 |
|
| Thursday, April 13, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
|
Unbeaten 346 by Laxman |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scandal linked to Marsh-Lilliee
bet
|
|
BANGALORE, April 12 (UNI) — Playing a superb knock, stylish right hand batsman V V S Laxman struck an unbeaten 346 to become the first Indian to score two triple hundreds in first class cricket as Hyderabad amassed a mammoth 663 for six against Karnataka to take a firm grip over the match in the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy on the second day at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here today. Giving him company at draw of stumps was Fiaz A Ahmed on seven and Karnataka toiled the whole day to claim just four wickets. Karnataka fielding continued to be sloppy and a few chances were dropped allowing Hyderabad to establish a firm grip over the match. Resuming at 344 for two, Hyderabad lost the wickets of captain Azharuddin (123), Vanka Pratap (45), Parth Satwalkar (37) and Riaz Sheik (15) with skipper B K Venkatesh Prasad, Dodda Ganesh, B Akhil and Sunil Joshi sharing them. Venkatesh Prasad was the most successful bowler with three for 104. Twenty-six-year-old Vangaipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman reached 300 to enter his name in the record books scoring twice triple hundred. He had established another record yesterday scoring the seventh century of the season and is close to breaking the 1280 run record of Vijay R Bharadwaj in a season. Laxman, who was floored at least three times, has so far hit 50 boundaries all round the wicket and two massive sixers in his 723-minute long unbeaten knock and has faced 540 balls. Karnataka achieved the breakthrough early in the morning when Azharuddin played a lazy shot to find an edge to be taken by Vijay R Bharadwaj to give Venkatesh Prasad his third wicket of the match. Azharuddin batted for 291 minutes and had 18 boundaries in his 123. The Hyderabad skipper, who had joined Laxman when the side total was 91, added a record 288 runs for the third wicket in just 291 minutes of 412 balls to put Hyderabad in a strong position. Laxman, who was inching towards his fourth double century and second against Karnataka, was lucky as Vijay R Bharadwaj failed to hold on to a chance in the bowling of Mansoor Ali Khan when the batsman was on 194. Earlier on 30, Barrington Rowland had floored an easy chance for Laxman yesterday. The Hyderabad batsman went on the complete his double century. Vanka Pratap, who came in place of Azharuddin, took time to settle down and was not troubled by Karnataka bowlers as they failed to get assistance for the second day. Venkatesh Prasad wrought in several changes but could not achieve the breakthrough. Hyderabad went into lunch at 474 for three. The Karnataka skipper used seven bowlers today without much success. Burly Vanka Pratap, who also appeared set for a big score, was bowled round his legs by left arm spinner Sunil Joshi for 45, which included four boundaries and the side total read 504 for four. Vanka Pratap added 125 runs for the fourth wicket in 154 minutes. Parth Satwalkar survived a confident appeal on arrival but thereafter played positively and hit some good boundaries also. Scoreboard Hyderabad (Ist innings): (overnight 344 for two) D Manohar c T Naidu b Prasad 39, N Kishore c Bharadwaj b Prasad 11, V V S Laxman batting 346, M Azharuddin c Bharadwaj b Prasad 123, Venka Pratap b Joshi 45, P Satwalkar c Naidu b Akhil 37, R Sheikh c Arun Kumar b Ganesh 15, R Ahmed batting 7. Extras (nb-24, b-6, w-6, lb-4) 40. Total (for 6 wkts, in 180 overs) 663. Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-91, 3-379, 4-504, 5-590, 6-636. Bowling: Prasad
39-10-104-3, Ganesh 36-4-147-1, M A Khan 25-4-104-0,
Joshi 51-6-195-1, B Akhil 14-1-64-1, Bharadwaj 11-1-29-0,
A Vijay 4-0-10-0. |
|
MUMBAI, April 12 (PTI) — Tamil Nadu did well to restrict the star-studded Mumbai batting line-up to 141 for 4 off 57 overs after piling up a big first innings total of 485 on the second day of their five-day Ranji Trophy semifinal here today. The home team did well earlier in the day, after Tamil Nadu had started at a healthy-looking 397 for 4, to send back the remaining six batsmen for the addition of only 88 runs. But their batsmen, barring skipper Sameer Dighe (55) and maestro Sachin Tendulkar (batting 34), were frustrated by the restrictive line maintained by the visiting team’s bowlers and at the end of the day Tamil Nadu had a slight edge. At stumps Tendulkar, who started in blazing fashion by slamming three fours in the first over he faced, was unbeaten after a watchful stay of over 100 minutes along with Vinod Kambli (8) who came in to bat out the last three overs. The batsmen out in the home team’s first innings were opener Dighe, who batted for 231 minutes and struck 6 fours and a six in his 163-ball essay, Wasim Jaffer (12), Jatin Paranjpe (15) and night watchman Rajesh Pawar (1). Off-spinner Ashish Kapoor picked up two of the four wickets to fall while medium-pacers Sadagopan Mahesh and Thiru Kumaran bagged a wicket each. Earlier, Mumbai pacemen Santosh Saxena and Ajit Agarkar brought an end to the visitors’ first innings in the first over after lunch with some aggressive bowling. Saxena bagged two of the six wickets to fall to finish with 3 for 99 while Agarkar claimed three to finish with 4 for 83. Abey Kuruvilla got the other wicket. Mumbai’s best hope in the morning, after allowing the Tamil Nadu batsmen make merry yesterday, was to break the fifth wicket partnership between centurions Hemang Badani and Robin Singh. Saxena was their man of the hour when he trapped Badani leg before to a ball which kept low in the 2nd over of the morning after the visitors had added only six runs to their overnight score. Badani, who failed to add any run to his last evening’s score of 162, and Robin put on 254 runs for the fifth wicket which may prove to be a match-winning one. Wicket-keeper Rueben Paul struck Saxena for a couple of splendid off-driven fours before being yorked by the same bowler for a quickfire 20. But Mumbai’s hopes of ending the innings quickly were blunted by Sadagopan Mahesh’s sensible batting with Robin who stood like a rock at the other end. The seventh wicket duo put on 50 runs to take the total to 474 before Agarkar came on for a new spell and sent back Mahesh (14 in 81 minutes), Kapoor (0) and D. Gokulakrishnan in quick succession before lunch taken with Tamil Nadu on 484 for 9. Kuruvilla, who looked listless throughout, finally got a wicket by castling last man Kumaran to leave Robin stranded on a career-high 183 in 376 minutes, off 237 balls (18 fours and 5 sixes). The India left hander had commenced the day at 142. His previous best score of 152 had been notched against Punjab in 1987-88. Mumbai opener Dighe and Jaffer began the reply well to put on 41 before the latter edged Kapoor’s spinning ball to lone slip Sadagopan Ramesh. Left-handed Pranjpe fell to a poor shot off Kumaran after being tied down by some restrictive bowling by the Tamil Nadu bowlers who struck to a plan. Tendulkar cracked an uppish straight drive off Kumaran, flicked him to the mid-wicket fence and then square cut the medium-pacer for a third four in the first over he faced before Gokulakrishan came on and put a skid on the scoring spree. Dighe and Tendulkar, who came together at 77, took the total to 120 before the former lost his cool and edged a wide outswinger from Mahesh to wicket-keeper Rueben Paul who brought off a good, low catch to his right. Mumbai, even with 7 overs remaining to be played, decided to send Pawar as the night watchman but he failed to last the day. The diminutive left-hander was caught bat-pad at short leg off Kapoor. It needed Kambli to come to the crease and play out the remaining overs with his schoolmate Tendulkar. The partnership between this duo is vital for the home team to overhaul the visitors’ total on the morrow.
|
India play Sweden in Davis Cup LONDON, April 12 (UNI) — The draw has not been favourable to India as they have been pitted against formidable Sweden in the Davis Cup world group Qualifying round, the lots for which were picked here today. As per the draw, this will be the away tie for the Indians who will have to travel to Sweden for the tie scheduled from July 14 to 16 or July 21 to 23. The winner of this tie will qualify for the elite 16-team world group. Last time India played England in the world group play-off tie in 1998 at Nottingham and lost to the hosts 1-4. India qualified for this year’s playoff round after beating South Korea 4-1 in the Asia Oceania group 1 tie last week in New Delhi. Following is the complete world group play-off draw: Switzerland v Belarus ( in Switzerland), France v Austria (in France), Chile v Morocco (in Morocco), India v Sweden (in Sweden), Holland v Uzbekistan (in Uzbekistan), Romania v Zimbabwe (in Zimbabwe), Ecuador v Britain (in Britain), Italy v Belgium (in Italy). The Davis Cup world
group play- off rounds are usually played in September,
but in the Olympic year the dates are changed so as they
don’t clash with the games. |
Scandal linked to Marsh-Lilliee bet SYDNEY, April 12 (AFP) — Wisden Editor Matthew Engel today said cricket’s current betting scandal can be linked to the lack of official action over Rodney Marsh and Dennis Lillee’s infamous bet in 1981. The pair bet on England to beat Australia in the third Test at Headingly in 1981 and while there was no claim they had thrown the match, Engel said the International Cricket Council’s failure to act then is coming back to haunt to it. “If you go right back to the beginning of this, in 1981 when Lillee and Marsh bet against their own side in a very famous Test match, nothing was done against them,” Engel told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio. “That set the standard of inaction and complacency on the part of cricket’s administrators — that the whole thing didn’t matter. “I found it shameful then and I find it shameful now,” said Engel, who was commenting in light of Hansie Cronje’s admission he had taken money from a bookmaker. In 1981, England were on the brink of losing — having made 174 and, at one stage, being seven for -135 in reply to Australia’s first innings of 401 for nine declared. The Australian pair placed 10 pound bets at 500-1 overnight and the next day Ian Botham played one of the most spectacular innings on record to get his side back into match. With Graham Dilley, he added 127 for the eight wicket, then put on 67 for the ninth wicket with Chris Old before finishing 149 not out as England made 356. Bob Willis took eight for 43 in the second innings as Australia was bowled out for 111 and lost by 18 runs. As recently as last year, in a newspaper column, Lillee said people still pointed the finger at him over what he called “the now infamous betting scandal”. “I have never had any qualms over the matter and I have never lost a moment’s sleep because of it,” Lillee said last December. Lillee said that while
Australia looked like winning the Test, he could not
resist the 500-1 odds for England in a two-horse race and
even told his team-mates he was going to make the bet. |
Chima Okerie hangs up his boots NEW DELHI, April 12 (PTI) — Chima Okerie, the never-say-die Nigerian forward of Mohun Bagan, has announced his retirement from professional football after a sterling career lasting close to 15 years. The stocky 35-year-old, who held his own since making his foray into India in 1985 and remained one of the most enduring stars among imports in Indian football, has said he was quitting the game to concentrate on his business. Okerie’s announcement has been influenced by the two-year ban and fine of Rs 3 lakh levied by the All-India Football Federation after he assaulted a referee. The player, however, denied the ban had forced him to quit the game. He maintained that he
was innocent and criticised Bagan authorities for
refusing to appeal against the ban and pay the fine.
“It’s over for everybody and football is no
more in the picture,” he told the “Sports
Time” programme in Doordarshan, a TWI release here
said. |
|
PERTH, April 12 (PTI) — A goal in each half helped spirited Asian Games champions India stun formidable Australia 2-1 in the opening game of the Four-Nation Hockey Tournament here tonight. Coming into the match after a good victory against South Africa in the first leg of the tournament at Sydney last week, the Indians continued with the good work at the Perth Hockey Stadium in their preparation for the September Sydney Olympics. Deepak Thakur put India ahead in the 28th minute but his effort negated when the local umpire controversially disallowed a penalty stroke conversion by Brent Livermores, ruling that the goalkeeper moved before the shot. Defender Dilip Tirkey slammed the winner in the 51st minute to sour the celebration for Australian veteran Jay Stacy’s 300th international, Australian Associated Press reported. Stacy, who is looking to compete in his fourth Olympic Games in Sydney, was given a special presentation to honour his feat after the match, but some of the gloss was taken off the evening by the plucky Indians, who played superbly to thwart the Australians. Australia controlled play for much of the game but found it hard to break India’s defence on a night in which controversial umpiring decisions played an enormous part in the result. Both sides were granted goals in controversial circumstances, India’s second half match-winner drawing strong protests from the Australians who believed Dilip Tirkey’s 51st minute penalty corner was above the allowed height for a direct strike on goal. However, Indian umpire Ravinderpal Singh waved away their protests, just as local umpire Murray Grime had ignored Indian outrage after awarding Livermores automatic goal in the 30th minute. The Indians, who lost to the hosts 2-3 in the first leg, played a tactical game, depending on quick counter attacks to trouble the Aussies. Their efforts paid when Thakur drew first blood when he slammed a superb reverse hit to slam the ball home. But the celebrations were shortlived as the Australians came back strongly to score the equaliser within two minutes. Grime granted Australia
a penalty stroke for a deliberate stick check on Michael
Brennan in the circle. |
South Africans feel ‘betrayed’ after Cronje’s disclosure DURBAN, April 12 (Reuters) — South Africans tried to put the fall from grace of national cricket captain Hansie Cronje behind them today as they looked forward to the first match of the one-day series against Australia. “We’ve got a full house and beautiful weather and I think we’re going to have a great game,’’ said Mr Cassim Docrat, Chief Executive of the Kwazulu-Natal Cricket Union. But Mr Docrat conceded he was crushed by Cronje’s admission on Tuesday that he had accepted $ 10,000 to $ 15,000 from a local South African and an Indian bookmaker based in London, during the triangular home series with Zimbabwe and England in January. “It’s very disappointing. I know him well and I’ve travelled with him, but he’s made the wrong decision and he has to pay for it,’’ he said. The Indian bookmaker based in London who was named in connection with the scandal today denied any involvement. Sanjeev Chawla (32) denied through his lawyer that he had ever met or spoken to Cronje. South Africa’s newspapers reflected a national sense of betrayal on Wednesday and were peppered with headlines like “Shame’’, “Oh, Hansie’’ and “Hansie stumped’’. Dr Ali Bacher, Managing Director for the United Cricket Board of South Africa, reflected the country’s angst. “He deceived me personally and the UCB and the government and people of South Africa. He deceived us all,’’ he said. “Until recently he has been an extraordinary ambassador for this country, a role model, but here he has erred and he has erred grievously,’’ Dr Bacher told National radio. Delhi police charged Cronje and team-mates Nicky Boje, Herschelle Gibbs and Pieter Strydom last week with “cheating, fraud and criminal conspiracy’’ during a one-day series in India last month. Cronje has denied involvement in match-fixing. Shaun Pollock, who has replaced Cronje as captain, has said Gibbs and Boje, who are still in the squad for the series against Australia were obviously affected by the scandal. Dr Bacher said all of the other players had denied any involvement in match-fixing. “I believe that to be the case, but we have been let down on this once and I hope to god we are not let down a second time,’’ said Dr Bacher. Security has been increased around the Kingsmead ground in anticipation of possible protest action, but officials said fewer than 100 people had cancelled their tickets for seats in the ground which can accommodate up to 18,000 spectators. Mr Docrat admitted that some players might experience some heckling from the crowd, particularly since the Durban crowd will be dominated by South Africans of Indian origin. “We support the South African team but we are broken. We’ve lost faith in our country and now we’ve lost faith in our cricket team, we haven’t even thought of the Indian side of it. We are South Africans,’’ said Mr Arshad Saib. A security guard at the ground Marco Jacobs said he was sure the scandal would affect the atmosphere, but not ruin the match. “I’m with Hansie. I know he was in contact with bookmakers, but I support him and South Africa all the way,’’ he said. The South African Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Pahad, said the government would not extradite Cronje on charges of match-fixing and bribery until the completion of a full investigation by an independent commission of inquiry. “Foreign affairs cannot say that if a trial takes place then we’ll extradite him,’’ Mr Pahad said on Wednesday. “Until a judicial inquiry carries out an investigation we’ll be left in doubt about the truth and only then can we seriously consider what to do.’’ South Africa does not have an extradition treaty with India, but has said it will cooperate with the Indian investigation, although it wants to listen to the alleged taped conversation between Cronje and a bookmaker. “We’ll
continue to talk to the Indians as our relationship with
them is very good,’’ Mr Pahad said, adding he
had asked India to work closely with the South African
Government. |
Dhindsa
asks BCCI for report CHANDIGARH, April 12 — The Union Government has directed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) authorities to submit a complete report regarding the Indian team’s “poor” performance in all major tournaments starting from the cricket World Cup last year. This was revealed today by the Union Sports Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, while talking to the TNS over his cellphone this morning from his native place Sangrur where he is busy making arrangements for his son’s marriage. “Why the team has not performed to the potential and lost several matches in the past months”? This is what we want to know from the BCCI, he said. Mr Dhindsa said a report had been sought in the wake of reports of match-fixing in the recent cricket series, arrest of certain persons in this connection and removal of the South African captain Hansie Cronje by the United Cricket Board of South Africa following match fixing controversy. “I had a detailed chat with the BCCI secretary Mr Jaywant Lele, and told him that what sort of information the Government wanted from the board”. Mr Lele had also been asked to prepare a fact sheet for discussing the issue at a meeting convened by Mr Dhindsa in Delhi on April 27. Besides, the management of the board and captain of the Indian team Sourav Ganguly and Kapil Dev, Mr Dhindsa has invited eminent cricket brains including former captains of Indian team, former presidents and others concerned for the April 27 meeting. He said the discussion would revolve around the fact sheet presented by Mr Lele and all other related issues including match-fixing, involvement of Indian bookies in the match-fixing racket would be taken up in the meeting. On the basis of discussion, further steps would be taken. Mr Dhindsa said he would reach Delhi on April 14 to brief the Prime Minister as to what steps the Sports Ministry was going to initiate to cleanse. If need be, a full-fledged commission would be set up to inquire into the whole matter and to make recommendations for dealing with the match-fixing and bookie problem. He said it would not be an interference in the affairs of BCCI? As every citizen felt concerned about the affairs of cricket, a popular game which is almost a rage in the country, it was the duty of the Union Government to intervene when anything turns fishy. “It is a question of country’s pride and reputation in the international arena and to maintain it is the responsibility of the Union Government”. Already, Mr Jagmohan Dalmiya , President of the International Cricket Council had made a statement that the BCCI and the ICC would extend full support to Indian government in the match-fixing controversy. What has made the Union Government to act is the involvement of Indian bookies in almost all controversies of match-fixing which have come to light so far. Meanwhile, the Union
Government is under strong pressure to direct the BCCI
authorities to make its functioning fully transparent and
to publish the details of its deals with major
multinational companies involved in the sponsorship of
various cricket tournaments and also regarding the sale
of coverage rights to private channels. The Union
Government, according to informed sources, has been
getting information that the big money is not involved in
matchfixing but also in other deals related with cricket
like sponsorship and coverage. |
Cronje was framed, says Donald LONDON, April 12 (AFP) — South African fast bowling legend Allan Donald has said Hansie Cronje had been set up, leading to his sacking as his country’s cricket captain. Cronje reportedly received between $ 10,000 and 15,000 during a triangular tournament earlier this year but Donald yesterday said: “By the looks of it he (Cronje) was done in. He got a mobile phone which was tapped. His phone in the room was tapped. “By the looks of it he was set up, but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter. If you accept money you are leaving yourself open.” Donald said he was confident Cronje had shown poor judgement. “It was an error of
judgement,” he said. “I just hope it all gets
sorted out and justice is done in the end. If he is
guilty he deserves it, but now let it be sorted out by
the proper authorities and justice will be done in the
end.” |
Agassi wins; Kafelnikov ousted ATLANTA, April 12 (AFP) — World No 1 Andre Agassi, warming up for the defence of his French Open tennis title, broke Belgium’s Xavier Malisse five times on the way to a 6-3 6-4 victory here last evening at the ATP Atlanta Challenge. The American top seed made his clay court debut at the $ 375,000 event against the teen qualifier in a first-round match. Agassi won 74 per cent of his first-serve points and 43 per cent of return points. Agassi did not overpower Malisse but simply got the points when he needed them. He broke the young Belgian three times in the first set, including the ninth game to win the set. In the second set, Agassi was serving for the match but Malisse broke at love before Agassi broke back in the next game to end the match. Agassi will next face Jiri Vanek of the Czech Republic in second round. Vanek was a 7-5 6-4 winner over Justin Gimelstob of the USA in a meeting of unseeded players. Agassi won both of his Davis Cup singles matches last weekend as USA rallied from a 1-2 deficit for second straight round to move into the semifinals against Spain in July. Second seed Stefan Koubek of Austria began defence of his title by defeating Federico Browne of Argentina 7-5, 6-0. Koubek won his first career ATP title here last year as a qualifier and won his second title last month at Delray Beach, Florida on hard courts. Third seed Magnus Larsson of Sweden and sixth seed Sargis Sargsian of Armenia also advanced to the second round. Larsson, who won the St. Jude in Memphis in February, dumped Christian Ruud of Norway, 6-1,6-4 and Sargsian stormed past American Eric Taino 6-0 6-2. A four-time winner here, Agassi began his incredible grand Slam run a little less than a year ago by winning the French Open, thus becoming the fifth male player to win all four Grand Slams over his career. He later reached the final of Wimbledon, won the US Open and captured the Australian Open crown. Agassi, who won this event every year from 1989 to 1992, was 9-2 on clay last year, with seven of those wins coming during his run to the title at Roland Garros. ESTORIL (Portugal): Yevgeny Kafelnikov won the first set but collapsed in the third, maintaining his record of never having won a match at the $ 765,000 Estoril Open tennis tournament in five tries. The top-seeded Russian went out to Spain’s Francisco Clavet 7-6 (8/6), 6-7 (5/7), 2-6. It was the first victory for the 31-year-old Clavet in six matches against Kafelnikov, who has now lost in the first round every time he has played here. Kafelnikov was apparently unable to forget about the 1-4 Davis Cup quarterfinal hammering his nation took at the weekend at the hands of Spain. The 26-year-old slow starter on clay now starts the season from deep in a slump, hoping to come good in time for the French Open starting in two months, an event which he won in 1996. The plucky Clavet saved three Kafelnikov match points in the second set and then won the tie-breaker when the Russian netted a backhand. In the third, the Spaniard started with a break, profited from two double-faults by his opponent in the third game and rolled onto victory, taking more than two hours. Clavet, who beat Andre Agassi last month on hardcourt in Arizona, next faces Argentine Juan Chela, winner of a title on clay at Mexico City last month. Second seed Magnus Norman and No 4 Tim Henman led the rest of the seeds to wins on a blustery day at the Estadio Nacional. Norman plowed through Frenchman Jerome Golmard 7-6 (7/1), 6-1, while Henman defeated Spain’s qualifier Oscar Burieza 6-3, 6-4. “A victory like this may look straight-forward, but he had a lot of break chances and I saved nine break points,” said Henman. “That was important in the match and very important for me. Seventh seed Felix Mantilla of Spain overcame compatriot Gala Blanco 6-3, 6-1, while eight-seeded Frenchman Nicolas Eescude beat Nuno Marques of Portugal in straight sets. In the women’s first round, two French seeds advanced. Number two Nathalie Dechy defeated Spanish qualifier Nurla Llagostera 7-5, 5-7, 6-3, while third-seeded Anne-Gaelle Sidot needed to win a three-set battle to overcome Hungarian Anna Maria Foldenyi 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. Spanish sixth seed Cristina Torrens Valero beat Romanian Catalina Cristea 6-1, 6-2. AMELIA ISLAND (USA): US Open champion Serena Williams suffered a flare-up of tendinitis in her left knee and dropped out of the $ 535,000 WTA Bausch and Lomb tennis event, one game from losing to Argentina’s Paola Suarez. Williams, seeded second, was making her first appearance in the event. It was her season debut on clay, and is the first US tune-up event for the French Open on the WTA tour. Suarez was leading 6-3, 4-6, 5-2 when Williams found she was unable to continue. The injury was described as a recurrence of patellar tendinitis in her left knee. She was scheduled to be re-evaluated on Wednesday in Boca Raton. Spain’s Conchita Martinez, the fourth seed and 1995 champion, beat Russia’s Elena Dementieva 7-5 6-2. Seventh seed Anna Kournikova of Russia and eighth seeded Austrian Barbara Schett also reached the third round. Kournikova, a 1999 semifinalist here, got past Anne Kremer of Luxembourg 7-5 7-6 (7/4) as she searches for her first singles title. Schett dumped Gala Leon Garcia of Spain 6-2 6-2. The reigning US Open champion, Williams has compiled a 15-5 record this season, all on hard courts, and claimed her only tournament title at Hannover, Germany in February. Martinez has won 15 of the 21 matches in 2000, finishing runner-up at Australian hardcourt championships in January. Top seed Mary Pierce of
France, the 1998 champion, defending champion and third
seed Monica Seles of the USA, fifth seed Sandrine Testud
of France and two-time winner and sixth seed Arantxa
Sanchez-Vicario of Spain are to play their second-round
matches today. |
|
NEW DELHI, April 12 (PTI) — The Indian junior hockey team is placed in a relatively easy group for the Asia Cup to be held at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, from May 4 to 15. India, drawn with China, Bangaladesh, Japan, Uzbekistan and debutants Iran in group B, have a clear path till the semifinals and stand a good chance of moving into the final and qualifying for the Junior World Cup in Hobart, Australia, next year. On the other hand, hosts Malaysia, are in group A with powerhouses Pakistan, who won the last edition at Singapore in 1997, and South Korea. The Asia Junior Cup serves as the qualifier for the Junior World Cup. The top three teams in the qualifier will win berths to Hobart. Pakistan beat India in the final of the last edition while Korea finished third but India later went on to win the silver medal at the last Junior World Cup held in 1997 at Milton Keynes. Coached by C.R. Kumar, the Indian team will have players like Deepak Thakur and Gagan Ajit Singh who are currently playing in the senior side. Defender Lazarus Barla, who played in the last edition, is also eligible to play this time. Though placed in a tough group, Malaysia could cause an upset as it has six players from the senior side. They are Chua Boon Huat, M. Jiwa Mohan, Mohamed Syayrim Uda Karim, Suhaimi Ibrahim and Brothers K. Keevan Raj and Logan Raj. Malaysia is also
expected to play two friendly matches with India just
before the tournament. |
Kournikova to lead Russia in Fed Cup MOSCOW, April 12 (Reuters) — Anna Kournikova is to lead Russia in the Federation Cup later this month after differences between the player and the country’s tennis officials have been resolved. “She has agreed to represent Russia in the Federation Cup and we are quite happy with that decision,” said Shamil Tarpishchev, Russian Tennis Federation President and Federation Cup captain. Kournikova (18) who lives in the USA, has refused to play for Russia on several occasions in the past three years, each time citing injury. She changed her mind
before the Federation Cup final against the USA last
September, but was left out by then Russia captain
Konstantin Bogorodetsky. |
|
CALCUTTA, April 12 (PTI) —Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) prevailed over Border Security Force (BSF) 2-1 in a group-B quarterfinal league match of the 105th Beighton Cup hockey tournament here today. In another group-A
quarterfinal league match, Punjab and Sind Bank played
out a 1-1 draw against Chittaranjan Locomotive Works.
Sushil Minz (40th) was the scorer for CLW while Saranjit
Singh (63rd) found the target for PSB off a penalty
corner. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh Tribune | In Spotlight | 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 119 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
