Giants win 'Pendulum-swinging' encounter against Ahmedabad Rockets

Delhi Giants won the match by 13 runs

Paul Nixon was declared Man of the Match

Hyderabad: The 3rd match of the ICL 20s Indian Championship featured the resurgent Ahmedabad Rockets take on the Marvan Atapattu led Delhi Giants, representing the capital territory region, at LB stadium Hyderabad. In the end, the highly engrossing encounter that swung both ways throughout the duration of the match, saw the Giants scamper home by 13 runs. Paul Nixon was declared Man of the Match for his brilliant kn ock of 43.

Earlier in the day, Damien Martyn won the toss and elected to field looking to chase a target with his new beefed up batting line-up strengthened by the induction of their new dashing recruit Ryan Campbell. The Giants got off their season two campaigns with their left right opening combination of Gunawardene & Dale Benkenstein. A maiden over from the legendary Gillespie was the right message sent by Rockets on their seriousness, as one the big s ides at ICL Season-2. Some high class seam bowling from Gillespie, ably supported by Rakesh Patel at the other hand had the Giants on the back foot at 8 for no loss at the end of the first three overs.

The tight bowling was rewarded with the first breakthrough in form of Benkenstein's wicket in the 7th over off Heath Streak, at the Rockets score of 38. At the half way mark of their innings, Giants were still under the shackles of the Rockets bowling power placed at a modest 53/2. The Giants were d epending on their dashing south-paw & batting anchor Abbas Ali who took up the repair job taking the Giants score to 87/2 in the 12th over. Just when Abbas was taking charge, Martyn introduced the experienced Sriram into the attack, who cut short his promising innings of 25 runs, trapping him in front of the stumps.

That set the stage for the brilliant Paul Nixon who got about the task right away in the company of Bali who played a crucial knock of 35 off 20 balls including one four and three mighty sixes, before holding out to an attempted six off Gillespie in the 17th over. Nixon's stroke filled innings of 43 that included four mighty sixes, followed by a late onslaught from Bond (12 runs off 4 balls); powered Delhi to a competitive 167/7 in their allotted 20 overs. For the Rockets Heath Streak was the most successful bowler returning with creditable figures of 3/23 in his allotted 4 overs.

The Rockets got off to a shaky start with the highly rated Campbell, sent back to the dugout by the impressive Giant's pacer Shalabh Srivastava, without troubling the scorers in the first over. The Rockets were soon in further trouble with Captain Martyn departing cheaply for four runs off eleven balls, with the scorecard reading 17/2 in the 4th over. The stage was set for Rockets' south paw Parviz Aziz, setting about a fight-back for his side in company of the highly rated Murray Goodwin. However, superstar Shane Bond got the Giants the upper hand, scalping Goodwin ending the promising 40 run partnership for the third wicket in the ninth over.

With 10 overs to go, the Rockets faced a stiff task needing another 106 runs off 60 balls at a humongous required run rate of 10.60. The Rockets chase received another major jolt when JP Yadav castled the dangerous Aziz for a well made 48 off 36 balls including seven fours and one six. A dropped chance by Benkenstein off Yadav, in the 14th over was all the luck that Sriram needed. This was followed by two mighty sixes by Sodhi off the bowling of the express Shane Bond & had the match wide open with Rockets needing 57 off the last five overs & six wickets in hand. In the end despite, a courageous fight back from the talented Sodhi, whose fighting knock of 51 that included two consecutive sixes off the last two balls saw the Rockets, fall short of the target by 13 runs!

Brief Scores: Delhi Giants 167/7 in 20 overs (Nixon 43, Bali 35, Streak 3/23) won by 13 runs against Ahmedabad Rockets 154/9 in 20 overs (Aziz 48, Sodhi 51* Sudhindra 3/33

Ind vs Aus, 1st Test: Day 4 highlights

A look at the stats highlights of the fourth day's play in the first Test between India and Australia at Bangalore on Sunday.

- India (360) posted their highest total in the last six Tests, bettering the 329 against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2008.

- Zaheer Khan (57 not out) registered his first fifty in India - his second Test fifty overall - his highest being 75 against Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2004-05. Interestingly, he top-scored for India in the first innings as well as faced most balls (121) than any other Indian batsman.

- Zaheer's previous highest in India was 30 against South Africa at Kanpur in 2004-05.

- Zaheer's outstanding innings is the highest by a Number nine batsman at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, eclipsing the 52 by England's Graham Dilley in 1981-82. Kiran More's innings of 46 against New Zealand in 1988-89 was the previous best by an Indian batsman at number nine position at this venue.

- Zaheer is now the fourth batsman to register a fifty as Number nine batsman against Australia, joining Karsan Ghavri (86 at Mumbai in 1979-80), Kiran More (67 not out at Melbourne in 1991-92) and Harbhajan Singh (63 at Sydney and 63 at Adelaide in 2007-08).

- Zaheer (5/91 + 57 not out) became the third Indian all-rounder to post a fifty and claim five wickets in an innings in a Test match against Australia. Rusi Surti (70 & 53 + 5 for 74) was the first to accomplish the feat in the 1967-68 Adelaide Test, followed by Kapil Dev (3/33 & 5/130 + 56) in the 1991-92 Adelaide Test.

- In the Indian innings, 52 runs were conceded as EXTRAS, which is a new record in the Tests involving India and Australia, eclipsing the 46 conceded by India in Australia's second innings of 369 at Chepauk, Chennai in 2004-05. Australia had twice conceded 45 runs in the shape of Extras in an innings against India - in India's total of 517 for 5 wickets declared at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai in October 1986 and in India's 526 at Adelaide in January 2008.

- 23 leg-byes conceded by Australia is also a record against India, bettering the 21 in India's innings of 526 at Adelaide in January 2008. Similarly, 23 byes conceded by Australia is also a new record in India-Australia Tests.

- The Bangalore Test has so far produced 44 runs, bettering the previous record of 42 in the 2007-08 Adelaide Test.

- Australia, by conceding 52 runs as Extras in India's innings of 360, has equalled their worst ever performance in Test cricket. In England's innings of 309 at Brisbane in 1982-83, Australia had conceded 52 as extras.

- Shane Watson (3/45) produced his best bowling performance in Tests, outstripping his 1 for 25 against West Indies at Brisbane in November 2005.

- Matthew Hayden (13) is without a fifty in his last seven innings in India.

- Hayden, during the course of his innings of 13, became the first Australian to aggregate 800 runs in India - 806 at an average of 53.73 in eight Tests, including two centuries and three fifties.

- Overall, Hayden is the leading run-getter for Australia against India - 1667 at an average of 61.74 in 15 Tests, followed by Ricky Ponting - 1661 at an average of 50.33 in 20 Tests.

- Hayden has averaged 17.25 at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore - 69 in four innings, with a highest of 30 in October 2004.

- Zaheer has now dismissed Hayden six times - in each innings of a Test match twice - Nagpur in 2004-05 and Bangalore in 2008-09.

- Ishant Sharma, for the first time, has claimed six wickets in a Test match (4/77 + 2/27) - bettering his 5 for 73 (3/55 + 2/18) in the 2007-08 Kanpur Test against South Africa.

- Shane Watson (32 not out) registered his highest ever score in Test Cricket, bettering his 31 against Pakistan at Sydney in January 2005.

Liang lands Indian Open title

Chinese star Liang Wen-chong birdied the last two holes for an emphatic wire-to-wire success at the Hero Honda Indian Open.

Liang, who was the 2007 Asian Tour's Order of Merit winner, nailed a two-under-par 70 at the Delhi Golf Club for a one stroke triumph over Australian rookie Darren Beck who posted a steady 65.

With a winning total of 16-under-par 272, Liang walked away with the top prize of US$158,500 and rises to fifth place on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit.

"I'm delighted with this win. It's my first triumph from start to finish and I'm really happy," said the jubilant Liang.

Australia's Adam Blyth was even-par for the day and claimed third place while Jeev Milkha Singh was the highest ranked local finisher when he carded a 69 for a 276 total to finish in lone fourth spot.

It was a remarkable week for Liang who opened his campaign with a superb 60 on Thursday. He then fired two straight 71s and held on to a one stroke advantage heading into the final round.

The Zhongshan-born champion was three under after nine holes today but he slipped on the back nine by dropping a shot on the 14^th hole coupled with a double bogey on the 15^th.

Beck took advantage by firing a birdie on the final hole for a one stroke lead but Liang bounced back thanks to an accurate drive on the 17^th hole and a superb chip on the 18^th hole which left him with a three foot birdie putt for the win.

"This is an important win for me. It proves that I'm heading in the right direction.

"I was over thinking about my shot on the 14t^h hole when I was in the bunker which resulted in a bogey and I chose the wrong club on the 15^th hole. I was 154 yards to the pin and I used an eight iron. But I kept it together with two birdies for a great finish," said Liang, who won the Singapore Masters last year.

Australia's Beck clawed his way up from a six stroke deficit in the final round by holing seven birdies today to finish in lone second place.

"I'm delighted with my performance this week. I'm surprised to have done well but it's because I've been focusing on my mental game in the past few weeks. I felt confident and not nervous which has been my main problem before.

"I was practicing my putting while waiting for Liang to complete his round but when I heard the roar of the crowd, I knew Liang had holed the winning putt on the 18^th," said the New South Wales golfer, who triumphed on home soil last week.

Singh, who won the Order of Merit in 2006, enjoyed a birdie on the last hole to finish in outright fourth spot.

"I had a stiff neck but I took some pain killers and I didn't feel a thing during the round. I am very happy with my performance today," said Singh, who recorded his best finish at the Delhi Golf Club.

Jyoti Randhawa carded a 74 and finished in a tie for 57^th place after a 290 total.

Leading final round scores

272 - Liang Wen-chong (CHN) 60-71-71-70

273 - Darren Beck (AUS) 70-70-68-65

275 - Adam Blyth (AUS) 70-67-66-72

276 - Jeev Milkha Singh (IND) 65-74-68-69

277 - Guido Van Der Valk (NED) 77-61-70-69

279 - Mukesh Kumar (IND) 68-73-68-70, Ashok Kumar (IND) 70-67-70-72

280 - Muhammad Munir (PAK) 69-69-72-70, Mars Pucay (PHI) 71-67-70-72

281 - Marcus Both (AUS) 74-69-70-68, Sanjay Kumar (IND) 66-72-73-70, Rhys Davies (WAL) 70-72-69-70, Artemio Murakami (PHI) 74-67-68-72, Mark Brown (NZL) 71-67-69-74, Steven Tiley (ENG) 72-66-69-74

282 - Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA) 67-73-71-71, Jaiveer Virk (IND) 71-69-71-71, Wu Ashun (CHN) 72-71-68-71, Lu Wen-teh (TPE) 66-71-71-74, Unho Park (AUS) 67-71-66-78

Schuster retains Ronaldo hopes

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster believes Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing for the Spanish giants this time next year.

Madrid's pursuit of Ronaldo this summer was one of the most protracted and high-profile transfer sagas of recent years, but it ultimately ended in disappointment for the Primera Liga champions with the Portugal winger opting to remain at Manchester United.

"I think that next year it is going to be a little more complicated for his club to retain him. There is hope that next year he could be with us," said Schuster.

"You need to do everything possible (to sign Ronaldo) because this player is worth it," added the German, who felt Madrid had a decent chance of landing Ronaldo this summer.

"Since the start I thought it was possible although difficult. Possible because the player really showed an interest.

"His class, his position on the right wing and in other areas of the pitch, his work in attack. He would have been an important signing. He didn't come, but this is the team we have here now and we need to have complete faith in them."

Madrid's summer pursuit of Ronaldo came following a remarkable year of success for the Portuguese ace, who in helping United claim a Premier League and Champions League double struck a remarkable 42 goals.

For Schuster that should result in Ronaldo being rewarded with the Ballon d'Or - the award given to Europe's top footballer of the year - even though his own goalkeeper at Madrid Iker Casillas is also in the running to win the title.

"I think that this year Cristiano Ronaldo deserves it. He was the leading scorer in Europe with 42 goals, has won the league and Champions League...that should be sufficient," Schuster said in Marca.

"He didn't do so well with the national team (at Euro 2008), but this was due to Spain and Germany."

Afridi need to fire to stay in team

Afridi needs to fire to stay in team

Flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi will have to start firing as a batsman quickly to save his place in the Pakistan team.

Sources in the team have confirmed that captain Shoaib Malik and coach Geoff Lawson have not been in favour of having Afridi in their One-day or Twenty20 teams but have met with stiff resistance from chief selector, Salahuddin Ahmed who has remained a strong supporter of the experienced allrounder.

But the situation has changed now as Salahuddin sent his resignation to the Board in protest over the replacement of Saeed Ajmal by rookie batsman Shoaib Khan in the team which is playing in the four-nation event in Toronto, without the knowledge of the selectors.

"With Salahuddin gone, Afridi now has to start getting runs quickly to save his place in the side or he is gone," one source said.

"Malik has always felt that Afridi is not performing as a batsman for a long time and with allrounder Fawad Alam maturing and other youngsters knocking on the doors of the national team, they must be given a chance," the source said.

Afridi has been performing well with the ball and even in Toronto in both matches he delivered the goods.

But even he admits that he wants to be known as a batting allrounder rather than a bowling allrounder.

"I know I am short of runs and I need a big innings. But it is very difficult to go out there to play big innings when a few balls are remaining and you have no option but to hit every ball," Afridi told reporters in Toronto. "I want to open the innings as I have opened the batting in the past and it gives you a chance to settle down and then bang the ball around," he said.

But sources say it might be difficult for Afridi to convince the team management to send him in as an opener in the remaining matches as the specialist opener, Khalid Latif who has gone to Toronto also has yet to get a chance.

Afridi, 28, still holds the record for the fastest one-day international hundred when he made a 37 balls hundred against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1996.

PCB fear Champs Trophy blow

The PCB fear they could lose the right to stage the Champions Trophy following recent bombings in Karachi and Islamabad.

The tournament is scheduled to be held in the nation from September 11, but several players from Australia and New Zealand have revealed plans to boycott the tournament because of security concerns.

PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf appears confident the event will pass without incident, telling The Dawn: "If terrorists think they can target cricket or stadiums in the country, they are wrong."

However, an unnamed official told The News the PCB believe the tournament could be shifted and are mentally gearing up to "swallow the bitter pill".

He said: "It would be a huge setback for Pakistan cricket and I'm sure the ICC is aware of it.

"We didn't leave a stone unturned.

"We promised foolproof security, involved the government at the highest level, used diplomacy, upgraded our facilities.

"But if they still take away the Champions Trophy from here then it would be very unfair."

Sri Lanka are possible alternative hosts for the tournament, but South Africa too would be prepared to hold the event.

"If requested by the ICC, and we agree on the terms and conditions of hosting the tournament, we will," Gerald Majola, the chief executive of Cricket South Africa, told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"ICC host agreements are very onerous, so you don't want to accept certain terms if you don't have time to do everything they ask for. We have to sit down with them and go through everything, and negotiate new terms," he added.

The ICC are expected to make a decision after they receive an independent security report next week.

Federer rocked by 'hardest loss'

Roger Federer admitted losing his Wimbledon crown to Rafael Nadal was the toughest defeat of his career.

John McEnroe said Nadal's 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7 victory was the best match he had ever seen and that included his 1980 final against Bjorn Borg, which entranced tennis fans across the globe.

"It's up to the fans to judge whether it was the best ever. I'm happy we put in a great effort," said Federer.

"It was a fair battle, which was tough with the rain delays. There were some great points and I think we both stayed tough until the very end.

"In tennis unfortunately there have to be winners and losers, there are no draws. But it was probably my hardest loss by far. It doesn't get much harder than this."

The match was the longest ever Wimbledon final at four hours and 48 minutes with the action ending at 9.16pm in the gloaming after a truly gladiatorial battle, which saw Federer claw his way back from two sets down to win two tense tie-breaks in a match punctuated by two rain breaks that only added to the suspense.

The Wimbledon scoreboard was shining brightly in the gloom when Nadal finally broke the Federer serve in the 15th game of the final set and then served out for a victory that shifts the balance of power in world tennis.

Of his victory Nadal said: "I am very happy to have a title here at Wimbledon. When I was a kid I dreamed of playing here but to win here is unbelievable. The Spanish do not have a lot of titles here.

"I don't want to compare the grand slams but Wimbledon is special for everybody. It is more of a surprise for me to win here than the French.

"For me it is emotional and probably the best match (I have played). It was the final of Wimbledon and I had to fight all the time."

Both players believed the match would have been halted in the fading light if it had gone to one more game.

Nadal said: "In the last game I could see nothing. It was unbelievable."

Meanwhile, Federer said: "I would have said something if I'd broken back to eight-all. It would have been brutal for the fans and us to come back but it was rough on me to lose the biggest tournament in the world because of the light.

"It was not a whole lot of fun, but that's the way it is. It's over, what's the point in arguing about it?"

The five-times champion will now find his number one ranking under threat, and he added: "I wasn't able to break him in the last three sets but still I managed to push him right to the edge.

"Probably later on in life I'll go 'That was a great match.' I'm happy the way I fought. That's all I could really do."