Indian news round-up

Former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar said on Sunday that the felicitation that he received at Lord's was the proudest moment in his life. Vengsarkar, along with nine other cricket greats, was felicitated by the MCC on the occasion of the 100th Test at Lord's.

Speaking to an Indian newspaper in Mumbai, Vengsarkar said ``It was a great moment to be in the company of the likes of Sir Garfield Sobers. We were made to walk from the famous Long Room on to the turf during the lunch interval of the England-West Indies Test. We were presented with big crystal trophies to mark the occasion.''

Of the ten invited guests, only Sir Donald Bradman was absent. But the others namely Sobers, Ian Botham, Gordon Greenidge, Derek Underwood, Graham Gooch, Bob Massie, Allan Lamb and Glen McGrath were present on the occasion.

Australian middle order batsman Ricky Ponting on Sunday conducted his final coaching camp at Madan Lal's Cricket Academy in New Delhi. Ponting had conducted similar coaching camps in Mumbai and Bangalore earlier last week.

Speaking to an Indian news agency, Ponting said ``There is no dearth of talent in the country. There is a lot of natural talent and flair in some of the boys. They have to be nurtured well now.'' He was visibly impressed with the talent at the junior level and expressed his desire to come back to the country for another series of camps.

Ponting passed on valuble tips regarding techniques and mental toughness required to succeed at the highest level. Former Indian seamer Madan Lal and left arm spinner Rahul Sanghvi were also present during the camp.

The PPP Healthcare County Championship Division One match between Derbyshire and Lancashire at Derby, featuring Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, was abandoned and declared a draw because of rain leaving Derbyshire stranded at its overnight score of 80 for 4 in its second innings on Monday.

Meanwhile, Leicestershire suffered a ignominous innings and 178 run defeat at the hands of Surrey in the PPP Healthcare County Championship Division One match at Oakham School Ground on Sunday. Needing 362 runs to avoid an innings defeat, Leicestershire were all out for 184. Pakistan off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq ripped through the lower order picking up five wickets for 35 including that of Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble for a duck.