Cricket

A cheating and misappropriation case was registered against the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) on Thursday over alleged wrongdoings in allotment of land to the state's sports body, police said. The HPCA said the case was politically motivated.

"The case was registered against the HPCA under sections 406, 420 and 120-B of the IPC (Indian penal Code) for various irregularities. We will reach out to the individuals during the course of investigation," Superintendent of Police (Vigilance) Bimal Gupta told IANS.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said "Investigation against the HPCA is in advance stage. Regular FIR (first information report) will be registered shortly."

The HPCA objected to the case and said: "It's aimed at garnering cheap publicity to divert the attention of the people against more pressing and important issues of the people of the state."

On July 26, two Indian Administrative Service officers - Deepak Sanan and R.S. Gupta - were charge-sheeted by the government for allegedly allowing a change in the land-use of village community land for building a residential complex for players near HPCA's cricket stadium in Dharamsala, some 250 km from here.

The HPCA built the complex with 38 rooms, 32 huts and gym just three km from the stadium.

Earlier, the two officers were served show-cause notices over the issue.

The alleged land-use change was approved during the tenure of the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

The state cricket body is headed by BJP MP Anurag Thakur, who is son of then chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and is the current BCCI joint secretary.

Sanan is currently additional chief secretary, animal husbandry, while Gupta is posted as commissioner, inquiries.

The Congress, which at the time of the land change was in the opposition, objected to the land allotment.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist, citing a Supreme Court judgment of 2011 which held the transfer of village community land for private and commercial use as illegal, has also demanded that the HPCA should be evicted from the land.

Source: http://bit.ly/193VvMh

Clarke Leads Australia to 303-3 Against England in Ashes Cricket

Captain Michael Clarke’s unbeaten century led Australia to 303-3 on the opening day of the third Ashes cricket Test against England.
Clarke reached 125, Australia’s first century of the series, at stumps at Old Trafford in Manchester and Steven Smith was 70 not out. The two will resume a 174-run partnership tomorrow.
“It’s always tough when the wicket plays like that,” England seam bowler Tim Bresnan, who took 1-51, told Sky Sports. “Ultimately, the Aussies played really well today.”
Chris Rogers added 84 runs as Australia looks to rebound from two losses to open the five-game series. England would win the Ashes for the third straight time with a victory.
Australia made three changes to its team as David Warner returned from suspension in place of Phil Hughes, off-spinner Nathan Lyon replaced Ashton Agar and left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc came in for injured James Pattinson.
Meanwhile, England captain Alastair Cook named an unchanged team after Kevin Pietersen was declared fit following his calf strain in the second Test.
Clarke elected to bat after winning the toss and his team reached 76 before Shane Watson was caught for 19 by Cook at first slip from Bresnan.
A controversial decision then left the visitors on 82-2 after umpire Tony Hill ruled Usman Khawaja was caught behind by Matt Prior off Graeme Swann. Australia called for video review, which appeared to show the ball missing the bat, but TV umpire Kumar Dharmasena upheld the original call.
Swann trapped Rogers leg-before-wicket after lunch for his second wicket. The Australian opener chatted with Clarke about a review before leaving the field.
Clarke, who has 17 fours, and Smith then took control to see out the day’s play. Smith escaped an lbw dismissal because England had used up its two reviews, as Hawk-Eye showed the ball from Stuart Broad would have hit the middle stump.

To contact the reporter on this story: Bob Bensch in London at bbensch@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Christopher Elser at celser@bloomberg.net.