The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Melbourne

Seamer Stuart Clark struck twice in 10 balls to give Australia the momentum with the coveted wicket of Sachin Tendulkar on the second day of the first cricket Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday.

Clark removed Tendulkar just when the 'The Little Master' was in ominous touch and followed up with the dismissal of Yuvraj Singh to have the tourists reeling at tea.

At tea, India were 122 for five and trailing Australia's first innings total of 343 by 221 runs.

Tendulkar was in his pomp, caressing drives and cuts for boundaries and hoisting leg-spinner Brad Hogg for a huge six before he was bowled playing on to Clark for 62 nearing tea.

Tendulkar slowly left the arena to sustained applause from the Australian crowd and with him India's chances dimmed of overhauling Australia's first innings total. Singh was out in Clark's final over before tea, edging to Adam Gilchrist for a duck. Clark had the figures of 3-15 off 10.4 overs at the interval.

Tendulkar was a delight for the MCG crowd after India's top three batsmen were bogged down by accurate Australian bowling and tight fielding. His knock came off 77 balls with eight boundaries and a six.

Lee blasted out V.V.S. Laxman, who averages almost 60 playing in Australia, for 26 in the 31st over when he gloved a catch to Ponting running in from second slip as he tried to avoid a vicious rearing delivery.

Laxman's departure left India at a snail-paced 55 for three off 31 overs.

Lee captured his 249th Test wicket and become the sixth all-time leading Australian wicket-taker passing leg-spinner Richie Benaud.

Australia's new-ball pair Lee and Mitchell Johnson pinned down the Indian openers Wasim Jaffer and Rahul Dravid before Lee coaxed an edge off Jaffer (4) to Adam Gilchrist in the ninth over of the innings.

Dravid's torturous innings of five off 66 balls ended when Clark trapped him leg before wicket on the third-last ball of the morning session.

Dravid, known as 'The Wall', laboured for 41 balls to get off the mark after having two near-misses.

He was dropped in a one-handed chance at fourth slip by Phil Jaques off Johnson and was caught at first slip off a Johnson no-ball.

In the first 14 overs India scored just 13 runs before Lee (1-10 off seven overs) and Johnson (0-3 off 7 overs) finished their opening spells.

Australia's last-wicket pair lasted 16 balls on the second morning and added six runs to their overnight score of 337 before Clark was out hooking paceman Zaheer Khan.

Zaheer peppered Clark with four short-pitched deliveries before Clark launched into a hook and was caught on the fine leg boundary rope by Harbhajan Singh to end Australia's innings. Johnson remained unbeaten on 15.

Zaheer finished with 4-94 off 23.4 overs while skipper Anil Kumble took 5-84 off 25 overs.

AFP, New Zealand

New Zealand will be looking to wrap up their one-day cricket series against Bangladesh early when they meet in the second match of the three-match series here Friday.

The convincing six-wicket win in the opening match in Auckland on Wednesday was a welcome tonic for a side which had seemingly lost all confidence after thrashings by Australia and South Africa in recent weeks.

Now, with an eye on the looming challenge from England who arrive in February, captain Daniel Vettori wants to ram home the advantage over Bangladesh to further lift morale.

"We've got to be tough on ourselves because we know that we have to put in good performances here so they lead into the England series," he said after New Zealand weathered early pressure to beat Bangladesh with ease.

"There's always a few slip-ups but to come back from having a team 140-2 and to bowl them out for 200 is the most important bit."

The main hurdle facing New Zealand is Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful's aggressive approach to the New Zealand bowling attack.

Bangladesh have never beaten New Zealand in nine encounters, but Ashraful had them in with a chance with a rollicking 70 off 57 balls before falling to an injudicious shot rather than a quality ball.

"I thought he was pretty outstanding," Vettori said.

"It sort of reminded us of some of the world class players going round at the moment in his ability to hit good balls for fours and sixes consistently.

"He's obviously got an amazing eye and is going to be a major threat to us the whole series."

But apart from Tamim Iqbal (50) who shared in a 97-run partnership with Ashraful, the youthful Bangladeshis were unable to offer their captain much support.

With Ashraful's dismissal the tourists slumped from 150 for three in the 29th over to be all out for 201 in the 47th, a target New Zealand chased down in less than 43 overs.

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons said his star batsmen must shoulder some of the blame for the loss.

"Ashraful and Tamim seemed to make it look pretty easy but the two guys threw it away," Siddons said.

"The batsman that were in were probably looking at a 280 target rather than making sure we got 250. The captain has a bit to answer for there.

"We've got to make sure we get 250 and bat our 50 overs. We've broken a few teams rules and hopefully it won't happen again.

"If you get those sorts of starts you can't afford to fall away that badly."

But aside from the middle and lower order batting failure, Bangladesh also failed with the ball, unable to ruffle a New Zealand batting line up struggling for confidence.

Jamie How (88), fighting to secure a regular berth in the team, and Peter Fulton (35) who is returning from injury, spent quality time in the middle before both fell to rash aerial shots.

After the second ODI in Napier, the teams move to Queenstown for the third and final match on New Year's Eve before embarking on two Tests.

UNB, Dhaka

Holders Dhaka Division is in the driving seat on the first day of the four-day round-nine Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 9th National Cricket League dismissing Chittagong Division for 98 runs in the first innings at the Bir Shreshtha Ruhul Amin Stadium in Chittagong on Thursday.

Batting first after winning the toss, hosts Chittagong Division lost wickets at regular intervals to fold their innings below the hundred mark.

Skipper Ehsanul Haque Shezan scored team highest 36 runs off 62 balls with six fours. Lower order batsman Yasin Arafat (not out 20), opener Gazi Salahuddin (11) and wicket keeper Dhiman Ghosh (10) were the other batsmen who reached double figures.

National colour pacer Mohammad Sharif and Arafat Sunny captured three wickets each conceding 11 and 28 runs respectively while opener Mahbubul Alam Robin and spinner Mosharraf Hossain Rubel took two wickets apiece for 23 and 31 runs respectively.

In reply, Dhaka Division scored 88 runs for two wickets in 41 overs when bails were drawn for the first day and need only 11 runs to take first innings lead.

Opener Arman Hossain contributed 33 runs off 56 deliveries with six fours while another opener Anwar Hossain and two down Shamsur Rahman remained unbeaten on 30 and 15 respectively.

Brief score: Chittagong Division first innings - 98 all out in 46.3 overs; Gazi Salahuddin 11, Masumuddowla 5, Mahbubul 2, Nazimuddin 0, Dhiman 10, Ehsanul Haque 36, Mazharuddin 3, Kamrul 4, Yasin 20*, Tareq 2, Saju 1; Sharif 3/11, Arafat 3/28, Mahbubul 2/23, Mosharraf 2/31.

Dhaka Division first innings - 88 for 2 in 41 overs; Arman 33, Mehrab 2, Anwar 30*, Shamsur 15*; Yasin 1/12, Tareq 1/34.

At the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, league leaders Khulna Division were struggling at 21 for 2 in 7 overs after they bowled out hosts Rajshahi Division for 188 runs in 56.1 overs on the first day on Thursday.

For Rajshahi, opener Shakil Haider contributed 61 runs of 85 balls with nine boundaries while national colour all-rounder Mushfiqur Rahman Babu scored 33 runs off 65 balls with four fours.

Spinner Jamaludin Babu picked up three wickets for 15 runs while Rabiul Islam, Ziaur Rahman and Aslam Khan took two wickets each for 26, 28 and 44 runs respectively.

In reply, Khulna Division faced initial batting collapse losing two wickets for 21 runs in 7 overs with opener Imrul Kayes and two down Jamaluddin Babu were batting with 5 and 0 respectively.

Earlier, opener Nazmus Sadat scored 11 runs and one down Mustafizur Rahman made 1.

Pacer Delwar Hossain claimed the two wickets for 11 runs.

Brief score: Rajshahi Division first innings -188 all out in 56.1 overs; Jahirul 3, Farhad 1, Shakil 61, Rafiqul 11, Naeem 0, Khaled Mashud 13, Mushfiqur 33, Delwar 4, Anisur 25*, Safiul 13, Saqlain 0; Jamal Babu 3/15, Robiul 2/26, Ziaur 2/28, Aslam 2/44, Fariduddin 1/15.

Khulna Division first innings - 21 for 2 in 7 overs; Nazmus 11, Mostafizur 1, Imrul 5*, Jamal Babu 0*; Delwar 2/11.

In a delayed start match due to fog at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, sent into bat first, Sylhet Division scored 149 for 8 in 60 overs against Barisal Division when bails were drawn for the first day today.

Opener Golam Rahman scored 45 runs off 100 balls with nine boundaries while national all-rounder Alok Kapali contributed 39 runs off 46 balls with eight fours.

Brief Score: Sylhet Division first innings - Sylhet Division 149 for 8 in 60 overs; Imtiaz 25, Sadiqur 0, Golam Rahman 45, Alok 39, Sharifullah 12, Golam Mabud 5, Ezaz 8, Nabil 5, Rashedur 0*, Rezaul 9*; Arafat 3/36, Monir 2/33, Sumon 2/43, Hannan 1/15

Sports Reporter

Khulna Divisional Women's Cricket team made a good start in the Meril First Women's Divisional Cricket League when they defeated Rajshahi Divisional Women's Cricket team in the opening match at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing Rajshahi's paltry total of 61 off 27.3 overs, Khulna romped home in 22.2 overs making 62 for the loss of five wickets.

Salma Khatun of Khulna played the key role in demolishing Rajshahi innings capturing six wickets for just eight runs.

Besides, Soheli Sultana bagged a couple of wickets in the space of 15 runs and her teammate Monjila Khatun took one wicket for nine runs.

Shathira Jakir of Rajshahi was the only scorer for the losers who reached the double- digit figures making 13 off 53 balls.

28 runs came from extras to the Rajshahi total.

Later, Rumana of Khulna remained undefeated with 10 off 51 balls while Rifat Ara hit 10 using 16 balls. She sent the ball two times through the ropes.

Mrs Extra contributed 31 runs to the winners total.

Tithi Rani of Rajshahi got three wickets conceding 31 runs.

Besides, Dolly Rani and Panna Ghosh took one wicket apiece.

Salma Khatun of Khulna was adjudged the player of the match for her outstanding bowling.

Sports Reporter

The Pepsi 18th National Women's Volleyball Competition starts today at the Dhaka Volleyball Stadium. Bangladesh Volleyball Federation will arrange the volleyball meet under auspices of Transcom Beverages Limited.

A total of six teams splitting into two groups will participate in the volleyball competition.The volleyball meet will be held on round robin league basis. The teams, which will take part in the volleyball competition, are: Pabna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Gazipur, Panchghar and Bangladesh Ansar &VDP will compete in the volleyball meet.

General Manager of Transcom Beverages Limited Khurshid Irfan Chowdhury will formally open the meet today as the chief guest.

The competition will come to an end on December 31.

UNB, Dhaka

Arambagh KS will take on Sunrise SC in the opening match of the Metropolis Senior Division Football League on Monday (Dec 31) at 3 pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS).

Besides the BNS, the league matches will also be held at Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium in the city.

On Tuesday (January 1), Badda Jagarani will meet Jatrabari KC at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium while Victoria SC face City Club at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, both at 3 pm.

Thirteen metropolis teams will take part in the league. The teams are Arambagh KS, Badda Jagarani, Victoria SC, Dhaka Wanderers Club, Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool, Dipali Jubo Sangha, Mohakhali Ekadash, Wari Club, Agrani Bank SC, Purbachal Parishad, City Club, Jatrabari KC and Sunrise SC.

AFP, Australia

Serbia will go into the Hopman Cup as firm favourites when the tournament starts in Perth on Saturday, but the unique mixed teams tennis competition has a history of being unpredictable.

The Serbian pairing of Jelena Jankovic and Novak Djokovic contains the two highest ranked participants-both are third in world singles-and is the top seed for the cup.

But the competition's colourful 20-year history is full of major upsets as players are typically coming back for the new season and grappling with mixed doubles, which they may not often play.

France's Gael Monfils is a late withdrawal from the cup due to a knee problem. His replacement is veteran countryman and former Australian Open finalist Arnaud Clement, whose partner will be the glamorous Tatiana Golovin.

The French team are in Group A with Serbia, Chinese Taipei and Argentina for the round robin phase.

Meanwhile US superstar Serena Williams has delayed her arrival due to illness and will be replaced by Meghan Shaughnessy in the opening Group B tie against India on Saturday.

The French play the Serbians on Wednesday, and although Golovin and Clement are seeded fourth, they could be a real threat in possibly a pivotal tie.

If Jankovic or Djokovic stumble in the singles their lack of experience in doubles could open the door for their opponents.

Golovin, ranked 13th in the world, has pushed Jankovic all the way in their three previous singles matches, winning one of them.

Clement is a polished doubles player who claimed his first Grand Slam doubles title this year. He beat Djokovic in their most recent meeting earlier in 2007.

Argentina and Asian Hopman Cup winner Chinese Taipei could also provide stiff competition.

Argentina's team comprises Juan Ignacio Chela, ranked 20th, and Gisela Dulko, a fine doubles player and ranked 37th in singles.

Chinese Taipei's Lu Yen-hsun and Hsieh Su-wei may be viewed as outsiders for the cup, but qualifying teams have often done surprisingly well.

The US is seeded second, but Williams' late arrival opens up Group B, with the Indian pairing of the hugely popular Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna sure to prove testing opposition.

Mirza is ranked 21 places above Shaughnessy at 31 and although Mardy Fish will be expected to beat Bopanna, the Indian pairing were unbeaten in doubles at the last Hopman Cup and almost reached the final.

The other Group B teams are the third-seeded Czech Republic duo Lucie Safarova and Tomas Berdych, along with the host nation's pairing of Alicia Molik and Peter Luczak.

The two teams that top their respective groups meet in Friday's final.