Campbell, Arron fastest
BUDAPEST, Aug 20 — France’s flame-haired Christine Arron set the European Championships alight here yesterday winning the women’s 100 metres title and breaking the European record on the way to becoming the third fastest performer of all time.

Cricket entry for C' wealth Games "only through IOA"
NEW DELHI, Aug 20 — The Indian Olympic Association today reiterated that cricket entry, by names, for next month’s Commonwealth Games could be routed only through them and expressed fears that delay by the cricket board could end up in India being disqualified from the event.

Leander Paes demolishes Bruguera
NEW HAVEN, Aug 20 — Indian ace star Leander Paes continued his giant-killing spree ousting big-hitter Sergi Bruguera of Spain in the second round of the Pilot Pen International here.

Sapna-Sheel duo bags title
JALANDHAR, Aug 20 — Jaideep Kohli and Rohan Kapoor shattered the hopes of top seed Ranjit Singh and second seed Gagandeep Ratti in the semifinals of the men's singles in the district badminton championship in progress here today.

Pakistan take on Bhutan today
BANGALORE, Aug 20 — Pakistan, who beat the Maldives 2-1 yesterday, look to continue their winning run when they face lowly Bhutan tomorrow while Kyrgyzstan, who were tamed by hosts India yesterday, will have another strong opponent to face in Maldives in the group-6 of the 31st Asian Youth (under-19) Football Championships here.

Easy win for Hingis at Canadian Open
MONTREAL, Aug 20 — Top seed Martina Hingis defeated 59th-ranked Sylvia Plischke of Austria 6-4 6-1 in second-round action at the Canadian Open yesterday.

Akram helps Lancs maintain challenge
LONDON, Aug 20 — Pakistan’s Wasim Akram played a significant role with bat and ball to help Lancashire maintain their challenge for the English county championship yesterday.

Angus Fraser tops Wisden rankings
LONDON, Aug 20 — Veteran Seamer Angus Fraser has become the first England player to top Wisden's World Rankings since the list began two years ago.

Sandhu to coach Punjab

Lee takes lead

Haynes to coach Northants

Samrat Cooler XI triumph

Ashok Mankad Mumbai coach

Cricket camp begins today

Campbell, Arron fastest

BUDAPEST, Aug 20 (AFP) — France’s flame-haired Christine Arron set the European Championships alight here yesterday winning the women’s 100 metres title and breaking the European record on the way to becoming the third fastest performer of all time.

On a night when the fairer sex outshone the men, Ireland’s Sonia O’Sullivan began her attempt to become the first woman to take the 5,000 and 10,000 double by winning the longer race against a world-class field, including Olympic champion Fernanda Ribeiro of Portugal.

The men’s 100 m went to Britain’s Darren Campbell, who is coached by triple European 100 m champion Linford Christie, in a championship record time of 10.04 sec ahead of teammate Dwain Chambers and Greece’s world indoor 60 m champion Haralambros Papadias.

The 24-year-old Arron, who broke Germany’s Katrine Krabbe’s eight-year championship record in the semifinals with a time of 10.81sec powered back in the final 40 to overhaul veteran Russian Irina Privalova in 10.73 sec and confirm herself as the biggest threat to Marion Jones’ domination of the event.

Privalova, the previous European record-holder, held on to second while Greek Ekaterini Thanou took the bronze just ahead of Zhanna Pintusevich, the world silver medallist.

Ribeiro, also the defending champion, held off a challenge from Romania’s Lidia Simon in the final few metres while British favourite Paula Ratcliffe finished an exhausted fifth after setting most of the pace.

Campbell, who was so relaxed he had time for a nap on the track prior to the race, was never headed in the men’s Blue Riband event.

Chambers gathered himself for a second challenge but the former semi-professional footballer had enough to hold off the world junior record holder.

Germany’s Tanja Damaske stepped up from winning bronze in world championships last year to taking the women’s javelin, keeping her lead from the very first throw of 69.10m.

The 26-year-old East German-born thrower beat Russian Tatyana Shikolenko and Mikaela Ingberg of Finland.

Norway’s double world and reigning European champion Trine Hattestad was fourth while Finland’s Olympic titleholder Heli Rantanen came fifth.

The men’s hammer gave the home crowd a double cause for celebration as Tibor Gecsek and Olympic champion Balasz Kiss took gold and silver, respectively.

Earlier in the evening, France’s other major gold medal hope Stephane Diagana, the reigning 400 m hurdles world champion, saw his hopes of first European crown disappear as he crashed out of the semifinals.

Cricket entry for C' wealth Games
"only through IOA"

NEW DELHI, Aug 20 (PTI) — The Indian Olympic Association today reiterated that cricket entry, by names, for next month’s Commonwealth Games could be routed only through them and expressed fears that delay by the cricket board (BCCI) could end up in India being disqualified from the event.

Describing BCCI secretary Jaywant Lele’s comment yesterday that the board would route the names only through its world governing body (ICC) as ‘highly disturbing’, IOA president Suresh Kalmadi told a press conference here it could be a ruse by BCCI to deliberately get disqualified and then send a full side to the Sahara Cup series in Toronto.

Reacting to Mr Lele’s remarks to the press here after the BCCI’s working committee had decided to send ‘formidable teams’ to the games (September 11 to 21) and Sahara Cup (September 12 to 20) — the clash of dates and quality of team, the basis for the whole controversy — Mr Kalmadi said the constitution of the Commonwealth Games Federation was clear that entries can be sent only through respective Commonwealth Games Associations, the IOA in this case.

The IOA respected the BCCI’s autonomy and had no intention to interfere with its selection process, he said, but wondered what the BCCI’s 'motive' was in delaying the naming of the squad.

Releasing a letter dated March 27 from Mr Lele to the IOA where he states ‘we shall endeavour to ensure that the best Indian team is chosen and sent for the prestigious event’, Mr Kalmadi said it clearly showed the BCCI had accepted the IOA’s role vis-a-vis participation in the games before backtracking.

The IOA has been regularly communicating with SUKOM and if the Indian cricket entry was not immediately submitted, there was all possibility of it being scratched. "All other boards, including Australia, have gone through their NOCs," he added.

Mr Kalmadi said commercial reasons could have influenced the BCCI’s stand so that they could send all the top players to Toronto for the five-match series against Pakistan.

"It’s coin (money) versus medal," he quipped.

Reiterating that the IOA would still entertain only a strong team, he refuted Mr Lele’s statement that the original entry was sent through the ICC on June 7, and said it was the IOA which sent it.

Portions of the CGF statute were also circulated to back the IOA claim. Article 27 of the statute says:

1. Entries shall be accepted only by the organising committee and only from Commonwealth Games Associations.

2. Each Commonwealth Games Association shall receive from its representative governing bodies their nominations and shall forward these, if approved by it, to the organising committee which shall acknowledge them.

3. The games associations shall ensure the competitors are fully aware of and comply with the eligibilty rules of the federation and its doping regulations.

(BCCI had initially sought clarifications on the doping issue and Mr Lele had yesterday held that cricket would not come under the ambit of the drug regulations at the games).

Meanwhile, Indian cricket board secretary Jaywant Lele today said the board was awaiting a directive from the International Cricket Council ‘in a day or two’ before deciding on how to route names of the team for the Commonwealth Games.

Contacted after Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi had said entries could be sent only through the IOA as per the Commonwealth Games Federation’s constitution, Mr Lele told PTI.

"Right now we don’t know anything. We have asked the ICC for a directive and we’ll get the reply in a day or two and proceed from there."

It was a total change in stance as Mr Lele had said after yesterday’s BCCI working committee meeting the cricket entry would be submitted directly to SUKOM, the Malaysian organisers, through the ICC and that the IOA "is nowhere in the picture".

India’s participation in cricket, making its debut at the September 11-21 games at Kuala Lumpur, has remained uncertain with the BCCI-IOA tussle showing no signs of ending.

Leander Paes demolishes Bruguera

NEW HAVEN, Aug 20 (AP) — Indian ace star Leander Paes continued his giant-killing spree ousting big-hitter Sergi Bruguera of Spain in the second round of the Pilot Pen International here.

The India’s number one player, who recently cracked into the top 100, beat the Spaniard in straight sets 6-1, 6-2 yesterday to cruise to the third round of the tournament.

Earlier Leander had upset the 15th seed Marc Rosset of Switzerland 6-3, 6-0 in the first round. Taking from where he left in first round, the Indian stuck to his current form in no way being overawed by the higher-rated opponent in the second round.

Paes, gaining a solid footing ever since his maiden ATP title in the Hall of Fame championship in Newport, was in great form leaving the seasoned Spaniard no chance to come back to the game after he lost the first set 1-6.

Top seed Pete Sampras allowed Lleyton Hewitt to break him twice and force a tiebreaker before dismissing the young Australian 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) to advance to the third round.

Sampras dropped the first game of the match, serving, and later said he was having trouble acclimating himself to his first appearance in New Haven.

"My tennis will get better. I certainly hope it will get better," he said, after the 1 hour, 12 minute duel.

Sampras also said he was dwelling on Sunday’s loss to Patrick Rafter in the finals of the ATP championship in Cincinnati, which placed in jeopardy his goal to end the year at No. 1 in the world. The match ended on a serve by Rafter that was first called out, then ruled an ace by the umpire.

"I don’t like losing matches. I don’t like losing, period, especially that way," he said, adding that he most wants to play Rafter this week.

Rafter, seeded second, was slated to play Jeff Tarango in a night match. Rafter, ranked No. 3 in the world, and Sampras would meet in the tournament finals.

Hewitt, whom Sampras called an up-and-coming player in need of a big weapon, said he was overwhelmed by the Wimbledon champion’s serve. Sampras rocketed 12 aces, consistently serving faster than 120 mph.

Hewitt had beaten Andre Agassi earlier in the year to win the Australian hardcourt championships. He had said his goal in playing Sampras was to stay relaxed. But after falling behind 4-1 in the first set and in the middle of dropping one of four service games, the 17-year-old struck his racket on the court, breaking it.

"I was a set down before I knew it," Hewitt said. At the time you really don’t know what to do."

Also third-seeded Petr Korda defeated Andrei Medvedev 6-3, 2-6, 6-1. Korda, ranked No. 4 in the world, will face fellow Czech Bohdan Ulihrach, seeded 13th.

Korda, the Australian Open champion, acknowledged he is the favourite of the two.

"I think he has nothing to lose. What I’m really looking for is to play as well as I can before the US Open," he said.

Defending Pilot Pen champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov demolished Australian Todd Woodbridge 6-0, 6-3 in 48 minutes.

"I never thought it would be so easy," he said.

Kafelnikov, the fifth-seeded Russian, advances to play Gustavo Kuerten, seeded 11th. Kuerten, of Brazil, beat Alex O’Brien 6-3, 6-2. Davide Sanguinetti of Italy upset 12th-seeded Fabrice Santoro of France 6-1, 6-7 (7-2), 7-5.

Tim Henman of Britain, seeded sixth, advanced 6-2, 6-3 over Vincenzo Santopadre of Italy. Henman will face Sanguinetti.

Sapna-Sheel duo bags title
From Our Sports Reporter

JALANDHAR, Aug 20 — Jaideep Kohli and Rohan Kapoor shattered the hopes of top seed Ranjit Singh and second seed Gagandeep Ratti in the semifinals of the men's singles in the district badminton championship in progress here today.

In the first semifinal third seed and the district champion Jaideep Kohli upset top seed Ranjit Singh 15-11, 12-15, 15-11, whereas fourth seed Rohan Kapoor outplayed second seed Gagandeep Ratti 15-12, 15-7.

Another upset was witnessed in the men's doubles semifinal where the third seed Ram Lakhan and Neeraj Bansal upset the top seed Ranjit Singh and Jaideep Kohli in straight 15-12, 15-0. In the second semifinal second seed Kamaljit Singh and Gagandeep Ratti proved their worth by defeating junior doubles champions Rohan Kapoor and Rittin Khanna 15-12, 15-6.

Sapna will meet Sumeet Kalra in the women's singles final. Sapna defeated Sandhya 11-10, 11-5 and Sumeet beat Gurpreet Kalra 11-9, 11-9 in the semifinals.

Sapna with her partner Sheel Bhagat bagged the women's doubles title by defeating Gurpreet and Sumeet 15-10, 15-5.

In the mixed doubles Ram Lakhan and Sapna won the title. They defeated Gagandeep Ratti and Sumeet 17-15, 15-5.

Ramesh Dhaul bagged two titles in the veterans' singles and doubles. He defeated Gurcharan Kochar in the singles 15-8, 15-10 whereas he and his partner Arvinder Kohli beat M. Lall Magen and Ashok Mittal 15-12, 11-15, 15-7.

Pakistan take on Bhutan today

BANGALORE, Aug 20 (PTI) — Pakistan, who beat the Maldives 2-1 yesterday, look to continue their winning run when they face lowly Bhutan tomorrow while Kyrgyzstan, who were tamed by hosts India yesterday, will have another strong opponent to face in Maldives in the group-6 of the 31st Asian Youth (under-19) Football Championships here.

India are through to the next round and left with just two matches to go against Bhutan and Pakistan.

Bhutan, considered as the weakest side in the championship, definitely need a good exposure. On the other hand Kyrgyzstan would not have an easy time against the Maldives.

However, the Maldives are also not without problems as even though their defence is outstanding they lack finishing. They will also miss three of their players following red-card bookings.

"The officiating was bad and none of the players clicked yesterday and full marks to Indians, we will try to improve on the game tomorrow", said Kyrgystan coach, Nallev Zagid.

With security being tightened, Pakistan have the problem of warming up. "We have to warm up indoors and it is good that we had a easy side to face in the first match and hope for the best in the coming matches," said Pakistan coach, Zafar Iqbal.

Kyrgyzstan would have to take care of the Maldivean sharp shooter Umar Ali, who scored the first goal for his team in the championship through a penalty against Pakistan yesterday.

India have taken a giant step for qualifying from the group and are now the top contenders in the Thailand leg of the championships later this year, thanks to splendid performances from skipper Sheik Sanjib, James Singh and Noel Wilson.

With four of the 10 matches already through, India have six points from two matches having defeated the Maldives and Krygyzstan and have now to play Pakistan and Bhutan.

Pakistan have three points from one match.

Kyrgyzstan, who have three points from two matches, would definitely try to improve against the Maldives. Bhutan have yet to open their account.

Easy win for Hingis at Canadian Open

MONTREAL, Aug 20 (Reuters) — Top seed Martina Hingis defeated 59th-ranked Sylvia Plischke of Austria 6-4 6-1 in second-round action at the Canadian Open yesterday.

"It’s a big centre court and at first the balls were flying," Hingis said of her first match after a first-round bye in the tournament.

"But they were going in so it was ok," she added with a smile.

The second and third seeds, Czech Jana Novotna and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario of Spain, also reached the round of 16. Novotna eliminated Elena Likhovtseva of Russia 7-5 6-2, and Sanchez Vicario rallied to beat Slovakia’s Karina Habsudova 0-6 7-5 6-2.

Other seeded players advancing included two from France, No. 11 Nathalie Tauziat and No. 14 Sandrine testud. Tauziat downed American Kimberly Po 6-3 6-3 and Testud beat Iva Majoli of Croatia 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-1.

Russian Anna Kournikova, the 15th seed, battled for an hour and 43 minutes to get past Romanian Ruxandra Dragomir 4-6 6-2 6-4. She will next play sixth-seeded Conchita Martinez of Spain.

Hingis struggled in the first set even though she led 5-2. "At 5-2. I was playing against the wind and she was hitting pretty hard so it was tough," she said.

The 17-year-old Swiss has been using a new racket model since her first summer tournament in San Diego weeks ago.

She will next try the new racket against 16th-seeded Ai Sugiyama of Japan in the round of 16.

Novotna trailed 3-5 in the first set before turning her match around against the 25th-ranked Likhovtseva.

"I haven’t played for four weeks so it’s not that surprising that I didn’t get my game back right away," Novotna said. "I made some mistakes but there were a lot of entertaining points. And Likhovtseva is a very tough opponent for a first match."

Novotna is still basking in the afterglow of her memorable Wimbledon triumph six weeks ago, saying, "I’m enjoying tennis more than ever, enjoying the whole atmosphere."

Sanchez Vicario didn’t know what hit her in the early going against Habsudova. "I have to say that for the first 20, 25 minutes, I almost didn’t see the ball," Sanchez Vicario said of losing the first set 6-0. "She played unbelievably well and was the one hitting all the winners."

Sanchez Vicario said she found success in the second set by trying to "move her around a little bit" and then cruised to a 4-0 lead in what turned out to be a one-sided third set.

"I went for my shots a little more in the third set and got more confident. But she’s a very dangerous player," said Sanchez Vicario, who next meets Tauziat.

Akram helps Lancs maintain challenge

LONDON, Aug 20 (Reuters) — Pakistan’s Wasim Akram played a significant role with bat and ball to help Lancashire maintain their challenge for the English county championship yesterday.

He scored a valuable 68 out in the first innings total of 196, then took the first three wickets as Durham slipped to 15 all out.

By close on the first day, when Lancashire were 23 for one, 21 wickets had fallen and Lancs’ England batsman John Crawley had been out twice.

Surrey, beginning their game against Nottinghamshire 21 points clear of second-placed Lancashire, made steady progress in dismissing the home side for 213.

Their Pakistani spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who took 11 wickets in the previous match, managed only one, but will be hoping for more assistance from the Trent Bridge pitch when Nottinghamshire bat again.

Surrey were 84 for two at the end of the first day.

There was no respite for bottom-of-the-table Essex, who were hammered for 401 for five by Gloucestershire.

Tim Hancock beat his previous best score of 123, also against Essex, in making 135.

Middlesex, another Southern county struggling badly this season, staged a remarkable comeback against third-placed Leicestershire after slumping to 20 for four.

Mark Ramprakash and Paul Weekes both made centuries.

At Leicester: Middlesex 293-8 (P.Weekes 139; M.Ramprakash 110) v Leicestershire.

At Northampton: Northamptonshire 319 (A. Penberthy 128, D.Ripley 98; D.Brown 4-68). Warwickshire 17-1.

At Riverside: Lancashire 196 (Wasim Akram 68; N.Killeen 5-49) and 23-1. Durham 158 (J. Lewis 70 not out).

At Colchester: Gloucestershire 401-5 (T. Hancock 135, M.Windows 69 not out) v Essex.

At Canterbury: Worcestershire 281-6 (P. Weston 60) v Kent.

At Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 213 (C. Read 66 not out). Surrey 84-2.

At Taunton: Derbyshire 290 (R. Weston 73; G. Rose 4-75) v Somerset 96-5.

Angus Fraser tops Wisden rankings

LONDON, Aug 20 (AFP) — Veteran Seamer Angus Fraser has become the first England player to top Wisden's World Rankings since the list began two years ago.

The 33-year-old Middlesex bowler’s 18 wickets in the last two Tests against South Africa has shot him from sixth to the top of the bowling list compiled by the monthly cricket magazine, ahead of Allan Donald.

The highest position previously achieved by an Englishman was third place in the batting rankings by Nasser Hussain in 1997.

Venables "wants to" be England coach

LONDON, Aug 20 (AFP) — Glenn Hoddle claims in his controversial World Cup diary that his predecessor Terry Venables still wants to be England coach.

Hoddle says Venables, who quit after taking England to the semifinals of Euro 96, has been critical of him because he still wants the job.

Hoddle says former England boss Bobby Robson offered him total backing during France 98 — unlike Venables, who often questioned Hoddle’s tactical decisions and slammed his successor for leaving Paul Gascoigne out of the England squad.

"A few things he’s said about England since I took over have irritated me," said Hoddle.

"Bobby Robson took the time to call me and say he was right behind me, that he’d give me all the support he could. As for Terry...I wasn’t sure. I think it has been difficult for Terry during the two years I have been head coach. I’m sure he feels he should still be in the job.’’

But one man for whom Hoddle offers unqualified backing is Arsenal’s double-winning boss Arsene Wenger.

Hoddle worked under Wenger during his spell as a player in Monaco and is unstinting in his praise of the Frenchman.

Wenger has long been touted as a candidate to coach the Japanese national side into the 2002 World Cup. And Hoddle believes there could be no better choice.

BCCI AGM on September 23, 24

NEW DELHI, Aug 20 (UNI) — The annual general body meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will be held in Calcutta on September 23 and 24.

The decision to this effect was taken at the one-day working committee meeting of the BCCI here yesterday. The elections of the BCCI office-bearers will be held during the AGM.

Talking to newspersons after the meeting BCCI Secretary J.Y. Lele said that it was decided to hold two first class games at Faridabad's Nahar Singh stadium. The members of the pitch and ground committee of the board will watch these matches to see the condition of the pitch and ground there. Depending on their report Faridabad will be again given the status of international centre.

The BCCI had shifted the Australia-Zimbabwe Independence Cup match in April from Faridabad to Delhi after its pitch and ground committee found the conditions there not good for holding the international tie.

He said the Gopinath Committee report on the abandoned Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Tamil Nadu was also reviewed and it was decided to direct the two associations concerned to take action against their players found guilty. The umpires committee of the board will take action against two umpires D.K. Kar and P.S. Godbole for the match.

Balwinder Sandhu to coach Punjab

MUMBAI, Aug 20 (PTI) — Balwinder Singh Sandhu, recently removed as Mumbai coach, today accepted the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) offer to train its Ranji Trophy team and welcomed the appointment of former Test star Ashok Mankad to succeed him in Mumbai.

Hailing the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) decision to give the job to Mankad for the 1998-99 season, Sandhu said he was awaiting permission from his employers Rashtriya Fertilisers Ltd to take up the new assignment.
I am all set to take up the new offer by PCA president Inderjeet Singh Bindra. "Praji" (Bindra) had offered me the assignmeant to coach the Punjab team a couple of months ago and I have decided to go ahead with it. Though the terms and conditions have not been finalised as yet," Sandu said.

The former Test medium-pacer who has been replaced as coach by his Ranji Trophy skipper, said he had great regard for Mankad and the then Mumbai manager and former India skipper Polly Umrigar.

"I have learnt a lot from the two gentlemen and in fact I am trying to impart to others whatever I have learnt from them. I think Mankad, who was a very good captain during his playing days, will make a successful coach as well," he said.

Samrat Cooler XI triumph
From Our Sports Reporter

LUDHIANA, Aug 20 — Samrat Cooler XI carved out a 14-run victory against Karan XI in the second match of the inaugural A K Timber Trophy Cricket Tournament (u-14) at the S D Government College ground here today.

Karan XI won the toss and put Samrat Cooler XI to bat. Samrat Cooler XI batsmen could muster only 82 runs in the stipulated 20 overs thanks to Salil and Amarveer who contributed 22 and 12 runs, respectively. For Karan XI Danesh was the pick of the bowlers who captured three wickets conceding 14 runs.

Karan XI batsmen began their reply on a cautious note as they were pushed against the wall by Samrat Cooler XI bowlers Hari and Sandeep. Samrat Cooler XI were skittled out for 68 runs 19.2 overs. Hari claimed four wickets for 18 runs while Sandeep took two for five runs.

Brief scores — Samrat Cooler XI 82 for 9 in 20 overs (Salil 22, Amarveer 12, Varun 7, Danesh 3 for 14, Karan Goel 2 for 17, Sunny 2 for 24).

Karan XI 68 all out in 19.2 overs (Danesh 22, Dimpy 17, Ajay 10, Hari 4 for 18, Sandeep 2 for 5, Amarveer 1 for 7, Jai Parkash 1 for 13).

Lee takes lead
From Our Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI, Aug 20 — Korea’s Lee Ju-il fired the lowest 18 holes of his shot professional career today to take a one shot lead after the opening round of the $ 500,000 Ericsson Singapore Open at SAFRA Resort and Country Club.

Lee, who only qualified for this event on Monday, carded 10 birdies and three bogeys for a magnificent seven under par 65, and heads the leader board from compatriot Park No-Seok and fellow qualifier Olle Nordberg of Sweden.

"I only qualified for this event on Monday, when I shot level par, so I’m very happy to be leading after the first round," said 26-year-old Lee. "My iron shots were the key to my round today, and I played very well except for a couple of holes.

I really should have been two shots better because I made two stupid bogeys — perhaps if I was a little more experienced then I wouldn’t have made those mistakes".

The experienced duo Lu Wen-Teh of Taiwan and Mexico’s Carlos Espinosa shared fourth spot on five under par with India’s Gaurav Ghei and Shaun Micheel of America.

Defending champion Zaw Moe posted a one over par 73 and lies in joint 85th position with 21 players, including last week’s Omega Champion Chris Williams of South Africa.

Ashok Mankad Mumbai coach

MUMBAI, Aug 20 (PTI) — Former Test star Ashok Mankad has been appointed as coach of the Mumbai Ranji Trophy cricket team for the forthcoming season (1998-99).

The seven-member committee formed by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), which includes former Test stars Sunil Gavaskar, Ajit Wadekar, Sandeep Patil and Dilip Sardesai among others, also appointed former Ranji players Umesh Kulkarni to coach the under-19 team and Dinesh Nanavaty in charge of the under-16 team, a MCA press note said here today.

Mankad replaces former Indian medium-pacer Balwinder Singh Sandhu, who was axed recently after Mumbai team’s dismal performance last season. Mumbai lost their Ranji Trophy semi-finals to underdogs Uttar Pradesh at home.

However, Mumbai had won both the Ranji Trophy as well as the Wills Trophy in 1996-97 after Sandhu took over as coach.

Haynes to coach Northants

NORTHAMPTON, Aug 20 (AFP) — Former West Indies opener Desmond Haynes has agreed to help coach Northamptonshire's batsmen, the county has revealed.

Haynes, who scored more than 7,000 runs in 116 Tests, was contacted by Northants' chief coach John Emburey. He has alrady spent some time this season working with Hampshire.

"We've looked at the possibility of employing a specialist batting coach for some time," explained chief executive Steve Coverdale on Tuesday.

John looked at several individuals but his preferred choice was Desmond Haynes, who he knows well from their time together at Middlesex.

"He will be with us next Tuesday for a net session and then see the players in a match situation. The idea is to start planning for next season when we hope to be calling Desmond, or others, bit more often." Coverdale said.

Cricket camp begins today

CHENNAI, Aug 20 (UNI) — The 15-day preparatory camp, the first for the 22 probables forming the composition for India’s build up to the 1999 World Cup cricket in England, is all set to begin here tomorrow.

Former Australian opening batsman and captain Bobby Simpson, who has been appointed "consultant" arrived here yesterday. He was closeted with Anshuman Gaekwad, the coach of the Indian team at a five star hotel in the city where the probables would also be put up till September 4 when the camp concludes with the announcement of the Indian team for the Sahara Cup and the Commonwealth Games.

Sachin Tendulkar, who arrived here early today, would miss the camp at least for a week as he has to attend cricket legend Don Bradman’s birthday celebration’s and later receive the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. The other members of the team, including captain Mohammed Azharuddin, would be reaching here later.

Bobby Simpson and Gaekwad discussed the schedule at the camp and sorted out differences over the number of sessions. While Simpson suggested two sessions, Gaekwad was for a single session.

The camp would formally begin at 8 a.m. tomorrow at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. The facility at the MRF Pace Foundation might also be used, according to the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.

The probables are: Md Azharuddin (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Gagan Khoda, Rahul Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Ajit Agarkar, Nayan Mongia, M.S.K. Prasad, Saba Karim, Anil Kumble, Sairaj Bahutule, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Debashish Mohanty, Robin Singh (jr), Harbhajan Singh and Rahul Sanghvi.

Coach: Anshuman Gaekwad; consultant: Bobby Simpson, team physio: Andrew Kokinos.