The New Nation - Internet Edition

Gambhir, Laxman put India in total control

Cricinfo

Australia 50 for 0 (Katich 29*, Hayden 16*) trail India 613 for 7 dec (Gambhir 206, Laxman 200*, Johnson 3-142) by 563 runs

VVS Laxman tormented Australia with his second Test double-century and Gautam Gambhir registered his first as India batted themselves into an almost unconquerable position in the third Test. On the second successive day of complete Indian domination, Australia's greatest achievement was simply getting to stumps without losing a wicket.

But Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich were given a preview of the challenge that awaits them as the legspinners Amit Mishra and Anil Kumble spun a few deliveries viciously out of the footmarks that Australia's bowlers had created over nearly 12 hours in the field.

The openers batted out 15 overs after Kumble delayed his declaration to allow Laxman to reach 200.

As soon as the milestone came with a lofted on-drive off Michael Clarke, India's batsmen were called in. They had done their job. If the first day did not consign Australia to an unwinnable position, the second day must surely have managed it. Gambhir and Laxman compiled a mammoth 278-run partnership that left Australia tired, frustrated and wicketless for nearly three sessions. In spite of Gambhir's achievement at his home ground, the day belonged to Laxman.

His list of achievements was impressive: he went past 2000 Test runs against Australia; he recorded his sixth Test century against them; and he turned it into his second highest Test score, behind his 2000-01 effort of 281 at Eden Gardens, an innings that still gives a few Australians sleepless nights. If ever there was proof of his love of this opposition it's his list of top Test innings - his best four are all against Australia.

Laxman began the day in ominous touch and pulled brilliantly when Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson dropped short. He stalled for a while on 99 before driving Cameron White comfortably through cover for four and went on to cause problems for all the bowlers. The Australians helped him by regularly straying onto his pads and it was like handing Cookie Monster control of the Arnott's factory.

At one stage Ricky Ponting even effectively relocated the slips cordon to short midwicket to handle the situation. It was reminiscent of the old Test Match board game where children carefully place their little plastic fielders in unorthodox positions to deal with the predictability of the restrictive batting mechanism.

Ponting lined up his three catching men - a misnomer as they weren't offered any catches - on the leg-side but Laxman still found the spaces with casual flicks and well-timed drives. And unlike the Test Match batsman there is nothing restrictive about Laxman's technique, so he also took the opportunity to glide easy runs through the vacant slip region.

He left some of his most flabbergasting shots until late in the day. Can anyone truly explain how he turned a Johnson delivery that was angled across him and was well outside off stump into an on-drive for four? And yet he did it so effortlessly that viewers could not help but assume that was the most logical stroke for that delivery.

In Laxman's company, Gambhir was as anonymous as one can be in reaching 200. He played some impressive shots of his own; he clubbed White contemptuously through midwicket and when things became so desperate for Australia that Ricky Ponting bowled for the first time since 2005-06, Gambhir pulled his slow-medium bouncer easily over the infield for four.

When Gambhir got his double-century with a clip off his hips from Lee, his celebrations were relatively muted. There was a raise of the bat and a handshake from a smiling and admiring Lee, but Gambhir was clearly exhausted. The proof came when he wearily played on to Shane Watson on 206. It was Australia's first success since Sachin Tendulkar departed just before tea on the first day.

By the time Gambhir went, India were 435 for 4. It was all rather academic after that. Laxman kept scoring, the lower order gave him impressive support and Australia kept toiling without much hope of achieving anything of real value. But a few things were confirmed in the period that followed, namely that Katich should bowl more often, Johnson is a tireless worker and Brad Haddin is struggling with such long and hot days behind the stumps.

It has been a tough tour for Haddin, who has had to deal with unfamiliar pace and bounce while trying to maintain his concentration. His worst moment came when Laxman, on 134, got a thick edge off Watson. The ball flew between the wicketkeeper and first slip but it was so close to Haddin that he would not have needed to dive; as it was, he didn't even move.

Haddin did grasp a second, almost identical chance soon after to remove Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had been briefly entertaining in smashing 27. The reflexes of Katich were sharper. Dhoni pulled violently back at head height towards the bowler Katich, who somehow got his left hand to the ball and simultaneously dropped an almost impossible chance while saving the umpire Aleem Dar from losing a few teeth.

Had Katich pinched the chance it would have been two wickets in two overs after he removed Sourav Ganguly for 5. It was strange that Ponting had not asked Katich, a left-arm wrist-spinner, to bowl to Ganguly earlier in the series. The similarly-styled Brad Hogg removed Ganguly four times in last season's Tests and Katich duly continued the trend, drawing Ganguly into a drive to Ponting at cover.

Katich, White, Clarke and Ponting all bowled spells that helped relieve the fast men, who couldn't find much movement and were often given depressingly defensive fields. But Johnson showed heart and was still firing in short and fast stuff late in the day. He was rewarded with an lbw decision against Kumble (45) and finished with 3 for 142.

The very fact that Johnson's figures were considered reasonable highlighted just how much India dominated the first two days. The first belonged to Gambhir, the second to Laxman - for Australia to rescue the match, the third day must be emphatically claimed by one of their top six.

Maradona as coach could be big risk for Argentina

AP, London

He's battled drug addictions and obesity. He's been kicked out of the World Cup for doping and sentenced to jail for shooting an air gun at reporters. He scored a famous goal by punching the ball into the net.

Not exactly the traditional profile of a national team coach.

But this is Diego Maradona, one of soccer's all-time greats who is still idolized by Argentina's fans.

Maradona, who turns 48 on Thursday, and Carlos Bilardo have been asked to lead the national team by Julio Grondona, head of the Argentine Football Association.

Negotiations are continuing but the plan is for the superstar to be the coach and Bilardo, who was coach when Maradona led the team to a World Cup triumph in 1986, the general manager.

It's a combination that, on paper, should thrill Argentina's long suffering fans, who have seen their team of hugely talented stars fail to win the World Cup since that famous triumph 22 years ago.

But it could be another disaster waiting to happen for the star whose career has scaled the greatest heights and sunk to the deepest lows.

Even in Argentina, Maradona is revered one minute but considered an embarrassment the next because of his eccentric behavior and longtime problems with drugs and alcohol.

Blessed with mesmerizing dribbling skills, the left-footed Maradona scored two of the World Cup's greatest goals against England and Belgium on the way to Argentina's title triumph in Mexico in 1986.

Before scoring that goal against England, however, he blatantly cheated by jumping to attempt a header against much taller goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punching the ball into the net with his left hand, the one he later called "the Hand of God."

Maradona won domestic titles with Argentina's Boca Juniors, Spain's Barcelona and Italy's Napoli, each time becoming a huge favorite with the fans with his inspirational play and ability to leave defenders chasing shadows.

It was during his spell with Napoli, however, that he ran into problems off the field, banned from the game for 15 months after testing positive for cocaine.

Although he returned to lead Argentina to the 1990 World Cup final, Maradona's drug problems continued and he received another 15-month suspension and was kicked out of the 1994 championship in the United States.

Maradona went from one crisis to another, shooting an air gun at reporters waiting outside his house, attempting to fight off a paternity claim in Italy and then running into serious health problems associated with drug and alcohol abuse.

In April 2004, a hugely overweight Maradona had a heart attack. After his recovery, he had gastric bypass surgery and slimmed down, but still fell ill with hepatitis and had treatment in a psychiatric clinic for his alcohol and drug problems.

While federation boss Grondona says he has visualized Maradona as the national team coach since 1979 and that fans and players welcome the return of their greatest player, the Argentine media argues that the star's troubled history makes his appointment a big mistake.

Wednesday's La Nacion cited Maradona's volatile nature, unstable health, temperament and confrontational attitudes, and a columnist said the star would risk the "Maradona Myth" by taking the job.

Argentina has a wealth of talent with the likes of attacking stars Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, yet a series of coaches have failed to get the best out of them.

Now Argentina looks set to turn to Maradona, historically its biggest name but with little success or experience at coaching.

Theoretically, purely from a soccer point of view, Maradona the coach could turn out to be almost as good as Maradona the player.

But it would be like putting a fan in charge of the team rather than a trained, experienced coach.

All his enthusiasm might be compromised by selecting only his favorites instead of the players who are in form. He will inevitably run into problems with the critics he made in the media. Being national team coach would put him even more in the spotlight.

Argentina's soccer federation hopes it will cure its problems by appointing the nation's greatest ever player. It may well create even more.

Razzak reported of suspected illegal action

UNB, Dhaka

Left-arm national spinner Abdur Razzak Raj has been reported to the ICC for his suspected undue action.

Razzak was reported by Emirates Elite Panel umpires Daryl Harper and Asoka de Silva after the 2nd Test of the BRAC Bank Series between New Zealand and Bangladesh at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS).

Two umpires explained that they were concerned over the player's faster ball they monitored during both matches in the series.

They felt that the delivery should be scrutinized further under the relevant ICC process.

Despite reported, Razzak would continue his bowling until the receipt of the report of the independent analysis by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Bangladesh Boys Club beat Prantik KC 2-1

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Boys Club notched a 2-1 victory over Prantik KC in a match of the Metropolis Second Division Football League at the Bir Shreshtha Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium in Kamalapur on Thursday.

Palash Samanta struck twice for the winners in the 12th and 80th minutes while Inam Ahmed Ratan pulled one back for the losers in the 20th minute.

In the day's other match, BG Press S&RC beat Little Friends Club by a solitary goal scored by Nesar Uddin Irin in the 8th minute.

Today's match: Kawran Bazar Pragati Sangha vs Gazir Chat SC.

Brazilian leaders Gremio thumped by Cruzeiro

Reuters, Rio De Janeiro

Cruzeiro threw the Brazilian championship title race wide open by thumping leaders Gremio 3-0 on Wednesday, scoring their first goal after only 14 seconds.

Gremio's defeat left just a point separating the two four teams with six matches each to play.

Sao Paulo went level on 59 points with Gremio after controversially beating Botafogo 2-1 while Cruzeiro moved within a point of the leading pair, as did Palmeiras who beat Goias 1-0.

Gremio are still top on the number of games won.

Cruzeiro went ahead when Gremio lost possession from the kick off and Guilherme found Wagner, who fired into the roof of the net.

Jonathan and Guilherme completed Cruzeiro's win with two goals in a five-minute spell in the second half.

Sao Paulo took the lead against Botafogo when Jean pounced on a blunder by goalkeeper Renan to score just after the hour.

Wellington Paulista levelled five minutes later only for Botafogo to gift another goal, this time converted by Hernandes.

Botafogo had the ball in the net again two minutes later but the goal was disallowed, infuriating team officials.

Palmeiras beat Goias with a first-half penalty converted by Alex Mineiro.

Ipatinga stayed bottom after losing 2-0 to fellow strugglers Portuguesa on the debut of Enderson Moreira, their fourth coach of the year.

Federer, Nadal move into 3rd round at Paris Masters

AP, Paris

Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and defending champion David Nalbandian reached the third round of the Paris Masters on Wednesday without dropping a set.Nadal topped Florent Serra of France 6-2, 6-4, and eighth-seeded Nalbandian downed Nicolas Kiefer of Germany 7-6 (5), 6-3.

Federer had the most trouble, saving two set points in the tiebreaker to beat Robin Soderling 6-4, 7-6 (7).

"He's got a big serve, really suits the indoors well," Federer said. "I'm happy to be through, kind of a relief for me. I was surprised he didn't return a bit better, but I think I've been really serving well lately, basically since the U.S. Open."

Soderling won the Lyon Grand Prix on Sunday but lost for the eighth straight time to the Swiss star.

The Swede had set point at 6-5 on serve but hit a forehand wide. He got another chance after the next point but didn't take it again and his long forehand gave Federer match point.

Federer is enjoying the end to a tough season, getting a win at the Swiss Indoors in Basel last week to add to an Olympic gold medal in doubles and the U.S. Open title for his 13th major.

"I'm happy the way things have gone this season after kind of a rough start and a rough Wimbledon final," said Federer, who lost that final to Nadal. "So I've really been able to turn around, you know, get some emotional wins with the Olympic gold and Basel again and then the U.S. Open."

Hyderabad cling on for three-run victory

Cricinfo

Hyderabad Heroes 166 for 6 (Binny 48, Boje 47) beat Ahmedabad Rockets 163 for 3 (Goodwin 59, Sodhi 41*) by 3 runs

There's a fine line between timing a chase to perfection and leaving the surge too late and Ahmedabad Rockets will feel they did the latter. Ahmedabad fell short by three runs against Hyderabad Heroes despite having seven batsmen waiting in the dugout. Chasing a target of 167, Ahmedabad scored 92 off their last seven overs, including 23 off the final over, but finished with 163.

Ahmedabad had a steady start to their chase. Murray Goodwin and Ryan Campbell did not score at break-neck speed but they ensured wickets didn't fall early. Campbell did most of the scoring during the partnership of 54, finishing with 33 off 27, while Goodwin ticked along at well under a run-a-ball. It wasn't until the 14th over that Goodwin got a move on and pushed the run-rate over six for the first time.

Goodwin cut loose by pulling Nicky Boje over long-on for six and followed up with a cut to the point boundary. He hit a hat-trick of sixes off Inder Shekar Reddy: charging to lift the first over midwicket, pulling the next over square leg, before hammering the third once again towards the stands at midwicket. At the end of the 16th over, Ahmedabad needed 54 off 24 balls with Goodwin and their captain Damien Martyn at the crease and nine wickets in hand. In the next over, the game turned.

Martyn hit Harris flat and hard and watched as the ball flew towards the long-on boundary. Ambati Rayudu sprinted to his left, covered a lot of ground and flung himself full-length to hold the catch with two hands. He was given the Man-of-the-Match award for that effort. Two balls later Goodwin charged Harris and missed, leaving Ibrahim Khaleel with an easy stumping. Ahmedabad now had 52 runs to get off 18 balls with two brand new batsmen at the crease.

Reetinder Sodhi helped bring the equation down to 27 off the final over and then hit Syed Sahabuddin to the leg-side boundary for a six and four off the first two balls. Feeling the pressure Sahabuddin bowled a wide but managed to concede only six runs off his next three, although he did miss two run-outs, leaving Ahmedabad with an impossible 10 to get off the final delivery. Sodhi clouted the final ball over the long-off boundary.

Hyderabad also had a sluggish start to their innings, scoring only 35 runs off the first seven overs but that was because Jason Gillespie and Rakesh Patel dismissed the top-four batsmen for single-digit scores.

Boje and Stuart Binny revived the innings with a 59-run stand for the fifth wicket and Harris forged another invaluable stand after Binny fell for 48 off 32 balls. Boje scored 47 off 30 deliveries and Harris injected energy into the finish with 37 off 18 as Hyderabad scored 106 off their last ten overs to reach 163.