amit467's news thread

[amit467]

Before the finals IND A has beaten AUS A by 3 wickets. ndia 'A' gained psychological advantage ahead of the final after beating Australia [images] 'A' by three wickets in an inconsequential last league match of the ODI tri-series in Chennai on Wednesday. The home team overhauled the Australians' target of 272 with four overs to spare, under overcast conditions, largely due to some useful partnerships in the middle overs. In what was considered a dress rehearsal of the final, scheduled for Friday after both teams recorded big wins over New Zealand [images] 'A' to seal a place in the title clash, India 'A' restricted Australia to 272 for 6. The Aussies' total was largely due to a fine half century from David Hussey (74) and good scores from the middle order. There were no big innings from any Indian batsmen except Rohit Sharma's half century (51, 58 balls, 4x4, 1x6), but the top and middle order stitched together useful partnerships. butions to win rather comfortably. The Indians' chase started badly as Robin Uthappa (7) failed again. The other opener, Jayadev Shah, contributed 26 (28 balls, 4x4) while Ravi Teja [images] scored 33 (40 balls, 6x4). Stand-in skipper Suresh Raina's cameo knock of 46 (47 balls, 4x4, 2x6), Yusuf Pathan's breezy 36 (32 balls, 2x4, 2x6) and 25-apiece from Wriddihiman Saha and Piyush Chawla [images] ensured victory despite India losing wickets at regular intervals. At one stage India 'A' were 187 for five in 33.5 overs. Then at the score of 214, they lost another wicket, but Saha and Chawla played sensibly and ensured that there were no further jitters. Electing to bat first, the Aussies lost Adam Voges (5) early, but other opener, Marcus North, (40 off 52 balls), and David Hussey (74 off 67 balls) combined well to add 96 runs for the second wicket in 16.1 overs. Thereafter the middle order batsmen all got starts but failed to build on them. Skipper Cameron White chipped in with 30 off 46 balls, George Baily contributed 36 off 46 balls, and Phillip Hughes remained unbeaten on 49 off 58 balls. Ashley Noffke, who blasted 33 in just 19 balls, provided the final thrust to help the team past the 250-mark. For India 'A' medium pacer Praveen Kumar and leg spinner Piyush Chawla claimed two wickets each.

[amit467]

Good performance by IND A, its a complete team effort. Once again Yusuf Pathan played really well took one wicket and made quickfire 30 odd runs with 2 sixes. Its good to see young players doing well.

[amit467]

News from Australian Media about Sachin RICKY Ponting's team was greeted here last night by the news Sachin Tendulkar had been declared fit for one last crack at Australia, during which the Indian champion appears destined to become Test cricket's greatest run-scorer. Word from Tendulkar's home city of Mumbai is that he is expected to overcome an injury to his left elbow, the same joint that has caused him lingering pain in the past, in time to face Australia in the opening Test in Bangalore from October 9. The 35-year-old fell on the elbow during the recent series against Sri Lanka, but his Mumbai coach and friend Lalchand Rajput last night confirmed Tendulkar should be fit for the Test series.

[amit467]

India's stars reap the rewards INDIA'S status as the centre of the cricket world was visibly illustrated yesterday when the powerful Indian board announced it had pulled in a record $US217 million ($A260 million) over the past year, and was set to shower its star cricketers with further riches. A cartoon in the Hindustan Times depicted Indian cricket supremo Lalip Modi sipping a cocktail in a bath full of cash, an apt image of the power and financial dominance of India. India's players, among the wealthiest sportsmen in the world, receive 26% of board revenue and will get a handsome pay rise. The figures, though rosy for India, illustrate the stark inequality in cricket's economy and are largely the result of the sale of Indian Premier League media rights and franchises. Australian batsman Mike Hussey said it was a reality for modern cricketers that all roads lead to India. "Eighty per cent of (world cricket's) revenue does come out of this country and they are obviously very passionate about their cricket," said Hussey, who first toured India in 1994, represents Chennai in the IPL, and will return in December with Western Australia for the Twenty20 Champions League. With eight of the heroes of Australia's drought-breaking 2004 victory earning a retirement nest egg in India's professional Twenty20 leagues, Hussey warned India not to underestimate an inexperienced Australian team intent on carving its own piece of history. India captain Anil Kumble was the latest critic to identify inexperience as Australia's weakness. "We will definitely take a lot of things out of 2004 but the personnel are so different that we are a new team, really, and we are trying to create our own history," said Hussey, who has not graced an Indian pitch in a Test. Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke and Simon Katich are the only ones who have, there are four uncapped bowlers in the touring party and all-rounder Shane Watson, expected to replace Andrew Symonds, has played only three Tests, all in 2005. "I think it would be a mistake to underestimate the newer more inexperienced guys in our team because I think they are very seasoned, hardened cricketers and it's just a case of how quickly we can adapt to the Indian conditions," Hussey said. Speaking in Vadadora before leading a Rest Of India team against New Delhi in a game to shape the Indian team for the first Test, Kumble articulated his intention to exploit the relative inexperience of the Australians and dismissed concerns about the form of his own ageing champions, who underperformed in the recent series loss to Sri Lanka. Sourav Ganguly is already facing the axe, and Sachin Tendulkar is nursing an injured elbow. "Last year we came close to equal, if not win, the Test series in Australia and in 2004 we lost the Chennai Test on the last day because of rain. But this time, I think we have got a brilliant opportunity," Kumble said. "This Australian side is low on experience. I think our vast experience and skills will be our advantage." While both sides have pledged to put the acrimony of last summer behind them, the presence of Greg Chappell, a highly controversial figure in his two-year tenure as India coach, in the Australian inner sanctum has touched a raw nerve with some locals. Hussey said the former Australian captain had already provided valuable insights in team meetings. "He's got intimate knowledge about the Indian conditions, the grounds, the Indian players, so we can definitely tap into that knowledge."

[amit467]

Kumble senses series victory Indian captain Anil Kumble has articulated what his nation is thinking and declared the forthcoming Test series his side's best chance of turning the tables on an inexperienced Australia. Speaking in Vadodara, where he will captain the Rest of India in an Irani Cup tie against Delhi, Kumble had few qualms about talking freely ahead of the series. "Last year, we came close to equal, if not win, the Test series in Australia and in 2004 we lost the Chennai Test on the last day because of rain. But this time I think we have got a brilliant opportunity," Kumble told reporters. "This Australian side is low on experience. I think our vast experience and skill will be our advantage and we have to back it with the right result at the end of the series. "All players had adequate rest and the perfect preparation for such a series and we are looking forward to it." Kumble said inconsistent performances against other nations, including a series loss earlier this year in Sri Lanka, would not be an obstacle to his players lifting when faced by Ricky Ponting and co. VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid in particular have been well below their best, while Sachin Tendulkar's preparations have been hampered by an elbow injury, much as they were prior to the 2004 series in India. "(Sri Lanka) was one-off series in which our batters didn't perform well, (but) against Australia the middle order has done exceptionally well and I'm expecting it to be no exception this time too," Kumble said. "They are players who have handled pressure throughout their career. It's a phase that everyone goes through and I believe it's over. "The results we got in the last 10-12 years are thanks to these people." Tendulkar is missing the Irani Cup match to rest his elbow and Kumble said the little master would be fit in time to join the Indian camp when it reaches Bangalore ahead of the first Test next month. "Sachin needed time to get 100 per cent fit for the Test series. He is a great player and has done exceptionally well against Australia. The most important thing was to allow him get to that 100 per cent," he said. "I'm sure he would join the Bangalore camp ahead of the Test series."

[amit467]

Indians hope Tendulkar will bat foreve FORMER Test all-rounder Ajit Agarkar says he's uncertain how much longer Indian batting idol and close friend Sachin Tendulkar can keep plundering runs. The Bradman of Indian cricket is battling a similar elbow injury to the one which hampered his 2004 season but he is expected to pad up in the opening Test against Australia in Bangalore early next month. Tendulkar's form at the crease along with the bowling of spin twin destroyers Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble hold the key to India avenging their shock 2-1 series loss in 2004 on home soil. Agarkar, regarded as one of Tendulkar's best friends, was asked in Brisbane how long he thought India's little master could keep playing. “It's his call but maybe we'd like him to play forever, although that's not going to happen,'' said Agarkar, who will lead a young Kolkata Knight Riders squad in six Twenty20 games against the Queensland Bulls starting this weekend. “Obviously form and fitness will depend how long he goes on for. “We'd like him to play for a bit longer if he can.'' Tendulkar's record-breaking feats with the willow have been largely responsible for much of India's success over the past decade. Despite India's batting depth, it would be a serious blow if Tendulkar's latest arm injury kept him out of the upcoming series, with the first Test starting on October 9. Both world-class batsmen VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid are currently struggling for runs and India leans so heavily on Tendulkar in times of trouble. “Over the years, he's probably played his best against Australia so you'd want to have him firing if India want to have a good series,'' said Agarkar, a handy Test and one-day all-rounder. Reports out of India suggested Tendulkar would be fit to renew hostilities with Australia. He is skipping the Irani Cup where the Rest of India play Delhi in Vadodara to rest his elbow. But captain Kumble said he expected the little master to be fit in time to join the Indian camp in Bangalore ahead of the first Test. “Sachin needed time to get 100 per cent fit for the Test series,'' Kumble said. “He's a great player and has done exceptionally well against Australia. “The most important thing was to allow him get to that 100 per cent.''

[fineleg]

“It's his call but maybe we'd like him to play forever, although that's not going to happen,'' said Agarkar, '

:winky:

[cowboysfan]

i just hope he plays all the aussie tests-lets take it from there.

[DomainK]

Every true cricket fan in the world wants to see Sachin in the best of his form for ever.

[amit467]

I know a thing or two about India: Greg Chappell Former Australian captain Greg Chappell is looking forward to playing an "exciting" role for the benefit of his team during the four-match Test series against India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The former India coach is part of the Australian squad as an assistant coach and intends to use his vast Indian experience for the benefit of the Aussies, who are looking to defend the trophy in India. "It is exciting. I mean I know a thing or two about the conditions in India and hope our team, especially the young members will benefit from it," Chappell told IANS in an interview at the Dubai Duty Free, where he was shopping while in transit. Chappell was the India coach from 2005 - 2007 and still works with the Rajasthan Cricket Academy and that makes him an Australian with loads of Indian experience. Chappell is aware that he has an important job to do as only four men in the Australian squad have played a Test in India -- Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke and Simon Katich. And he is expecting the series to be a big challenge for the Australians. On a different issue, Chappell urged the world cricket community to step forward and help save Pakistan going into international isolation following top teams' refusal to tour the country because of security fears. "What is happening in Pakistan is very saddening," he said. "Blasts can happen anywhere in the world these days but Pakistan is sort of a different case. There is too much happening there and it's quite a dangerous place to visit," he pointed out. Pakistan cricket is crying out for help following a disappointing first nine months of 2008 in which top teams like Australia, South Africa, West Indies, England and New Zealand have refused to tour the country, citing security fears. Australia refused to tour Pakistan earlier this year to play a series scheduled by International Cricket Council's (ICC) future tour programme, dealing a severe blow to Pakistan and leaving them without a single Test in 2008. Another major blow came last month when the ICC was forced to postpone the Champions trophy till next October after five of the eight competing teams refused to tour Pakistan because of security concerns. Chappell said that he had a lot of sympathy for Pakistan but was quick to add that teams like Australia and New Zealand have realistic fears about travelling to Pakistan. "When New Zealand last toured Pakistan, there was a huge bomb blast in Karachi. Their players saw severe loss of human life around them. They were really scared. So are other cricketers," he stressed. Chappell said that Pakistan should think about other options till the time the political situation improves there. "Playing cricket on neutral venues like Sharjah and Abu Dhabi could be a practical option," he said.

[amit467]

I am sure in this series we will see the same sachin. He likes to play Australians.

[satishg]

Every true cricket fan in the world wants to see Sachin in the best of his form for ever.

lol true cricket fan..dude it is every true sachin fan..thats abt it..a true cricket fan will appreciate genius as long as it lasts and will move on..so dont confuse sachinism to cricket :D

[SachDan]

lol true cricket fan..dude it is every true sachin fan..thats abt it..a true cricket fan will appreciate genius as long as it lasts and will move on..so dont confuse sachinism to cricket :D

:-D