Yuvraj reaches Delhi after cancer treatment in US

NEW DELHI: Yuvraj Singh, who left a nation worried and praying after he was diagnosed with a rare germ-cell cancer, reached Delhi on Monday morning after undergoing successful treatment in the US since January.

Yuvi, the World Cup player of the tournament, arrived home from London. The 30-year-old, who underwent treatment in Indianapolis, was discharged from the hospital last month. He then stopped over in London for a few days as he was advised not to head home straightaway because there still was some fear of infection if he mingled with too many people.

The star cricketer tweeted before boarding his flight home, “Finally the day has come! I am going home tomorrow! Can’t wait, excited to see my friends and family…see you India!! Mera bharat mahan!”

The player, who went through trying moments and faced the kind of loneliness cancer can bring upon people, found support from millions of Indian fans as well as fellow cricketers — both Indian and foreign. He was visited in Indianapolis by Anil Kumble, while multiple Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong, who has been a big inspiration for Yuvi, sent a message of encouragement. Sachin Tendulkar also met him.

Yuvraj will address a media conference on Wednesday along with his doctor, a senior oncologist in the city, to talk about how he came through the toughest phase in his life. However, he is still some time away from picking up his heavy bat again.

Read More

Chanderpaul takes Windies to 291 for five at lunch

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul batted throughout the morning session to make an unbeaten 58 as West Indies reached 291 for five at lunch on the second day of the first Test against Australia.

When rain had ended play early on the first day on Saturday, there were only seven more overs until the new ball and Australia took it straight away but it didn't seem to provide any more movement than the old one.

Darren Bravo, in Ryan Harris' third over, crashed two shots through the covers to the boundary.

His innings was a mixture of stubborn defence and booming off-side strikes and that approach was almost his undoing in the 92nd over.

Michael Clarke had a gully and a short backward point in place but the thick edge off a Peter Siddle delivery eluded both of them. Next ball a finer edge went through third slip position with only two in place.

But the plan finally paid off when Bravo played a similar but more tentative shot to the slower pace of Shane Watson, the ball going straight to Mike Hussey in the gully.

Bravo had faced 123 balls for his 51 and his slow trudge off the Kensington Oval field showed his clear disappointment.

Narsingh Deonarine, playing his first Test for two years in place of Marlon Samuels who is playing in the IPL, was the top scorer in the domestic four-day competition despite failing to score a century.

Australia had a clear plan to serve him up with the odd short ball and, again, their preparation paid off.

On 22 he was caught in two minds to a shorter delivery from Harris and as he turned away, the ball came off the edge and went high to wicket-keeper Matthew Wade who took his second catch.

It proved to be the best over of the morning as Harris then had Carlton Baugh edging the second ball he faced through a vacant third slip and next ball Ricky Ponting, diving to his right, just failed to hold on to the toughest chance offered so far

Read More

West Indies win toss, bowl against Australia

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia: The West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl in their fifth and final one-day international against Australia here on Sunday.

The home side lead the five-match series 2-1 and are bidding for a first series win over the Australians in 17 years.

Australia won the first ODI by 64 runs before West Indies won by five wickets in a rain-affected second match.

That win ended the West Indies' miserable run of 15 defeats in 16 one-dayers against Australia.

The third ODI ended in a thrilling tie, but Kieron Pollard crashed a blistering century to set up a 42-run win for the Windies in the fourth match.

Both sides were unchanged for the final ODI.

Teams

West Indies: Johnson Charles, Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Carlton Baugh (wk), Darren Sammy (captain), Sunil Narine, Kemar Roach

Australia: Shane Watson (captain), David Warner, Matthew Wade (wk), George Bailey, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Peter Forrest, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty, Brett Lee, Ben Hilfenhaus

Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SL) and Peter Nero (WI), TV umpire: Shavir Tarapore (IND)

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

Read More

Pune beat Punjab to record second successive win

PUNE: Pune Warriors defeated Kings XI Punjab by 22 runs in the eighth match of the fifth Indian Premier League here at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing 167 to win, Kings XI Punjab were restricted by Pune Warriors to 144-8 in 20 overs.

Bipul Sharma top scored with 35 from 18 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes while Mandeep Singh and Abhishek Nayar made 24 each.

For Pune, leg-break bowler Rahul Sharma took two wickets for 34 runs.

Earlier, Pune scored 166 for six in 20 overs, thanks to West Indian Marlon Samuels (46) and Indian Robin Uthappa (40). Bothbatsmen struck two sixes each while Australian Steven Smith hit three sixes in his 12-ball 25.

Harmeet Singh claimed three for 24 for Punjab.

Geo Super telecast this match live from Pune.

Read More

Rajasthan's second successive win as Kolkata beaten again

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Royals recorded their second successive victory defeating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) who lost their second consecutive match in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League here at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Sunday.

Rajasthan Royals made 164 for five in the allotted 20 overs after they were put into bat by Kolkata captain Gautam Gambhir.

Their main scorers were Australia’s Brad Hodge (44) and Asok Menaria (40). Besides, their captain Rahul Dravid also made a significant contribution of 26 with two sixes and Owais Shah remained not out on 23.

For the KKR, Aussie fast bowler Brett Lee claimed two wickets for 29.

The KKR could not chase the target of 165 and were all out for 142 in exact 20 overs.

Manoj Tiwari top scored with 59 with seven fours, followed by Lee’s 25..

For Rajasthan, West Indies’ medium-pace bowler Kevon Cooper took three for 28.

Geo Super showed this match live from Jaipur.

Read More

Strauss confident about his future as captain

COLOMBO: Andrew Strauss heads home from Asia confident his future as captain is secure after England ended a miserable run in Tests by beating Sri Lanka to draw the series and retain their number-one ranking.

The tourists eased to an eight-wicket win in the second and final Test at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo on Saturday to make amends for the 75-run loss in the first Test in Galle, which was their fourth straight Test defeat this year.

England's losses, including an embarrassing 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, had left them teetering on the brink of losing their top ranking.

The one blemish in the hard-fought series against Sri Lanka was Strauss's own batting form. He made just 114 runs in four innings at an average of 28.50.

The left-hander appeared to have found his rhythm when he hit 61 in the first innings of the second Test, but he fell for a duck in the first over of the second innings as England chased a modest target of 94.

Strauss has not added to his 19 Test centuries in 25 innings and has just one three-figure knock in his past 50 innings, raising questions about his future in the side.

But the skipper said he had never doubted himself or his leadership role.

"I never had any doubts about whether this was the time for me to go," the 35-year-old veteran of 94 Tests said, adding he was focused on his side performing well.

"I am very determined and committed to seeing us improve as a side. It's been an interesting week or two, but we as a side should not get carried away with whatever the issue of the day is.

"We have done that very well over the last couple of years, and obviously I needed to do it in this Test. We needed to do it as a team and I thought we did it well."

Strauss admitted England had been under pressure after their four consecutive defeats but was delighted the hard work had eventually paid off.

"We had to make sure we learnt the lessons from our defeats over the last four Test matches," he said.

"I saw a steely determination on everyone's part to make sure we finished the winter on a high and it was fantastic to be able to do that."

Off-spinner Graeme Swann's match haul of 10 wickets left England chasing just 94 to win, which they achieved easily despite slipping to 31-2 after the dismissals of Strauss and Jonathan Trott.

Alastair Cook remained unbeaten on 49 and Kevin Pietersen, who hit a century in the first innings, smashed 42 not out off just 28 balls, bringing up the win with a six off Tillakaratne Dilshan.

"They are horrible chases because everyone expects you to win," said Strauss. "It's almost like trying to sink a three-foot putt. You know it should go in but it doesn't always."

The number one ranking will remain on the line as England return to the comfort of home conditions for Tests against the West Indies and number-two ranked South Africa.

Read More

Windies make solid start against Australia

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: A slow Kensington Oval pitch and three dropped catches helped the West Indies make a solid start against Australia on the opening day of the first Test on Saturday.

When rain curtailed the action, the home side were 179 for 3 with the backbone of the score being a century second-wicket partnership between Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk Edwards.

Having won the toss, the West Indies' openers made a steady start and the initial breakthrough for Australia didn't come until the 18th over.

For his second spell, Ryan Harris had replaced Nathan Lyon at the Malcolm Marshall end and came around the wicket to Adrian Barath.

His third ball was a bouncer outside off stump that Barath, who had made 22, hit high in the air for Peter Siddle to get under at fine-leg.

Edwards joined Brathwaite and he started slowly but the score was steadily building with Brathwaite being fortunate to survive two tough chances that he offered.

In his third over, Siddle had him playing too early and, as his hand came off the bat, the ball looped back to the bowler who, despite getting his left hand down to the dropping ball, couldn't hold on.

Brathwaite moved on to 44 when Shane Watson induced an edge that went wide to Ricky Ponting's right at second slip.

He did well to reach the ball but he couldn't grasp it as the ball died on him.

It was Watson, himself, who then gave Edwards a life.

Siddle found the edge when the batsman had made 56 and the ball flew high above Watson's head at fourth slip and, despite getting both hands to the ball, he couldn't hang on.

It came at a time when Edwards had upped the tempo as he hit several boundaries and smashed Lyon over long-on for six.

As Michael Clarke looked for options he turned to part-time leg-break bowler David Warner.

When Edwards had reached 61 he smashed a return catch back at Warner who took it smartly.

It was his first international wicket and he was clearly delighted to have broken the 104-run second wicket partnership.

Siddle was probably the pick of a pace attack that had kept things tight all day and he was rewarded when Brathwaite played one loose shot too many.

He played at a ball slightly wide of the off stump and was caught behind for 57, an innings that had lasted over four hours and 199 balls.

It gave wicket-keeper Matthew Wade special cause for celebration as he had been presented with his baggy green before play and it was his first Test dismissal.

Steady rain arrived with 17 overs left in the day and with the light getting worse the umpires called an early end.

West Indies are aiming for their first Test win against Australia for nine years and for their first series win over the visitors in 19 years.

Read More

IPL two matches today

MUMBAI: Two matches will be played in IPL 2012 season 5 today.

In the first match, which is to begin at 3.30 in the afternoon (Pakistan time), Kolkata Night Riders will take on Rajasthan Rifles.

Pune Warriors and Kings Eleven Punjab will lock horns at 7.30 in the night.

Pakistan’s first sports channel Geo Super will telecast both the matches live.

Read More

Cricket: Windies make steady start in first Test

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: West Indies were 60 for one at lunch on the opening day of the first Test against Australia after winning the toss at Kensington Oval on Saturday.

The only breakthrough for Australia came in the 18th over with a change of tactics.

For his second spell, Ryan Harris had replaced Nathan Lyon at the Malcolm Marshall end and came around the wicket to opener Adrian Barath.

His third ball was a bouncer outside off stump that Barath hit high in the air for Peter Siddle to get under at fine-leg. It was a clear plan, well executed by Harris that Barath fell for having made 22.

Kraigg Brathwaite, who was on 24 at the break, batted through the morning but had a couple of moments of fortune.

In his third over, Siddle had him playing too early and, as his hand came off the bat, the ball looped back to the bowler who, despite getting his left hand down to the dropping ball, couldn't hold on to the chance.

He also hit a cut in the air through the gully area that didn't go to hand but prompted skipper Michael Clarke to have two players in that position for the rest of the morning.

Off-spinner Lyon was introduced into the attack in just the 12th over after the fast bowlers had found little response from a slow pitch where their footmarks were already very apparent.

Although he didn't have any initial success the signs are that he could play a big part in the match.

The West Indies brought Shivnarine Chanderpaul back into the side with Kieran Powell and Ravi Rampaul missing out from the squad of 13 that had been named.

In the absence of Brad Haddin, wicket-keeper Matthew Wade made his debut and he received his baggy green from Ricky Ponting, before the start of play.

James Pattinson was named as 12th man while vice-captain Shane Watson will bat at number three for the first time with David Warner and Ed Cowan opening the batting.

West Indies are aiming for their first Test win against Australia for nine years and for their first series win over the visitors in 19 years.

Read More

West Indies make steady start against Australia

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: West Indies were 60 for one at lunch on the opening day of the first Test against Australia after winning the toss at Kensington Oval on Saturday.

The only breakthrough for Australia came in the 18th over with a change of tactics.

For his second spell, Ryan Harris had replaced Nathan Lyon at the Malcolm Marshall end and came around the wicket to opener Adrian Barath.

His third ball was a bouncer outside off stump that Barath hit high in the air for Peter Siddle to get under at fine-leg. It was a clear plan, well executed by Harris that Barath fell for having made 22.

Kraigg Brathwaite, who was on 24 at the break, batted through the morning but had a couple of moments of fortune.

In his third over, Siddle had him playing too early and, as his hand came off the bat, the ball looped back to the bowler who, despite getting his left hand down to the dropping ball, couldn't hold on to the chance.

He also hit a cut in the air through the gully area that didn't go to hand but prompted skipper Michael Clarke to have two players in that position for the rest of the morning.

Off-spinner Lyon was introduced into the attack in just the 12th over after the fast bowlers had found little response from a slow pitch where their footmarks were already very apparent.

Although he didn't have any initial success the signs are that he could play a big part in the match.

The West Indies brought Shivnarine Chanderpaul back into the side with Kieran Powell and Ravi Rampaul missing out from the squad of 13 that had been named.

In the absence of Brad Haddin, wicket-keeper Matthew Wade made his debut and he received his baggy green from Ricky Ponting, before the start of play.

James Pattinson was named as 12th man while vice-captain Shane Watson will bat at number three for the first time with David Warner and Ed Cowan opening the batting.

West Indies are aiming for their first Test win against Australia for nine years and for their first series win over the visitors in 19 years.

Read More

Jadeja helps Chennai outplay Deccan by 74 runs

Visakhapatnam: Ravindra Jadeja’s impressive allround performance guided Chennai Super Kings to defeat Deccan Chargers by 74 runs in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League here at the Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

First he top scored with a breezy 48 from 29 balls and later he displayed the best bowling performance grabbing five wickets for just 16 runs to demolish Deccan batting lineup.

He struck three sixes and as many fours while Dwayne Bravo hit an unbeaten 43 off 18 balls with five sixes and Faf du Plessis made 39 off 25 balls with four sixes and a four.

Chennai Super Kings amassed 183 for six in the allotted 20 overs and then bowled out Deccan Chargers for 119 runs in 17.1 overs.

Main scorers were captain Cameron White (23), Shikhar Dhawan (21) and Parthiv Patel (20).

Geo Super showed this match live from the venue.

Read More

Steely determination saw us through, says Strauss

COLOMBO: Captain Andrew Strauss felt Saturday's eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second and final test had given his team the boost needed to perform well in England in the summer.

The victory meant England drew the series 1-1 and retained their hold as the world's top-ranked test team.

"It's nice we won this test match and it's nice we are heading into the English summer with a little bit of confidence and I am absolutely certain we are going to play well in

England," said Strauss.

"Having lost four test matches in a row you are not thinking of No. 1 in the world you are thinking about making sure we win the next one," he told reporters.

"We all know that number one ranking has never been in the forefront of our minds. If you do focus on it too much you take your eyes off the ball.

"We worked exceptionally hard and huge credit to Andy Flower (head coach) and Graham Gooch (batting coach) in particular. They've been constantly doing everything they could to help us.

"For a while we have been looking good in the nets and it's a case of taking that into the middle which is always easier said than done.

"I saw a kind of steely determination on everyone's part to make sure we finished the winter on a high and it was fantastic we were able to do that."

The captain picked out paceman James Anderson, chief wicket-taker Graeme Swann and Kevin Pietersen, whose first innings century put England in command.

"It is demoralising for the opposition team to see KP in full flight," he said. "It was an outstanding innings and obviously gave us the impetus and momentum to go on and win the game."

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said: "We were playing against a strong team and even though they were in trouble, I thought KP came and changed the game." (Reuters)

Read More

Cricket: West Indies win toss, elect to bat

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: West Indies won the toss and chose to bat against Australia in the first Test match of the series at Kensington Oval on Saturday.

In the absence of Brad Haddin, wicket-keeper Matthew Wade makes his debut and he received his baggy green, handed over by Ricky Ponting, before the start of play.

It was the 428th to be presented to an Australian.

The West Indies brought Shivnarine Chanderpaul back into the side with Kieran Powell, who played in West Indies' last Test match in India being left out.

Ravi Rampaul, who has only recently recovered from a bout of dengue fever and also a shoulder problem, was the other player to miss out from the squad of thirteen that had been named.

Australia left out James Pattinson from their three man pace attack while Nathan Lyon continues as their front-line spinner. Vice-captain Shane Watson will bat at number three for the first time with David Warner and Ed Cowan opening the batting.

West Indies are aiming for their first Test win against Australia for 9 years and for their first series win over the visitors in 19 years.

Australia want to at least hold on to the Frank Worrell trophy and to take another step back towards the summit of the ICC Test rankings where they currently rank fourth with the same number of points, 111, as India while the West Indies, currently in 7th spot have set themselves a more modest initial aim of 5th.

Teams:

West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Adrian Barath, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kirk Edwards, Darren Bravo, Narsingh Deonarine, Carlton Baugh, Fidel Edwards, Devendra Bishoo, Kemar Roach

Australia: Michael Clarke (captain), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Matthew Wade, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Lyon.

Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG), Tony Hill (NZ), Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZ)

Third umpire: Marais Erasmus (SA)

Read More

IPL: De Villiers inspires Bangalore to beat Delhi

BANGALORE: Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Delhi Daredevils by 20 runs in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League here at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.

After being put into bat by Delhi captain Virender Sehwag, Bangalore made 157 for eight in the allotted 20 overs mainly due to a sensible innings by South African batsman AB de Villiers.

He made an unbeaten 64 off 42 balls with six fours and two sixes while the other notable contribution was made by Australian Andrew McDonald who scored 30 from 19 balls with four boundaries and two sixers.

For Delhi, New Zealand fast-medium bowler Doug Bracewell captured three wickets for 32 runs and Australia’s fast bowler Morne Morkel claimed two for 30.

Delhi Daredevils, chasing 158 to win, were restricted to 137-7 in 20 overs due to intelligent bowling by great off-spinner from Sri Lanka Muttiah Muralitharan who bagged three wickets for 25 runs.

Delhi’s main scorers were Naman Ojha (33), Australia’s Aaron Finch (25) and Irfan Pathan (24).

The match was telecast live by Geo Super.

Read More