The New Nation - Internet Edition

India-Australia third Test begins today

Reuters, New Delhi

Off spinner Jason Krejza is in line to make his debut in the third test against India on Wednesday as Australia are expected to shuffle their bowling attack after a crushing second test defeat in Mohali.

Skipper Ricky Ponting said on Tuesday the team would decide whether the 25-year-old Krejza would replace leg spinner Cameron White, or even to play both, only after a final inspection of the spin-friendly Ferozshah Kotla pitch before the toss.

Australia are desperate for a reversal of fortunes after India thrashed them by a record 320 runs last week to take a 1-0 lead in the four-test series.

Australia paceman Stuart Clark will return in place of Peter Siddle after recovering from an elbow injury, boosting the team at a venue where India, mainly thanks to skipper Anil Kumble, have won seven games in a row since 1993.

"It (pitch) is a bit loose on the surface," Ponting told reporters. "Spin is definitely an option for us."

White, who made his debut in the series, is under pressure to retain his place after taking just three wickets in two tests. Ponting was confident his players would tackle an in-form India this time while stressing the value of spin bowling.

"Jason is more of a sort of attacking, aggressive bowler," he said.

"He keeps the ball in the air, does put a lot of revs on the ball. We look at him more as a wicket-taker than a containing type of spinner."

HARBHAJAN INJURY

Leg spinner Kumble said he had recovered from a shoulder injury which sidelined him in Mohali but was not sure fellow spinner Harbhajan Singh would play due to a toe injury.

"I'm 100 percent fit," Kumble said. "Harbhajan is still not sure, we just want to wait and see." One victim short of 300 test wickets, Harbhajan would be assessed before the toss. If he does not play, Amit Mishra is expected to team up with Kumble after taking seven wickets on debut in Mohali.

"Bhajji (Harbhajan) still has a little bit of discomfort," Kumble said. "He is a key member of our success so we would like to give him the maximum amount of time to take a call on whether he is 100 percent."

IBAIS meets IUBAT in final tomorrow

UNB, Dhaka

IBAIS University will meet IUBAT University in the final of the Mentors Inter Private University Football Tournament tomorrow (Thursday) at the Army Stadium in Banani.

Chief Adviser's special assistant Brig. Gen (retd) MA Malek will be the chief guest in the final and distribute the prizes.

BCB names 15-member squad for South Africa tour

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 15-member squad for one Twenty20 and three-match ODI series ahead of Bangladesh cricket team's ensuing tour to South Africa.

The squad includes dependable middle order batsman Roqibul Hassan and pacer Nazmul Hossain, but left out all rounder Mahmudullah Riyad who was a member of the ODI squad that played the home series against New Zealand.

Chief selector Rafiqul Alam announced the squad at the media briefing room of the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) on Tuesday afternoon.

He informed that the squad for the two-match Test Series will be announced later.

Selector cum former national skipper Akram Khan was present on the occasion.

About considering right-arm pacer Nazmul Hossain in place of Dollar Mahmud, the chief selector explained, "Nazmul was part of the squad in the last Australia tour and he bowled well there. He bowled well in the 3rd ODI in that series. Dollar also played three series but he wasn't up to the mark."

He also put pacer Shahadat Hossain ahead of Dollar, saying Shahadat got the priority for his experience and bowling pace.

On the return of Roqibul Hassan, who missed the current home series due to finger injury, the chief selector said: "Roqibul is one of our most dependable batsmen and he is now in Bogra. We hope to get him in the ODI Series even if he fails to play the lone 20/20."

Asked about the performance of skipper Mohammad Ashraful, he said the captain has to lead from the front. "Ashraful played well in the first ODI and was average in the 2nd. I hope, he will soon return to form."

Replying to a question, Rafiqul Alam admitted that they are still facing problem to find the right opening combination.

Explaining, he said: "Still there is a problem. We will try to sort it out. Shahriar Nafees opted himself out from the Australia tour and Nazimuddin got injured. Junaed also played the first match very well then… We want to build up another one."

The selection panel kept the left-handed opener Imrul Kayes in the squad as he had been playing well for the Academy team and also in the National Cricket League. "As a back up opener he is right there," Rafiqul added.

About the exclusion of Mahmudullah Riyad, he reasoned that Riyad's performance of late was not up to the mark although he had been a good player.The chief selector gave the indication that the team combination in the Test series might be slightly different as he thinks that some experienced players can strike the proper balance in the team.

Meanwhile, the Tigers are likely to fly for South Africa on November 1 on a month-long tour to play one Twenty20, three ODIs and two Tests.

This will be the 2nd full fledged tour for Bangladesh in South Africa after their previous tour in the 2002, where they were whitewashed in both the Test and ODI series.

Bangladesh will begin their South Africa tour with a day-night twnety20 match billed for November 5 at New Wanderers Stadium at Johannesburg Stadium.

The three-match ODI Series will then be held with the Day-Night first match slated for November 7 (Senwes Park, Potchefstroom), the 2nd on Nov 9 (Willowmoore Park, Benoni) and the 3rd Day-Night on Nov 12 (Bufallo Park, East London).

In between the ODI and Test series the Tigers will play a two-day match against South Africa A on November 15-16 at Kimberly.

The two Test matches will be held on November 19-23 (Outsurance Oval, Bloemfontein) and November 26-30 (SuperSport Park, Centurion) respectively.

Squad: Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (vice captain), Tamim Iqbal, Zunaed Siddique, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain Jr, Mushfiqur Rahim, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Syed Rasel, Nazmul Hossain, Mahbubul Alam, Roqibul Hassan and Imrul Kayes.

Dream comes true: Robin

UNB, Dhaka

Right-arm pacer Mahbubul Alam Robin said that his dream came true after making his test debut against New Zealand in the 2nd Test of the BRAC Bank Series at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) here Tuesday.

Although it was almost sure that Robin is making his debut in the match as a 3rd seamer but the tall pacer had to wait till the 4th day as the first three days of the current test were completely washed out due to inclement weather.

"It's a nice feeling. I had a long dream to play for the country and at last it came true. I have tried to give what I possessed," said Robin at a post-match briefing Tuesday evening.

About his team's performance, the 24-year old pacer said: "It was not a very good end for us on the 4th day but I think we have good enough batsmen to handle the situation."

Nafees, Alok steer Warriors to 2nd ICL win

bdnews, Dhaka

Two fine knocks from Shahriar Nafees and Alok Kapali powered the Dhaka Warriors to a six-wicket win over the Mumbai Champs, their second Indian Cricket League victory, at Tau Devi Stadium in Gurgaon on Monday.

Dhaka Warriors clocked 155 for four with eight balls to spare in reply to Mumbai Champs' 151 for six in the stipulated 20 overs as Nafees struck 57 and Alok remained unbeaten on 48.

Left-handed opener Nafees made a cracking start, smashing Burkul for three fours in the opening over, but partner Nazimuddin fell cheaply for just two in the third over, leaving the side at 15 for one in 2.4 overs.

Nafees, pairing with Aftab Ahmed, repaired the initial damage to put on 54 runs for the second wicket before Aftab went cross to be bowled by Khanolkar for a 15-ball 23.

Alok, the lone centurion in the ICL, joined Nafees, who fell on 57, leaving the side at 95 for three in 12.2 overs. Nafees struck nine fours and one six in his 40-ball knock.

Keeping his cool, Alok knocked a superb 48, while Dhiman Ghosh, who remained unbeaten on 13, struck Burkul for four to steer Dhaka Warriors home with eight balls to spare.

Alok, who smashed three sixes and four fours in his 35-ball knock, was named the man of the match for his all-round performance.

Invited to bat first, the Champs could manage only a moderate total in the face of tight bowling from the Dhaka Warriors, with Khirid (51 not out) and van der Wath (18 not out) putting on a significant 74 off 41 balls to take Mumbai to 151 from 77 for six.

Police AC blanks Victoria SC 3-0

UNB, Dhaka

Police AC beat Victoria SC by 3-0 goals in a match of the Metropolis Green Delta Insurance First Division Hockey League at Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.

Mahmudul Hasan struck twice in the 18th and 29th minutes, while Nabi Sheikh netted the other goal in the 17th minute for the winners.

In the day's other match, Shishu Kishore Sangha beat Dhaka Wanderers Club by 2-0 goals.

After a barren first half, Mehdul Hasan and Omar Faruk scored for Shishu Kishore Sangha in the 48th and 62nd minute respectively.

Today's match: Mukta Bihanga Tarun Sangha vs Barnak Samaj (3pm) at the same venue.