'Indian team needs to work on defence'

Michael Nobbs has admitted that the Indian hockey team needs to work on its defence ahead of February's Olympic qualifiers. Speaking at the Sports Authority of India here, where the National camp got underway on Monday, the coach felt the team hadn't had much time between tournaments to iron out its troubles.

“The defence was always a concern,” he said. “We've concentrated on attack a lot because you win games by hitting goals. We've hit 17 and 29 goals in the last two tournaments — more than any recent Indian side that I can remember. We just haven't had the time to sit on the pitch and practise drill after drill to fix up the defence. It's not a difficult problem to fix. It's just a time issue.”

Nobbs also dismissed concerns over the team's temperament, attributing the yellow card shown to V.R. Raghunath in the final of the Champions Challenge — which he claimed had contributed to the defeat — to defensive organization rather than indiscipline.

“It tells us that we've got a few problems in defence,” he said. “We're not as mobile as we should be; we don't know our defensive patterns well. I don't think it's a temperament thing. It's also because of the way we play – this is an aggressive, attacking team that is not shy in coming forward.”

Nobbs also refused to view the fracas involving Pakistan in the four-nation tournament in Australia as a sign of any ill temper. “It would never have happened if we'd had strong umpires. It's not a temperament issue; India-Pakistan games are special.”

The three-week camp will feature 48 players, 22 of whom had arrived by Monday. The rest — with the exception of V.S. Vinay, Tushar Khandekar, and Rajpal Singh — will join before Wednesday. The camp would also offer a look at junior players — those that played in November's Sultan Johor Cup in Malaysia — and some Seniors that had recently not been involved, Nobbs said.

The camp will conclude on January 4, after which the team is expected to play test matches against international sides in Delhi.

Keywords: Indian hockey, Michael Nobbs

Vernon Philander bundles out Sri Lanka

South African opening bowler Vernon Philander claimed his third five-wicket haul in as many Tests as Sri Lanka was bowled out for 180 on the first day of the first Test at SuperSport Park on Thursday.

Philander took five for 53 and fellow fast bowler Dale Steyn grabbed four for 18 to end the Sri Lankan innings shortly before tea.

In reply South Africa had made 90 for the loss of skipper Graeme Smith's wicket at close.

Sri Lanka, which was sent in on a green pitch that offered bounce and movement, lost its last six wickets for 24 runs off 32 balls. The collapse was sparked by a burst of three wickets in five balls — all confirmed by television reviews — which ended a spirited fifth wicket stand of 65 off 79 balls between Thilan Samaraweera (36) and Angelo Mathews (38).

Philander broke the partnership when he had Samaraweera caught behind off a ball which bounced steeply. The batsman was given not out by umpire Rod Tucker but the South Africans asked for a review and the hotspot technology showed that the batsman had got a faint edge.

The next ball brought the wicket of Kaushal Silva, again after the batsman was given not out by umpire Rod Tucker. The review requested by South Africa showed that Silva gloved the ball down the leg-side to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.

Three balls later, new batsman Thisara Perera was caught at slip off leg-spinner Imran Tahir. He was given out by umpire Steve Davis and television umpire Richard Kettleborough was again brought into action when Perera unsuccessfully sought a review.

Philander had Mathews caught at slip to achieve the feat again before Steyn bowled the last two batsmen, Chanaka Welegedara and Dilhara Fernando, with successive balls.

Sri Lanka would have been in more trouble had Samaraweera not enjoyed a reprieve on 13 when he was caught at third slip off Morne Morkel, only for an umpire's review to show Morkel had overstepped.

Keywords: South Africa-Sri Lanka Test series

Speaking on cricket, and life, with old-school honesty and conviction

It takes a deep commitment to change and an even deeper commitment to grow - Ralph Ellison.

The Australian War Memorial in Canberra was the perfect stage for a discourse that was as much a celebration of The Don as of shared history, contrapletal cultures, and — most importantly — cricket's inclusive character.

Rahul Dravid, the first Indian to be invited to deliver the Bradman Oration, symphonised multiple aspects of human existence without losing sight of his core competency — cricket.

His speech, though extensive in scope and detail, was not a pointless pastiche of words. Dravid's virtuosic effort brought to the mind immediately another address delivered in July at Lord's — Kumar Sangakkara's MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey lecture.

When Sangakkara spoke truth to power, it was rightly hailed as one of the most courageous speeches in the history of the game. Dravid's account of cricket's ebbs and flows, on the other hand, was a delightful marriage of romance and reality.

Certainly, the cricketing community would do worse than paying attention to the wise words of these stalwarts.

Striking similiarities

The common strands of thought in their orations probably stem from their personalities.

For starters, both Dravid and Sangakkara bat at No.3, are elegant stroke-merchants, former captains, and respected for their leadership skills.

They are adept at looking beyond the contours of the playing arena and putting things in perspective.

The duo's views on the futility of warfare suitably drive home the point.

“I feel I stand on very sacred ground tonight. When I was told that I would be speaking at the National War Memorial, I thought of how often and how meaninglessly, the words ‘war', ‘battle', ‘fight' are used to describe cricket matches,” said Dravid.

Astute in joining the dots of past and present, both paint a portrait of cricket's evolving role in larger matters of politics and economics in their respective nations.

Sangakkara recounted Sri Lanka's miseries in the early 90s, and how the World Cup victory provided a healing touch: “It was a bleak time where we, as a nation, looked for inspiration, a miracle that would lift the pallid gloom and show us what we, as a country, were capable of if united as one. That inspiration was to come in 1996.”

He also spoke about what went through the players' minds immediately after they were attacked by terrorists in Lahore.

“We all sit in the dressing room and talk. Within minutes there is laughter and the jokes have started to flow. We have, for the first time, been a target of violence. We had survived. We all realised what some of our fellow Sri Lankans experienced every day for nearly 30 years. There was a new respect and awe for their courage and selflessness.”

Wide-ranging talk

Dravid, who had the audience in splits with his self-deprecatory humour, was as comfortable talking about Bradman and Jawaharlal Nehru as he was about the IPL and other new-age challenges in the game.

The Indian maestro emphasised that the fans deserve respect and urged that they ought to not be taken for granted.

In a time when cricket is beset with problems of corruption, Dravid advocated “giving up a little bit of freedom”.

“Even if it means giving up a little bit of freedom of movement and privacy. If it means undergoing dope tests, let us never say no.”

He explained how cricket in India is a microcosm of the country's diversity.

“I went around our dressing room to work out how many languages could be spoken in there and the number I have arrived at is 15 — including Shona and Afrikaans. In a world growing more insular, that (accommodating differences) is a precious quality to acquire, because it helps you understand people better.”

Certainly, Sangakkara and Dravid are not lacking in finesse and social grace, but what is more significant is how they choose to approach the game they love so much — with old-school honesty and conviction.

Keywords: Bradman Oration, Rahul Dravid

‘There is nothing like good health’

The Hindu ETCHED IN MEMORY: Yuvraj Singh poses in front of a painting by a fan at his home in Gurgaon on Thursday. Photo: Vijay Lokapally

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Yuvraj Singh, his flamboyance on hold, is prisoner of an ailment that has shaken him and his family. The melancholy of being forced to stay away from the game slowly fading

Fifty-five tablets a day and the solitude of his room; Yuvraj Singh, his flamboyance on hold, is prisoner of an ailment that has shaken him and his family.

A lung infection, that left him breathless and drained and finally pushed him out of cricket temporarily, has become a vicious enemy. “I am fighting. That is all I can,” says Yuvraj, striking a cheerful front, the melancholy of being forced to stay away from cricket slowly fading from his life.

“It was a very scary period,” says mother Shabnam Singh. It was. She could not even cry. “Yuvi won't let me.” Yuvraj is a strong “lad” and kept reassuring his mother “Don't worry. I'll come out of it.” The illness was dreadful.

Yuvraj confesses, “I was totally shaken. Not allowed to do this, not allowed to do that. Life was difficult. I know my mother kept crying for the first two days. We didn't know what to do. Can't step out of the house for fear of contracting some virus.” Tumour in the lung it was. But thank God, it was non-malignant.

“I've seen a lot. Success, failure, good and bad times! But this was shattering. A proper icing on the cake,” he laughs. “It was very, very hard to deal with and I can't really explain in words.”

Turbulent period

Yuvraj, 30, was going through the most turbulent period of his career. Six to eight injuries in 2010 had toughened him, prepared him, for bigger conquests. The World Cup was a golden phase. “I was living a dream. Winning the World Cup (with the Man-of-the-Series award). I was the happiest man on earth. To be detected with tumour. I was wondering. Was it a great year or my worst?”

Support came from family, friends, and thousands of well-wishers. “I won't know most of them but their prayers worked. When doctors said the tumour was non-malignant it was a huge load off my chest. I could suddenly breathe easily.”

But there were very depressing moments. “I would think if it was cancerous, my God, I wouldn't play cricket any more.”

Cricket was all that occupied his mind. “But I also thought I wanted to live. It was life-threatening but then I couldn't just sit and cry. That wouldn't have been me. Those moments made me a tougher man.”

Yuvraj did confide with some senior members of the team but kept the juniors out of the loop. “I am not the one to seek sympathy. I am a self-made man and wanted to fight my battles on my own.

“Sort out my issues myself. My parents were worried but they were also looking after me like none could. I didn't want to think that I won't play cricket again. May be six months, may be one year or may be more. But I was sure I would return to the cricket field.”

New mantra

Staring at the walls in his new Gurgaon home, Yuvraj discovered a new mantra. “I learnt that cricket is not everything. The fame and adulation that comes is not permanent. But the affection of your friends and family stays with you life-long. There is nothing like happiness. For me happiness was always playing cricket. But I know now, there is nothing like good health.” He has matured hugely in the last few months.

Yuvraj, who last played a competitive match on October 25, begins ‘nets' a week from now. Realistically, he has set sights on the one-day series in Australia begining February 5. “I have to find time to prepare.” Also find time to take “mom” on a drive in his Lamborghini. She never has. Why? “It touches 100 kmph in three seconds. She is scared!” his laughter lights up his mother's face.

Desperate Australia looks to Katich for help: report

AP Australia's Simon Katich. File photo

Disgruntled Australian Test discard Simon Katich could make a stunning return to the team for the Test series against India as skipper Michael Clarke has reportedly pushed for his inclusion despite their bitter past equation.

As a struggling Australia look for ways to strengthen their fragile batting line-up before the four-Test series starting December 26, Clarke, according to a TV channel here, is behind a push to bring back Katich.

“Australia’s selectors have discussed recalling Katich to the Test XI for the Boxing Day clash with India -- just two days after the veteran batsman revealed he had all but given up on representing his country again,” reported ‘The Daily Telegraph’

And Katich, who was reprimanded for making detrimental public comments against Clarke some weeks back, would be all too happy to make himself available if the need arises.

“If the report on Channel Nine that Michael Clarke and the selectors are talking about Simon for Test cricket, whether it be Boxing Day or any other day [is true], Simon would be very excited and I would be very excited for him,” the batsman’s manager Robert Joske said.

“The coach, the chairman of selectors, have both said the door was always open for Simon and I can’t think of a better time than now for Simon to be walking through it.”

The 36-year-old Katich was stripped off his central contract in May and he minced no words in making his bitter frustration known to Cricket Australia in a press conference after that.

Katich later held Clarke responsible for the loss of his contract, saying that a dressing room bust—up with the current skipper two years ago was the reason why he could no longer see a Test future for himself. Clarke, however, had denied the charge.

Keywords: India's tour of Australia, Simon Katich

Ojha puts MP on top

Naman Ojha's seventh first-class century, second in succession, placed Madhya Pradesh comfortably against Haryana on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Elite group match at the Bansi Lal Stadium here on Tuesday.

Electing to bat, MP finished the day at 278 for three after Ojha smashed 160 and dominated two century stands — 102 with fellow-opener Zafar Ali and another 101 for the third wicket with skipper Devendra Bundela.

Ojha, who scored a match-winning 107 against Delhi last week, hit five sixes and 22 boundaries off 226 deliveries. MP denied the Haryana bowlers a breakthrough in the first session before Ojha toyed with the attack. Leg-spinner Yuzuvendra Chahal, who was hit on the fingers in his second over, and medium pacer Jitender Billa were happy to keep the run-rate down but lacked the bite to trouble the batsmen.

The scores: Madhya Pradesh — 1st innings: Zafar Ali c Dewan b Patel 38, Naman Ojha b Hooda 160, Mohnish Mishra b Patel 14, Devendra Bundela (batting) 25, Udit Birla (not out) 29, Extras (b-4, lb-4, nb-3, w-1): 12; Total (for three wickets in 90 overs): 278.

Fall of wickets: 1-102, 2-138, 3-239.

Haryana bowling: Ashish Hooda 17-2-78-1, Harshal Patel 19-5-41-2, Jitender Billa 16-5-27-0, Sachin Rana 9-4-34-0, Amit Mishra 19.4-55-0, Yuzuvendra Chahal 8.2-2-28-0, Rahul Dewan 1-0-7-0.

Sehwag rewrites history

Virender Sehwag is a simple man, his cricket uncomplicated. His batting style is inimitable; some of the shots he plays are not found in any cricketing manual.

For those obsessed with technique, Sehwag has less to offer. He gives the impression of not putting a price-tag on his wicket. Bowlers never give up hope when Sehwag is batting.

Sometimes, it appears, Sehwag has tossed away his wicket out of sheer boredom. Several of his ‘soft' dismissals appear ugly and needless, and draw flak from the critics.

However, Sehwag's performances in both forms of the game — he doesn't think much of the Twenty20 format — are in complete contradiction to the trusted methods of run-scoring.

A myth-breaker

Going beyond statistics, his World record 219 underscores the fact that Sehwag remains a myth-breaker.

Contrary to popular belief, Sehwag has patience, can rotate the strike, doesn't always look for big hits and almost always, never plays to the galleries.

Sehwag's previous best of 175 came 10 innings ago at Dhaka in the World Cup. The elusive double century came off an attack that had not let him click on three previous attempts, the last one ending in a duck! He never rues missed chances, he creates more opportunities.

Sehwag's immense self-belief makes him patient. After just one half-century in the last nine innings, Sehwag knew the law of averages was in his favour.

It was a good batting pitch at the Holkar Stadium, where India almost did not bat first. Saner thought prevailed and Sehwag flourished like never before.

He may not possess the temperament of Sunil Gavaskar, the technique of Rahul Dravid, the discipline of Sachin Tendulkar or the flair for stroke-making associated with G.R. Viswanath or V.V.S. Laxman. Then, what made him post the three highest individual scores by an Indian in Test cricket?

Again, contrary to what most believe, in Tests, Sehwag plans his innings differently, tunes his game to beat the field and still, keeps it simple. Two triple centuries, four double hundreds and eight scores in excess of 150 are testimony of his unhurried, yet effective, run-getting method in Tests.

Truly, what sets Sehwag apart is his amazing hand-eye coordination that allows him to time the shots as well, find the gaps or even send the ball soaring into the stands. What appears to be madness to most is method for Sehwag, for he is not a compulsive slogger.

If common sense is instinct and plenty of it is genius, then Sehwag surely is one!

Keywords: West Indies tour of India, Virender Sehwag, world record

Ponting or Hussey may be axed: Border

Selectors might be forced to axe Ricky Ponting or Mike Hussey from the Australian cricket team for the upcoming four Tests against India after their dismal show in the just-concluded series with New Zealand, feels former captain Allan Border.

“I think one of the old boys will go,” Border told Fox Sports show Inside Cricket.

“I think Hussey or Ponting will go.”

While Hussey’s dip in form is recent, Ponting has been without a Test hundred for almost two years now and former Australian players feel the ex-captain is creating a tough situation for himself by not stepping down voluntarily.

“He’s a great of the game, he’s been fantastic for Australian cricket,” spin legend Shane Warne said.

“Now you’ve got the situation where he’s not performing.

So now everyone’s going to talk. It’s going to annoy Ricky, it’s going to annoy the team ... it is just the worst scenario possible when he decided to play on.

“I want Punter to get runs but when you see him getting out like this, it’s just disappointing. I think we’ve got to say ‘what are you going to do?’”

The view was echoed by former pacer Damien Fleming.

“Without putting a time limit on your career, you leave yourself open to this,” former Australia paceman Damien Fleming said.

“If he said he wanted to play the summer six months ago I reckon the selectors would have gone with that. But he’s said before the Hobart Test that he wants to continue on. Well, his figures are making it really hard for him to get a game,” he added.