SPORTS NEWS IN BRIEF: FEB-MARCH 2009

ATHLETICS
Greatest Race on Earth: The Indian marathon team topped the South and South
East Asia region standings for the third year in a row and ended up overall third in
the fifth edition of the Greatest Race on Earth challenge which concluded with the
Hong Kong marathon. India’s 25-year-old Army man Angad Kumar Prasad finished
men’s full marathon on seventh spot in the final leg of Standard Chartered
Greatest Race on Earth challenge. Angad’s effort kept India on top in the South
Asia and West Asia challenge for the fifth year in a row.

CRICKET
West Indies-England Test Series: England suffered a humiliating innings and 23-
run defeat at the hands of the West Indies in the first Test when the tourists were
bowled out for 51 runs in their second innings. West Indies cricket was plunged
into fresh controversy when the second Test against England had to be
abandoned after just 10 balls because of a dangerous outfield. England and West
Indies drew the third Test when play was called off with four overs still to bowl.

Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test Series: The series had to be called-off after a terrorist
strike on Sri Lankan team during the Lahore Test match. Earlier, the first Test had
ended in a tame draw with both teams hitting in access of 600 runs in their first
innings. Younis Khan hit 313 to help Pakistan achieve a record total. For Sri Lanka,
Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera posted world record partnership of
437 runs for the fourth wicket. Sri Lanka has now inscribed their name on three
world records for the second, third and now fourth wickets. Jayawardene, on the
other hand, has now been involved in two separate world record partnerships, a
landmark which he shares with Donald Bradman.

South Africa-Australia Test Series: Fiery fast bowling from Mitchell Johnson and
Peter Siddle led Australia to a 162-run win over South Africa in the first Test.
Australia thus took 1-0 up in a three-match series that will determine which of the
two teams tops the world Test rankings.

Australia-New Zealand One-Day Series: Australia lost the first two matches but
then snapped their five consecutive ODIs losing streak by registering a thrilling 32-
run victory over New Zealand in the must-win third tie. Australia then went on to
a six-wicket win in the fourth match to level the five-match series 2-2. Australia
retained the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy after the crucial fifth and final One-Day
International was called off because of heavy rain.

Sri Lanka-India Twenty20 Match: The Pathan brothers helped India win the match
by three wickets. India were looking down the barrel at 115-7, needing another 57
runs from 29 balls, when Yusuf was joined by his brother Irfan and both just
blasted their way out of trouble.

New Zealand-India One Day Series: Shrugging off the T20 defeats, India bounced
back with a solid batting display to spank New Zealand by 53 runs on the basis of
Duckworth-Lewis method in the rain-marred first one-dayer. The second match
was abandoned due to rain. India then hit record 392 runs with the help of
sparkling 163 not out by Sachin Tendulkar to win the third match by 58 runs and
take a unassailable 2-0 lead.

New Zealand-India Twenty-20 Series: Suresh Raina’s fighting unbeaten 61 went in

vain as world champions India began their New Zealand tour on a dismal note
with the hosts thrashing them by seven wickets in the first Twenty-20 match.
New Zealand followed this win with a last ball win in the second match, thus
taking the series 2-0.

Duleep Trophy: Ramesh Powar wrecked South Zone with a 10-wicket match haul
as West Zone lifted their 17th Duleep Trophy title.
GOLF
Women’s Indian Open: 19-year-old Thai girl, Phatlum Pornanong emerged winner
of the tournament. She pipped her nearest rival Kim Hae-Jung of Korea by two
strokes to defend the title.

HOCKEY
New Zealand-India Test Series: Captain Sandeep Singh and Dilip Tirkey struck a
goal each in the second half to guide India to a 2-0 win over New Zealand in the
final Test and win the series 2-0.