The New Nation - Internet Edition

Tendulkar-inspired India take control of Australia Test

AFP, Mohali

Sachin Tendulkar created history as India thwarted a spirited fightback from Australia to reach 311-5 on the opening day of the second Test here on Friday.

Tendulkar, 35, surpassed West Indian Brian Lara's tally of 11,953 runs to become the highest run-getter in Test cricket and overshadow everything else that happened on the field.

He reached the landmark in the first over after tea when he steered debutant paceman Peter Siddle past third-man for three runs to move past 15, sending the 15,000 crowd at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium into a frenzy.

Tendulkar (88) looked in ominous form as he cut, pulled and drove in exquisite fashion to reach his 50th Test half-century and complete an incredible 12,000 runs in the process.

His 111-ball knock, containing 10 fours, was cut short by Siddle when he edged him to Matthew Hayden who took a fine low catch at first slip.

Ganguly, batting on 54 at close with four fours, also achieved a personal milestone when he reached 39, becoming the fourth Indian to score 7,000 runs behind Sunil Gavaskar, Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.

The 142-run stand between Tendulkar and Ganguly lifted the Indians, who were placed at a shaky 174-4 after Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson (3-68) picked two key wickets in the post-lunch session.

The 26-year-old left-arm quick sent back opener Gautam Gambhir (67) and the stylish Venkatsai Laxman (12) after having got rid of the dangerous Virender Sehwag (35) in the opening session.

But it was paceman Brett Lee (1-56) who gave his team the much-needed breakthrough by breaking the 76-run second-wicket stand between Gambhir and Dravid (39).

Lee, who had looked quite off-colour earlier, tempted Dravid to go for an expansive drive but the batsman ended up inside edging on to his leg-stump.

It was the 291st wicket for Lee, who becomes the fourth highest Australian wicket-taker ever.

Johnson then forced an edge from Gambhir as he tried to drive a full delivery through the covers before dismissing Laxman by having him caught down the legside.

The three quick dismissals in the space of 17 runs turned the tide in favour of Australia, looking to go 1-0 up in the four-Test series for the Border-Gavaskar trophy after the drawn Bangalore opener.

Earlier Sehwag and Gambhir belted a wayward Australian attack after Mahendra Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat in the absence of injured regular captain Anil Kumble.

Kumble, who turned 38 on Friday, pulled out of the Test on the morning of the match after failing to recover from a shoulder injury.

The explosive Sehwag, who hit Siddle for two fours in an over, appeared in top form during his quickfire knock, which came off 36 balls.

Gambhir joined in the run-fest, reaching his seventh Test fifty and first against Australia by lofting part-time spinner Michael Clarke for two fours on the trot over long-on.

Australia awarded a Test cap to Siddle after paceman Stuart Clark was ruled unfit for the match.

India blooded leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who featured in three one-day internationals for India way back in 2003.

Talks between India's rival Leagues fail

AFP, New Delhi

Moves by the unauthorized Indian Cricket League (ICL) to gain recognition from the world governing body have been shot down by the Indian board, officials said on Friday.

The International Cricket Council had this month asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to hold talks with ICL officials before any decision on accepting the 'rebel' Twenty20 League was taken.

But talks between the BCCI and the ICL in New Delhi broke down late Thursday, with senior officials saying no further meetings were planned.

"There was a meeting at Delhi between officials of BCCI and ICL to see if there was any common ground," BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan said in a terse one-line statement.

"The talks failed and there are no plans for any further meeting."

The ICL, started by Indian media magnate Subhash Chandra last year, runs parallel to the commercially successful Indian Premier League, which is owned by the BCCI.

The ICL has not been sanctioned by the ICC, and most players participating in the tournament have been handed lengthy bans from international cricket by their respective boards, barring England.

ICL chairman Kapil Dev, who did not attend the meeting with the BCCI, said he was "unhappy" at the development.

"I don't know all the specifics, but I understand the BCCI wants the ICL to be a closed chapter," the legendary all-rounder and India's lone World Cup- winning captain told reporters.

"That, let me reiterate, is not possible. Right now, I would not like to say anything more. Of course, I'm unhappy at what happened."

The second edition of the ICL, featuring former Test captains like Inzamam- ul Haq of Pakistan, Marvan Atapattu of Sri Lanka and Habibur Bashar of Bangladesh, is currently being played in four venues across India.

Among other international stars in the fray, along with Indian domestic players, are New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond, Australian batsman Damien Martyn and Kiwi all-rounders Chris Cairns and Nathan Astle.

No cricket at 2016 Games: Rogge

AFP, India

International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge on Friday rejected growing demands from the cricket community to include the popular Twenty20 format at the 2016 Summer Games.

"Twenty20 cricket will not feature in London 2012 or for that matter in 2016," Rogge told reporters on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Youth Games here.

"We are adding two more disciplines for the 2016 Games. The new sports that could be added are squash, softball, baseball, karate, rugby and golf.

"But there is no cricket."

Leading cricketers like Australian captain Ricky Ponting have called for cricket's shortest version to be included in the Olympics, although only 10 nations play the game at the top level.

Ponting said after the Beijing Olympics in August that it was only a matter of time before the sport's newest form was included in the Games, given its popularity in South Asia.

"I actually think it's inevitable Twenty20 cricket will be an Olympic sport," Ponting said in a speech to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary Australian player Donald Bradman in August.

"You think about the audiences in South Asia, 22 or 23 per cent of the world's population is based in that area.

"The IOC could do a lot worse than put cricket into the Olympics."

The explosion of Twenty20 cricket over the last few years led to the successful organisation of the Indian Premier League earlier this year.

The International Cricket Council also held the inaugural World Twenty20 championships in South Africa in September last year. The next event will be held in England in 2009.

Nobody can tell me when to quit: Tendulkar

PTI, Mohali

Part of the 'Fab Five' on whom demands have been made for quitting the game, Sachin Tendulkar on Friday made it clear that no one can dictate to him as to when he should stop playing.

"Nobody need to tell me how long I should play. I will play as long as I want. I don't need X, Y or Z to tell me when I should stop playing", an unusually combative Tendulkar told reporters shortly after he became the world's highest run-getter in Test cricket.

"When I started playing nobody told me I should play." he said in remarks often punctuated by barbs at commentators.

Tendulkar said he does not need to prove anything to anyone. "All this 19 years I didn't have to prove anything to anyone. I don't need to prove anything to anyone. What I have to do is to contribute to whatever my team's requirements are.

"I don't have to answer to what X, Y or Z writes. They are only views, they are not correct always. They are only opinions. I don't have to worry about whatever is said in the opinions. I just focus on the game. So many things are said, it is not necessary that they are always right. They are only opinions".

In an apparent reference to reports in the media of late that senior cricketers like Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and himself should quit, Tendulkar said to him what he thought was important.

Taking a dig at columnists, he said "I don't know how they know what is in my mind. In fact, I myself don't know".

Test cricket's leading run scorers

AFP, Mohali

Test cricket's top batsmen after India's Sachin Tendulkar broke

Brian Lara's record to become the leading run scorer on Friday (Name, country, Tests, runs, centuries):

Sachin Tendulkar (IND) 152 11,955 39

Brian Lara (WIS) 131 11,953 34

Allan Border (AUS) 156 11,174 27

Steve Waugh (AUS) 168 10,927 32

Rahul Dravid (IND) 127 10,341 25

Ricky Ponting (AUS) 121 10,239 36

Sunil Gavaskar (IND) 125 10,122 34

Notes: indicates match in progress Tendulkar, Dravid and Ponting are the only ones in the list still playing Test cricket.

Argentina coach Basile quits after Chile loss

Reuters, Buenos Aires

Argentina coach Alfio Basile quit on Thursday, the day after an embarrassing 2010 World Cup qualifying defeat to Chile, the Argentina Football Association (AFA) said.

Basile's sudden decision to end his second stint in the job came after his repeated failure to galvanise a team that boasts some of the world's most talented players, including Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero.

"Basile spoke to the AFA president (Julio Grondona) and quit for personal reasons," spokesman Ernesto Cherquis told reporters.

"The national teams committee tried to persuade him to postpone his decision but Basile was very decided, very determined…..and against a man who has made up his mind and has Basile's dignity, we were swimming against the tide.

"The resignation has been accepted," added Cherquis. "He had pain in his heart."

Basile, who with his slicked-back hair and gravel-voice appeared to have stepped out of a 1950s tango club, was seen as a romantic who wanted his team to play with style.

However, critics said in recent matches his team had lost their way and were over dependent on Juan Roman Riquelme, a gifted but inconsistent playmaker.

Appointed in July 2006, Basile quit just after the halfway mark in the 18-match South American 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign with Argentina third in the 10-team group on 16 points, ahead of Chile on goal difference, but seven behind leaders Paraguay.

HIGH POINT

The top four teams qualify directly for South Africa and the fifth plays off against the fourth-placed team from the North and Central American CONCACAF region.

Basile, appointed in July 2006, was in charge for 28 games, winning 14, drawing eight and losing six.

The high point was a run of five stylish wins at last year's Copa America. However the campaign ended with a crushing 3-0 defeat to arch-rivals Brazil in the final as Argentina extended their 14-year wait for a trophy.

Things began to go wrong this year with a run of six successive draws, four in the qualifiers and two in friendlies.

The team appeared to have weathered the storm with a 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay on Saturday.

However, media said that Basile appeared shocked by the angry reaction to Wednesday's 1-0 defeat when Argentina were outclassed by a Chilean side led by their former coach Marcelo Bielsa.

Messi said in an interview that Argentina played badly and were at sixes and sevens.

During his previous stints, Basile won the Copa America in 1991 and 1993 but was also in charge for a historic 5-0 home defeat by Colombia in a World Cup qualifier.

His team reached the second round at the 1994 World Cup where they lost to Romania.

Next World Cup unique chance for African team : Drogba

Reuters, London

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa offers the best chance for an African team to win soccer's biggest prize, Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba said on Thursday.

"I think this World Cup in Africa is very important for us, for the continent, not only for the Ivory Coast and not only for me," Chelsea striker Drogba told a news conference.

"I think this is going to be maybe the best chance for an African team to win the World Cup but it is not going to be easy," the 30-year-old said.

"Ivory Coast still have to qualify to go to 2010 and it is going to be a big, big, big battle because the teams are tough," he added at the launch of his autobiography.

Drogba's country, which played at the 2006 finals in Germany but failed to progress from a group including Argentina and Netherlands, have reached the 20-team final phase of African qualifying from which five teams qualify for the World Cup.

Drogba also said he was glad he stayed at Chelsea after being linked with both Milan clubs in the last transfer window amid speculation he would leave the Premier League club.

He developed a close relationship with Jose Mourinho, who signed him for Chelsea from Olympique Marseille in 2004, and media reports speculated that he would follow the Portuguese coach when he took over at Inter Milan.

But Drogba said: "This (Chelsea) is the club which suits me best, I think, because this is the only club where I won all the titles I have now and, yes, I'm happy to be here and stay with my friends."

The striker helped Chelsea win two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and League Cup twice under Mourinho. Chelsea reached the Champions league final last May under the Portuguese coach's successor Avram Grant, losing to Manchester United on penalties.

Drogba has seen little action under Chelsea's new manager Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari, recovering from knee surgery after the season began and suffering another knee injury against CFR Cluj in the Champions League in Romania two weeks ago.

Bangladesh play 2nd group match against Myanmar today

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh will play their second group B match against Myanmar in the Merdeka Cup Football tournament at Shah Alam Stadium in Kuala Lumpur today (Saturday).

The match will kick-off at 6:45 pm (BST).

Earlier, on Friday, Bangladesh suffered a 1-0 defeat against top favorite Mozambique in their opening match at the same venue.

In the remaining group match, Bangladesh will meet Vietnam on Oct 20 (Monday) at 4:40 pm (BST) at the same venue.

National Cricket League resumes today

Sports Reporter

After four days break National Cricket League resumes today at the different venues across the country.

KHulna DIvision will take on Barisal Division in a four-dayer match which begins today at the Fatullah Stadium while hosts Rajshahi Division will face Chittagong Division in Rajshahi and Sylhet Division will meet Dhaka Division in Sylhet, the new venue of the National Cricket League.

In the league's first match, Khulna Division beat Sylhet Division despite of Rajin Saleh's century.

On the other hand, Dhaka Division made a draw with Chittagong Division and Rajshahi Division drew with Barisal Division.

Khulna DIvision secured 12points including bonus points.

BArisal Division collected 10 points with bonus points. Chittagong Division gained nine points while Rajshahi Division bagged seven points and Dhaka Division earned six points.

Sylhet Division are now at the bottom of the point's table with four points.

Talat Ali quits as Pakistan team manager

PTI, Karachi

Pakistan cricket team manager Talat Ali on Friday stepped down from his post amid rumours that he was asked to resign by new PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt for allowing former Board chief Nasim Ashraf into the dressing room during the twenty20 tournament in Toronto.

"Yes I have sent in my resignation to the board Chairman. Since he has just taken charge I felt it is best he should decide on bringing in his own team," Talat said.

Talat insisted there was no other reason behind his sudden resignation although he still had eight months left in his two-year contract with the PCB.

Talat has remained manager of the Pakistan team since 2006 and was last year given a two-year contract by former Chairman Ashraf.

Sources say it was the VIP treatment accorded to Ashraf who visited Toronto for the twenty20 tournament from New York which led to Talat's resignation.

"Ejaz Butt the new Chairman was not pleased to learn that Talat had allowed Ashraf into the Pakistani dressing room and mingle with the players in Toronto. As he feels Ashraf had no business being in the dressing room," one source said.

"Talat basically was conveyed to send in his resignation."

Talat said he had enjoyed his time with the team and if the new Chairman asked him to continue he would do so.

"But morally I think the right thing to do was to give my resignation as the new Chairman might want to bring in his own management team," the former Test player said.