strategy and it seemed that they had identified Kartik Counder as their main threat and double teamed him occasionally when he got himself into a good position.

Results: Junior Girls: Semifinals: St Anthony’s, Chembur 37 (Preet Arora 11, Ankita Negi 8, Shraddha Shah 8) bt Holy Cross, Thane 29 (Tanvi Dabhade 10, Aditi Waghmare 8); Indian Gym 55 (Aishwarya 20, Devika 16) bt Bandra YMCA 48 (Nameer 10, Pooja 15); Junior Boys: Savio Club 77 (Lav 36, Yohan 15) bt Central YMCA 50 (Kartik 31, Anukul 10); Mastan YMCA 64 (M Salim 29, K Zoyeb 9) bt Ghatkopar YMCA 50 (Nikhilesh Jagtap 14, Praful Chauhan 14)

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Posted in: DNA India,SPORTS

Sportspersons too have a set of designers they swear by

Sports and fashion have always gone hand in hand. Being stylish isn’t limited to just the glitterati. As public figures, sports stars find it necessary to identify a designer they can swear by.

Cricketer Robin Uthappa is conscious about how he looks and what he wears and though his sister Sharon helps him with his wardrobe, there are a few designers that he admits, he trusts. “I like the creations of Raghavendra Rathore for they are very Indian. I love the way he styles them. The works of Sanjay Choraria and Michelle Salins suit my style too,” says the cricketer who finds comfort in denims on a day-to-day basis. Since the time cricketer Manish Pandey walked the ramp for Namrata G, he has become her fan. He says, “Namrata G has designed some of my clothes. I really admire her creations.”

It’s not only cricketers who are conscious of the designers they endorse. Take for instance badminton player Trupti Murugunde, her love for fashion goes beyond the surface. If she weren’t playing badminton, she would have studied fashion. She adds, “I completely adore the creations of Manish Malhotra when it comes to Indian wear and like Rohit Bal’s work in Western wear. There’s also JJ Vallaya.”

Equestrian Aliya Das Gupta vouches for designer Manish Arora’s line Fish Fry. “I like the quirky designs and bright colours he uses,” says Aliya. This line of sports clothing has been particularly popular among a lot of athletes.

Swimmer Rehan Poncha. who is mostly seen in his tracks or jeans, says his favourite brands are Ermenegildo Zegna and Ralph Lauren. Among Indian designers, he votes for Rajesh Pratap. Rehan says, “I like Rajesh’s style which I think is highly exclusive. I like the cut as well as the work done on the shirts.”

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Posted in: DNA India,SPORTS

Sportspersons too have a set of designers they swear by

Sports and fashion have always gone hand in hand. Being stylish isn’t limited to just the glitterati. As public figures, sports stars find it necessary to identify a designer they can swear by.

Cricketer Robin Uthappa is conscious about how he looks and what he wears and though his sister Sharon helps him with his wardrobe, there are a few designers that he admits, he trusts. “I like the creations of Raghavendra Rathore for they are very Indian. I love the way he styles them. The works of Sanjay Choraria and Michelle Salins suit my style too,” says the cricketer who finds comfort in denims on a day-to-day basis. Since the time cricketer Manish Pandey walked the ramp for Namrata G, he has become her fan. He says, “Namrata G has designed some of my clothes. I really admire her creations.”

It’s not only cricketers who are conscious of the designers they endorse. Take for instance badminton player Trupti Murugunde, her love for fashion goes beyond the surface. If she weren’t playing badminton, she would have studied fashion. She adds, “I completely adore the creations of Manish Malhotra when it comes to Indian wear and like Rohit Bal’s work in Western wear. There’s also JJ Vallaya.”

Equestrian Aliya Das Gupta vouches for designer Manish Arora’s line Fish Fry. “I like the quirky designs and bright colours he uses,” says Aliya. This line of sports clothing has been particularly popular among a lot of athletes.

Swimmer Rehan Poncha. who is mostly seen in his tracks or jeans, says his favourite brands are Ermenegildo Zegna and Ralph Lauren. Among Indian designers, he votes for Rajesh Pratap. Rehan says, “I like Rajesh’s style which I think is highly exclusive. I like the cut as well as the work done on the shirts.”

Read more »

Posted in: DNA India,SPORTS

Former Pakistan cricketers shower praise on Tendulkar

Pakistan’s former Test players showered lot of praise on Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar for becoming the first man to score 50 Test hundreds.

“Tendulkar can now rightly lay claim to the title of being the greatest batsman in cricket history,” said former captain Rashid Latif.

“And if some people argue about his greatness then there are certainly no arguments about his being the most prolific, he is a complete run machine and his 50th Test hundred is a testimony of his endurance and passion for the sport,” Rashid added.

Another former captain Javed Miandad, who played in the Test match at Karachi in 1989 in which Tendulkar made his debut, said he was happy for Tendulkar.

“It was clear to us even when he walked out to bat in that Test as a teenager that he had talent. The fact that he has been around for 21 years and done justice to that god gifted talent in both forms of the game is an achievement any cricketer would be proud off,” Miandad said.

Miandad also said he didn’t see Tendulkar’s record of 50 Test hundreds being broken by anyone in the future.

“It would be very difficult for anyone to reach this pinnacle of Test cricket.”

Pakistan’s Hanif Muhammad - who turns 76 on Tuesday - paid tribute to the veteran batsman, saying that he makes it a point to watch cricket when Tendulkar is batting in Test matches.

“I try to watch the matches in which he is playing because I have not seen anyone gifted with such natural technical batting excellence, which he has combined with his hard work and commitment. He is indeed a phenomena and a role model for every young batsman,” Hanif said.

Former Pakistani wicketkeeper and captain Moin Khan said he had played a lot against Tendulkar and he admired his competitiveness and hunger for runs.

“He was always competitive but also polite on the field and I think he is the role model for young cricketers. He also highlights the fact that as long as a player has passion for cricket and confidence in his skills and is fit, age is never a barrier in international cricket,” Moin said.

Former Pakistan batsman and selector Shoaib Muhammad, who played in Tendulkar’s debut Test, said the champion batsman had achieved phenomenal success because he really worked hard on his batting and fitness and was someone who had the ability to score anywhere in the world.

Shoaib described Tendulkar as the most complete batsman of his time, and arguably the biggest cricket icon as well.

“I have watched him play all these years closely and his batting is still so pure based on perfect balance and little movement and precision in strokes,” Shoaib said.

“I think there is a lesson in this new world record for every batsman about how important it is to maintain consistency in your game even after so many years in international cricket,” he said.

Former Test pacer Jalaluddin advised the Pakistani batsmen to learn a lesson from Tendulkar’s technique and achievements and bring a more consistent approach to their batting.

“I think every country wants to have a batsman like Tendulkar. But such a player come only once in decades. His greatness is he has realised the responsibility on him to keep on scoring runs for India and to break record after record,” Jalaluddin noted.

Former Test batsman Basit Ali pointed out that India had produced many world class batsmen but none of them could match the perseverance and hunger for runs shown by Tendulkar.

“It is true that players now get more matches to play in their career but it takes a lot of hardwork to keep going for 21 years and keep on scoring runs in tons which he has done,” Basit said.

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Posted in: CricketNext,SPORTS,THE HINDU

Former Pakistan cricketers shower praise on Tendulkar

Pakistan’s former Test players showered lot of praise on Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar for becoming the first man to score 50 Test hundreds.

“Tendulkar can now rightly lay claim to the title of being the greatest batsman in cricket history,” said former captain Rashid Latif.

“And if some people argue about his greatness then there are certainly no arguments about his being the most prolific, he is a complete run machine and his 50th Test hundred is a testimony of his endurance and passion for the sport,” Rashid added.

Another former captain Javed Miandad, who played in the Test match at Karachi in 1989 in which Tendulkar made his debut, said he was happy for Tendulkar.

“It was clear to us even when he walked out to bat in that Test as a teenager that he had talent. The fact that he has been around for 21 years and done justice to that god gifted talent in both forms of the game is an achievement any cricketer would be proud off,” Miandad said.

Miandad also said he didn’t see Tendulkar’s record of 50 Test hundreds being broken by anyone in the future.

“It would be very difficult for anyone to reach this pinnacle of Test cricket.”

Pakistan’s Hanif Muhammad - who turns 76 on Tuesday - paid tribute to the veteran batsman, saying that he makes it a point to watch cricket when Tendulkar is batting in Test matches.

“I try to watch the matches in which he is playing because I have not seen anyone gifted with such natural technical batting excellence, which he has combined with his hard work and commitment. He is indeed a phenomena and a role model for every young batsman,” Hanif said.

Former Pakistani wicketkeeper and captain Moin Khan said he had played a lot against Tendulkar and he admired his competitiveness and hunger for runs.

“He was always competitive but also polite on the field and I think he is the role model for young cricketers. He also highlights the fact that as long as a player has passion for cricket and confidence in his skills and is fit, age is never a barrier in international cricket,” Moin said.

Former Pakistan batsman and selector Shoaib Muhammad, who played in Tendulkar’s debut Test, said the champion batsman had achieved phenomenal success because he really worked hard on his batting and fitness and was someone who had the ability to score anywhere in the world.

Shoaib described Tendulkar as the most complete batsman of his time, and arguably the biggest cricket icon as well.

“I have watched him play all these years closely and his batting is still so pure based on perfect balance and little movement and precision in strokes,” Shoaib said.

“I think there is a lesson in this new world record for every batsman about how important it is to maintain consistency in your game even after so many years in international cricket,” he said.

Former Test pacer Jalaluddin advised the Pakistani batsmen to learn a lesson from Tendulkar’s technique and achievements and bring a more consistent approach to their batting.

“I think every country wants to have a batsman like Tendulkar. But such a player come only once in decades. His greatness is he has realised the responsibility on him to keep on scoring runs for India and to break record after record,” Jalaluddin noted.

Former Test batsman Basit Ali pointed out that India had produced many world class batsmen but none of them could match the perseverance and hunger for runs shown by Tendulkar.

“It is true that players now get more matches to play in their career but it takes a lot of hardwork to keep going for 21 years and keep on scoring runs in tons which he has done,” Basit said.

Read more »

Posted in: CricketNext,SPORTS,THE HINDU

Morne Morkel reigns for South Africa as India struggle on rain-hit day

South Africa's fast bowlers wreaked havoc on India's experienced batting line-up, reducing them to 136 for nine on the rain-hit first day of the opening Test in Centurion.

The home team used the conditions to their advantage as Morne Morkel took four vital wickets – including his 100th in Tests – and Dale Steyn claimed three to back Graeme Smith's decision to bowl first after South Africa's captain won the toss.

Only Sachin Tendulkar (36) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (33 not out) showed some resistance before play ended early due to bad light.

Only 38.1 overs were bowled in the two sessions that were possible after overnight and morning rain made play impossible until after lunch.

India had a dismal start, losing Virender Sehwag for a duck in the third over of the match when the opener slashed hard at a Morkel delivery only to be caught by Hashim Amla at third man.

Gautam Gambhir had a forgettable outing despite being lucky to be ruled not out on two occasions when replays suggested the decisions could have easily gone in favour of the bowling side.

The opening batsman and Rahul Dravid defied the bowlers for 10 overs, but the 23-run stand came to an end when Gambhir edged Morkel to Paul Harris at first slip and in his next over the bowler snared Dravid leg-before to leave India tottering on 27 for three.

Tendulkar and VVS Laxman tried to stop the rot and the former attempted a counterattack either side of the tea break, but India's woes were far from over. A mini-collapse followed and three wickets fell in as many overs to reduce India to 71 for six.

Laxman was the first to go, clean bowled by Steyn, and the new batsman, Suresh Raina, lasted only five balls and handed Jacques Kallis his first wicket of the match.

Tendulkar, who looked set for a bigger innings, was rapped on the pad in front while on 36 off only 34 balls by a fiery inswinger from Steyn.

Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh took India past the 100-run mark with some unorthodox batting and the off-spinner tried to take the attack to the opposition by hitting a boundary and a six off Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

But the hope of a late flourish was dashed by a bizarre run-out that exposed Harbhajan's poor running skills after he was caught short of his crease by an agile Mark Boucher, who underarmed an Alviro Petersen throw on to the stumps.

The march of the batsmen back to the pavilion continued as Ishant Sharma and Sreesanth – both scoreless – did not have the technique to face Morkel, who added two more wickets to his tally.

Dhoni was joined by the debutant Jaidev Unadkat and the Indian captain tried to lend some respectability to the total by playing aggressively and put on 30 runs for the unbroken 10th-wicket stand.

Read more »

Posted in: CricketNext,SPORTS

Morne Morkel reigns for South Africa as India struggle on rain-hit day

South Africa's fast bowlers wreaked havoc on India's experienced batting line-up, reducing them to 136 for nine on the rain-hit first day of the opening Test in Centurion.

The home team used the conditions to their advantage as Morne Morkel took four vital wickets – including his 100th in Tests – and Dale Steyn claimed three to back Graeme Smith's decision to bowl first after South Africa's captain won the toss.

Only Sachin Tendulkar (36) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (33 not out) showed some resistance before play ended early due to bad light.

Only 38.1 overs were bowled in the two sessions that were possible after overnight and morning rain made play impossible until after lunch.

India had a dismal start, losing Virender Sehwag for a duck in the third over of the match when the opener slashed hard at a Morkel delivery only to be caught by Hashim Amla at third man.

Gautam Gambhir had a forgettable outing despite being lucky to be ruled not out on two occasions when replays suggested the decisions could have easily gone in favour of the bowling side.

The opening batsman and Rahul Dravid defied the bowlers for 10 overs, but the 23-run stand came to an end when Gambhir edged Morkel to Paul Harris at first slip and in his next over the bowler snared Dravid leg-before to leave India tottering on 27 for three.

Tendulkar and VVS Laxman tried to stop the rot and the former attempted a counterattack either side of the tea break, but India's woes were far from over. A mini-collapse followed and three wickets fell in as many overs to reduce India to 71 for six.

Laxman was the first to go, clean bowled by Steyn, and the new batsman, Suresh Raina, lasted only five balls and handed Jacques Kallis his first wicket of the match.

Tendulkar, who looked set for a bigger innings, was rapped on the pad in front while on 36 off only 34 balls by a fiery inswinger from Steyn.

Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh took India past the 100-run mark with some unorthodox batting and the off-spinner tried to take the attack to the opposition by hitting a boundary and a six off Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

But the hope of a late flourish was dashed by a bizarre run-out that exposed Harbhajan's poor running skills after he was caught short of his crease by an agile Mark Boucher, who underarmed an Alviro Petersen throw on to the stumps.

The march of the batsmen back to the pavilion continued as Ishant Sharma and Sreesanth – both scoreless – did not have the technique to face Morkel, who added two more wickets to his tally.

Dhoni was joined by the debutant Jaidev Unadkat and the Indian captain tried to lend some respectability to the total by playing aggressively and put on 30 runs for the unbroken 10th-wicket stand.

Read more »

Posted in: CricketNext,SPORTS