Indian news round-up

The secreatry of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), JY Lele said in Mumbai on Tuesday that the preparatory camp for the home team for the Australian tour of India will be held at Chennai from february 5 to 10.

Speaking to Press Trust of India (PTI), Lele said that the Challenger Series limited overs tournament involving three teams, including the national team, would be held in Chennai from February 12 to 15. Lele added "Soon after the Challenger Series, the Indian team would be picked to play in the Test matches."

Lele said "However, the itinerary for the home series against the Australians, which is yet to be finalised, would be declared only on January 22 at Delhi."The probables for the series against Australia will be announced on January 29.

The joint secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal and the East Zone convenor, Nirmal Mukherjee in an official press release on Monday said that A Ekbal of Bihar would lead the East Zone under-16 team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The team: A Ekbal, Avik Chowdhury, Sourav Sarkar, SS Biswas, Mayukh Biswas, AS Gorai, SK Roy, Ajit Kumar Singh, B Mohanty, Rakesh Mohanty, SP Priyadarshan, Subhash Chakraborty, B Bhowmick, Subhodip Chowdhury, Sadek Chowdhury. Manager: Mukut Das.

The schedule: All matches at Bangalore.

January 31 to February 2: Quarter final: Central Zone v South Zone; February 4 to 6: Semi final 1: East Zone v Winner of QF; February 4 to 6: Semi Final 2: North Zone v West Zone; February 8 to 10: Final: Winner of SF1 v Winner of SF2.

Indian opening batsman Sadagoppan Ramesh reveled with the ball taking 5 for 33 including a hat-trick to help Pentasoft register a 41-run win over Chemplast in the PC India Garmex limited overs tournament in Chennai on Tuesday. Ramesh complimented the fine 114 by his brother Mahesh earlier in the day.

Meanwhile the other matches on Tuesday witnessed some impressive performances. LN Reddy scored an unbeaten 117 and Kerala Ranji off spinner B Ramprakash captured 6 for 39 for SPIC against Canara Bank, Southern Railway's T Lakshmana Moorthy hit 110 against Mots Swantons.

Results: Pentasoft 262/6 beat Chemplast 221; PC India Invitation XI 154 lost to IOB 155/2; Southern Railway 297/9 beat Mots Swantons 250; India Pistons 274/7 beat DTDC Sports Club 208/9; Canara Bank 266 lost to SPIC 269/6.