Indian Team's Training Session
Lacked Intent And Energy
Mumbai: The Emirates flight that landed in Mumbai on a hot Tuesday afternoon, carrying the Australian team, also had two South Africans travelling. Team India coach Gary Kirsten and his assistant Paddy Upton had made their way from Johannesburg via Dubai to reach just in time for a net session at a suburban ground
It was an eventful journey considering the l0-odd hours in transit. Things got all the more interesting when the duo made its way straight to the ground, rather hurriedly instead of heading to their five-star hotel suite allocated by the BCCI.
Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Virat
Kohli, Suresh Raina, Munaf Patel, Ashish Nehra, Sudeep Tyagi and Ravindra Jadeja and captain MS Dhoni were ready for India's first ‘serious’ net session for a series at home after almost a year. Four players -Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Amit Mishra and Ishant Sharma who were part of the Delhi Daredevils squad were missing.
Fifteen minutes of stretching was followed by a game of football. A light batting session took place and soon it was dark enough to pack up.
The Aussies can rejoice, considering that they already reckon their opponents aren't in supreme form. To see the coach arrive from South Africa half-an hour before the net session; to watch one of India's best middle-order batsman just back from injury having put on weight would've been a joyous sight for Ponting. If the Indian attack was deemed to be struggling and Venkatesh Prasad, according to the BCCI, wasn't capable enough of curing the ills, the situation has now gone from bad to worse. Right now, there's no bowling coach at all, which hardly makes the situation any better. Ditto in the fielding department where, as noticed On Tuesday, the players didn't even have somebody to throw balls at them.
Wellington: New Zealand and Australian Test cricketers are likely to be unavailable for the first half of next year's Indian Premier League.
The 2010 tournament is scheduled to run from March 12 to April 25, and will be returning to India Bertha year's tournament was shifted to South Africa due to security concerns.
But Australia's five-week tour of New Zealand will almost certainly result in a number of planers being unavailable to represent their IPL franchises early in next year's tournament.
The two-Test series will run until March 31, while the IPL group stage will.
go until April 19. Some of the top Australian and New Zealand stars in action
in IPL are Shane Watson, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Brett Lee.
The 2010 tournament is scheduled to run from March 12 to April 25, and will be returning to India Bertha year's tournament was shifted to South Africa due to security concerns.
But Australia's five-week tour of New Zealand will almost certainly result in a number of planers being unavailable to represent their IPL franchises early in next year's tournament.
The two-Test series will run until March 31, while the IPL group stage will.
go until April 19. Some of the top Australian and New Zealand stars in action
in IPL are Shane Watson, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Brett Lee.
New Delhi: Delhi Daredevils played a wicked game against Cape Cobras to emerge winners by 30 runs at the FerozeshahKotla in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Cobras already in the last four of the tournament will now play their semifinal against Trinidad & Tobago in Hyderabad while NSW Blues will clash against Victorian Bushrangers in the first semifinal on Thursday
For Devils, Talismanic left-hand pacer Dirk Nannes (3-19) was the pick of the bowlers. He got the early breakthrough and made the meagre total of 114-6 appear huge for the opposition. He was ably supported by Amit Mishra (2-19), Tillakaratne Dilshan (2-16) and youngster Yogesh Nagar (2-9).
Earlier, at seemed the Daredevils had put up another disappointing performance when they could only barely go past 100.
Cobras already in the last four of the tournament will now play their semifinal against Trinidad & Tobago in Hyderabad while NSW Blues will clash against Victorian Bushrangers in the first semifinal on Thursday
For Devils, Talismanic left-hand pacer Dirk Nannes (3-19) was the pick of the bowlers. He got the early breakthrough and made the meagre total of 114-6 appear huge for the opposition. He was ably supported by Amit Mishra (2-19), Tillakaratne Dilshan (2-16) and youngster Yogesh Nagar (2-9).
Earlier, at seemed the Daredevils had put up another disappointing performance when they could only barely go past 100.
The condition of Bengal cricketer Avik Chowdhury, who met with a serious road accident on Sunday afternoon. has improved marginally. Doctors however pointed out that he still remains critical and they can issue a more definitive verdict only after another 48 hours.
The condition of Bengal cricketer Avik Chowdhury, who met with a serious road accident on Sunday afternoon. has improved marginally. Doctors however pointed out that he still remains critical and they can issue a more definitive verdict only after another 48 hours.
“The oozing from the lungs has stopped and that is a positive sign,” informed Brig (Dr) SB Purkayastha, CEO of the private hospital where Avik is admitted. “His blond pressure too has stabilized. We can say that clinically his condition has improved marginally, lf his condition improves over the next 24 hours, an MRI of his spinal cord needs to be done.
The hospital where he is admitted doesn't have the facility so he has to be moved in an ambulance. It has been learnt that the Cricket Association of Bengal is trying to rope in specialists from Delhi and Chennai so that Avik gets thy best possible diagnosis and treatment. Chennai based spine specialist Dr Rajsekhar as well as SP
Mandal and Shankar Acharya, HODs of neurology and surgery departments of the Delhi-based Gangaram Hospital, have also been contacted.
“The oozing from the lungs has stopped and that is a positive sign,” informed Brig (Dr) SB Purkayastha, CEO of the private hospital where Avik is admitted. “His blond pressure too has stabilized. We can say that clinically his condition has improved marginally, lf his condition improves over the next 24 hours, an MRI of his spinal cord needs to be done.
The hospital where he is admitted doesn't have the facility so he has to be moved in an ambulance. It has been learnt that the Cricket Association of Bengal is trying to rope in specialists from Delhi and Chennai so that Avik gets thy best possible diagnosis and treatment. Chennai based spine specialist Dr Rajsekhar as well as SP
Mandal and Shankar Acharya, HODs of neurology and surgery departments of the Delhi-based Gangaram Hospital, have also been contacted.
The west Indians Complete Group Engagements In Style
Hyderabad: With their place in the last Four of the Champions League Twenty20
secure, Trinidad and Tobago threw caution to the winds and the sparse crowd at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium got their money's worth of power hitting while the West Indian outfit cruised to an imposing 213 or four and laid low the Eagles' challenge my 24 runs. In a calculated assault that res breathtaking as it was brutal - at least one shot gnarl screamed past umpire Amish ships s head-T&T posted by far the best total of the tournament, eclipsing Cape Cobras’ 193 for four against Otago Volts at the same venue and restricted the Eagles to 189 for five.
Dillon du Preez would want to forget his last over and the 19th of the innings in a hurry with which the Trinidadians Carted him for 27 runs as Navin Stewart (33 no, 11b, 3x4, 3x6) continued the trend set by the top order.
William Perkins and Adrian Barath were like a house on tare and even when the former fell for 35 (25b, 3x4, 3x6) the latter realized 76 runs for the second wicket with Lendl Simmons in just 29 deliveries. Playing his first match of the tournament, Barath raced along to 63 (41b, 4x4, 4x6) and with Simmons (40, 25b, 6x4, 1x6) playing an equally deft hand, the stage was set for Kieron Pollard to rub it in. He cracked 23 (13b, 1x4, 2x6) and even though he succumbed in the 18th over, his team did not waste the frenetic start - they were 147 for two in 15 overs-and added 66 more runs in the last five overs.
Having started the match with a run- rate of 1.107, the Eagles needed a Vega big win if they were to pip New South Wales to the other semifinal spot from this league, which in the event was not to be.
The Eagles, though, were not the ones to go down without a fight. Riley Roussouw rocketed to 44 (19b, 5x4, 3x6) skipper Boeta Dippenaar (33, 19b, 4x4, 1x6) realized 58 for the fourth wicket along with Dillon du Preez but the task was imposing as it was impossible on the day Eagles needed 73 runs from the last five overs but with Pollard striking, crucial blows rto snuff out the Eagles. Having toppers League A, Trinidad & Tobago play the second-placed team in League B air either Cobras or Bushrangers in the second semifinal on October 22.
Hyderabad: With their place in the last Four of the Champions League Twenty20
secure, Trinidad and Tobago threw caution to the winds and the sparse crowd at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium got their money's worth of power hitting while the West Indian outfit cruised to an imposing 213 or four and laid low the Eagles' challenge my 24 runs. In a calculated assault that res breathtaking as it was brutal - at least one shot gnarl screamed past umpire Amish ships s head-T&T posted by far the best total of the tournament, eclipsing Cape Cobras’ 193 for four against Otago Volts at the same venue and restricted the Eagles to 189 for five.
Dillon du Preez would want to forget his last over and the 19th of the innings in a hurry with which the Trinidadians Carted him for 27 runs as Navin Stewart (33 no, 11b, 3x4, 3x6) continued the trend set by the top order.
William Perkins and Adrian Barath were like a house on tare and even when the former fell for 35 (25b, 3x4, 3x6) the latter realized 76 runs for the second wicket with Lendl Simmons in just 29 deliveries. Playing his first match of the tournament, Barath raced along to 63 (41b, 4x4, 4x6) and with Simmons (40, 25b, 6x4, 1x6) playing an equally deft hand, the stage was set for Kieron Pollard to rub it in. He cracked 23 (13b, 1x4, 2x6) and even though he succumbed in the 18th over, his team did not waste the frenetic start - they were 147 for two in 15 overs-and added 66 more runs in the last five overs.
Having started the match with a run- rate of 1.107, the Eagles needed a Vega big win if they were to pip New South Wales to the other semifinal spot from this league, which in the event was not to be.
The Eagles, though, were not the ones to go down without a fight. Riley Roussouw rocketed to 44 (19b, 5x4, 3x6) skipper Boeta Dippenaar (33, 19b, 4x4, 1x6) realized 58 for the fourth wicket along with Dillon du Preez but the task was imposing as it was impossible on the day Eagles needed 73 runs from the last five overs but with Pollard striking, crucial blows rto snuff out the Eagles. Having toppers League A, Trinidad & Tobago play the second-placed team in League B air either Cobras or Bushrangers in the second semifinal on October 22.
Hyderabad: With their place in the last Four of the Champions League Twenty20
secure, Trinidad and Tobago threw caution to the winds and the sparse crowd at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium got their money's worth of power hitting while the West Indian outfit cruised to an imposing 213 or four and laid low the Eagles' challenge my 24 runs.
secure, Trinidad and Tobago threw caution to the winds and the sparse crowd at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium got their money's worth of power hitting while the West Indian outfit cruised to an imposing 213 or four and laid low the Eagles' challenge my 24 runs.
Bangalore: The darling of fans, Ross Taylor, once again lived up to the expectations with a hurricane knock laced with massive hits in RCB'S final match in the Champions League T20, as they knocked out Delhi Daredevils.
Despite his man of the match exploits against Daredevils on Saturday the Kiwi was sad that his team crashed out. “we are disappointed that we couldn't make it to the next stage. It is a funny thing that if we had two points, we would have progressed. But that's the way cricket goes. It is a bit sad that none of the IPL teams is in the semifinals,'' said the right-handed batsman.
However, the New Zealand batting mainstay was sure that the crowd enjoyed his pyrotechnics to the core.
“In New Zealand, cricket is a small game and you don't have much support from the public. But here it's amazing and you feel at home. I hope we have presented them a good Diwali gift by winning the matched Taylor said.
The middle-order batsman also praised South African spinner Roelof van der Merwe and Former India captain Anil Kumble for their deeds in the winning cause, particularly Merwe for dismissing dangerman 0 Vireder Sehwag.
Daredevils skipper Gautam Gambhir, however, felt that apart from the slowmen, Taylor too contributed in a big way in the lop-sided contest.
''He (Taylor) took the game away from us. The way Anil and van der Merwe bowled, we couldn't put up a good total. We were going good but they bowled really well to restrict us on a good pitch. I thought 138 was not even par for the course,” quipped the India opener.
Gambhir also admitted that the team badly missed the services Daniel Vettori and dazzling top-order batsman AB de Villiers
Despite his man of the match exploits against Daredevils on Saturday the Kiwi was sad that his team crashed out. “we are disappointed that we couldn't make it to the next stage. It is a funny thing that if we had two points, we would have progressed. But that's the way cricket goes. It is a bit sad that none of the IPL teams is in the semifinals,'' said the right-handed batsman.
However, the New Zealand batting mainstay was sure that the crowd enjoyed his pyrotechnics to the core.
“In New Zealand, cricket is a small game and you don't have much support from the public. But here it's amazing and you feel at home. I hope we have presented them a good Diwali gift by winning the matched Taylor said.
The middle-order batsman also praised South African spinner Roelof van der Merwe and Former India captain Anil Kumble for their deeds in the winning cause, particularly Merwe for dismissing dangerman 0 Vireder Sehwag.
Daredevils skipper Gautam Gambhir, however, felt that apart from the slowmen, Taylor too contributed in a big way in the lop-sided contest.
''He (Taylor) took the game away from us. The way Anil and van der Merwe bowled, we couldn't put up a good total. We were going good but they bowled really well to restrict us on a good pitch. I thought 138 was not even par for the course,” quipped the India opener.
Gambhir also admitted that the team badly missed the services Daniel Vettori and dazzling top-order batsman AB de Villiers
