Free Test match tickets to kids

KANPUR, Jan 13 (PTI): Sachin Tendulkar’s prescription to revive Test cricket’s popularity found a taker in the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) which is planning to dole out free passes for students at the Green Park stadium.“The UPCA liked the suggestion put forth by Tendulkar and therefore we are ready to give free tickets to kids upto the high school level,” UPCA Director Jyoti Bajpai told PTI. Tendulkar, during a recent felicitation in Mumbai, made the suggestion to keep fan interest in the longer version of the game alive. “Tendulkar’s suggestion is praiseworthy because most of the time we find it tough to fill in the stadiums during Test matches. But to implement this idea we have to ensure that kids who come to watch the matches have guardians accompanying them.

Katich anchors Aussies, Ponting joins 10k-run club

St John's (Antigua): Simon Katich fashioned his third Test hundred and overshadowed the 10,000-run milestone of captain Ricky Ponting to lead a solid Australia batting performance in the second Test against West Indies on Friday.
Katich was undefeated on 113 as Australia, choosing to bat on a hard, docile pitch, reached 259 for three in their first innings when bad light stopped play eight overs early on the opening day of the inaugural Test at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground. The venue has became the 11th ground to host Tests in the Caribbean and the 98th in the world.

Katich reached his landmark when he drove his 197th delivery from Dwayne Bravo languidly through mid-on for his eighth boundary.

But Katich was fortunate that Runako Morton dropped the straightforward chance he offered on 90.

The left-hander, promoted to open the batting in the absence of the injured Matthew Hayden, tried a cut, failed to keep the ball down, and it flew straight into Morton's lap, and the fielder floored it.

Katich, however, had to share centrestage with Ponting. The Australia captain supported with a serene knock of 65 which made him the seventh batsman to pass 10,000 runs in Tests.
Ponting drove a full length delivery outside the off-stump from Ramnaresh Sarwan through extra cover for two to move to 61 and reach the milestone about 15 minutes after the tea break.
West Indies had a scare early in the morning, when Edwards slid on the fresh pitch, as he was about to deliver his first ball of the Test. The fast bowler recovered to continue his opening spell, but he bowled raggedly, and the Aussies were able to get away to a sound start.

After lunch, Katich and Ponting completed contrasting half-centuries to build a solid platform for Australia.

Making full use of the plu-perfect conditions, the pair carried Australia to 151 for one at the tea break.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/katich-anchors-aussies-as-ponting-joins-10000run-club/31916-13.html

Injury puts Tendulkar out of Bangladesh series

Sachin Tendulkar is ruled out of the upcoming cricket tri-series in Bangladesh, and subsequent Asia Cup, because of a niggling groin injury.

Tendulkar, who missed the first seven matches of the Indian Premier because of the injury, was declared unfit by Mumbai Indians' physiotherapist, Nitin Patel, for the June 8 to 14 tri-series, also involving Pakistan.

"Tendulkar is not available for the tri-series as well as the Asia Cup on the advice of Mumbai Indians physiotherapist Nitin Patel. He has not recovered sufficiently from his groin injury," BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah informed in Mumbai on Thursday.

Tendulkar will also skip the Asia Cup, to be held in Pakistan from June 24 to July 6, he added.

Source: http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2008/may/29ten.htm

Bopara threatens to join IPL, if not selected for England Test

...ANI Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:08:47 PM

Middle order batsman Ravi Bopara has revealed that he may join the Indian Premier League next season if he does not earn an England Test recall.The 23-year-old player of Indian origin, who had earlier claimed refusing a "six-figure sum" offer from one of the IPL franchises said he would reconsider his decision if he fails to stage a comeback to the side by the next season."The decision I made (not to join the IPL) was just based on this season. I don't know what my decisions will be in the future, but if things continue as they are, and the offer comes along again, then I'll have a think about it, and if things haven't change for me with regards to England then I may have to reconsider my options," Bopara said.Earlier this month, the youngster claimed turning down an IPL offer in order to concentrate playing for Essex to brighten up his chances of a comeback to the national side

Source: http://in.sports.yahoo.com/cricket/ipl/news/news_20080522_460.html