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After Chandigarh bowlers restricted Jalandhar to a modest total, it was left to the batsmen to do the needful. Sarul Kanwar rose to the occasion and struck a hurricane century (183 off 140 balls) to steer Chandigarh win the final after registering a huge nine-wicket win over Jalandhar in the Punjab Inter-district Cricket Tournament for Katoch Shield at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Wednesday.

Resuming from their overnight score of 42 for no loss, Sarul Kanwar who was unbeaten on 38, continued in similar fashion that had made him the prolific scorer in the tournament. After hitting three centuries in the tournament, Sarul added one more to his kitty after he blasted a whirlwind century to take Chandigarh to safety. His century was laced with 30 well truck boundaries and four towering sixes at an astounding strike rate of 130.71. Sarul Kanwar's domination over the Jalandhar bowling was so complete that he treated both spinners and medium pacers with utter disdain by dispatching them to all parts of the ground which left the fielders dazed and as hapless spectators.

The opener was involved in a mammoth 243-run partnership for the first wicket with fellow opener Simrat Bawa. The fact that they took just 40.3 overs to stitch their partnership speak volume of opposition bowlers' helplessness to contain them. Just when it seemed that Sarul was heading towards a double century, he went for a defensive shot off the bowling of Yogesh Kumar and the ball took a leading edge which wicketkeeper Abhishek accepted gladly.

Meanwhile, southpaw Simrat Bawa completed his half century (65) which he made with the help of nine boundaries. Amit Prashar, who joined him at the crease after the fall of Sarul Kanwar, remained unbeaten till the end after making eight runs. Earlier, on Tuesday, after conceding a vital 34-run lead to Jalandhar in their first innings, Chandigarh restricted Jalandhar to a meagre total of 219 in 85.1 overs, thereby needing 254 to win in 102 overs.

Starting the innings with the centurion of first innings Satpal and Pargat Singh, Jalandhar lost their first wicket at 21 when Pargat Singh gave a simple catch to wicket-keeper Simrat Bawa off the bowling of Satnam Singh. Left-arm spinner Rahul Chara dealt a big blow to the fortune of Jalandhar team when he claimed the wicket of Satpal at an individual score of 20 runs and Jalandhar scorecard reading 36 for 2.

Sarul Kanwar, who accumulated 746 runs in the tournament, became the highest run at an astounding average of 106.57 while Amit Prashar came second after making 691 at an average of 136.20. Taruwar Kohli of Jalandhar came third with a total of 646 runs at an average of 107.76.

Rahul Sharma became the leading wicket taker of the tournament after picking up 25 wickets at an average of 26.20. Chandigarh's Rahul Chara came second with 18 wickets into his kitty at an average of 34.94 while Lakshay Seth of Amritsar took 17 wickets at an average of 29.64 and secured the third spot.

Brief score:

Jalandhar (1st innings): 434 all out; Chandigarh (1st innings): 400 all out; Jalandhar (2nd innings): 219 all out; Chandigarh (2nd innings): 254 for 1 (Sarul Kanwar 183, Simrat Bawa 65 no, Amit Prashar 8 no).

39 players to attend preparatory camp

As many as 39 players have been selected by Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) selectors for the preparatory and conditioning camp starting from July 1 to July 20 for the upcoming Ranji season. The selection committee of PCA headed by Chaman Lal Malhotra met on Wednesday to discuss about the probables and decided about the players who will attend the camp.

The issue of the induction of the players from ICL except Dinesh Mongia, who has yet to be given clearance by BCCI, were discussed during the selection committee meeting It was also decided that players who had played in IPL and had not attended the first fitness camp or could not play in the Katoch Shield because of injury would have to prove their fitness by reporting to the team physio, who will assess them as per the physical fitness standards laid down by the association.

The following players are required to report to PCA Stadium by July 30 : Manpreet Gony, Jaskaran Singh, Harmeet Bansal, Deepak Bansal, Bharat Loomba, Hardevinder Singh, Amrinder Sodhi, Love Ablish, Mohit Mohindra, Sarabjit Singh Ladda, Rahul Venkey, Varun Khanna, Lakshay Seth, Rajwinder Golu, Ankur Jund, Krishan Kumar, Karan Goel, Ravi Inder Singh, Sunny Sohal, Sat Pal, Sarul Kanwar, Vishwas Bhalla, Sarabjit Singh, Chandan Madan, Uday Kaul, Mayank Siddana, Pankaj Dharmani, Ankur Kakkar, Taruwar Kohli, Gurkirat Singh Ahluwalia, Amit Prashar, Robin Singh, Sharad Loomba, Himanshu Chawla, Kunwar Raina, Gaurav Marwaha, Manish Bhatia, Saurab Kumar, Pargat Singh.

A Stroke-filled half century from Pardeep helped Desh Prem Azad Cricket Acade my defeat DAV Academy, Sector 8 by six wickets in the Ind-Swift Inter-Academy Cricket Tournament for Under-15 being organised by DPA Cricket Academy at St tephen's School, Sector 45, on Wednesday.

DAV-8 Academy won the toss against DPA Cricket Academy and batted first. They were dismissed for 170 in 37.3 overs. Pardeep (52) and Bhagminder (31) were their main scorers. Bhagminder and Viplab (12) were associated in a 43-run partnership for the third wicket. Pardeep and Narain (9) realised 49 runs for the last wicket. Shivam Sharma (4 for 31) and Jagpreet (2 for 25) were the main wicket-takers for Azad Academy.

Daksh Aggarwal took three fine catches behind the wicket. Shivam Sharma (4 for 31) and Jagpreet (2 for 25) were the main wicket-takers for Azad Academy. Daksh Aggarwal took three fine catches behind the wicket.

Azad Academy overtook their rivals' total in 28.3 overs by scoring 173 for 4 to regiter an easy win. Captain Talwinderjit Singh (40) and Jagpreet (35) were their main scorers. Openers Daksh Aggarwal (17) and Karan Aggarwal (16) put on 23 runs for the opening wicket partnership. Gaurav contributed 25 runs. Arvind of DAV-8 Academy bagged 2 for 32.

In another match, facing a target of 123 for victory Satluj PS Academy achieved it in 13.2 overs as they made 128 for the loss of one just one wicket against Shree Shree Academy. Vaneet Dhaka (51) and Amit (56 no) guided their team towards a facile win.

Earlier, Shree Shree Academy were dismissed for 122 in 21.3 overs.Karanveer (4 for 24) was the wrecker-in-chief. He was well supported by Shubham (2 for 1). Himanshu (46) and Navjeet (21) batted well for the losing side.

Brief score:

DAVSSS-8 Academy: 170 in 37.3 overs (Pardeep 52, Bhagminder 31, Shivam Sharma 4 for 31, Jagpreet 2 for 25); DP Azad Academy: 173 for 4 in 28.3 overs (Talwinderjit Singh 40 no, Jagpreet 35, Arvind 2 for 32);

Satluj Public School Academy, Panchkula: 122 in 21.3 overs (Himanshu 46, Navjeet 21, Shubham 2 for 1) Shree Shree Academy, Panchkula: 128 for 1 in 13.2 overs (Amit 56 no, Vaneet Dhaka 51).

Kingston, June 25 (IANS) West Indies captain Chris Gayle says the team would be looking to make a strong start to the four-match One-day International (ODI) series against India, beginning Friday, so as to keep up the pressure on the visitors.

Gayle said his team had improved a lot in the fortnight in England, where they made it to the semifinals of the World Twenty20, and hoped to carry their form into the ODIs.

The left-hander, who had been in terrific form in England, predicted a hard-fought series against India.

'We're working hard to get a strong start Friday and capitalise on that through the series,' Gayle said.

'Both teams are looking to win and they (Indians) are trying to prove something against us. At the same time, we want to get more wins under our belt and continue our development. It's going to be a tough series but we're excited about it. We want to have fun and play some good cricket all around,' the Caribbean media Thursday quoted Gayle as saying.

Gayle said losing the World Twenty20 semifinal was disappointing and the players are determined to perform better against India.

'We were happy to make the semifinals of the World Twenty20 but we're disappointed the way we lost to Sri Lanka. We're now focused on winning here against India.'

Despite his confidence, Gayle said his team still has a long way to go to consistently beat top cricketing sides.

'There are always a lot of areas to work on in cricket; there's always room for improvement. We want to get our game sorted out as quickly as possible. I'm sure we'll get the job done.'

London, June 25 (IANS) Cricketers will be able to challenge the umpires' decisions in Tests from October, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced here Thursday.

The system has been under trial in Test cricket for nine months and from October it will give cricketers a chance to challenge the decision made by the on-field umpires.

The ICC's cricket committee decided in May to roll out the Umpires Decision Review System (UDRS) and the world body's board and the chief executive's committee ratified it at the Lord's here Thursday.

The ICC also said it was looking into the prospect of hosting day-night Tests and is also working to develop a suitable ball so that the first Test under floodlights can be played in 2010.

The world body also said that stricter penalties will be imposed on boards and venues if they are found guilty of producing pitches considered poor for international matches.

It also said that poor pitches will also include batsmen-friendly 'featherbed' surfaces that the ICC considers a serious threat to the game.

The ICC also said it will double the fines for slow over-rates and if the captain is found guilty of three over-rate fines in the same format of the game in a rolling 12-month period, he should be banned automatically for one match. The ban is applicable in the next match played by his side in that same format.

Melbourne: Australian all-rounder Shane Watson is almost certain to not play in the first Ashes Test, after medical scans confirmed a tear in his thigh muscle.

The injury-plagued all-rounder will not be sent home, but his Ashes prospects have declined as he sat out for county game against Sussex.

"Shane Watson had a scan on his left knee which confirmed a low-grade strain of one of his quadriceps (thigh) muscles," the Daily Telegraph quoted Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris, as saying.

"We expect this injury should resolve fairly quickly. His return to play will be guided by progress made in next few days."

Although scans did not reveal a serious injury, it is a major blow for Watson who has a long history of injuries dating back to when he was a teenager.

Skipper Ponting conceded Australia might have to send an SOS for Ashes reinforcement if Watson did not recover quickly, with batsman Brad Hodge believed to be the most likely candidate.

It was revealed on Wednesday that Watson was too sore to train and the all-rounder was a spectator as Australia started its tour match at Hove last night.

Meanwhile, pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson was rested from Australia's tour game, which started on Wednesday.

Johnson is the only paceman assured of a spot for the first Test starting on July 8 and Ponting said all pacemen were desperate to impress.

Islamabad: Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi says the short gap between the just-completed Twenty20 World Cup and next year's edition has robbed Pakistan of full enjoyment of its triumph.

Just days after Pakistan clinched the 2009 trophy in England, thoughts had already turned to the 2010 event in the West Indies, beginning in April.

"I fail to understand why the next World Cup will be played in nine months time," Afridi said on Wednesday. "If it's being organized after two years, people would have remembered Pakistan's victory and it would have been more enjoyable."

"It should have been scheduled a bit later, but cricket is no more a sport, it's becoming a business everywhere." Pakistan owed its World Cup victory to Afridi's brilliant all-round performance especially his back to back half centuries in the semi-final and the final.

He also tied up the world's best batsmen with his quick leg-spinners, and got the key wickets of South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs and AB de Villiers in the semi-final. "We all know how important this World Cup was with so much happening in Pakistan," Afridi said.

"The guys motivated themselves for this World Cup." Hundreds of Afridi's fans chanted "Boom Boom Afridi" as he arrived at the Karachi Airport with team-mates Shoaib Malik and Fawad Alam.

Afridi gave credit to coach Intikhab Alam, bowling coach Aaqib Javed and captain Younis Khan for the victory. Alam was the coach of Pakistan team which won the 50-over-a-side World Cup in Australia in 1992.

"They all really worked hard with the guys and kept them united and close to each other, that's why we had success," Afridi said.

Colombo: Tillakaratne Dilshan, whose innovative batting earned him the player of the tournament award in the recently concluded Twenty20 World Cup, says opening the innings has provided a late spark in his career. "I feel happy and proud about becoming the player of the series in a World Cup series," Dilshan said on returning to Sri Lanka on Wednesday after his team became runners-up in the tournament.

"The past year of my cricketing career has seen a change. I got an opportunity to open the innings and I took maximum advantage of it and was able to make a difference to the team and to my career."

"The 32-year-old right-handed batsman has had a mediocre career while batting mostly at No.6 in one-day internationals and Twenty20 games until he was promoted to opener last year."

His average in Twenty20 games went from 18.80 runs in six matches as a No.6 to an impressive 54 in eight matches as an opener. His strike rate is 142 runs per 100 balls. In one-day internationals he batted at No. 6 in 87 matches with an average of 18 runs per innings. He doubled that average in the 11 matches in which he opened the innings.

Dilshan made 317 runs at an average of 52.83 in the tournament. His innovative shot right above the wicketkeeper has brought him much attention, with some commentators terming the shot as the "Dilscoop."

Sri Lanka had a successful Twenty20 campaign in England with an unbeaten run in the preliminary matches before losing to Pakistan by eight wickets in the final.

Captain Kumar Sangakkara rejected suggestions that selection blunders, by not making use of reserve players, caused Sri Lanka's defeat in the final. "Unfortunately in a short tournament not everyone will get an equal chance, some people might not get a chance at all. We always try for the best of the team."

Sangakkara said player-of-the-final Shahid Afridi, who made an unbeaten 54, was the impetus to Pakistan winning the title. "The difference was that Afridi probably started thinking a bit more than he was doing before the tournament. Semi-final and the final, he was a completely different player," Sangakkara said.

Kingston: West Indies coach John Dyson said his resurgent team will be more dangerous at home turf and will play an aggressive brand of cricket in the One-day seeries against India starting on Friday.

Dyson said they have chalked out strategies to tackle key Indian players, though he admitted the new members in the side could spring a surprise.

India would take field in the first of the four ODIs at Sabina Park on Friday, with key players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan missing from the series.

'We will play aggressive cricket, we will play to win as always, and we will aim for consistency of performance,' Dyson was quoted in the media on Wednesday.

'The players love the sunshine on their back, they like the warmer temperature, the local food. Of course, they like being home. They missed their families while they were away in England and getting back to the Caribbean will suit them down to the ground,' said the former Australian Test opener.

West Indies are high on form and confidence after reaching the semi-final of the World Twenty20 in England. Skipper Chris Gayle led the side from the front with some smashing knocks as West Indies demolished Australia in the group stage and then went on to upset India and England in the Super Eights to become surprise semi-finalists before falling to Sri Lanka.

In contrast, pre-tournament favourties India were knocked out after losing all three matches in the Super Eights. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team faced a lot of criticism back home as reports of an unfit and tired squad playing in England made headlines.

Both England and West Indies used the short ball to good advantage against the top-order Indian batsmen in the World Twenty20.

Dyson said they are ready with a plan to combat the Indians. 'We always look at the opposition and try and determine who the key players are for the opposition and think of ways that we may combat those key players. What we don't know, of course, is from the lower-profile players, how they are going to perform and perform consistently throughout a series. So that's something we have to monitor as the series progresses.'

He said the West Indies have a balanced side. 'The squad's balanced fairly well. If you look at the possible side that could walk on the field, we've got an extra batsman, we have an all-rounder who is also a very good batsman, (we have) normal pace and reserve pace, which is good. In the spin department, hopefully Chris (Gayle) will be providing back-up to Sulieman Benn,' he said.

Dyson, however, said the outcome of the series will depend on the how the pitches played. 'It depends on the sort of wickets we're playing on, on the conditions of the day, and the form our own players are in, and the opposition players are in.

Dyson said his team is enjoying the game at the moment. 'There is a lot of cricket in any calendar year for cricketers, but that's what professional cricket's about. They have a lot of cricket to play. They earn good money from playing cricket and it's part of the job,' Dyson said.

The Indian women's cricket team returned from the World Twenty20 in England to virtual anonymity, but for one member of the squad, the celebrations were not denied, merely delayed.

Having been named in the ICC's World Twenty20 squad was surprise enough for Rumeli Dhar; the fact that she was the only one from both men's and women's sides to get the honour only added to the astonishment.

"I saw it on a television channel and it was really surprising. Even more surprising was the fact that none from the men's team made it," Dhar said.

Six wickets in four matches at an average of 11.16 was the effort that earned her recognition from the ICC, even though as a bowler, team-mate Priyanka Roy's numbers - four matches and six wickets at an average of 7.83 - seem more impressive on paper. Dhar, though avoided any comments on the comparison, saying it was the ICC's decision.

"It's obviously surprising but I don't know how the ICC judges it. There must be something else they would have factored in," says Dhar.

Team-mate Reema Malhotra, though, gives a clearer picture as she tries to explain Dhar's inclusion, saying it was more due to the experience and the opponents Dhar performed against.

"Priyanka is a good young bowler, but she performed only against Pakistan (five for 16), who are relatively weaker opponents, while Rumeli got wickets against all teams and consistently throughout the tournament," Malhotra explained.

Falling flat on the team's dismal show in the tournament - the Indians crashed to a 52-run defeat against New Zealand in the semi-finals - Dhar blamed the team's repeated poor batting on "flat tracks," which she feels only add to the importance of her bowling figures.

"Conditions were absolutely wonderful for batting, and given that our bowlers did really well. But our batting performance hurt us. I think the 140-odd against New Zealand was quite chaseable and I also take responsibility for that," the 25-year-old said.

With no regular batting slot, all-rounder Dhar was moved all over the line-up but was done in by the pressure of the tournament, like most others in the squad. At the same time, she denied that the English women have raised the bar too much and opened up a clear gap at the top.

"It's astonishing, but all our batsmen struggled. I played at two-down, five-down, but I was taking too much of pressure and nothing changed the course. But every team goes through this phase, even England and Australia.

"Earlier Australia were at the top and now it's England. It's not that England are suddenly at the top because they are far too good than the rest, just because they won or have been winning recently. Anything can happen in Twenty20 and Pakistan men's team returning with the trophy is an example. It's just a matter of time. Unfortunately we failed every time," Dhar said.