Indian news round-up

* Police arrest treasurer of Goa Cricket Association

The treasurer of the Goa Cricket Association, Rama Shankar Das and two others were arrested on Monday under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for alleged forgery and cheating as the ongoing police investigations into the bogus ticket scam during the fifth one-dayer between India and Australia at Margao last Friday continued.

Press Trust of India quoted the superintendent of police, South Goa, ID Shukla as saying that Das, a ticket contractor Chinmay Fallari, and an associate Jayaraman were arrested on Monday night for cheating and forgery, while the interrogation of GCA secretary Vinod Phadke was still in progress. The police probe has uncovered that about 20,000 fake tickets of Rs 1000, Rs 750, Rs 500 and Rs 200 denominations were printed, added Shukla.

* Hayden inspired by India and its people

Matthew Hayden, Australia's most successful player in India has said he is captivated by his experiences on the seven week tour. Hayden wrote in the Sun Herald that "It is not just one thing that is captivating in India, but a thousand things. I am inspired by this country and its remarkable people. "There is a lack of the materialism that astonishes me. No matter how poor or lowly people appear, they smile and the effect is like taking an aspirin to cure a headache. When I was feeling crowded or harassed, I would focus on an amazing smile, a smile wrapped right around a face

Hayden observed that Sachin Tendulkar was like God in India; when he bats "it is beyond chaos, it is a frantic appeal by a nation to one man". Tendulkar "seems like a spiritually rich individual, a solid human being; quite reserved and thoughtful to speak to. The people of India see him as a god. Stephen Waugh is almost a god here, but Sachin is a god and people believe good luck shines in his hand"

The Australian opener who topped 1000 runs for the tour also wrote that VVS Laxman's 281 in Kolkata was the best innings he had ever seen. "It was not only an innings of sheer determination and concentration over an eight-hour period, it was courageous, ruthless, and featured spectacular skill. As we walked off I ran over and said, "That was inspirational and he said, 'Thank you very much'".

However Hayden noted that the Indian players tend to pull in different directions and have not succeeded in uniting as a team. "The Indians are so different from us, it is a different ethos. Australian cricket is a team but the Indians don't have that mentality. For example, if an Indian makes a hundred it is a ticket to sit down and not field for the rest of the game."

* Somasunder, Badrinath help Jolly Rovers pile up runs

Former Indian player Sujith Somasundar slammed 116 and with S Badrinath (83) added 127 runs for the second wicket to provide the base for Jolly Rovers' imposing total of 336 in 87.2 overs at close of play on the first day of the MAC-TNCA senior division championship match against Globe Trotters at the MA Chidambaram stadium on Tuesday.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Jolly Rovers were given a sound start by openers Somasundar and Jinju Joseph (29) who put on 75 runs off 18.5 overs. This was followed by the stand between Somasundar and Badrinath. The association lasted 29.3 overs with Somasunder who played two ODIs in the mid-90s, being the dominant partner. He was out after facing 181 balls and hitting 13 fours and two sixes.

Somasundar was second out at 202. Badrinath kept going till he was fourth out at 280. Badrinath faced 127 balls and hit eight of them past the ropes. Then former India off spinner Aashish Kapoor got among the wickets and three run out too saw Rovers falter. After being 280 for three after 67 overs Rovers lost their last seven wickets for 56 runs. Kapoor finished with three for 99 off 30.2 overs. In all, eight bowlers turned their arm over. Despite the collapse, Rovers were still able to post a stiff target for Globe Trotters who will have to top 336 within the stipulated 90 overs to win the Rajah of Palayampatti Shield.