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May 23, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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TWI highest bidder Saurav exudes confidence Roots of match-fixing in England? A masterly display of seam & swing bowling |
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Ronaldo ready to play, says doctor Bengal, Bihar
in last four Indian hockey
teams named Hewitt-Rafter duo
seal Aussie win Coaches conduct: JFI orders probe Men can swim with
knickers: Taliban
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TWI highest bidder New Delhi, May 22 BCCI president Dr A C Muthiah said here today after the finance committee meeting that the TWI was the highest bidder “but we are still negotiating”. ITC will continue to be the sponsor of the Indian team for the Zimbabwe tour. The issue of the Wills logo or some other logo of ITC to be used on the clothing will be decided later. Dr Muthiah denied having received notice from another bidder, who had apparently lost out on the bidding stake. Dr Muthiah said the TWI would come up with the name of the corporate sponsor/sponsors “once we give them the sponsorship agreement”. TWI has offered to pay Rs 50 lakh per Test and Rs 43 lakh per ODI for labelling clothing and Rs 5.5 lakh per Test and Rs 4.25 lakh per ODI for logo on non-leading arm. TWI has also offered Rs 1 crore per year for a three-year period for the one-day trophy, in place of the Wills Trophy. The name of the new trophy will be decided later. Dr Muthiah said the new sponsorship agreement would take effect from July 1 in time for India’s tour of Sri Lanka for a Test and triangular series, also involving New Zealand. The board chief said details about making graded payment to the India players on the basis of seniority were yet to be finalised. He said the board would also consider the proposal to employ players on contract basis though the players would not be allowed to hold dual employment - one with the board, and another with some other employer. “They (players) will not be allowed to have both - contract as well as jobs”, asserted the BCCI chief. He said a final decision regarding the hosting of the ICC Knockout Trophy would be taken after the ICC meeting in London on June 15. “We have not received any proposal from the ICC. We have been waiting to hear from them”, Dr Muthiah added. The board president said he would be attending the Asian Cricket Conference meeting in Lahore where decisions regarding the Asia Cup Championship, accounts of the body, and startegy for the development of cricket in Asia, would be taken. Besides Dr Muthiah, others who attended today’s meeting were board secretary J Y Lele, chairman of the finance committee S K Nair, Jyoti Vajpayee, Kishore Rungta, Kamal Morarka, C K Khanna, Rama Prasad, Dr Misra and P M Rungta. A notable absentee was former ICC president and BCCI secretary Jagmohan Dalmia, though he was reportedly present in the Capital. |
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Saurav exudes confidence Kolkata, May 22 “The team should do well. But we have to translate the fitness and mental tuning into action. The conditioning camp has done a world of good for the players but the acid test will be to perform on foreign soil and without home support,” said Saurav with cautious optimism. When asked to comment on the mental fitness of the team, the ambidextrous cricketer said it was only expected that a team playing at the international level would have to be fit mentally. “The question is how well can they pull it off when the time comes. So we have to wait till the series gets started,” Saurav added. Talking about his use of bowling machine, the stylish left hander said, “I don’t think it is of any help other than practice because the machine lacks the instinct and thought process that a bowler will employ while rolling the wrist. One has to fight it out in the middle.” Saurav added that he was practising a particular stroke with the help of the machine. The Australia series was in the past and the bad patch was over, he said. Talking about trying out his luck with the cherry on foreign soil, Saurav said he would decide about it when he reached Zimbabwe and upon the prevailing circumstances. He said he was happy with the team’s composition and there was definitely an urge among the players to perform.
UNI |
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Roots of match-fixing in England? London, May 22 An advance copy of a report by the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-corruption unit obtained by the Daily Telegraph says match-fixing may have begun in England in the 1970s. The report, compiled by former London metropolitan police chief Paul Condon, will be posted on the internet on Wednesday. “It has been suggested to me that the seeds of corruption in cricket were sown in the 1970s when county and club matches in domestic tournaments in England and other countries were allegedly fixed by teams to secure points and league positions,” Sir Condon is quoted as saying. Three former international captains, Hansie Cronje (South Africa), Mohammad Azharuddin (India) and Salim Malik (Pakistan) have been banned for life since Cronje admitted last year he had sold information for money. Cronje, who initially denied any involvement in match-fixing, told a news conference on April 11 that he had accepted $10-15,000 from a local South African and an Indian bookmaker based in London during a triangular series with Zimbabwe and England. An emergency ICC meeting was convened and the anti-corruption unit set up under Sir Condon. The Telegraph also quotes Sir Condon as saying that it had soon become clear to him that many people within the game had significant information about corruption. “I have spoken to people who had been threatened and others who have alleged a murder and kidnapping linked to cricket corruption.” “In order to respond to their anxieties I have interviewed some people away from their normal lifestyles.” Sir Condon has visited Kenya, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand during his investigations. In addition, independent inquiries are being conducted in Pakistan, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Dubai and New Zealand. Seven former international captains were named in an Indian Central Bureau of Investigation report on November 1 last year. The report said Cronje, Azharuddin, Brian Lara (West Indies), Alec Stewart (England) and Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka) had been offered or paid money by Indian bookmaker M.K. Gupta. Malik and New Zealand’s Martin Crowe were also mentioned in the report. According to British newspapers at the weekend, Sir Condon’s initial report is not expected to name any individuals or make specific allegations because of possible criminal prosecutions in the future. But they said Sir Condon had concluded that match-fixing was still prevalent with large sums of money changing hands. Reuters |
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A masterly display of seam & swing bowling London, May 22 Waqar’s assessment came after Gough and Caddick had bowled England to another victory over Pakistan at the Lord’s. The series opener was over inside three days with England winning by an innings and nine runs, thanks to 16 wickets that fell on a frantic Sunday. Twelve of them went to Gough and Caddick. “I can compare the Gough and Caddick partnership to what Wasim (Akram) and I had going for Pakistan,” Waqar said. “Caddick in particular bowls such a destructive line. They are different but complement each other very well.” After victories last year over Zimbabwe and the West Indies, England have moved relentlessly in pursuit of five straight Test series wins to lift it from the bottom of Test cricket’s pecking order. The success included a series win in Pakistan for the first time in 39 years and beating Sri Lanka 2-1. Once ranked only above minnows Zimbabwe, England now enjoy the company of Australia and South Africa as the world top three Test nations. Gough (30) and Caddick (32) have played a major part in England’s resurgence over the past 12 months, claiming 116 wickets in just 13 Tests between them. Spurred on by their great rivalry, the pair have produced a masterly demonstration of seam and swing bowling with controlled hostility and movement and even eclipsed Pakistan’s own great partnership. Wasim and Waqar, now fading, were considered the most lethal fast bowling combination in world cricket, claiming 476 wickets in 50 Tests between them and taking a wicket every 45 balls. The pair is followed by West Indies’ now retired Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose (421 wickets in 49 Tests at 55 balls) and South Africa’s Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock (353 in 41 at 50). “Andy Caddick without Darren Gough would not be the same bowler — and Darren Gough would not be the same bowler without Andy Caddick,” Gough said. From the time the pair first played together against New Zealand in Wellington in February 1997 and bowled England to victory with 15 wickets between them, Gough and Caddick have shared 152 wickets in 20 matches. Their contribution ranks only third behind England’s famous fast bowling partnership between Brian Statham and Fred Trueman (28 wickets in 35 Tests) and Ian Botham and Bob Willis (172 wickets in 24). Yesterday, Gough and Man-of-the-Match Caddick took a match haul of eight wickets apiece but the Yorkshireman’s 50th Test appearance was marked by a five-wicket return that earned him a place on the trophy board in the home dressing room of the famous Lord’s pavilion for the first time. Gough said taking five wickets at Lord’s meant more than passing 200 Test wickets or overtaking John Snow to become the seventh most successful England bowler of all time. His five-wicket haul included a superb burst before and after lunch when he took three wickets in four balls and was in search of a hat-trick at the start of the Pakistan second innings. “We are playing well,” Gough said. “We’re on top of our game and we got the result. Soon enough we’ll be playing the best side in the world in Australia. “What the public wants is to see us compete with Australia. The people will be happy if they see England fighting in a competitive close series.” The New Zealand born Caddick, who looked unplayable on the Lord’s pitch, said: “The two of us use the new ball well because we capitalise on taking early wickets. “You’ve got to make the most of it and it seems that in the last 18 months, myself and Darren have made the most of the new ball combination.” Skipper Nasser Hussain, forced to watch from the sideline yet again with another broken finger — his third in as many years, said: “Gough and Caddick are a pleasure to captain and their attitude is great.” “Back in 1991-92 I never thought I would get one Test,” Gough reflected on his injury ravaged career. “I’ve worked hard at my game and now I’m reaping the rewards when you consider the injuries I’ve suffered. The England team have been excellent which is the reason why I’ve done well. “Our success has been a combination of things — the partnership of coach Duncan Fletcher and Nasser Hussain has been excellent. Communication is a big thing in sport, and it has been first class.”
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Pak welcome
Laloo’s offer Islamabad, May 22 Laloo Yadav, former Chief Minister of Bihar and the newly elected President of the Bihar Cricket Association, has said he would do his best to arrange a day-night match between India and Pakistan at the Moinul Haq Stadium in state capital Patna. It is good that Yadav has said religion and politics should not get in the way of sport, but will he be able to provide protection to the players, asks Sarfraz Nawaz.
IANS |
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Anand wins, extends lead Merida, May 22 With this win Anand just has to draw his last round game tomorrow against GM Nigel Short of England to win the title. Meanwhile, Short prepared himself for the final showdown against Anand with an easy draw against former world champion GM Alexander Khalifman of Russia. Playing his last white in the tournament, Anand gave it everything to squeeze Hernandez in the Sicilian Sveshnikov game. This opening had been causing some problems for Anand in the past few months but today he was thorough with his improvements over the last game that he lost against GM Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria in the Amber Blindfold and Rapid tournament. The players blitzed through the opening phase but Hernandez appeared at sea soon after Anand uncorked his new idea. After a long thought, the Mexican came with a piece sacrifice and regained a rook against bishop to wrest his hopes in the endgame that had few pawns left. Anand played the endgame imaginatively and immediately brought his knight pair around central squares to control a possible rooks’ foray. Hernandez on the contrary, obtained a passed pawn on the king rook file but his king came under terminal danger once he had to bring it in the middle of the board. Anand’s pieces coordinated perfectly and after containing the passed pawn from advancing further, he threatened to advance his own passed pawn. Seeing no way out of trouble, Hernandez resigned after 53 moves. With this win Anand took his tally to four points and Short is trailing him with three points. Short’s match against Khalifman did not turn out to be a full-blooded affair. Playing black Short stuck to his pet French defence and faced the Winawer variation of the Russian. By choosing an off-beat variation Short ventured into less trodden paths very early in the middlegame and got a balanced position despite his light square bishop, that remained inside the pawn chain. Khalifman’s idea of a kingside attack did not bear the right fruits as Short’s queen side pawn onslaught became dangerous. Khalifman went for the exchange of queens and thereafter Short did not have a thing to worry about. After a bit of hide and seek the two agreed to split the point after 31 moves.
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Ronaldo ready to play, says doctor Paris, May 22 The international striker “is ready to play a professional match at every level,” surgeon Gerard Saillant was quoted as saying on the club’s official web site after Ronaldo’s latest checkup. The examination was the last Ronaldo will undergo in Paris, although Saillant has asked to be informed about the player’s progress, the Internazionale
Web site also said. Saillant could not be reached for further comment at the Pitie Salpetriere hospital in Paris where he practices. In March, Saillant said the Brazilian international was “clinically cured.” However, Internazionale president Massimo Moratti said it was unlikely Ronaldo would play with the Milan club before the season ends on June 17. “There is no rush to have Ronaldo playing,” Moratti said. “It’s wise to keep him quiet.” Ronaldo has not played in a professional game since hurting his right knee in a club match more than a year ago. Saillant first operated on Ronaldo’s right knee after the player tore a tendon in November 1999. He performed surgery a second time in April last year after Ronaldo hurt the same knee only seven minutes into his first game since sustaining the initial injury. Saillant in January predicted a full recovery but warned that another injury would likely end Ronaldo’s playing career.
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Bengal, Bihar
in last four Ludhiana, May 22 It was a well-fought match between West Bengal and Punjab. Sayanti Nandi started the victory march in the 27th minute by scoring a goal. A minute before lemon break, Lata Ghosh increased the lead by to 2-0. After the interval, international player Sujata Karr made it 3-0 in 63rd minute. In the 70th minute Gurmeet Kaur reduced the margin with a header on a pass from Harkamal. In the last 20 minutes, Punjab got many chances which went waste. In another one-sided match, Bihar handed out a 5-0 drubbing to Assam. Anjana and centre forward Sawati from Bihar stole the show by firing three and two goals, respectively. Bihar dominated the proceedings right from the word go. International player Madhu did not allow the Assam girls to penetrate the defence. K.M. Sawati opened the account in the eighth minute. Anjana increased the lead and seven minutes before the breather, Sawati made the tally 3-0. After the interval, Anjana scored the fourth goal in the 64th minute on a pass from Madhu. Six minutes before the end, the last and decisive goal was scored by the Anjana (5-0). In the first semifinal Manipur will clash with Bihar on May 25. |
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Indian hockey teams named New Delhi, May 22 An 18-member Indian team to participate in the nine-nation tournament was announced today. India are placed in group A along with Brunei, Malaysia, Oman and Singapore, a press note said here today. Group B comprises Bangladesh, Japan, Korea and Uzbekistan. The Indian team to participate in a four-nation Samaranch Cup in Moscow from June 12 to 16 was also announced. Belarus, Ukraine and Russia are the other teams in the tournament. A training camp for the team will be held in Ludhiana from May 28 to June 10, the note added. Teams: Asia Cup: K Surajkanta Singh, Kanakandy Niyaz, Bikramjeet Singh, K P Roy, Jugraj Singh, Amarjit Singh, Bipin Thimmaiah, Sandeep Kumar, R Jagath Jothy, Rajini Kanth, Sandeep Michael, Raju, Karthik, Rajpal Singh, K.P. Dinesh, Imtyaz Ahmed, Tushar Khandekar, Yadvinder Singh. Rajinder Singh and N.S. Sodhi (coaches), Pratap Satpathy (manager), A.E. Brient (trainer), D.S. Bhandari (umpire). Samaranch Cup: Jagdish Ponnappa, Bimal Lakra, Ravinder Singh (all IA), Bharat Chetri (CDE), Aftab Ahmed, Samuez Zoha, Amarjit Pratap (all UP), Bikramjit Singh, Chander Pal (both Rlys), Ignace Tirkey, Paramjit Singh (both Services), Harmeek Singh, Prabhjeet Singh (both Punjab Police), Vikram Pillai (Bombay), Anoop Anthony (Karnataka), Gurjeet Singh (J&K), Anurag Raghuvanshi (BPCL), Baljit Singh Chandi (PSB). Coaches: Ripudaman Singh (PSB) and Amarjit Singh (SAIL).
PTI |
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Hewitt-Rafter duo
seal Aussie win Dusseldorf (Germany), May 22 However Hewitt, who Corretja complained of his fist pumping celebrations during a tournament last year, gave him even less reason for that dinner date when he and Pat Rafter teamed up to beat Spain 2-1 in the World Team Cup. It rounded off a bad day for Spain as the in-form Juan Carlos Ferrero is doubtful for next week’s French Open after withdrawing from the World Team Cup. The 21-year-old, second in the ATP Champions Race after winning the Masters Series event in Rome and losing a closely-fought final in Hamburg on Sunday, is suffering from an abductor strain.
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Coaches conduct: JFI orders probe Patiala, May 22 Top judokas
are, at present, attending a training camp at the NIS here in preparation for the Senior World Judo Championships slated to be held in Munich, Germany, from July 25 to 27. The JFI had appointed Uzbek coach, Nusrat Khan Valiev, as the chief coach while former international Ranbir Solanki has been asked to assist him. However, the relationship between the two has turned sour and Valiev has declined to permit Ranbir Solanki to impart training to the judokas. Nusrat Khon had asked the JFI to withdraw Vinod Solanki, a judoka in the 73 kg class and a
protégé of Ranbir Solanki, from the camp on disciplinary grounds. On this Ranbir Solanki met the JFI President, Mr Jagdish Tytler, at New Delhi, recently and
subsequently, Mr Tytler directed Nusrat Khon to take both Ranbir and Vinod Solanki back into the camp. Mr Tytler, apart from asking the chief coach to maintain a status-quo till the matter was amicably sorted out, also directed a JFI observer, Virender Vashisht to submit an inquiry report at the earliest. However, Nusrat Khon has refused to toe the line of the JFI chief and has flatly refused to take back both Ranbir and Vinod Solanki. He clarified that he had taken the extreme step of filing a written complaint to the JFI because the conduct of Ranbir Solanki towards the players at the camp did not
behave that of a top coach. The JFI observer, after spending two days at the NIS trying to pacify the warring coaches, returned to New Delhi on Sunday evening and is expected to submit his report to the JFI chief shortly. Till then the situation is unlikely to improve and things will fall into place only when Mr Jagdish Tytler takes some decision after the inquiry report. The ongoing controversy has started to take its toll on the judokas and one of India’s top judoka Yashpal Solanki, has said the morale of the players was low, keeping in view the ego clashes between the two coaches. A note has been circulated among the players asking them to give their preference regarding the two coaches. The judokas confirm that such a note is in circulation, but it could not be ascertained as to who put it there. |
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Men
can swim with knickers: Taliban New Delhi, May 22 Men were allowed to swim at the pool of the Hotel Intercontinental, which opened after a gap of ten years, in Kabul yesterday, BBC reports. According to the BBC correspondent, while men can swim, women and boys below the age of 15 have to keep away from the pool area. The regime has also allowed the inclusion of women in Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to conduct surveys of houses to detect starvation deaths. The BBC remarked that there were stiff restrictions on entertainment in Afghanistan. The people in the country cannot watch television and go out for picnics. Some sports are allowed if they did not clash with Namaaz timings. Last year, the Pakistani football team had their heads shaved for not wearing knickers of a specified length.
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