Pandey takes 4 wkts, SA 312/9
Rustenburg: India A pacer Ishwar Pandey took four wickets, including two in successive balls, but South Africa A fought back through JP Duminy's fighting 84 and his crucial partnerships with the tail-enders in the first unofficial Test, here on Monday. Chips were down for the home side after losing five wickets in the first two session but Duminy combined with Thami Tsolekile (47) to take South Africa A to 312 for nine at the end of the third day's play. Brief Scores: India A: (1st innings) 582/9 dec. South Africa A: (1st innings, overnight 20/1) 312/9 (R Rossouw 57, JP Duminy 84, J Ontong 47, T Tsolekile 47; I Pandey 4/40, S Raina 2/33). India lead by 270 runs.
Pistorius indicted
Pretoria: Oscar Pistorius was indicted on Monday on charges of murder and illegal possession of ammunition for the shooting death of the double-amputee Olympian's girlfriend on Valentine's Day. A Pretoria court set March 3 as the trial date for Pistorius, who has said he shot Reeva Steenkamp by mistake, believing she was an intruder in his home. Prosecutors, who allege he killed her after an argument, submitted a list of more than 100 witnesses for a trial that will be followed around the world.
Nadal, Azarenka win 1st titles in Cincinnati
Cincinnati: Rafael Nadal extended his sizzling summer with his first Cincinnati title, while No. 1 Serena Williams wilted just one set away from a breakthrough of her own. Nadal took advantage of the few openings he got against John Isner, grinding out a 7-6 (8), 7-6 (3) win at the Western & Southern Open that added yet another title to his sensational summer. Williams had never won a Cincinnati title either. like Nadal, she was trying for her second championship in two weeks. She dominated the first set, then fell apart, giving No. 2 Victoria Azarenka a chance to rally for a 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6) win that ended Williams' 14-match winning streak.
SAI to take AFI to task
New Delhi: A livid Sports Authority of India on Monday decided to take Athletics Federation of India to task for the embarrassment it caused to the country after 18 overaged athletes were barred from the Nanjing Asian Youth Games and said it would recover the money spent by it on the athletes' airfare. Squarely blaming the AFI for the shocking incident, SAI Director General Jiji Thomson said that the government had spent around Rs 10 lakh for the airfare of the disqualified athletes who are returning home from China.
Suspense remains over Poonia's inclusion
New Delhi: The Sports Ministry is expected to take a decision on Tuesday on ace discus thrower Krishna Poonia's plea to include her name for the prestigious Khel Ratna award besides also deciding on the final list of Arjuna awardees. "No names have been approved yet. We had one round of discussions today with the Minister but the discussions remained inconclusive," Deb told PTI. "We are again meeting tomorrow to discuss the names and will take a final call," he added. PNS/Agencies