Tuesday, March 2, 1999
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S P O R T | Tuesday, March 2, 1999 |
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Cullinan emerges SA’s highest
scorer AUCKLAND, March 1 — Daryll Cullinan said he felt embarrassed after breaking Graeme Pollock’s South African run scoring record with 275 not out in the first Test against New Zealand.
Samaranch more determined than ever
to stay |
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Williams sisters make history Coles
must explain: Aussie members |
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Sachin's ton a model of patience SRI LANKA now know what they have to do against Pakistan in Lahore to get to the final in Dhaka. Seven bonus batting and bowling points will be one more than India. If Sri Lanka only get six bonus points then it will be the team having a better batting run-rate in the first 100 overs of the first innings who go through. England
recall Atherton Ashwani
appears before probe panel Kambli,
Agarkar undergo trials Rajni
to the fore Unimpressive
win for Churchill Bros Shiva
Kumar wins singles title Indian
colts take lead
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Cullinan emerges SA’s highest scorer AUCKLAND, March 1 (AP) — Daryll Cullinan said he felt embarrassed after breaking Graeme Pollock’s South African run scoring record with 275 not out in the first Test against New Zealand. After Cullinan’s innings had inspired South Africa to 621 for five declared, Matthew Horne led a spirited fightback, hitting an unbeaten 92 in New Zealand’s 205 for two at stumps on the third day at Eden park. "I feel embarrassed," Cullinan said of passing Pollock’s 274 against Australia in Durban in 1969-70. "He was our batting icon and a genius of a batsman. Although I am proud of my achievement it hasn’t sunk in yet that I have replaced him at the top of the ladder." Cullinan resumed today on 246 and passed Jackie McGlew’s 255 not out against New Zealand in Wellington in 1952-53 before chasing Pollock’s record. Pollock’s nephew Shaun Pollock was the first to congratulate Cullinan as they shared 126 runs for the sixth wicket. After being sent into bat, South Africa, ground out the New Zealand attack for 13 hours and 13 minutes and finished a run short of the record 622 for nine posted by Ali Bacher’s side against Australia at Kingsmead in 1969-70. Cullinan, provided the backbone of the South African batting as he shared three record stands with Gary Kirsten (128), Jonty Rhodes (63) and Pollock (69 not out). Cullinan’s epic innings lasted 659 minutes and was the longest by a South African batsman, surpassing Kirsten’s 650 minutes for 210 against England at Old Trafford in July 1998. The South African No 4 walked off to a guard of honour formed by his teammates outside the dressing room. It has been a fairytale return to the South African side for Cullinan, since being axed twice in the space of five matches in early 1998. He marked his return with a century against Sri Lanka at Cape Town in March 1998, and since has scored 1124 runs in 13 Tests averaging 56.20 with four centuries and as many fifties. The 46-match veteran hit 27 boundaries and two sixes off 490 balls and improved his career average from 37.74 to 41.62 during the course of the innings. Horne and makeshift opener Roger Twose (31) put on 80 for the first wicket in two hours before fast bowler Allan Donald made the opening breakthrough. Donald had Twose caught behind and then 90 runs later finally found the edge of Nathan Astle’s bat en route to wicket keeper Mark Boucher. Astle having played and missed for 22 minutes before he scored his first runs, hit six fours and two sixes off left arm spinner Paul Adams in his 41 runs. He fell to Donald after tea. Twose was forced to open after Matthew Bell pulled a hamstring on the first day and hasn’t taken the field since. SCOREBOARD South Africa (1st innings): Kirsten c Astle b Allott1 28 Gibbs b Vettori3 4 Kallis lbw b Doull 7 Cullinan not out 275 Cronje c Allott b Harris 30 Rhodes c Twose b Harris 63 Pollock not out 69 Extras: (4-B, 9-LB, 2-NB) 15 Total: 621 for five declared. Fall of wickets: 1/76, 2/97, 3/280, 4/354, 5/495. Bowling: Simon Doull 33-7-90-1, Geoff Allott 38-5-153-1 (1nb), Dion Nash 28-2-97-0 (1nb), Daniel Vettori 42-8-120-1, Chris Harris 45-10-94-2, Craig McMillan 5.1-0-24-0, Nathan Astle 9-1-30-0. New Zealand (1st innings): Twose c Boucher b Donald 31 Horne not out 92 Astle c Boucher b Donald 41 McMillan not out 21 Extras: (16-LB, 4-NB) 20. Total: 205 for two. Fall of wickets: 1/80, 2/170. Bowling: Allan
Donald 17-10-33-2, Shaun Pollock 16-5-40-0 (2nb), Lance
Klusener 12-5-23-0, Paul Adams 17-5-61-0, Jacques Kallis
10-3-24-0 (2nb), Daryll Cullinan 2-1-8-0. |
A dream come true, says Cullinan AUCKLAND, Mar 1 (AP) — Daryll Cullinan, while relishing a dream come true, said he felt mixed emotions after scoring south Africa's highest individual innings in Test cricket today. Cullinan hit a career-best unbeaten 275 to topple Graeme Pollock at the top of the list. Pollock scored 274 against Australia in Durban in 1969/70 in South Africa's last series before its international isolation. "I never thought I would do that. It was a dream come true", Cullinan said. Cullinan, a prodigious right hander, first caught the eye of the selectors as a teenager when he hammered South Africa's domestic record of 337 not out for Transvaal against Northern Transvaal. He was just 16 years and 304 days old. "As a 16-year-old I passed one of his records. I feel bit embarrassed about it. He only played 23 Tests. Who knows what he could have done had he got his full quota." In 23 matches the left handed Pollock amassed 2,256 runs at an average of 60.97 second only to the great Sir Donald Bradman. Pollock hit seven centuries and eleven fifties in a career shortened because of his country's apartheid policy. "He was my boyhood idol and hero," Cullinan said. "I always admired Viv Richards. But Graeme is the guy everyone spoke of. When my father took us to the Wanderers to watch cricket, he took us to watch Graeme. "He is one of the greats of all time. It is the sadness that he didn't get his full quota." Cullinan, who turns 32 on March 4, began the day on 246 and South Africa on 562 for five and very much in control. He was third in the all time list behind Pollock and Jackie MacGlew's 255 not out against New Zealand in 1952/53. "I wanted to pass Jackie McGlew", Cullinan reflected on his innings. The first thing in my mind
was passing Jackie McGlew. I didn't care if I got out
after it because I didn't mind being second to Graeme. It
is a pretty good achievement being second to him." |
Samaranch more determined than ever to stay LONDON, March 1 (AP) — With the Olympics mired in crisis, IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch appears more determined than ever to stay in office. But the questions remain: can he hold on? for how long? who might succeed him? The answers to all three are anyone’s guess. As the International Olympic Committee prepares for a watershed meeting on March 17 and 18 to deal with its worst corruption scandal, no obvious successor to Samaranch has emerged from among a half-dozen leading candidates. Samaranch has come under tremendous pressure since the scandal broke late last year over cash and other inducements received by IOC members from Salt Lake City and other Olympic bidders. Calls for his resignation have mounted. Still, Samaranch appears to have widespread support from his main constituency — the IOC members from whom he will seek a vote of confidence next month. Recent interviews with a cross section of IOC members elicited the same general response: Samaranch is the only one who can lead the committee out of the crisis and he should see through his final term until 2001. With no obvious successor in place, Olympic officials say Samaranch’s departure could trigger a vicious internal battle that would only drag the IOC deeper into crisis. "This is not the time to be debating your leadership," said Australian executive board member Kevan Gosper. "It’s the time to rally around your leadership. If the ship’s in a storm, you don’t throw the captain overboard." At the IOC’s marble headquarters in Lausanne, a sort of siege mentality has set in. Samaranch has stopped doing interviews and made no public appearances or statements in recent weeks. But Samaranch has kept busy, conferring with his aides and IOC members, laying the groundwork for the March session, the most crucial meeting in his 19 years as president. Aides say Samaranch, who appeared tired and disheartened a month ago, is more upbeat and more determined to fight on and save his legacy. The outcome of the March meeting should help determine Samaranch’s fate. If the IOC fails to expel members and push through major reforms, Samaranch’s position will become untenable. Even if Samaranch comes out stronger and the crisis dies down, his future remains a matter of conjecture. There is speculation he might decide to step down in calmer circumstances before the end of his term, possibly after next year’s Sydney Olympics. The timing of any early departure is crucial and could be part of the reckoning to determine a successor. Under the Olympic charter, if the IOC president leaves before the end of his mandate, the first vice president — there are four VPs — takes over until an election at the next general assembly. So, if Samaranch were to resign in March, Pal Schmitt of Hungary would step in as president, pending an election at the IOC session in June. If Samaranch waited until June, Schmitt’s VP term will have expired by then, and Canada’s Dick Pound would take control. In 2000, Anita Defrantz of the UAS would be next in line. Regardless of whether Samaranch makes it to the end of his term, there is no obvious long-term heir. Leading contenders are executive board members Pound, Gosper, Defrantz, Jacques Rogge of Belgium and Thomas Bach of Germany. South Korean board member Kim O-Yong was a serious presidential hopeful but he is among those under investigation in the Salt Lake scandal. Even if Kim escapes without expulsion, his chances have been severely hurt, if not killed. Pound, who has been the IOC’s chief negotiator of TV and sponsorship deals, has been put in a difficult position as head of the commission investigating ethical misconduct of members in the Salt Lake case. While some feel Pound’s stock has risen, several members say his presidential chances have been compromised. Rogge holds influential roles as head of the European Olympic committees, and as the IOC’s point man for the Sydney Olympics and the 2004 Athens Games. Another name mentioned in IOC circles is Jean-Claude Killy, the French skier who won three gold medals at the 1968 Grenoble Games. Killy, an IOC member since 1995, has not been a major player. But he’s a favourite of Samaranch, has name recognition and has not been dragged into the scandal or internal politics. Whether he has the desire to be president is unclear. The name of Britain’s Princess Anne also has come up. Anne, an IOC member since 1988, has been held up as an example of unimpeachable integrity for refusing gifts from bid cities. But her royal duties leave her little spare time for the IOC (she will miss the March session due to previous commitments). "I don’t believe
right now there’s anyone who is clearly ready to
take (Samaranch’s) place," Ebersol said.
"Hopefully, the meeting in March will be a success
and over the next two years they’ll be doubly
diligent, and by the time they vote in 2001,
there’ll be someone clearly ready to succeed
Samaranch’s position." |
Sachin's ton a model of patience SRI LANKA now know what they have to do against Pakistan in Lahore to get to the final in Dhaka. Seven bonus batting and bowling points will be one more than India. If Sri Lanka only get six bonus points then it will be the team having a better batting run-rate in the first 100 overs of the first innings who go through. As India have completed their two matches it means Sri Lanka can lose the match but have to make sure they score 298 runs in the first 100 over of their Ist innings. Knowing what they have to do makes the task easier, particularly as the Lahore pitch is usually good for batting, what may be against Sri Lanka is that five of their best players are out injured — Jayasuriya, De Silva, Vass, Ranatunga and Muralitharan. What we don't know is how interested Pakistan will be to win the match. If Pakistan are keen to play India again — then they are easily strong enough to beat a weakened Sri Lankans. But may be the Pakistani players will rest on their laurels as 2-1 victory over India and not wish to put themselves to the test again and may be lose their winning status. It's always nice to be hero in your own country and at the moment the players are basking in their success. Another result pitch like Calcutta would be better for cricket rather than one like the pitch in Colombo. If matches are played regularly on this type of pitch it will kill Test match cricket. Already so few spectators pay to watch Test matches in Sri Lanka. "Fill your boots" time for batsmen is ok for the batsmen but as a spectator it does not excite the spectator. At least Sri Lanka bowled and fielded well Aravinda de Silva giving an imaginative display as stand in captain. The way he moved his fielding into unusual positions marked him on as a player with a good cricket brain and future captain. Arjuna Ranatunga will probably retire after the World Cup having done a splendid job but De Silva might be the man to inject some urgency into Sri Lankan cricket. He managed to make batting hard work for Ganguly and Tendulkar with limited bowling but clever use of field placing. You have to be a good tactician and motivator of your bowlers and fielders to keep Sachin Tendulkar in check. Sachin is the best batsman
in the world and loves to get on top of bowlers.
Domination is his natural game but yesterday he played
solidly with composure. Sound defence, careful shot
selection were the hallmarks of his innings. His 19th
century was a model of patience as he tried to cut out
risky shots. With his ability on a pitch like this with
modest bowling it was like taking candy from children.
There was an inevitability about his batting from the
start. I don't think this 100 will rank as a memorable
one simply because his skill was hardly put to the test
by the pitch and opposition bowlers. That does not
belittle his batting. He batted well. It was not his
fault that the match was petering out to a draw and there
were 'easy pickings' for a good batsman. As a cricketer
you take the opportunities and conditions you are given
and make the most of them. Ganguly batted nicely but he
and Laxman and Azza had the same chance to make a
century. Only Sachin was good enough to do it. —
PMG |
Coles must explain: Aussie members SYDNEY, March 1 (Reuters) — International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Phil Coles has been asked by Australia's senior IOC officials' to explain allegations that he had accepted excessive hospitality, newspapers reported today. Mr Coles was one of several IOC members, who, yesterday answered charges of wrongdoing stemming from a recent report by an Ethics Committee from Salt Lake City, site of the 2002 Winter Games. In the Swiss city of Lausanne, Mr Coles, Mr Ashwini Kumar of India and Mr Agustin Arroyo of Ecuador met an adhoc IOC panel investigating charges of bribery and corruption surrounding Salt Lake City's successful bid. Newspapers said fellow Australian IOC delegate Kevan Gosper has called for Mr Coles to explain allegations that he accepted more than $ 60,000 (Aus) from Salt Lake City officials. "Phil will have to address the criticisms being aimed at him in Australia," Mr Gosper, an IOC executive board member, was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. Mr Gosper said each individual IOC member's responsibility was to make a judgement on cities bidding to stage Olympic Games. "In terms of any further relationship, friendship, goodwill, whatever, that's a matter for the individual," Mr Gosper said. Asked about the extent of hospitality Mr Coles is alleged to have received in Salt Lake City, the Herald quoted Mr Gosper as saying: "It was surprising to me". Mr Coles later told an Australian radio that he had given the six-man IOC panel a thorough briefing during an hour-long meeting but declined to comment directly on the allegations. "I'm just taking the best advice, there will be a time, but not at the moment," Mr Coles said. "It was a very fair discussion. I briefed them thoroughly." Mr Coles had earlier said he would sue media outlets publishing details of the allegations. A recent report by a Salt Lake City ethics panel implicated 10 new members, including Mr Coles and Mr Kumar, in a widening scandal. The full membership of the IOC is expected to expel or clear those involved, in a two-day special session on March 17 and 18. Mr Coles is one of Australia's highest-ranking Olympic officials and was a key figure in Sydney's successful bid for the 2000 summer games. He is also the Vice-President of the Sydney Games Organising Committee.
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England recall Atherton LONDON, March 1 (Reuters) — Former captain Mike Atherton was recalled to the England one-day team today for the World Cup opening at Lord’s on May 14. Atherton has not played for his country in one-day cricket for the past two years but has been included in the World Cup squad after England’s indifferent form in Australia this year when they lost six of their last seven one-dayers. He is selected subject to a fitness test for his long-standing back problem. Left-hander Graham Thorpe, who flew home early from the Ashes series with a back injury, and allrounder Ian Austin, who has undergone a knee operation, will also require fitness tests. "We have to have assurances that Mike’s back is better," England chairman of selectors David Graveney told a news conference at Lord’s. England have also included
allrounder Andrew Flintoff, currently touring South
Africa with England ‘A’ but omitted Test
vice-captain Nasser Hussain. |
Williams sisters make history PARIS, March 1 (AFP) — Sisters Venus and Serena Williams of the USA rewrote the tennis history books yesterday when they won separate tournaments. The 17-year-old Serena triumphed in the Paris Indoor Open, beating French hope Amelie Mauresmo 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, (7-4) and 18-year-old and fifth-ranked Venus beat Amanda Coetzer 6-4, 6-0 in Oklahoma. The last time two sisters contested different titles was in 1991 when Bulgarian sisters Manuela and Magdalena Maleeva reached separate finals. Both lost, however. Manuela was runner-up in Barcelona while Magdalena went down in Bol, Croatia. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP): Venus Williams has defended her title and joined her sister in making history, defeating Amanda Coetzer in straight sets at the IGA Superthrift Tennis Classic. Earlier yesterday, in Paris, Serena Williams won the Gaz De France Open, making the Williams’ the first sisters to win WTA tour events on the same day. "I found out that she won before I came out to play the match, so I really felt that it was my duty to come out here and win,’’ said Williams, who had been trading e-mail messages with her sister during the week. Williams, ranked No. 5 in the world, defeated Coetzer 6-4, 6-0. She didn’t lose a set in any of her four matches this week, and none of the four lasted more than about an hour. Williams broke Coetzer in the first game of the day and the two stayed on serve the rest of the way. She had seven aces, including three in the final four points of the set. The second set lasted just 21 minutes. Williams only had three aces, but took advantage of the South African’s mistakes. "I don’t think I played so well in the first set,’’ Williams said. I think my unforced error count was a bit high. But maybe Amanda’s the type of player that makes you hit some errors. "I always feel that there’s no need to make a mistake, so the second set was not a surprise for me.’’ The 18-year-old Williams won her first pro title at this event last year. Sunday’s victory, her fourth as a pro and first this year, was worth $33,000. Serena Williams, 17, beat
Amelie Mauresmo 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4) to become the first
American to win the Gaz De France Open. Her victory was
worth $80,000. |
Ashwani appears before probe panel LAUSANNE, March 1 (Reuters) — Ashwani Kumar of India claimed he was innocent when he appeared yesterday before the International Olympic Committee's ad-hoc body which expects to complete its probe into allegations of corruption by March 17. He was among the 10 IOC members implicated in the bribery and corruption scandal surrounding Salt Lake City's successful bid to stage the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. In contrast to what others had to go through Ashwani's meeting lasted only a matter of minutes, with the Indian IOC member vehemently denying any wrongdoing. "I came because I wanted to explain," he said. "I didn't do anything". "We've got to complete the stuff we're working on sometime within the next week and let folks know what's going on before the next session," said Dick Pound, head of the IOC ad-hoc inquiry committee. "We'd like to stop the bleeding by March 17. This death by a thousand cuts isn't much fun." The full membership of IOC
is expected to expel or clear those involved at a two-day
special session on March 17 and 18. |
Kambli, Agarkar undergo trials MUMBAI, March 1 (PTI) — Left hander Vinod Kambli and all rounder Ajit Agarkar today underwent a strenuous physical fitness test under the watchful eyes of Indian team physical trainer Andrew Kokinos and doctor Ravinder Chadha a head of the pruning of the World Cup probables list on March 3 by the national selectors. Their retention in the list of 19 by the selectors on Wednesday would depend on the "conclusive report" of the results of the test which is to be provided by Kokinos and Chadha prior to the selection committee meeting here, cricket board chief Raj Singh Dungarpur announced. "This (the 90-minute fitness trial) is just the beginning of the process. They have undergone the fitness trial in front of you all. The important thing is Dr Chadha and Kokinos are here and they will see tomorrow how the strenuous physical trials have reacted on their injuries," Dungarpur told reporters. "They might have another look at these two players on Wednesday before giving the conclusive report prior to the selection committee meeting that day which would determine whether they are fit to be in the 19 or not. That is exactly the position," Dungarpur added. Kambli and Agarkar had submitted fitness reports from their respective doctors last Monday that they have recovered from the ankle injury and leg stress fracture, respectively. But the board chose to conduct its own fitness trials through Dr Chadha and Kokinos who returned today from Colombo. Kambli dislocated his right ankle last April while fielding as a substitute in a one-day international against Zimbabwe and has not played for the country since then while Agarkar suffered a stress fracture of his left leg prior to the tour of New Zealand last December. Both players were put through a varied physical fitness drill which included making two laps of the Brabourne Stadium boundary, sideways running, broad jumping with both legs together, kangaroo-style hopping on either legs — straight and slalom-like with the stumps acting as obstacles — stretching exercise and fielding practice. Kambli, with an extra flab of flesh around his middle, was seen panting for breath repeatedly during the fielding practice. Later Agarkar bowled a short spell to the flamboyant left hander in the nets. President during the trial was selection committee chairman Ajit Wadekar, apart from board chief Dungarpur. Agarkar has submitted a fitness certificate saying he would be completely fit in two weeks' time while the certificate given by Kambli said he was fit to undertake sporting activities. The selectors are meeting on Wednesday to prune the 3-member Cup probables list to 19 as per the tournament rules. The final list of 15 players and four standbyes is to be sent to the organisers (England and Wales Cricket Board) by March 31. The World Cup is scheduled
to be held from May 14 to June 20. |
Rajni to
the fore PATIALA, March 1 — Rajni Sharma of Coaching Centre was declared the best all round gymnast in rhythmic sportive gymnastics in the Patiala District Gymnastic Championships which concluded at the Polo Grounds gymnasium here today. Rajni Sharma won all the three gold medals at stake in the hoop, rope and ribbon events. The other results are:- Team championship:- boys; Coaching centre (Patiala) 1, Patiala District Gymnastics Club 2. Malwa Gymnasts Club 3. Individual all round: Mohan Chand 1, Gurbux Singh 2, Sandeep Singh, Mohinderpal Singh 3, Floor exercises: Gurbux Singh 1, Surat Bhan 2, Mahesh Kumar 3. Pomelled Horse: Mohan Chand 1, Gurbux Singh 2, Chander Bhan 3. Rings: Mohan Chand 1, Suraj Bhan 2, Jai deep Sharma 3. Vaultinghorse: Gurbux Singh 1, Amandeep Singh 2, Tarsem Singh 3. Parallel bars: Jaideep Sharma 1, Mohinderpal Singh 2, Kapil Dixit 3. High bar: Sandeep Singh 1, Chander Bhan 2, Mohan Chand 3. Team championship: (Girls: Coaching Centre (Patiala) 1, District Gymnastics Club 2, Malwa Gymnasts Club 3. Individual all around: Gurmeet Kaur 1, Neelam 2, Neetu Rani 3. Floor exercises:- Gurmeet Kaur 1, Neelam 2, Dimple Rawat 3. Balancing beam: Jaspreet Kaur 1, Kavita 2, Seema 3. Vaulting horse: Kamalpreet 1, Deepti Rani 2, Gurmeet Kaur 3. Uneven bars: Neetu Rani, 1, Neelam 2, Jaspreet Kaur 3.
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Unimpressive win for Churchill Bros MARGAO, March 1 (PTI) — Defensive lapses helped Churchill Brothers to score an unimpressive 2-0 win over a fighting F.C. Kochin in the first leg of the National Football Super League at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, here today. Churchill, who played a lethargic game, scored through striker Philip Mensah (19th and 26th) who took his individual score to nine goals and became the highest scorer so far. F.C. Kochin, who played with determination and vigour dominated the entire second half after sharing honours evenly in the first half but poor finish by their striker, who missed at least five chances and two defensive lapses, proved costly. With this win, their third, Churhchill are leading the table with 10 points from four matches. F.C. Kochin, who suffered their fourth successive defeat are at the bottom of the table without a point. Referee Gulab Chauhan showed the yellow card to defender Mir Farooq Hyder of F.C. Kochin. Unlike in the previous match, F.C. Kochin played with determination and vigour and attacked the rival half with long over head passes. They dominated the entire second half after both the teams had an even share of exchanges in the first half but the inexperience of their strikers prevented their capitalising on the chances that came their way. Kochin had two chances of scoring early in the first half but Najeeb on both occasions failed to beat keeper Edward Ansah. In the 5th minute, Karunakar Raj and Najeeb beat the defence with a pass but keeper Edward foiled Najeeb in time before he could take a shot at the goal. A few minutes later, he thwarted him again collecting his shot from the left. Churchill drew first blood in the 19th minute when Somatai Shaiza sent a cross into the box for Jose Martins who failed to head and the ball deflected via a defender and came to Philip who blasted home from inside the box. Seven minutes later, Philip Mensah again found himself free in the box and with a cross from Jose Martins from the right, beat the keeper with a left-footer to become the leading scorer with nine goals. After changing over, F.C. Kochin took control over the proceedings and could have reduced the margin in the 50th minute but the woodwork came to the rescue of Churchill when Karunakar Raj hit the cross bar and rebounded off a pass from Najeeb. Kochin, desperate in search of goals, bought in Noah Rozario, Mohammed Safiq and Kaustav Ghose in place of Nitin Pradhan, Karunakar Raj and Prabhjot Singh and kept on pressing but the rival defence and keeper Edward stood their ground and prevented them from scoring. Churchill will play their
last match against East Bengal tomorrow while F.C. Kochin
will take on JCT on March 5. |
Shiva Kumar wins singles title AMBALA, March 1 — K.R. Shiva Kumar of Regional Sports Board, Chennai, emerged the winner in the men's singles final of the All-India Civil Services Badminton Tournament which concluded at the War Heroes Memorial Stadium here today. He outplayed Vijay Kumar of Central Secretariat, Delhi, 9-15, 15-7 and 15-7. In the mixed doubles final, Madhya Pradesh pair of Sangeeta and Arun Pardesi outclassed the Chennai pair of Sri Devi and T. Maran 15-11, 15-6 to win the title. In men's doubles final, Chennai pair of T. Maran and David Anand won the title defeating Hyderabad's M.L. Prasad and Kamlkar Rao 7-15, 15-4 and 15-2 in a well-contested match. The veteran singles was won by Sushil Gupta from Kanpur. He defeated R. Bhagat Ram of Hyderabad 15-3, 15-8. In the veteran doubles final, G.R. Sukumar and R. Bhagat Ram of Hyderabad clinched the title defeating H.K. Sharma and S.K. Gupta of Central Secretariat Delhi in a tough contest, 17-15, 8-15 and 17-14. Mr L.M. Jain, Principal
Secretary to the Chief Minister, Haryana, distributed the
prizes among the winners. Two veteran players, Sarojini
Gogte of Bihar and G.R. Kundarama of Karnataka were
honoured by the Services players and the Haryana Sports
Department. The Director Sports, Mr R.R. Jowel, and
Deputy Commissioner, Mrs Navraj Sandhu, were also present
on the occasion. |
Indian colts take lead MUMBAI, March 1 (PTI) — Left hander Sunil Vishwanath slammed an attractive 137 off 328 balls, including 15 boundaries as the India under-19 team took a massive 165-run first innings lead on the penultimate day of the one-off four-day cricket Test match against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium here today. After scoring 396 all out off 135 overs, the home side grabbed two Lankan wickets in the second innings in 88 minutes and look set to wrap-up the Test match on the final day tomorrow. The Indian juniors, who were 204 for four overnight in reply to Lankan’s first innings score of 231, carried on with both the overnight not out batsmen, Mohammed Kaif and Vishwanath, stroking the ball confidently. The reprieve given to Vishwanath yesterday when he was on 17 by the Lankan skipper, Upeka Fernando, at first slip proved very costly for the visitors. Vishwanath along with Kaif (46 off 131 balls with eight fours) added 96 runs for the fifth wicket off 42.3 overs in 160 minutes before Kaif was caught by substitute wicketkeeper Malintha Gajanayake off Nissanka. The Lankans’ first wicketkeeper and vice captain Prasanna Jayawardena, who was suffering from an upset stomach did not keep wickets till lunch. However, Gajanayake did a good job behind the wicket effecting a quick stumping, apart from the catch, to send back Pallav Vora without scoring off left arm spinner Ranil Dhammika. Sri Lanka (1st
innings): 231 |
TN to meet Bengal in final NEW DELHI, March 1 (PTI) — Custodian V.P. Satish Kumar emerged the hero as Tamil Nadu defeated Assam 3-1 via the tie-breaker, after being locked one-all, to storm into the final of the 21st Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy National Subjunior (U-16) Football Tournament here today. Satish Kumar came up with
three successive saves in the tie-breaker, forced after
the teams were locked 1-1 at regulation time and failed
to break the deadlock during the extra-time, to guide the
1984 champions to the final at the Ambedkar Stadium here.
CFA selects 31 probables CHANDIGARH, March 1 (FOSR) — The Chandigarh Football Association has selected 31 probables for a coaching camp for the forthcoming Senior National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy to be held at Chennai from March 18, according to Mr Rakesh Bakshi, secretary of the association. The camp will begin
tomorrow at the football stadium, Sector 17. The
probables are: Mukesh, Jasmeet Singh, Darpan Singh,
Sunil, Rajiv, Sanjeev, Deepak, Bahadur Singh, Shiv Onkar,
Jasbir Singh, Vinay Kanwar, Harvinder Pal, Gurminder
Singh, Varinder Kanwar, Surinder, Anil Saini, Mohil,
Rajiv Rattan, Rajesh Sharma, Suraj, Sukhwinder Singh,
C.P. Malik, Ajay, Narinder, Jasbir, Sukhwant, Jaswinder,
Mohan Singh, Manpreet Singh, Sanjiv and Sachin. |
Paes among top eight seeds CHENNAI, March 1 (PTI) — India’s Leander Paes, ranked 81 in the world, has, for the first time, been seeded among top players for the ATP Tour Open Tennis Championship, scheduled to be held here from April 5 to 11. The fourth edition of the tourney, India’s only ATP Tour World Series, would also feature another first - three of the world’s top 20 players competing for the top singles prize. Eight seeded players
(world ranking in brackets) are: Spaniard Carlos Moya
(4), reigning French Open champion Karol Kucera of
Slovakia (12), Thomas Johansson of Sweden (19),
Zimbabwe’s Byron Black (31) Australia’s Andrew
Ilie (42), Sjeng Schalken, (49) of the Netherlands,
Rainer Schuttler (71) of Germany and Leander Paes (81)
— India. |
NFL second leg from March 9 MARGAO, March 1 (PTI) — The second leg of the National Football Super League will be held in Calcutta from March 9 to 22 at two venues. Though, now the matches have been scheduled at two different venues, Yuva Bharati and Rabindra Sarobar stadiums, the Indian Football Association (IFA) has sought permission from the city authorities to stage all the matches at Yuva Bharati. The following are the fixtures:- March 9: JCT v/s Churchill
Bros, Salgaocar v/s F.C. Kochin UT sportspersons to be honoured CHANDIGARH, March 1 — The Chandigarh Sports Council will present cash awards to 200 sportspersons who have excelled at the inter-varsity, national or international level during 1997-98, at Lake Club here on March 8. The Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, Lt-Gen (Retd) B.K.N. Chhibber will be the chief guest on the occasion. A rehearsal will be held
on March 7, at 10-30 a.m. at Lake Club. |
H
Shastri Club in semis LUDHIANA, March 1 (FOSR) — Devastating batting by Anil Singla (61 runs off 29 balls) and Varinder (54 runs off 23 balls) helped Shastri Club to outplay NKH XI by four runs to enter the semifinals of the sixth Veera Devi Memorial Cricket Tournament at S.D. Government College grounds here today. Batting first, Shastri Club made 174 for the loss of five wickets and then restricted NKH XI to 170 for 9 after the stipulated 22 overs. Brief scores — Shastri Club 174 run for 5 (Anil Singla 61, Varinder 54, Sanjay 15, Anil Jain 2 for 32). NKH XI 170 for 9 (Raj Puri 36, Rakesh Sethi 20, Ajit Paul Singh 29, Deepak Bakshi 16 n.o. Kala 4 for 32). In another match, Riat XI scored an emphatic 38-run victory over Hero Club to qualify for the seminfinals. Chasing a target of 143 runs. Hero Club's innings folded up at 104 runs n 20.4 overs. Brief scores Riat XI 142 all out (Pawan 41, Sunil 27, Jatin 30, Gagandeep 16, Gaurav 4 for 13). Hero Club 104 all out (Sukhpaul 13, Krishan Lal 11, Kuldeep 2 for 11, Jatinder 2 for 20). Godrej club in final JALANDHAR, March 1 (TNS) — Fine allround performance by Munish Arora (58 not out and 2 for 15) enabled Godrej Cricket Club to beat Jalandhar District Cricket Association XI by seven wickets and enter the final of the Suneel Kapur Memorial Cricket tournament at the Doaba College ground here on Sunday. Electing to bat, the J.D.C.A. XI could manage a paltry 144 runs in 35 overs. Chasing the target, Godrej Club lost two quick wicket. However, Munish Arora (58 n.o.) and Rajesh Patha consolidated the innings with a 53-run stand. Towards the end Amit Bhardwaj played sensibly to score 24 n.o. and take his team to victory in the 22nd over. Brief scores: J.D.C.A. XI: 144 not out in 33.2 overs (Vivek Mahajan 34, Pankaj Kalia 30, Nirmaljit 19, Munish Arora 2 for 15, Parveen Sharma 2 for 25, Girish Bhanot 2 for 24, Arun Tuli 2 for 27). Godrej C.C.: 146 for 3 in 21.4 overs (Munish Arora 58 n.o., Rajesh Patha 43, Amit Bhardwaj 24 n.o., Vineet Sharma 2 for 37). Dayanand College annex title HISAR, March 1 (FOSR)— Dayanand College, Hisar, annexed the man's title in the Kurukshetra University relay championship which concluded here yesterday. The college secured 23 points. MLN College Yamunanagar remained second with 17 points followed by Khalsa College, Yamunanagar. Dayanand College topped in four events out of six decided in the two-day's championship. Khalsa College Yamunanagar won the women's title. MLN College Yamunanagar and SD College, Ambala Cantonment remained second and third respectively. PSEB move into last four CHANDIGARH, March 1 (TNS) — PSEB defeated Punjab Police by a solitary goal to enter the last four of the All-India Shri Guru Gobind Singh Football tournament organised by Shri guru Gobind Singh Football Society at Jalandhar today. The action-packed match was witnessed by Health Minister Manoranjan Kalia. In the first five minutes Punjab Police earned three corners. In the first half Punjab Police raided the PSEB goal many times but the PSEB goalkeeper effected brilliant saves. The first half remained goal-less. In the 85th minute a brilliant header by PSEB's Harjinder singh found the target. The other semifinalists
are Vasco Goa, RCF, Kapurthala and Delhi Blues. The first
semi-final will be played on March 2 at 12.15 p.m and the
second at 2.30 p.m. |
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