Indian news round-up

Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday that the Central Bureau of Investigation's interim report into the match fixing allegations is expected to be submitted by September.

Press Trust of India reported that Dhindsa while answering questions during the question hour said that the CBI are investigating the matter and have so far questioned many cricketers and BCCI office bearers. He added that the agency has been requested to complete the inquiry expeditiously.

Dhindsa said that the new sports policy would be tabled in the Parliament during the next session and reiterated that provision would be made for the sportsmen to be accountable.

Press Trust of India reported on Friday that India, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are to participate in the Coca Cola Cup Triangular Series in Sharjah slated to be held from October 20 to 29.

The tournament which is being organised by the Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) will be played under lights and would feature coloured clothing, white balls and black sight screens. India, which pulled out of the Sahara Cup, will play their first tournament of the season in Kenya in the ICC knockout tourney to be held from October 3 to 15. Immediately after the Coca Cola Cup in Sharjah, India take on Zimbabwe at home.

Indian captain Sourav Ganguly failed to make an impact the second time around as Lancashire increased their lead to 191 over Kent in the PPP Healthcare County Championship Division One match at Old Trafford on Friday.

Resuming their second innings after bowling out Kent for 155, Lancashire lost openers M Chilton (1) and John Crawley (3) early. Then Andy Flintoff (5) and Ganguly (5) followed suit before Neil Fairbrother (43) steadied the innings for Lancashire and at close of play were 110 for 7.

In the other match, Anil Kumble bowled 21 overs for the lone wicket of opener Simon Widdup in Leicestershire's match against Yorkshire at Leicester on Friday.