CENTURION: Australasians Brendon McCullum and Brad Hodge were the heroes as Kolkata Knight Riders shocked Chennai Super Kings Monday in an Indian Premier League thriller.
Skipper McCullum from New Zealand struck 81 runs and Australian Hodge an undefeated 71 as Kolkata scored a single off the last ball at Centurion Park and triumphed by seven wickets.
It was only the second win in 13 outings for the bottom team in the Twenty20 extravaganza while a Chennai side lacking injured star batsman Matthew Hayden suffered their fifth loss of the group phase which finishes Thursday.
Suresh Raina top scored for Chennai with 52 as they made 188-3 in 20 overs on a cold, late autumn evening at the Test venue halfway between Johannesburg and Pretoria.
McCullum was quickly into his stride as Kolkata chased a daunting total, reaching a half century during the sixth over before being bowled by Shadab Jakati with his side on 124-2 after 13 overs.
But Hodge carried the fight to Chennai and after going into the final over needing six runs to win, it came down the final ball which wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha scrambled for a single to avoid a super-over climax.
"Winning was far more important than my contribution," said modest man of the match Hodge. "We have tried so hard in the IPL only to finish on the wrong side of results."
McCullum added: "I would not wish the last four weeks on my worst enemy, but the boys kept lifting themselves off the floor and tonight we got over the line. Now we must enjoy ourselves."
Chennai skipper MS Dhoni said: "We got a lot of runs only for our opponents to bat brilliantly. Now we face the same situation as last year of needing a win from our final match to clinch a semi-finals place."
Kolkata face defending champions Rajasthan Royals and Chennai meet Kings XI Punjab Wednesday in a Durban double-header.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
32 MJF members sign for UML
KATHMANDU: Parliamentary party leader of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar has submitted the signatures of thirty-two MJF members of the Constituent Assembly to the CPN-UML expressing his party's commitment to support the CPN-UML to form the next government.
Gachchhadar reached UML's office in Balkhu on Sunday afternoon to submit the signatures of the MJF members representing in the CA. The MJF has fifty-three members in the CA. According to Gachchhadar, the signatures were also handed over to the CA chairman Subash Chandra Nembang. Gachchhadar said that he would bring more members from MJF in support of UML-led govt.
UML leaders Jhalanath Khanal, Madhav Kumar Nepal and TMDP chairman Mahanth Thakur among others were present on the occasion.
Gachchhadar reached UML's office in Balkhu on Sunday afternoon to submit the signatures of the MJF members representing in the CA. The MJF has fifty-three members in the CA. According to Gachchhadar, the signatures were also handed over to the CA chairman Subash Chandra Nembang. Gachchhadar said that he would bring more members from MJF in support of UML-led govt.
UML leaders Jhalanath Khanal, Madhav Kumar Nepal and TMDP chairman Mahanth Thakur among others were present on the occasion.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Power cut to come down
KATHMANDU, May 16 - With rivers witnessing a slight increase in discharge due to sporadic rainfall, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is planning to marginally reduce power outage hours from next week, an official said on Friday. The cut in outage hours is yet to be worked out.
On April 17, the state-owned power monopoly had brought down daily power outage to 12 hours from 16.
According to the NEA official, the 144-MW Kali Gandaki 'A' project is generating about 100 MW during peak hours, up from 65-70 MW a few weeks ago.
The 70 MW Mid-Marshyangdi Hydro Electri-city project has been operating at full capacity for over a month during peak hours, while water level in the 90-MW Kulekhani Reser-voir, the only storage type hydro power project in the country, has also increased due to precipitation.
However, as the rain is intermittent and less intense, power generation is likely to fluctuate in the coming days if there is no rainfall. NEA said this will ultimately affect power generation
On April 17, the state-owned power monopoly had brought down daily power outage to 12 hours from 16.
According to the NEA official, the 144-MW Kali Gandaki 'A' project is generating about 100 MW during peak hours, up from 65-70 MW a few weeks ago.
The 70 MW Mid-Marshyangdi Hydro Electri-city project has been operating at full capacity for over a month during peak hours, while water level in the 90-MW Kulekhani Reser-voir, the only storage type hydro power project in the country, has also increased due to precipitation.
However, as the rain is intermittent and less intense, power generation is likely to fluctuate in the coming days if there is no rainfall. NEA said this will ultimately affect power generation
IPL: It's all over for Mumbai Indians
Agencies
PORT ELIZABETH: Matthew Hayden and skipper MS Dhoni on Saturday ended Mumbai Indians’ IPL campaign by kneeling down them by seven wickets and ensuring a semi-final berth for their own side.In the match held in Port Elizabeth, sturdy Hayden (60 off 59 balls), who is also the leading run scorer in the series, put the lid on the do-or- die match for Sachin-led Mumbai side. Chennai surpassed the target of 148 with five balls still to spare.With opener Parthiv Patel out for golden duck gone followed by Badrinath (22 off 23 balls), Chennai seemed a little bit in trouble, however, skipper Dhoni supplemented the Austrlian well from the other side with a well composed 23 off 22 balls that included 2 hits to the fence.Badrinath, who was leading the Chennai charge with Hayden as more of a passive participant, played easily into Takawale's hand. Raina, who –upon the departure of Patel— joined the crease, looked dangerous hitting 2 fours and as many sixes for a quickfire 22 off just 12 balls but West Indian recruit in Bravo soon sent him back to pavillion. Earlier, with the help of JP Duminy's quick half-century, Mumbai posted a target of 148 runs against Chennai. His fifth IPL fifty led Mumbai to a moderate total of 147 after Suresh Raina sent back skipper Sachin Tendulkar cheaply on just 11 runs. AM Nayar, who was supporting Duminy well from the other end till the latter got run out, contributed an unbeaten 33 off 27 balls to Mumbai's kitty. Mumbai opener dangerman Sanath Jayasuriya who clubbed three fours and two sixes for his 30 off just 17 balls, fell despite his promising start to Tyagi.South African Morkel sent the makeshift opener Bravo (5 off 8 balls) back to pavilion after skipper Tendulkar won the toss and put Chennai to bowl. Stung by their two-wicket loss at the hands of Bangalore, wounded Chennai were expected to come out all guns blazing in a bid to advance towards their semifinal goal.Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men were sitting pretty at second spot with 13 points in their kitty from 11 matches while Sachin Tendulkar had a tough task in his hands with mere 11 points from their 12 appearances in the high-profile tournament so far. Mumbai, on their part, were under pressure as none of their tactics paid off against Rajasthan with Shane Warne-led side edging outing them by two runs.The teams:
Chennai: ML Hayden, PA Patel, SK Raina, MS Dhoni, JDP Oram, S Badrinath, JA Morkel, SB Jakati, L Balaji, M Muralitharan, S Tyagi
Mumbai: SR Tendulkar, ST Jayasuriya, DJ Bravo, YV Takawale, JP Duminy, AM Nayar, AM Rahane, Harbhajan Singh, DS Kulkarni, SL Malinga, C Nanda
PORT ELIZABETH: Matthew Hayden and skipper MS Dhoni on Saturday ended Mumbai Indians’ IPL campaign by kneeling down them by seven wickets and ensuring a semi-final berth for their own side.In the match held in Port Elizabeth, sturdy Hayden (60 off 59 balls), who is also the leading run scorer in the series, put the lid on the do-or- die match for Sachin-led Mumbai side. Chennai surpassed the target of 148 with five balls still to spare.With opener Parthiv Patel out for golden duck gone followed by Badrinath (22 off 23 balls), Chennai seemed a little bit in trouble, however, skipper Dhoni supplemented the Austrlian well from the other side with a well composed 23 off 22 balls that included 2 hits to the fence.Badrinath, who was leading the Chennai charge with Hayden as more of a passive participant, played easily into Takawale's hand. Raina, who –upon the departure of Patel— joined the crease, looked dangerous hitting 2 fours and as many sixes for a quickfire 22 off just 12 balls but West Indian recruit in Bravo soon sent him back to pavillion. Earlier, with the help of JP Duminy's quick half-century, Mumbai posted a target of 148 runs against Chennai. His fifth IPL fifty led Mumbai to a moderate total of 147 after Suresh Raina sent back skipper Sachin Tendulkar cheaply on just 11 runs. AM Nayar, who was supporting Duminy well from the other end till the latter got run out, contributed an unbeaten 33 off 27 balls to Mumbai's kitty. Mumbai opener dangerman Sanath Jayasuriya who clubbed three fours and two sixes for his 30 off just 17 balls, fell despite his promising start to Tyagi.South African Morkel sent the makeshift opener Bravo (5 off 8 balls) back to pavilion after skipper Tendulkar won the toss and put Chennai to bowl. Stung by their two-wicket loss at the hands of Bangalore, wounded Chennai were expected to come out all guns blazing in a bid to advance towards their semifinal goal.Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men were sitting pretty at second spot with 13 points in their kitty from 11 matches while Sachin Tendulkar had a tough task in his hands with mere 11 points from their 12 appearances in the high-profile tournament so far. Mumbai, on their part, were under pressure as none of their tactics paid off against Rajasthan with Shane Warne-led side edging outing them by two runs.The teams:
Chennai: ML Hayden, PA Patel, SK Raina, MS Dhoni, JDP Oram, S Badrinath, JA Morkel, SB Jakati, L Balaji, M Muralitharan, S Tyagi
Mumbai: SR Tendulkar, ST Jayasuriya, DJ Bravo, YV Takawale, JP Duminy, AM Nayar, AM Rahane, Harbhajan Singh, DS Kulkarni, SL Malinga, C Nanda
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Manchester United extend lead
MIDDLESBOROUGH: Manchester United extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to a commanding six points as goals from Ryan Giggs and Park Ji-Sung sealed a comfortable 2-0 win away to Middlesbrough.
Giggs struck his fourth goal of the season before the break here at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday to help double United’s points advantage over title rivals Liverpool, who host Newcastle on Sunday.
And South Korea international Park deservedly doubled their advantage early in the second-half as reigning champions United, seeking to equal Liverpool’s record of 18 English titles, strolled to a fifth consecutive league victory.
United couldn’t have asked for an easier warm-up for Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final trip to Arsenal, where they defend a single-goal first-leg lead, as they showed little sign of fatigue despite clocking up their 60th game of a season that could yet see them win four trophies.
Despite United winning at a canter, there had been little to choose between the teams before Giggs — almost a week after his peers the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) voted him player of the year — broke the deadlock midway through the first-half.
Middlesbrough’s Jeremie Aliadiere spurned the best chance to open the scoring, when he saw his shot blocked by the feet of goalkeeper Ben Foster after the forward, under pressure from defender Nemanja Vidic, had been put through by Marlon King.
Giggs, one of seven United changes from the team that started in the 1-0 Champions League victory over Arsenal on Wednesday, showed the Frenchman how it should be done after 25 minutes.
The former Wales international produced a clinical finish left-footed into the bottom corner from 20 yards after Federico Macheda had squared Wayne Rooney’s centre back across the edge of the area. Middlesbrough appeals that Dimitar Berbatov fouled Matthew Bates as the ball made its way through to Giggs were ignored by referee Mark Halsey as United sealed a third league and cup victory over Boro this season.
Macheda should have doubled the advantage straight after the break when Rooney beat Tony McMahon to provide an inviting cut-back, only for the teenage striker to poke the chance wide at the near post from five yards.
United didn’t have long to wait for their growing dominance to be rewarded as Park claimed their second in the 51st minute. Rooney was again the architect, with a sublime slide-rule ball into the area which wrong-footed the Middlesbrough defence to allow Park to fire home his third goal of the season from 12 yards past keeper Brad Jones.
Only a desperate late block from Bates, the hosts’ best player, prevented John O’Shea — the goalscorer of Wednesday’s Champions League clash — from adding a third from close range inside the last 10 minutes as Boro left gaps at the back in a fruitless bid to find a way back into the contest.
Giggs struck his fourth goal of the season before the break here at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday to help double United’s points advantage over title rivals Liverpool, who host Newcastle on Sunday.
And South Korea international Park deservedly doubled their advantage early in the second-half as reigning champions United, seeking to equal Liverpool’s record of 18 English titles, strolled to a fifth consecutive league victory.
United couldn’t have asked for an easier warm-up for Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final trip to Arsenal, where they defend a single-goal first-leg lead, as they showed little sign of fatigue despite clocking up their 60th game of a season that could yet see them win four trophies.
Despite United winning at a canter, there had been little to choose between the teams before Giggs — almost a week after his peers the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) voted him player of the year — broke the deadlock midway through the first-half.
Middlesbrough’s Jeremie Aliadiere spurned the best chance to open the scoring, when he saw his shot blocked by the feet of goalkeeper Ben Foster after the forward, under pressure from defender Nemanja Vidic, had been put through by Marlon King.
Giggs, one of seven United changes from the team that started in the 1-0 Champions League victory over Arsenal on Wednesday, showed the Frenchman how it should be done after 25 minutes.
The former Wales international produced a clinical finish left-footed into the bottom corner from 20 yards after Federico Macheda had squared Wayne Rooney’s centre back across the edge of the area. Middlesbrough appeals that Dimitar Berbatov fouled Matthew Bates as the ball made its way through to Giggs were ignored by referee Mark Halsey as United sealed a third league and cup victory over Boro this season.
Macheda should have doubled the advantage straight after the break when Rooney beat Tony McMahon to provide an inviting cut-back, only for the teenage striker to poke the chance wide at the near post from five yards.
United didn’t have long to wait for their growing dominance to be rewarded as Park claimed their second in the 51st minute. Rooney was again the architect, with a sublime slide-rule ball into the area which wrong-footed the Middlesbrough defence to allow Park to fire home his third goal of the season from 12 yards past keeper Brad Jones.
Only a desperate late block from Bates, the hosts’ best player, prevented John O’Shea — the goalscorer of Wednesday’s Champions League clash — from adding a third from close range inside the last 10 minutes as Boro left gaps at the back in a fruitless bid to find a way back into the contest.
Birmingham promoted to Premier League
BIRMINGHAM: Birmingham are back in the Premier League at the first attempt after securing automatic promotion from the Championship with a 2-1 win at Reading on Sunday. Skip related content.
Alex McLeish's team had wasted a chance to seal promotion when they were beaten by Preston last weekend, but they made no mistake with their second and final opportunity on the last day of the season.The Blues, who go up alongside champions Wolverhampton, went ahead through Keith Fahey's first half strike and Kevin Phillips put them within touching distance of the top-flight when he scored on the hour.
Marek Matejovsky reduced the deficit for Reading, who had an outside chance of automatic promotion themselves, a minute later but Birmingham held on to return to the Premier League a year after relegation.
McLeish said: "I'm really delighted for everyone at the club. Last week we wondered if our chance had gone and there were some tired legs out there.
"Before the match we just asked the lads to play the best game they've played all season.
"Now it is not the time to start talking about what we are going to do in the Premier League. We just need to savour this moment."
Birmingham went ahead in the 19th minute when Marcus Hahnemann allowed Fahey's shot to squirm through his grasp and over the line.
Former England international Phillips edged Birmingham closer to the promised land when he beat the offside trap and steered in a fine finish on the hour.
Although Matejovsky got one back for Reading a minute later with a low shot from the edge of the area, it wasn't enough to deny Birmingham.
Sheffield United could have gone up with a win if Birmingham had lost but they had to settle for third place and a play-off spot after being held to a goalless draw against Crystal Palace.
Former Blades boss Neil Warnock, now in charge of Palace, did no favours for his old club and their manager Kevin Blackwell, a long time assistant to Warnock, in a dour clash at Selhurst Park.
In the play-offs, United will play Preston, while Reading take on Burnley.
Cardiff started the final day in fifth but crashed out of the top six after losing 1-0 at Sheffield Wednesday, while Preston won 2-1 against QPR to pip the Welsh club.
Jermaine Johnson's stunning volley midway through the second half was enough to sink Cardiff, which opened the way for Sean St Ledger to score the 74th minute winner that sent Preston into the playoffs.
Preston finished level with Cardiff on 74 points with identical goal difference, but Alan Irvine's team, who beat Cardiff 6-0 last month, made it into the top six because they had scored one goal more than their rivals.
Norwich were relegated to the third tier of English football for the first time in 49 years after losing 4-2 against Charlton.
Bryan Gunn's team needed to win at the Valley and hope Barnsley lost at Plymouth to avoid the drop. In the event Barnsley won 2-1 at Plymouth, rendering Norwich's result irrelevant.
But Norwich showed no stomach for the fight as already-relegated Charlton tore them to shreds.
Nicky Bailey opened the scoring after nine minutes and when Deon Burton struck after 25 and 30 minutes Norwich's fate was sealed.
Alan Lee's goal gave Norwich a glimmer of hope but Burton completed his hat-trick in the second half. Sammy Clingan's strike was no consolation as the Canaries slumped into League One.
Elsewhere, Ipswich beat Coventry 2-1, Nottingham Forest defeated relegated Southampton 3-1, Waford won 3-1 against Derby and Wolverhampton beat Doncaster 1-0.
Alex McLeish's team had wasted a chance to seal promotion when they were beaten by Preston last weekend, but they made no mistake with their second and final opportunity on the last day of the season.The Blues, who go up alongside champions Wolverhampton, went ahead through Keith Fahey's first half strike and Kevin Phillips put them within touching distance of the top-flight when he scored on the hour.
Marek Matejovsky reduced the deficit for Reading, who had an outside chance of automatic promotion themselves, a minute later but Birmingham held on to return to the Premier League a year after relegation.
McLeish said: "I'm really delighted for everyone at the club. Last week we wondered if our chance had gone and there were some tired legs out there.
"Before the match we just asked the lads to play the best game they've played all season.
"Now it is not the time to start talking about what we are going to do in the Premier League. We just need to savour this moment."
Birmingham went ahead in the 19th minute when Marcus Hahnemann allowed Fahey's shot to squirm through his grasp and over the line.
Former England international Phillips edged Birmingham closer to the promised land when he beat the offside trap and steered in a fine finish on the hour.
Although Matejovsky got one back for Reading a minute later with a low shot from the edge of the area, it wasn't enough to deny Birmingham.
Sheffield United could have gone up with a win if Birmingham had lost but they had to settle for third place and a play-off spot after being held to a goalless draw against Crystal Palace.
Former Blades boss Neil Warnock, now in charge of Palace, did no favours for his old club and their manager Kevin Blackwell, a long time assistant to Warnock, in a dour clash at Selhurst Park.
In the play-offs, United will play Preston, while Reading take on Burnley.
Cardiff started the final day in fifth but crashed out of the top six after losing 1-0 at Sheffield Wednesday, while Preston won 2-1 against QPR to pip the Welsh club.
Jermaine Johnson's stunning volley midway through the second half was enough to sink Cardiff, which opened the way for Sean St Ledger to score the 74th minute winner that sent Preston into the playoffs.
Preston finished level with Cardiff on 74 points with identical goal difference, but Alan Irvine's team, who beat Cardiff 6-0 last month, made it into the top six because they had scored one goal more than their rivals.
Norwich were relegated to the third tier of English football for the first time in 49 years after losing 4-2 against Charlton.
Bryan Gunn's team needed to win at the Valley and hope Barnsley lost at Plymouth to avoid the drop. In the event Barnsley won 2-1 at Plymouth, rendering Norwich's result irrelevant.
But Norwich showed no stomach for the fight as already-relegated Charlton tore them to shreds.
Nicky Bailey opened the scoring after nine minutes and when Deon Burton struck after 25 and 30 minutes Norwich's fate was sealed.
Alan Lee's goal gave Norwich a glimmer of hope but Burton completed his hat-trick in the second half. Sammy Clingan's strike was no consolation as the Canaries slumped into League One.
Elsewhere, Ipswich beat Coventry 2-1, Nottingham Forest defeated relegated Southampton 3-1, Waford won 3-1 against Derby and Wolverhampton beat Doncaster 1-0.
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