Ponting to lead in Pup’s absence

Sydney: Former captain Ricky Ponting will lead the Australian cricket team in Friday’s ODI tri-series match against Sri Lanka in the absence of an injured Michael Clarke, while veteran pacer Brett Lee has made an earlier than expected return to the 14-member squad announced on Tuesday.

Ponting, who stepped down as captain last year, was named to lead the side as Clarke picked up a hamstring strain during Sunday’s match against India and his out of form regular deputy Brad Haddin is not even in the squad. David Warner has been named vice-captain by the National Selection Panel (NSP) due to the continuing injury-forced absence of all-rounder Shane Watson.

My prayers are with Yuvi: Kapil New Delhi:

Former Indian captain Kapil Dev on Tuesday wished Yuvraj Singh, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for germ cell cancer in the United States, a speedy recovery. “I wish him all the best. My prayers are with him,” said the 1983 World Cup winning skipper.

“He is a brilliant playerand has done a great service to the nation and I wish he recovers soon and resumes playing for the country,” he  added. during a function to inaugurate www.Millionweddingpics. Com website by uploading his and his wife Romi’s wedding photograph.

‘London is my last chance’

New Delhi: Part of the team that failed to make the Olympics four years ago in Chile, Indian striker Shivendra Singh knows the importance of the upcoming qualifiers for the quadrennial event as he feels London is probably his last chance to become an Olympian. Shivendra was just 24 when India, for the first time in 80 years, failed to qualify for the Olympics after losing to Great Britain in the final of the qualifying tournament in Santiago, Chile.

And four years down the line, it seems the debacle is still fresh in Shivendra’s mind “I was part of the team in Chile and I know how much it hurt us and the entire nation when we failed to qualify (for 2008 Olympics). Had we qualified, I would have been an Olympian by now,” the 28-year-old forward said after the Indian team’s practice session on Tuesday.

Younis hopes for Pak revival

Abu Dhabi: Experienced batsman Younis Khan hopes Pakistan do not panic and try their best to bounce back against a resurgent England in the second day-night international on Wednesday. England yesterday took the first of four one-day matches by a convincing 130-run margin after Pakistan were bowled out for just 130, with paceman Steven Finn taking a career-best 4-34.

Skipper Alastair Cook had hit his highest one-day score of 137 to guide England to a challenging 260-7, a target Younis said Pakistan should have achieved. “I hope there is no panic,” said Younis. “We should not panic because we have not batted badly in the last four five matches, so we need to try our best and put Monday’s performance behind us,” added the former Pakistan captain.

Men win, eves sink

New Delhi: Ajay Jayaram shepherded the Indian men’s team to a 5-0 whitewash of hosts Macau in Thomas Cup but their female counterparts failed to make a wining start to their campaign as they lost 2-3 to Malaysia in the Uber Cup (Asia Zone) tournament on Tuesday.

In Thomas Cup, World number 27 Jayaram started the proceeding for India as he crushed Chi Man Lam 21-9 21-11 in just 24 minutes in the first singles. Sanave Thomas and V Diju then spanked Ion Weng Lo and Io Keng Iao 21-6 21-2 in just 17 minutes to make it 2-0 in India’s favour. Commonwealth Games bronze medallist P Kashyap then saw off Chi Chong Ng 21-10 21-7 in another lop-sided second singles match that lasted for 20 minutes.

Volvo Golf Challenge in india

New Delhi: The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) on Tuesday signed a three-year agreement with Volvo Auto India, the Swedish luxury carmaker. This association, which begins with the 2012 season, marks the India debut of Volvo’s flagship event ‘Volvo World Golf Challenge’.

As part of this joint endeavour, Volvo will be the Official Automobile Partner for all PGTI-sanctioned professional events this year. Each of Volvo’s seven dealerships will host a golf tournament this year, which will be supervised by PGTI. The best-placed finishers at each event will qualify for the national final in New Delhi later this year, at which the two leading golfers will win an invitation to compete in the World Final next January.