Indian news round-up

The chairman of the National selection committee, Chandu Borde said in Mumbai on Sunday that Indian batting star Sachin Tendulkar had informed him of his unwillingness to lead the India B team for the forthcoming Hero Honda Challenger Trophy tournament in Chennai from February 12 to 15.

Speaking to Press Trust of India (PTI), Borde said "He said he does not have the motivation and was not prepared to lead any side right now. I will convey his request to the other selectors and decide about it when we sit to pick the India-A side for the three-day match against Australia to be played at Nagpur from February 17 to 19."

Borde said "We (West Zone selectors) felt that West was not playing well as a unit and that is why we asked Tendulkar to lead the side against East Zone at Pune. After leading the side to an innings win, I thought he was the best person to lead India-B but now we will have to look out for another player to lead the side."

Tendulkar was appointed as captain of the India-B side last week while Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid were chosen to lead the India Seniors and India-A sides respectively. PTI reported that in all probability North Zone skipper Vikram Rathour will now lead the India-B side.

The Australian Cricket Board, in a press release on Monday said that fast bowler Brett Lee is to undergo a surgery to repair the medial ligament and flexor tendon on his right elbow on February 6. This effectively puts the tearaway fast bowler out of contention for the forthcoming series against India.

The release quoted Lee as saying "This is bitterly disappointing especially as I've only just come back from the back injury that kept me out of three Tests. Ironically, my back's fine." Lee added "It's obviously a setback but I will be trying to remain as positive as possible and I'll be looking forward to the series that follows the tour of India. I'm already targeting the tour of the UK for my comeback."

Lee sustained the injury during the Carlton Series match against Zimbabwe in Perth on Sunday, while returning the ball from near the boundary during Zimbabwe's run-chase on Sunday afternoon.

Former Indian skipper Dilip Vengsarkar, in an informal chat with reporters in Nagpur on Sunday, said that the forthcoming India- Australia series will be an exciting one as the Indians would be a hard nut to crack on home ground. Vengsarkar said "It is going to be a close series for the visiting Australians against India." He also said that he was in favour of a three-man selection committee instead of the present system of a panel of five.

On the composition of the probables, Vengsarkar opined that Mumbai spinners Sairaj Bahutule and off spinner Ramesh Powar should be included in the team. He added "in the wake of Anil Kumble's absence due to shoulder injury, India would have to search for an alternative."

Expressing surprise on the omission of Yuvraj Singh in the list of probables, Vengsarkar said "he is not just good for one dayers but is certainly Test material. Yuvraj did extremely well in Nairobi and he can play fast bowlers well. It is unjust to brand him as one day material."

The Someru Soft Trophy under-14 cricket tournament which gets underway in Chennai on February 5 has attracted as many as 38 schools teams from the city. The matches are 30 overs a side in the preliminary stage. The semifinal and final will be 40 overs a side games. Matches will be played at the St Bede's A and B grounds. The final is slated for February 16.

A major highlight of the tournament, promoted by KV Aiyappan, chairman, Sumero Soft Private Ltd, is that over 150 awards are up for grabs. Speaking at a press conference called to launch the tournament, Aiyappan said it was the group's desire to select four promising cricketers every year and provide them with financial assistance both in the field of cricket and academics.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashok Kumbhat, TNCA secretary lauded the efforts of Sumeru Soft in promoting the game at the grassroots level. The tournament is being organised by Dharma's Academy, run by former Tamil Nadu and Services Ranji Trophy cricketer and currently a well known coach PK Dharmalingam.