We can beat India on any type of pitch: Steve Waugh

Australian skipper Steve Waugh declared on Saturday that he was confident his side could beat India on any type of wicket in the forthcoming three Test series starting in Mumbai on February 27.

Speaking to Agence France Presse (AFP) in Perth, Waugh said he understood that under the International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations, cricket bodies were not supposed to talk to groundsmen or influence them. "So I am pretty surprised the spokesman has been quoted as saying that this is what the wickets are like, because you are not supposed to do that", said Waugh.

"It just concerns me if someone is influencing the type of wickets they are producing, because that is not in the game of cricket. You are not supposed to be doing that. I expect the wickets will be slow, with not a lot of life in them, but I think we can beat them on any wicket, so it doesn't concern me what sort of wickets they produce", he added.

Pankaj Roy was a gentleman cricketer: Tamhane

Within hours of his death, tributes have started to pour in for former Indian skipper Pankaj Roy. His colleague and close friend Naren Tamhane said that he was an absolute gentleman and team-man to the core and was liked by one and all.

Speaking to Press Trust of India (PTI), Tamhane said "I am very very sad to learn about his death. I played a lot of cricket with him and he was very close to me." Speaking of the Bengal stalwart, Tamhane added "Roy started off as a middle order batsman but became a successful opener and scored more than 2000 runs for the country and adjusted to opening the innings very well."

GS Ramchand, who was Roy's captain during the late 40s and early 50s, said he was `quiet and unassuming' but a very good team- man. Ramchand said "We played cricket together for a long time and I am very sorry to hear about his demise." Speaking of Roy, Ramchand said "I remember he batted at number eleven against the West Indies in 1948 but went on to become a successful opening batsman for the country. This clearly shows his grit and determination to succeed."

1688 people donate blood on CAB foundation day

Press Trust of India (PTI) reported on Sunday that 1688 persons, including 87 women, donated blood on the occasion of the 73rd foundation day of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) at various camps in West Bengal on Saturday.

Apart from Kolkata, camps were also held in Kulti, Behrampur, Tamluk, Bhaktinagar and Bishnupur. The donors were given certificates signed by former England skipper Tony Greig. Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly and CAB President Jagmohan Dalmiya visited the camp in Kolkata to boost the donors.

The voluntary blood donation camp, an annual affair of the CAB for the past 21 years, is observed in the memory of Sir Frank Worrell who gave blood to save the life of the former Indian skipper Nari Contractor in Barbados in 1962.

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