GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.......

This is the Immortal Jellyfish, a small jellyfish hydrozoan. It's currently the only known species known to man to live forever.

Swann on track to return for Ashes showdown......

England spinner Graeme Swann has revealed he is on course to return from an elbow injury in time for this year's Ashes showdown against Australia. 

Swann was sidelined for England's recent drawn Test series in New Zealand after undergoing surgery in the United States earlier this month in an attempt to cure the long-standing problem. 

He first visited the specialist clinic in Minnesota in 2009 and the treatment allowed him to feature as England reclaimed the Ashes from Australia later that year. 

But the elbow problem flared up again just before the first Test in New Zealand earlier this year, leading to concerns over Swann's long-term future. 

Fortunately the surgery appears to have been successful and Swann plans to be bowling by the end of next month and available for the return series against New Zealand in May which serves as a warm-up for the Ashes. 

"I feel great. I want to be back as soon as possible because I'm bored stupid already," Swann said on Thursday. 

"I think it would kill me if I sit down and watch too much cricket at the start of the summer without being an active part of it. I want to play as much as I can. 

"By the end of April I hope to be bowling. I don't know if that's realistic or not, but that's how my mind works. 

"The surgeon has reassured me it was a lot more straightforward this time. 

"In an ideal world I'd be fit and proving to the coach and captain that I'm bowling well to make the first Test of the summer. 

"That's my aim. Whether it's pie in the sky or too optimistic, that's the goal." 

England have long been concerned about Swann's elbow, part of the reason he has been one of the most frequent beneficiaries of their rotation policy, particularly in one-day cricket. 

The 34-year-old has previously cast doubt on his likely longevity at the top level but he was upbeat when asked about the future. 

"I'm not too worried. The hunger is still strong," he said. 

"I love Test cricket and I'll play as long as my body can stand it, whether that's 12 Tests or 112.

"But I've not been worried about anything long term because I know I'll be fine. 

"The last time the operation I had was far more serious and the recovery was great - he was able to sort me out and get me fit for four years of unbelievable Test cricket. 

"I was bowling for three-and-a-half years relatively pain-free and that was one of the signs in New Zealand; all of a sudden I got a sore back, shoulder, abdominals. 

"It was all down to the fact the elbow wasn't working properly. 

"Now it's all clear and it should be right as rain." 

Ryder's condition improving.....

New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder's condition was improving and he was responding to medical staff and his family on Friday as police said they had arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with the alleged assault. 

New Zealand Police (NZP) said the man had been charged with assault on Thursday and would appear in court on April 4. 

They were also speaking to a 37-year-old man, a relative of the man charged, in relation to the incidents, Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Archer told reporters. 

Ryder, 28, was rushed to hospital early on Thursday with serious head injuries after being involved in two altercations outside a bar and fast food restaurant in Merivale, a suburb of Christchurch. 

Police said on Friday it now appeared that only two men were involved in the first altercation with Ryder, and one in the second. 

Local media reported Ryder, who was in a critical condition on Thursday, had sustained a fractured skull and a collapsed lung in the alleged assault. 

New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills said that Ryder's condition had improved on Friday. In an interview to the TVNZ website, Mills stated, "He has been responsive and has been interacting with his family and his medical team, Jesse is still in an induced coma and is still needing support with breathing following an injury to his lungs. In terms of a head injury it cannot be fully determined at this stage what the effects of a knock to Jesse's head are, we will know more once he comes out of the coma." 

Mathews to lead Pune Warriors......

Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews has been appointed captain of the Pune Warriors for the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League. 

Mathews found himself in the hot seat after Michael Clarke, the first choice skipper for the Warriors, was ruled out of cricket for about 10 weeks by Cricket Australia, following a back problem. The Australian captain had to miss the last of the four-match Test series against India due to his troubled back. 

Mathews, who was recently appointed captain of the Sri Lankan team would become the third Lankan to lead an IPL team this season - Mahela Jayawardene is captain of the Delhi Daredevils while Kumara Sangakkara leads Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

The Sri Lankan all rounder edged out Yuvraj Singh in the race to the IPL side's captaincy because the owners believe Yuvraj should best be left to contribute in his role as the star all rounder. 

Yuvraj was recovering from a rare germ cell cancer last year and the team was headed in his absence first by Sourav Ganguly and then by Steven Smith. 

However, the Warriors will have to do without their captain in their away game against Chennai Super Kings after the IPL Governing Council decided to exclude Sri Lankan players in Chennai. 

Mathews, who has been a part of the Warriors as a player for the past two years, said it would be a great opportunity for him to gain leadership experience working with a multi-national squad.

"It's a great honour to be offered the captaincy of the Pune Warriors and I am grateful to the team management and franchise owners for the faith shown in me. 

"For me personally this is a great chance to gain leadership experience working with a multi-national squad and a very exciting opportunity given the enormous talent within our young squad," said Mathews. 

Welcoming the Sri Lankan as the skipper of the Pune outfit, Sushanto Roy, managing director of Sahara Adventure Sports Limited, said the side would be benefited by his leadership abilities.

"We had many options of international and national cricketers to choose from within the existing squad but we chose Angelo Mathews as our captain as we are confident of his leadership abilities," Roy said. 

"All the senior players in the team are happy with the choice and it is a joint decision taken by the senior players and team management. We now have a correct mix of youth and experience to launch an aggressive IPL season 6 campaign under the leadership of Mathews," he added. 

Meanwhile, Allan Donald will be the head coach of the side while Rob Walters comes on board as assistant coach and will be the fitness trainer and fielding coach of the team. Praveen Amre will continue to be the assistant coach. 

Unbelievable invention of Bheema's skeleton or Bhima's son Gadotkach like skeleton found: A hoax mail......

If you have received a mail claiming Bhima's son Gadotkach like skeleton found, or bheems’s skeleton found by the recent exploration of NatGeo team, then its completely a hoax mail, do not believe it.

Below are some pics circulated with the mail

The mails also claims an article by G. Subramaniam from Hindu voice that 

Recent exploration activity in the northern region of India uncovered the skeleton remains of a human of phenomenal size. This region of India is called the Empty Quarter. The discovery was made by National Geographic Team (India Division) with support of Indian Army since this area is under the jurisdiction of the army. The article also discusses about the Gods of Indian mythology, Brahma and also talks about the Pandavas, Bhima and his son Gadotkach…, Do you think this is real.., I think no, this is another email hoax.

What do you think about it, please leave your comment

For details: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/12/071214-giant-skeleton.html

source:http://vikas-ke-funde.blogspot.in/2009/04/unbelievable-invention-of-bheemas.html

NZ cricketer Ryder critical after 'vicious' attack.....

Troubled New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder was in a critical condition in hospital after an "extremely vicious" attack as he left a bar in Christchurch, police said. 

The 28-year-old was in an induced coma with a fractured skull and serious internal injuries, and his family were at his bedside. 

The attack in the South Island city came just days before the talented batsman was to take up a lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) contract. 

Ryder has a history of disciplinary lapses and alcohol-related incidents, but although he had been drinking before the early morning assault, police said alcohol was not a factor. 

Detective senior sergeant Brian Archer said there was a brief altercation involving Ryder and "two or three" people when he stepped outside the bar. 

Ryder then crossed the road to a nearby fast-food outlet where he was attacked. 

"The hospital advise he is in a critical condition. He is in an induced coma as a result of suffering multiple injuries," Archer said. 

Police believed there were at least 10 witnesses, one of whom, Emma-Louise Ferguson, told the New Zealand Herald it was "unbelievably brutal". 

"They had him on the ground and they were kicking him hard," she said, adding: "It was literally right outside the door of the bar. 

"When he was on the ground, I couldn't actually see him but I could hear the they were kicking him as hard as they could." 

Media reports said the injuries included a punctured lung. 

Prime Minister John Key, who led messages of support for Ryder, said the attack appeared "somewhat unprovoked, so there must be something behind that and the assault seems extremely vicious". 

"Obviously we wish him a speedy recovery," he added. 

A witness, identified only as Adam, told Fairfax Media that Ryder tried to fight back as four men "absolutely smashed him". 

He said he was not sure if the attackers were known to Ryder but said they "damn knew who he was". 

Police were viewing closed-circuit television coverage of the attack and Archer said they were following "positive lines of enquiry". 

The incident occurred while Ryder was having a night out with his Wellington team-mates after losing a season-ending one-day match to Canterbury. 

The batsman is on a self-imposed break from international cricket to address "personal issues" following a series of incidents. 

New Zealand Cricket Players' Association chief executive Heath Mills said Ryder was known to have resumed drinking in recent weeks. 

"It will be an ongoing struggle for Jesse and we need to do all we can to help him," Mills said. 

"What I will say is Jesse was having a few drinks with his team-mates at the conclusion of his season. The actual assault was not an alcohol-fuelled incident." 

Ryder, who last played for New Zealand a year ago, was due to fly to India this weekend to compete for the Delhi Daredevils, who paid US$260,000 for his services at an auction. 

Last year, Ryder, who has a Test average of 40.93 and a highest Test score of 201, took his manager and a psychologist with him to India when he played for the Pune Warriors. 

"We are all shocked by what has occurred and extremely concerned for Jesse. New Zealand Cricket's thoughts are with him and his family," said New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White. 

In 2004, former Australian batsman David Hookes died from head injuries suffered in a fight outside a bar in Melbourne. 

Asylum-seeker in frame for Ashes selection......

Australia's chief selector John Inverarity says Pakistani asylum-seeker Fawad Ahmed will be in contention for a place in the Ashes squad to tour England if he is granted citizenship in time.

The 31-year-old leg-spinner was handed a permanent visa to remain in Australia in November after leaving his home in the border region near Afghanistan, where he said he was targeted by Muslim extremists. 

But to play for Australia in the Ashes from July he needs fast-tracked citizenship and an Australian passport. Otherwise, under International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, he will not become available until August 18, before the fifth Test at the Oval. 

"Fawad Ahmed is a mature and very good leg-spinner," Inverarity told Thursday's Sydney Morning Herald. 

"I've seen quite a bit of him and all those who have played against him, and the coaching staff, rate him as a good bowler. 

"He would certainly come under consideration. It will all be considered on merit. He will be treated no differently from anybody else." 

Inverarity admitted the significance of a former asylum-seeker from Pakistan playing for Australia could not be understated. 

"If it were all to happen, it would be a wonderful thing for our Australian society, someone who through the medium of cricket has become a central figure in our community," he said. 

Since his arrival, Ahmed has established himself with the Melbourne Renegades in the T20 Big Bash League and made an appearance for the Prime Minister's XI against the West Indies in January. 

He is seen as a handy back-up to Nathan Lyon, with few other stand-out spinning candidates beyond Xavier Doherty and Glenn Maxwell. 

Lyon had an ordinary tour of India, during which Australia lost the Test series 4-0, although he bounced back to take nine wickets in the fourth Test and Inverarity threw his support behind him. 

"He is our lead spinner and we hope he develops and becomes a really good spin bowler," he said of Lyon. 

Winning abroad most important: Gambhir.....

Lauding the team for their 4-0 triumph over Australia in the recently concluded Test series, out-of-favour opener Gautam Gambhir on Thursday stressed on the need to win Test series abroad in order to be recognized as a force in world cricket. 

"Unless a team wins overseas, they are not recognised as a force. I have always believed that winning in overseas conditions matters a lot. I am happy that we have done well at home. There is nothing wrong in using home advantage as every country does that", Gambhir told reporters at a promotional event. 

"But look at South Africa. They beat Australia in Australia and England in England. Actually, they are the No 1 side in the world," he said. 

"My personal aim has always been to be a member of an overseas Test series winning squad and score runs in the team's victory," Gambhir said at the launch of a new cricket portal CricLan.com. 

Gambhir, who has just started training after recovering from mild jaundice, said that "form is a state of mind" when asked about his century plus score in a first-class match versus the Aussies and 60 plus score in a T20 game against Punjab. 

"For me, form is always a state of mind. If you are confident and fearless and ready to express yourself, that's what matters the most." 

The stylish left-hander also supported the BCCI's move to have a proper India 'A' team's tour of South Africa before the senior team goes there at the end of the year. 

"It's a good thing that an India A team will be travelling to South Africa. This tour will give the players a fair idea about what to expect when the senior team goes there. 

"Normally, when we go to South Africa, we play a couple of practice matches and by the time we gauge the pace and bounce of the wicket, the Test series gets over. So it's a welcome move." 

Smith receives ICC Test Championship mace.....

South Africa captain Graeme Smith, on Thursday, received the ICC Test Championship mace and prize money of USD 450,000 for leading the team to the top spot in the ICC Test rankings on the annual cut-off date of April 1. 

Smith received the mace from the ICC's umpires and referees manager, Vince van der Bijl, in a ceremony at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. 

"I am truly honoured and humbled to receive the Reliance ICC Test Championship mace and prize money, not just on behalf of myself, the players and the team management but on behalf of all South Africans," said Smith. 

"We all appreciate the enormous privilege of representing our country and taking on the responsibility that goes with it," he added. 

South Africa have finished at the number one spot for the first time since the current ranking system was introduced in 2003. 

India are placed third behind England in the current rankings 

Dilshan ton lifts Sri Lanka to 302-9.....

Tillakaratne Dilshan cracked a quick-fire 125 to help Sri Lanka post a challenging 302-9 in the third and final one-day international against Bangladesh in Pallekele on Thursday. 

The in-form opener, who made an unbeaten 113 in the first match, hit 12 fours in a 128-ball knock for his 16th one-day hundred to boost his team's hopes of clinching the series. 

Sri Lanka lead 1-0 in the series following their eight-wicket victory in the opening match in Hambantota. The second one-dayer at the same venue was abandoned due to rain. 

Dilshan, who reached his century with a single off left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, was the seventh man out, caught by Nasir Hossain at mid-wicket off paceman Shahadat Hossain in the 47th over. 

Razzak, who removed Nuwan Kulasekara and Sachithra Senanayake off successive balls in his last over, finished with 5-62, his fourth five-wicket haul. He also completed 200 wickets in one-day internationals. 

Sri Lanka were reduced to 263-7 before Lahiru Thirimanne smashed a 15-ball 25 not out late in the innings to help his side cross the 300-mark. 

The hosts got off to a solid start after electing to bat in the day-night match as Dilshan and Kusal Perera (56) added 116 for the opening wicket. 

Dilshan consolidated Sri Lanka's position when he put on 87 for the next wicket with Kumar Sangakkara (48), who completed 11,000 one-day runs during his 49-ball knock. 

Sangakkara fell in the 36th over, caught by Anamul Haque at mid-wicket off Razzak after hitting five fours. 

Left-handed Perera, 22, started impressively as he lofted Shahadat over long-on for the first six of the match and then hit the same bowler for three fours in an over. 

Playing his seventh one-dayer, Perera fell after completing his maiden half-century as he was caught by Nasir at point while attempting to cut off-spinner Mohammad Mahmudullah. 

Perera hit one six and five fours in his brisk 66-ball knock. 

Franchises fear Chennai no longer level playing field......

The IPL governing council's decision to exclude Sri Lankan players from matches in Chennai has been met with some disappointment and concern by the other franchises. They are disappointed at being excluded from the decision-making process, and that the decision taken did not follow precedent. In addition, they are concerned over the possible consequence - that Chennai Super Kings may have an added advantage in their home games.

While Super Kings' Sri Lankan players are not crucial to their plans, several of their compatriots are vital members of their respective teams. Those teams will not be fielding their first XI when playing in Chennai - both in the league stage and in the knockout stage, in which two matches are scheduled to be staged in Chennai.

Officials of the eight other franchises were not willing to go on record and said they were unlikely to raise this formally within the IPL. However, they wonder why the precedent set in 2010 - when the matches were shifted out of Bangalore after the twin bomb blasts, and not a single game was held in Hyderabad because of the Telengana agitation - was not followed this time.

"Why did the IPL not call for a meeting with the franchises? They could have had a consensus by asking all the franchises, which they did during the Telengana crisis," one franchise official said. "It is a similar situation now, just as when Deccan Chargers games were moved out of Hyderabad due to the Telengana debate."

The Hyderabad situation was precipitated by a movement, that turned violent, in Andhra Pradesh for a separate Telengana state, the IPL initially decided to move all seven home games of Deccan Chargers, the then local franchise, out of the state. Eventually, the Chargers played two matches in Cuttack, a catchment area, two in Mumbai, and three in Nagpur.

Two months later, there were two low-intensity bomb blasts outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, minutes before a league match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians. The match went ahead after officials guaranteed safety, but the IPL moved the semi-finals out of Bangalore to Mumbai.

Citing those two incidents, the franchises are now asking why the IPL could not move the home games of Chennai Super Kings elsewhere. "To me the rule is, if you can't manage a team inside your state then move the game (outside)," a team official said.

However, IPL franchises don't always have a say in decision-making and a BCCI official contacted by ESPNcricinfo echoed that line. "It is not mandatory for the IPL authorities to consult the franchises," he said on condition of anonymity. "The franchises are taken into confidence more or less on every issue [but] we cannot speak in public about a particular issue."

The IPL's latest decision leaves Chennai Super Kings without two players - Nuwan Kulasekara and Akhila Dhananjaya - who, it can reasonably be said, would not have been regular starters. Kulasekara was bought by Super Kings in 2011 and has featured in six matches - including one match last season. Dhananjaya, 19, was bought at the player auction in February and was always likely to be on the bench given the team's strong overseas contingent - including Albie Morkel and Francois du Plessis (both South Africa), Dwayne Bravo (West Indies) and fast bowlers Ben Hilfenhaus and Dirk Nannes (both Australia).

In contrast, Sri Lankan players feature prominently on several of the other teams. Mahela Jayawardene captains Delhi Daredevils and is their key batsman; Kumar Sangakkara will captain Sunrisers Hyderabad and also keep wicket; Lasith Malinga is the strike bowler for Mumbai Indians; Angelo Matthews is the go-to allrounder for Pune Warriors; Tillakaratne Dilshan plays a triple role, as batsman, bowler, and a top fielder for Royal Challengers, and Muttiah Muralitharan is their lead spinner. All these teams will have to play Super Kings in Chennai without their first XI, while the home franchise could notionally field their strongest side.

Sri Lankan players are a significant part of franchises' planning because of their familiarity with conditions and their availability through the tournament. This year, too, various franchises recruited a few Lankan players to suit specific game-plans. Kolkata Knight Riders' sole buy at the auction was Sachithra Senanayake, a $625,000 alternative to the West Indiaes spinner Sunil Narine. Pune Warriors India bid aggressively to bag Mathews and Ajantha Mendis, who, in the absence of Michael Clarke, are likely to play an important role in the team's strategies. Thisara Perera, who once played for Super Kings, was bought by the Sunrisers, while Rajasthan Royals purchased wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Perera.

Now those teams will have to play Super Kings, twice winners of the IPL and of the Champions League Twenty20, at Chepauk with a tweaked game-plan and without their best side.

Octopus eggs.......

Won't seek pardon, says a teary-eyed Sanjay Dutt ......

Mumbai: Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt on Thursday said that he will abide by the Supreme Court’s verdict in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case and will surrender within the given time frame.

Dutt was convicted under the Arms Act for possessing arms when the 1993 Mumbai blasts took place. 
Addressing the media from his residence here on Thursday, Dutt also revealed that he won’t seek pardon from the Governor in the case. He said, "I have the highest respect for Supreme Court's terms and conditions put on me. I want to thank whoever supported us during the ordeal."

"There are many other people who deserve pardon. I want to tell with folded hands to the media, the honourable citizens of the country that when I am not going for pardon then there can be no debate about it," said Dutt, who broke down during his interaction with the press here.

The actor, who has been handed down five years imprisonment by the Supreme Court in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, said he had the highest respect for the apex court and will abide by all terms and conditions put forth by it.

"The honourable Supreme Court has given me time to surrender and I will surrender in that time," he said as sister and MP Priya Dutt comforted him.

As Dutt has already served 18 months in jail, he would have to undergo the imprisonment for three-and-a-half-years. The apex court has given him four-week time to surrender.

"I am shattered and this is the tough time in my life. With folded hands I request the media and citizens let me be at peace," he said.

Several noted personalities including Press Council of India Chairman Markandey Katju and actor-turned-politicians Jaya Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha had sought pardon for Sanjay Dutt.

When pointed out that Dutt will not seek clemency, Katju, however, said he will go ahead and apply for his pardon.

Katju had said Dutt should be pardoned under Article 161 of the Constitution as he had not been found guilty of having played a role in the 1993 blasts and had suffered a lot.

Asked about Dutt's stand, Congress Spokesperson Rashid Alvi said that the party does not comment on judicial matters.

Expelled Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and Rampur Lok Sabha MP Jayaprada had on March 26 met Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan here and sought clemency for the actor. 

"There are very, very tough times in my life and in our lives. I want to thank everybody who supported us and me. I just want to tell everyone from the media that I have got very few days left and I want to finish all my work. I also have to spend time with my family," Dutt said.

Today is the first time that Dutt has ventured out of his house in suburban Bandra since the Supreme Court verdict. He made the remarks before leaving for a shoot.

"I love my country and its citizens. I love India," he said. Dutt has to finish shooting for T P Agarwal's film 'Policegiri' and is said to have finished dubbing for remake of 'Zanjeer' in which he is playing Sher Khan, the character epitomised by legendary actor Pran.

Dutt is said to have finished shooting few portions for Karan Johar's home production 'Ungli' that also stars Emraan Hashmi, Randeep Hooda and Neha Dhupia and of Rajkumar Hirani's 'PK'.

His sister Priya, who is a Congress MP from Mumbai North Central, was by his side during the press interaction. She consoled him and he embraced her after making his remarks.

The Supreme Court had on March 21 upheld the death sentence of Yakub Abdul Razak Memon, a key conspirator with Dawood Ibrahim in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, and ordered that Dutt return to jail to serve three-and-a-half years sentence for possessing illegal arms.

In its verdict in the 20-year-long case, the apex court said 33 others will serve rigorous jail term "for their whole life" and termed as "devastating" the role played by Pakistan and its spy agency ISI in training and supporting conspirators in hatching the plot for the blasts in the financial capital claiming 257 lives.


Dutt, who is out on bail, will also have to surrender within four weeks to serve a jail term of 42 months as the apex court reduced to five years the six year jail term awarded to him by a designated TADA court in 2007 and he had already spent 18 months behind the bar.

Dutt, son of famous Bollywood couple late Sunil Dutt and Nargis, was convicted by the TADA court for illegal possession of a 9 mm Pistol and an AK-56 rifle which was part of the consignment of weapons and explosives brought to India for the coordinated serial blasts. 

He went teary-eyed when he said, "I have a lot of work left to be finished. I have to spend time with my family. Please let me be in peace till the time I surrender. I love my country and its citizens. I love India."

Dutt broke down when he finished talking to the press and was ushered by his sister Priya Dutt inside their residence.

New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder in coma after bar brawl.....

Christchurch: Troubled New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder has been admitted in a hospital in a critical condition after suffering severe head injuries in a brawl outside a bar here.

Ryder was attacked by two or three people when he was leaving Aikman's Bar in the suburb of Merivale late last night and it appears that the cricketer had been assaulted twice, Christchurch Police said.

The 28-year-old is in intensive care unit with a fractured skull and is in an induced coma due to multiple injuries.

The first attack took place outside the bar where Ryder was out with his Wellington teammates after their team suffered a semifinal loss in the domestic one-day competition here earlier in the day.

Police believe that at least two people followed him across the road to the parking area of a fast-food restaurant where the second attack occurred, while his two teammates who left the bar with him were in the restaurant when he was attacked again.

In a statement, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has expressed grief over Ryder's serious condition.

"We are all shocked by what has occurred and extremely concerned for Jesse. New Zealand Cricket's thoughts are with him and his family," NZC chief executive David White said.

The New Zealand Players Association (NZPA) too were in shock over the assault.

Obviously the cricket community's very shocked at what's happened to Jesse. He's obviously in a serious condition. It's a sad day for us, a number of players around the country are in shock, our focus now is on Jesse and his well-being," Heath Mills, the CEO of the association, said.

Ryder was on a self-imposed break from international cricket since last year.

Ryder last played for New Zealand in an ODI against South Africa in February last year. He was reprimanded after that match for breaking team rules by drinking alcohol while recovering from injury.Ryder then made himself unavailable to play for the country by turning down a national contract to deal with alcohol and fitness issues. He engaged a clinical psychologist to assist him in dealing with those problems.

Ryder was due to join the Delhi Daredevils later this week ahead of the start of the IPL season six. The Delhi franchise had paid USD 260000 for his services in the latest IPL players' auction.

Last year, Ryder took his manager and psychologist along with him to India for the IPL where he played for the Sahara Pune Warriors. 

Sex discrimination in India begins in the womb: Study....

Washington: Women in India are more likely to get prenatal care when pregnant with male babies, according to a groundbreaking study that has implications for girls` health and survival in patriarchal societies.

The study by Leah Lakdawala of Michigan State University and Prashant Bharadwaj of the University of California, San Diego, suggests sex discrimination begins in the womb in male-dominated societies such as India.

"It paints a pretty dire picture of what`s happening," said Lakdawala, MSU assistant professor of economics.

In India, while it`s illegal for a doctor to reveal the sex of an unborn baby or for a woman to have an abortion based on the baby`s sex, both practises are common, Lakdawala said.However, knowing the sex of the baby through an ultrasound also can lead to discrimination for those pregnancies that go full-term, she said in a statement.

In studying the national health-survey data of more than 30,000 Indians, the researchers found that women pregnant with boys were more likely to go to prenatal medical appointments, take iron supplements, deliver the baby in a health-care facility - as opposed to in the home - and receive tetanus shots.

Tetanus is the leading cause of neonatal deaths in India. According to the study, children whose mothers had not received a tetanus vaccination were more likely to be born underweight or die shortly after birth.

The researchers the first to study sex discrimination in prenatal care also looked at smaller data sets from other countries.

In other patriarchal nations of China, Bangladesh and Pakistan, evidence of sex-discrimination in the womb existed. But in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Ghana which are not considered male-dominated no such evidence existed.

"This type of discrimination we`re seeing, while not as severe as sex-selective abortion, is very important for children`s health and well-being," Lakdawala said.

Given that previous research has linked early childhood health to later outcomes, sex discrimination in prenatal care might also have long-term effects.

"We know that children born at higher birth weights go to school for longer periods and have higher wages as adults, so the future implications here are pretty serious," Lakdawala said.

The study appears in the Journal of Human Resources.