A tribute to Sir Don Bradman
Neville Cardus
At Adelaide, at close of play on a hot day on which Donald Bradman amassed 212, I asked Bill Voce, the Nottinghamshire and England fast left-handed bowler: "What’s the best ball to bowl at ‘the Don’?" Out of his heart, Bill replied: "There’s no ruddy best ball to bowl at him." Bradman scored a century on his first appearance in first-class cricket. 

Managing tennis professionally
Arvind Katyal
MANAGING sports professionally is the in thing these days. Dr Vece Paes is the man who promoted Paes En Sport, an organisation devoted whole-heartedly to the management of tennis in a professional manner.

An Asian image needed in athletics
Ramu Sharma
WHEN one talks about big time athletics the reference is in the main to the achievements of Europeans, the Americans and the Africans in the various World Championships, including the Olympic Games and in the popular subsidiaries the Grand Prix Meets. 

A tribute to Sir Don Bradman
Neville Cardus

Sir Neville Cardus, “Cricketer” on the Manchester Guardian newspaper from the 1920s, wrote these reflections on Bradman’s career in the early 1960s. Sir Neville remained the Guardian’s chief music critic, and an occasional contributor on cricket, until his death in 1975.

At Adelaide, at close of play on a hot day on which Donald Bradman amassed 212, I asked Bill Voce, the Nottinghamshire and England fast left-handed bowler: "What’s the best ball to bowl at ‘the Don’?" Out of his heart, Bill replied: "There’s no ruddy best ball to bowl at him."

Bradman scored a century on his first appearance in first-class cricket. One of the opposing bowlers, a famous Australian captain, was asked after his baptism of Bradman: "What’s this new young cove like?" "He belts hell out of everything he can reach," was the reply, which, I think, can be taken as the most eloquent of all ways of describing Bradman’s batting. He was a killer of all kind of bowling, given a good pitch to play on.

A splendid South African bowler told me that, at Adelaide, Bradman hit him for three fours in one of his first overs, the ball still new. His captain thereupon asked: "What’s the matter?" The bowler answered: "Well, if you really want to know, he’s just hit for hellfire fours three of the best balls I’ve ever bowled in my life."

It is a familiar and banal criticism of Bradman that he was mechanical, an adding machine. True, he was not a conventional stylist, all curves and ornamental. But it was exciting to watch, exacting to nerves and imagination to see him gather his energy at the last second and square up to a rising fast ball, then hook it to the boundary with a crack, dispersing the pigeons.

Against the terrifically fast leg-side attack of Larwood, in the Australian rubber of 1932-33, he hit fours to the offside, where the field was more or less uncovered. Larwood had six men at least on the on-side, so Bradman leapt to that side, and actually drove or cut to the off. Larwood expressed his admiration of this daring counter-attack. "Marvellous. He played tennis strokes at me."

Like all great batsmen, Bradman made his strokes very late. He didn’t move at all, after he had taken his stance, until the ball was on him. Then, by sudden and superbly concentrated dynamics, the brilliant technique shot forth its devastation.

He made strokes which you would swear were entirely his own, not copybook strokes, not strokes out of cricket’s gospel, but governed by his instinctive logic.

Few batsmen have equalled Bradman’s ability to hit from the bat’s middle. If the bat seemed to come to the line of the ball not straight, it was so timed and guided that, at the moment of contact, the willow’s strong centre was the propelling point. Even if he edged a ball, as at the beginning of an innings he might (once in a blue moon), he would use the edge’s centre.

He wasted no energy. After he had demolished Larwood, Geary, Tate and Richard Tyldesley at Headingley in 1930 (304 not out in a day), he came from the field cool and neat, as though fresh from the bathroom. I asked Dick Tyldesley that evening to give me his opinion of Bradman. His answer was honest and final: "E’s no ruddy use to me."

In the 1930 England v Australia rubber, Bradman’s first tour of England, he scored 8, 131, 254, 1, 334, 14 and 232. In 1934, again at Headingley, he scored 304. The Australian innings on this occasion began badly, 39 for three at close of play on the first day. That evening, Bradman went to bed early, saying that tomorrow he’d need to get 200 at least. I reminded him that, in his last Test innings at Leeds, he had scored 334. "The law of averages," I said, "is against your pulling off another vast score tomorrow." "I don’t believe in any law of averages," he gently retorted.

It is argued that Bradman seldom mastered a sticky wicket. But Hedley Verity, a great left-handed spinner on a sticky wicket, assured me that, "if he had tried", the Don could have coped in any circumstances. True, at Lord’s in 1934 he made no obvious effort to play Verity with any patience on a turning pitch. Bradman held obtuse views about sticky wickets, arguing that they reduced science and skill to nonsense.

Certainly the wickets in Australia in Bradman’s time would change from billiard tables to rearing and spinning terrors, after rain and sun. It wasn’t fair for a team to be trapped this way, having bowled the day before on a smooth, fast, grassless, batsmen’s paradise. Bradman did much towards the covering of wickets in Australia, though I doubt if his propaganda in this cause went so far as to persuade himself to demonstrate of set purpose that even he couldn’t bat on them.

He was a shrewd, undemonstrative captain on the field. And, in his early years, his fielding on the boundary was swift and sure, with straight and rapid returns. He had never, or seldom, seen a first-class match until he was 12 years old. He was not coached, so was free to give play to his inborn talent. He was intelligent, had a good head, with a quiet but persuasive personality.

For all the ruthlessness of his batsmanship, and its killing power, there was brain governing his every movement of quick feet. He seldom reacted forward. He played back off the right foot, or drove from a panther leap on the ball. Concentration and organisation — here was his secret, plus, of course, rare gifts from nature. Every ball he received was his first ball, to be played as it deserved to be played. No cricketer since WG Grace has shared Bradman’s sway over the public. He packed cricket grounds everywhere. Day by day he was under an obligation, during a long tour in England, to play. County treasurers drooped if he didn’t play. I firmly believe that, throughout his career, most opposing bowlers would have heartily supported any legal means whereby before a match Bradman could have been bought off, so to say, or given 100 runs - on condition that he didn’t bat.

The Guardian

Managing tennis professionally
Arvind Katyal

MANAGING sports professionally is the in thing these days. Dr Vece Paes is the man who promoted Paes En Sport, an organisation devoted whole-heartedly to the management of tennis in a professional manner.

Dr Paes, who was in Chandigarh to help organise the ATP Challenger tennis meet for men told in a brief chat that Chandigarh was the most sought after place for international tennis players, considering the availability of the facilities and hospitality offered by the CLTA. Next year again the city will host the ATP Challenger after the Davis Cup.

In the current year, they do not have any other Challenger meet but may host a ITF futures meet.

Not much is expected this year in sponsorship money as the donations from the corporate sector are mainly being sent for the Gujarat earthquake relief operations. Paes En Sport, which in association with Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association organised the event which had a budget of more than Rs 30 lakh was also able to rope in the Indian Oil Corporation Limited, who were the title sponsors for the event and shelled out nearly Rs 10 lakh for the sponsorship. Dr Paes, a former Olympic hockey player married Jennifer, a former international basketball player. It was their son Leander, the winner of men doubles grand slams and a bronze medallist at 1996 Atlanta Olympics, who prompted Dr Paes to take up management of tennis in a professional manner.

The professional management of sports was a intricate job as many upcoming players, despite being talented, may not find anybody to guard or look after their sports needs in a professional manner leaving the sport much poorer, feels Dr Paes.

“Paes En Sport, is doing its bit for tennis as it has adopted three young players, Sunil Kumar and Amanjot Singh of Chandigarh and Vinod Sewa of Delhi”. Sunil and Vinod belong to middle class families so the financial sponsorship arranged by Paes En Sport has helped them in playing tournaments abroad, which would have been difficult otherwise.

Regarding the lack of Indian players at the ATP meet, Dr Paes said Prahlad Srinath and Vishal Uppal were injured so they could not participate in the Chandigarh meet, depleting the field. Despite a heavy prize money very few Indians took part in the meet.

Leander, due to a hectic schedule overseas was playing too much tennis which in turn has affected his performance, he said but gave all credit to Leander’s opponents for defeating the ace Indian star.

“Indian junior players need more exposure and should play tournaments abroad so as to keep their rankings up”, he said.

An Asian image needed in athletics
Ramu Sharma

WHEN one talks about big time athletics the reference is in the main to the achievements of Europeans, the Americans and the Africans in the various World Championships, including the Olympic Games and in the popular subsidiaries the Grand Prix Meets. Asians by and large have not made an impression in the high- profile competitions outside of the continent though Japan as a country has often made a determined bid to throw up some classy athletes, particularly in the marathon.

Athletics by and large has remained outside of the grasp of the Asians. Not that there is a lack of interest or a following in the discipline. Asians in fact do figure prominently on the administrative and even technical committees of the world body. And one of them, Maurice Nicholas of Singapore, has contributed considerably in the administration of the sport and presenting the Asian viewpoint vigorously.

The idea of grand prix meets in the continent is not a new one. In fact Maurice Nicholas has had this in mind for many years. He is even reported to have mooted the proposal earlier and the revival of the idea could not have come at a better time.

Asian athletics is in a bad way insofar as the standards are concerned. The Sydney Olympics only contributed to underline the vast difference in the standards of the athletes from Asia and the rest of the world. Something has to be done to build up the discipline in the continent. The idea of an Asian Grand Prix may not be new but it is time that it was given a practical shape. It is in fact a great opportunity for Suresh Kalmadi to make his presence felt as a President who acts fast.

The need for an Asian Grand Prix was always there. But perhaps because of the scheduling of the various regional meets and the importance of keeping in line with the various international competitions, the Olympic Games and the World Championships in particular, a practical shape could not be given to the idea of an Asian Grand Prix.

The advantages of an Asian Grand Prix cannot be over-emphasised. A regular schedule of such meets in the major cities of the interested countries will not only keep the athletes on toes but also help raise the standard. The athletes will certainly love such meets since there will be no problems about entries. What is more important is that such ventures within the continent are cheaper than going to Europe and elsewhere. Moreover, the atmosphere will be friendly and will certainly be focused on Asia. Asian athletics will finally get an identity. The Asian Grand Prix circuit in fact will be a blessing in disguise to the many athletes who are desperately looking for competition.

As a first step the Asian Grand Prix competition could be made more broadbased to allow a larger number of athletes to take part without downgrading the standards. To give it an international picture for the sake of attracting more media attention the competition could be held at various stages. To start with the Asian Prix could be limited to the top eight in each event from the continent and for variation, as and when need be, and depending on the standard of the competitors, the field could be changed to include athletes of equal merit who would otherwise have not got a chance.

As President of the AAAA, Kalmadi of course has the responsibility of the entire continent to cater to but he must also remember the tremendous possibilities the Grand Prix has for Indian athletes. One remembers the contribution made by the late Jaideep Singh of Baria who brought the Permit Meet to India. Baria, if one remembers correctly, had also spoken aloud about the need for a high grade meet for Asian athletes alone in addition to the Asian Games and the Asian Championships. He perhaps meant something on the lines of the proposed Asian Grand Prix with particular emphasis on the good that it would do to Indian athletes.

Indian athletes may not have had an outstanding record in terms of medals in the Asian Games but quite a few will figure, on merit, in the Asian Grand prix competition. The Indian athlete may not be the best in Asia in any one particular event but when it comes to a competition where the top eight of the continent will be taking part, there will be quite a few who will make the grade.

Great batsman, astute leader

THE greatest batsman who ever lived died peacefully at Adelaide on February 25 at the age of 92. The great Don missed out on his century. The great cricketer who had a insatiable appetite for records scored 6996 runs at an average of 99.94 in 52 Tests, including 29 centuries. The Don would have got an average of 100 in Tests but for his second-ball dismissal for a duck by Eric Hollis in his last Test against England at the Oval, when he needed just four runs for a career average of 100. Bradman was not only a great batsman but an astute leader who captained Australia in 24 Tests out of which his team won 15 giving him a success percentage of 75 per cent. The first class record of 28067 runs in 234 matches, inclusive of 117 centuries with the highest score of 452 not out and an astounding average of 95.14 is enough to make the next generation wonder if such a legend walked in flesh blood on the cricketing fields. Even Harold Larwod, England’s fast bowler of the infamous bodyline era in 1930, could not curb the great Don. Don was the only cricketer who has scored a triple century in a single day in a Test match. Don trampled every opposition under his feet and created awe. He set a world record of 12 double centuries, including two triple centuries, a Test career average of 99.94 and a series aggregate of 974 runs against England in 1930 at an average of 139.14.

SUSHIL KAPOOR, Chandigarh

Ramandeep’s sack

The decision of the Indian Hockey Federation to appoint Cedric D’ Souza as coach of the Indian hockey team deserves appreciation. But the unceremonious sacking of Ramandeep Singh, who captained India at the Sydney Olympics, has given a rude shock to hockey lovers. The policy of shunting out players when they are at their peak is detrimental to the promotion and growth of hockey. The IHF has often treated players shabbily causing irreparable damage to the game. The IHF’s contention that Ramandeep’s career is over does not carry conviction. He is an excellent half back who has the capability to serve the nation for four more years. He is not a spent force.

TARSEM S. BUMRAH, Batala

Unlucky Sriram

In the last one-dayer against Zimbabwe, Sriram, playing for the first time as an opener, could not even reach double figures. Till now, he has not been able to produce a single innings worthy of applause. In the Ranji Trophy last season, he scored 1075 runs. He had scores of 121 against Hyderabad, 147 against Goa, 177 against Haryana, 161 against Punjab and a mammoth 288 against Uttar Pradesh. He also scored 98 against Saurashtra and had a highly impressive average of 134.4 that season. Hence, obviously he has got a lot of talent. He arrived almost simultaneously with Yuvraj Singh on the international circuit. Yuvraj’s scintillating debut must have put additional pressure on him.

ARUN KUMAR BHARDWAJ, Jalandhar

Marvan Atapattu

Marvan Atapattu, the opening batsman of Sri Lanka, deserves heartiest congratulation for hitting the sixth Test century. It was his fourth double century. He scored 201 runs and remained unbeaten against England in the first Test. He is improving in his batting match after match. Really he is the backbone of the Sri Lankan cricket team.

SUBHASH C.TANEJA, Rohtak