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Saturday,
January 5, 2002, Chandigarh, India   
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Muralitharan close to ‘perfect 10’ |
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Cronje can have a role ‘in future’
Cape Town, January 4Disgraced former captain Hansie Cronje could play a part in the future of South African cricket, but not yet, vice-president of the United Cricket Board of South Africa Robbie Kurz has said. Hewitt likely to play in Australian
Open
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POA elections in
March
Paes-Bhupathi duo in semis Tough outing for JCT; tougher for Punjab Police Punjab beat Goa, lift BC Roy Trophy FIFA rankings: India move
up Gurbaaz Maan for B’desh
Open
Afghanistan Olympic stars fit, raring to go
Squad for European
circuit meet Vicky causes a major
upset Taekwondo meet
inaugurated SGFI names
observer
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SA halt Aussie victory charge Sydney, January 4 For so much of this lopsided series the 34-year-old left-handed opener has been the batting ‘bunny’ of Glenn McGrath, yet when it appeared the Proteas were destined for ignominious defeat inside three days, he came to his team’s aid. The 80-Test veteran teamed with Boeta Dippenaar to add 149 runs for the second wicket and surpass their team’s previous highest stand in the series of 141 for the seventh wicket between Neil McKenzie and Mark Boucher in the opening Adelaide Test. After being skittled for 154 to trail by a massive 400 runs on the first innings, South Africa, forced to follow on for only the third time in 10 years, were 209 for two at stumps. Kirsten, given a life by Mark Waugh off Brett Lee when on 12, was making Australia pay to be not out 82 and nearing his 14th Test century, while Jacques Kallis was on 32. But it’s still a monumental task for the Proteas to save this Test as they trail Australia by 191 runs with two days remaining. It appeared to be heading in a familiar direction when Herschelle Gibbs was bowled by Lee for 10 to leave the Proteas at 17 for one as Dippenaar joined Kirsten in the middle just after lunch. Dippenaar, who has been one of the unluckiest of South Africa’s batsmen with three dismissals to screaming catches, played his best innings of the series before he fell to a Stuart MacGill full toss to be caught for 74. His gutsy knock included 14 boundaries in his 146-minute stay and after initial edginess he played the Australian bowlers with aplomb. The Australians have already clinched the series with comprehensive wins in Adelaide and Melbourne, but it’s been 70 years since they’ve swept a series against South Africa. Australia last swept a series against South Africa when Bill Woodfull’s team won 5-0 in 1931-32 here. Until Kirsten and Dippenaar’s steadying partnership, South Africa looked locked in to a heavy innings defeat. Shaun Pollock’s team lost six wickets for 61 in the morning session to be all out in their first innings 22 minutes before lunch. The deficit was South Africa’s highest against Australia since their 391 in the 1949-50 series at Port Elizabeth. AFP SCOREBOARD Australia (1st innings): 554 South Africa (1st innings): Kirsten c Ponting b McGrath 18 Gibbs c M. Waugh b MacGill 32 Dippenaar b McGrath 3 Kallis c Gilchrist b MacGill 4 McKenzie b Warne 20 Ontong lbw b Warne 9 Boucher c Ponting b Warne 35 Pollock c Martyn b McGrath 6 Boje run out (Langer) 7 Henderson c McGrath b MacGill 9 Donald not out 2 Extras (lb8, nb1) 9 Total (all out, 62.2 overs) 154 FOW: 1-37, 2-43, 3-56, 4-77, 5-93, 6-98, 7-111, 8-121, 9-148. Bowling: McGrath 17-6-35-3, Lee 6-2-13-0, MacGill 20.2-6-51-3, Warne 19-5-47-3. South Africa (2nd innings): Gibbs b Lee 10 Kirsten batting 82 Dippenaar c Ponting b MacGill 74 Kallis batting 32 Extras (b-4, lb-5, nb-2) 11 Total (for 2 wkts, 69 overs) 209 FOW: 1-17, 2-166 Bowling: McGrath 11-2-35-0, Warne 20-5-58-0, Lee 11-3-30-1, MacGill 20-6-52-1, M. Waugh 6-1-14-0, Ponting 1-0-11-0. |
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Calcutta defeat haunts Aussies Sydney, January 4 Australia had seemed certain to wrap up victory inside three days today when they bowled the South Africans out for 154 in their first innings before lunch and enforced the follow-on with a 400-run lead. But the South Africans fought back to finish the day at 209 for two, still 191 from making Australia bat again, but with enough momentum to at least ensure the Australians had a restless night as memories of last year’s loss in Calcutta came flooding back. Buchanan said he was confident history would not repeat itself after Steve Waugh told the South Africans to pad up again in the hope of a quick kill only to See Gary Kirsten (82 not out) and Boeta Dippenaar (74) frustrate them. But he also admitted Calcutta was never far from his thoughts and he had some nerves after watching the South African fightback. “This situation is a little bit different,” Buchanan said. “I think we made the correct decision in enforcing the follow-on here. I hope it doesn’t come back to haunt us.’’ In what proved to be one of the greatest comebacks in Test cricket history, India appeared to be heading towards a massive defeat in last year’s encounter after they were forced to follow on after trailing Australia by 274 runs on the first innings. But a magnificent 374-run partnership by Vangipurappu Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) swung the match India’s way and they went on to win the match by 171 runs and then the series.
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Muralitharan close to ‘perfect 10’ Kandy, January 4 The offspinner grabbed 9 for 51 off 39 overs to send Zimbabwe reeling at 234 for 9 at stumps on the opening day of the second Test, with Grant Flower top-scoring with a defiant 72. Sri Lanka also faced resistance from unexpected quarters as the last-wicket pair of Travis Friend (28) and Henry Olonga (17) put on 33. But if Muralitharan can claim either wicket tomorrow he would become only the third player in Test history to take 10 in an innings. England off-spinner Jim Laker (10 for 53 against Australia at Manchester in 1956) and Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble (10 for 74 against Pakistan at Delhi in 1999) are the only bowlers to have claimed a perfect ten in a Test match history. Muralitharan had already missed out on this feat once, taking nine wickets in an innings against England at The Oval in 1998. The Sri Lankan’s 32nd haul of five or more wickets in 71 matches also helped him surpass former England all-rounder Ian Botham’s 383 wickets. He has now become the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket of all time, with 391. West Indian Courtney Walsh heads the list with 519 wickets in 132 Tests, followed by Indian Kapil Dev (434/131), New Zealander Richard Hadlee (431/86), Australian Shane Warne (427/97), Pakistan’s Wasim Akram (414/103) and West Indian Curtly Ambrose (405/98). The 29-year-old spinner, playing on his home ground, continued to tease and torment the Zimbabwean batsmen with his sharp turn and clever variations throughout the day. Barring Grant Flower, none of the batsmen could read the Sri Lankan who grabbed four wickets in the first session and three in the second to put the tourists under pressure. Grant Flower alone applied himself well, hitting seven fours in his 184-ball knock before being bowled by Muralitharan in the last session. Muralitharan took just seven overs in the morning to expose Zimbabwe’s batting weaknesses against spin, striking with his second delivery after the tourists had elected to bat. Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya pressed his ace spinner into the attack in the ninth over itself after a 39-run stand between openers Hamilton Masakadza and Trevor Gripper. Muralitharan did not let his captain down as he dismissed Gripper, who edged on to his boot before being caught by wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara for 20. He then deceived Hamilton Masakadza with a straighter one, the batsman missing the line while trying to work it on the leg-side. Zimbabwe were in deep trouble when Gavin Rennie and Andy Flower fell in quick succession. Rennie was stumped by Sangakkara for no score, while Andy Flower (8) was adjudged caught behind while trying to sweep. Scoreboard Zimbabwe (1st innings): Masakadza b Muralitharan 10 Gripper c Jayawardene b Muralitharan 20 Carlisle lbw b Muralitharan 20 Rennie st Sangakkara b Muralitharan 0 A Flower c Sangakkara b Muralitharan 8 G Flower b Muralitharan 72 Wishart lbw b Muralitharan 26 Streak b Muralitharan 1 Marillier b Muralitharan 8 Friend batting 28 Olonga batting 17 Extras (b-3, lb-7, nb-14) 24 Total (for 9 wkts, 95 overs) 234 FOW: 1-39, 2-45, 3-51, 4-67, 5-83, 6-137, 7-140, 8-166, 9-201. Bowling:
Vaas 16-4-56-0, Zoysa 15-2-44-0, Muralitharan 39-18-51-9, Buddika 5-2-13-0, Samarweera 8-2-33-0, Jayasuriya 12-3-27-0.
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Cronje can have a role ‘in future’ Cape Town, January 4 Kurz was reacting to statements made on Australian radio by board president, Percy Sonn, who said that the UCB could not ‘play god’ with Cronje’s future. Kurz was keen to explain the wider context within which he believed Sonn’s remarks should be taken. “I haven’t spoken with Percy but we’ve said all along that given time, rehabilitation and remorse there’s every opportunity that he (Cronje) can play a part in the future of South African cricket, although obviously he will never play again,” Kurz told Reuters yesterday. “It does not, however, mean that his return is in any way imminent. There are certainly no recommendations on the table at present,” Kurz said. Sonn had earlier told the Australian Broadcasting Corpora-tion (ABC) that South African cricket was prepared to forgive Cronje for his actions and find a role for him in the future. “Who are we to damn people forever,” Sonn said in the interview. “Our board is not God in terms of determining what rehabilitation is sufficient. Hansie deserves to enjoy all the freedom of South African society. He is a child of the United Cricket Board. “We will look at it but I am sure there is a place for Hansie in South African cricket and South African society in general,” Sonn said. Earlier, the UCB Managing Director Gerald Majola moved to clarify the board’s position, saying that Sonn was speaking purely in his personal capacity. “At the moment Cronje has been banned for life and nothing has changed. In the future, if the board is approached, that may change, but at the moment, nothing is on the table,” Majola said. Cronje, whose role in match-fixing rocked cricket, failed last year to overturn his life ban but a court ruled he could take part in certain coaching and media activities.
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Hewitt likely to play in Australian Open Perth, Australia, January 4 The 20-year-old tested positive for the virus yesterday, forcing him out of the Hopman Cup, but it could turn out to be a “blessing in disguise”, John McCurdy said. Hewitt has been resting in his hotel room at the Burswood Resort in Western Australia after contracting the virus. He is due to be top seed at Melbourne Park from January 14 to 27 and is looking to become the first Australian man to win his home Grand Slam since Mark Edmonson in 1976. Hewitt has been told to rest for at least five days before resuming training which could leave him woefully short of match practice before the Open. However McCurdy said he was confident his man would be ready. “Obviously getting a positive test yesterday meant that he couldn’t go on in the Hopman Cup, but his whole focus is the Open,” McCurdy said at the Burswood Dome where he watched Hewitt’s girlfriend Kim Clijsters represent Belgium in the mixed team event. “They’ll adopt a positive attitude him and Stolts (coach Jason Stoltenberg) as to make this work for them and turn his into a positive situation.” Medical experts have warned that to train too vigorously or return to training too soon could leave Hewitt susceptible to chronic fatigue and further illness. “They are not going to do anything sillye they will follow medical advice,” McCurdy said. “He’s got a bit of time before the Open. He had such a full year last year. “He played late into the year, finished late, he had a hell of a lot of tough matches.
Reuters Sydney Sydney international tournament director Craig Watson said Davenport’s knee injury, suffered three months ago, had not fully healed. Watson said although Davenport would miss the January 6-12 Sydney event, the American was confident of being fit for the Australian Open — the first Grand Slam of the year — starting in Melbourne on January 14. Davenport, 25, was a semifinalist at last year’s Open and is a former Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open champion.
Reuters
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Kournikova beaten Auckland January 4 Tennis’s glamour girl lost in straight sets 1-6 4-6 to Smashnova who will now play fifth seed Tatiana Panova of Russia in tomorrow’s final. It was a painful blow for Kournikova who had played solid tennis here this week in her first tournament back since a foot injury derailed her 2001 campaign. The 20-year-old darling of the Stanley Street crowds here couldn’t cope with Smashnova’s baseline game.
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POA elections in
March Chandigarh, January 4 The last elections to the POA were held in 1997 and the next elections were due in 2000 since the office-bearers, according to the constitution of the association, enjoy a three-year term. However, at the last general council meeting of the association the elections were postponed ‘‘till the end of the National Games’’. The agenda of the annual general council meeting of the POA circulated to all members lists the election as agenda item No 4. Prior to that the meeting will ‘‘consider and approve the minutes of the last annual general council meeting held on May 1, 1999.’’ Also on the agenda is adoption of the secretary’s report as also the adoption of the audited statements of accounts of the association. The general council will also consider and approve the budget foe the year 2002-2003. It is quite likely that a discussion on the National Games, held in Punjab in November-December last, in five centres in Punjab, will also be held. Prior to the general council meeting the executive committee of the POA will meet on the same day (March 17) to consider and approve the minutes of the last executive meeting. The executive will also consider and adopt the secretary’s and treasurer’s report before presentation to the general house. |
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Paes-Bhupathi duo in semis Chennai, January 4 Bastl injured his right wrist in a practice session this morning. Later, Paes and Bhupathi played an exhibition match much to the delight of the crowd against Prakash Amritraj of USA and Sunil Kumar of India. Asian champion Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand created a major upset as he outlasted second seeded Thomas Johansson of Sweden 4-6 6-3 6-2 to enter the singles semifinals. Top seed Argentine Guillermo Canas fought a brilliant first set battle under pressure but sailed into semifinals on default as unseeded Czech Jiri Vanek conceded the match at 1-1 in the second set due to back spasm. The Czech, ranked 97 and winner of back to back challengers, was determined to take on the top seed head on.
PTI |
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Tough outing for JCT; tougher for Punjab Police Chandigarh, January 4 Undoubtedly, it will be a tough tie for JCT as Mahindras, who finished seventh in the previous edition, have not lost a single match so far but for Punjab Police it will be a tougher outing as HAL, who also have a clean slate, are in devastating form having beaten teams like Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar and JCT. Scoring a goal against HAL, boasting of a strong defence and reliable goalie Gumpe Rime, will indeed be a miracle and if the Punjab cops manage to hold them goal-less, it will be seen as a major achievement. JCT have two points from two drawn ties against FC Kochin and Salgaocar. The mill men have lost to Churchill Brothers, East Bengal and HAL. Punjab Police, on the other hand, have lost all the five matches so far. They lost to East Bengal 1-3, Churchill Brothers 0-3, Vasco 1-2, Salgaocar 0-2, and FC Kochin 0-2. The Punjab cops have conceded the maximum goals in the league so far, 12 to be precise, while scoring only two. Nevertheless, coach Harwinder Singh, who has rich experience having played for Punjab in the Santosh Trophy for several years, is trying to make the most of the talent available and his immediate aim appears to avoid relegation. Mahindra United, pitted against JCT, boast of an envious roster as they benefitted immensely in the inter-club transfers. The team management has also signed up a couple of foreigners like Austin Okolo, Bala Usman, and Eroje Musa, all of whom have scored goals in the current edition. Mahindras also have the experienced Mohammed Najeeb, Khalid Jamil, and former Salgaocar star Jules Alberto, who excelled in the pre-World Cup qualifiers. Besides, Mahindras have roped in Uday Koner, Jeevan Moras, Kamal Thapa, Naushad Pari, Venkatesh, Habib Adenkunle Surkumar Singh, and Noel Wilson. The other notable stars in the ranks of Mahindras are striker Raman Vijayan, and goalkeepr Virender Singh, also an international. JCT, despite being pitted against a formidable outfit, are expected to put up an improved showing, as deep defender Prabhjot Singh along with promising medio Harinder Singh, known for his accurate long rangers, are expected to be back after a long lay-off. JCT’s hopes rest with the Hardip trio of Sangha, Saini and Gill as also Nigerian star Stephan Abarowei and medio Ram Pal. Nevertheless, coach Sukhwinder Singh, who is also the national coach and is known as a smart strategist, is keeping his fingers crossed. For, no team in the national league can be taken lightly, more so when the opponents comprise the who’s who of Indian football. The kick-off is at 2 p.m. The following are the latest standings of the teams in the sixth National Football League (read under teams, matches played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, and points)
Teams P W D L GF GA Pts HAL 5 3 2 0 7 3 11 East
Bengal 5 3 1 1 7 4 10 Mahindra
United 5 2 3 0 5 2 9 Churchill
Bros 5 2 2 1 7 4 8 Vasco
SC 5 2 2 1 6 5 8 Salgaocar
SC 5 2 2 1 4 2 8 Mohun
Bagan 5 2 2 1 4 3 8 ITI 5 1 4 0 4 2 7 FC
Kochin 5 1 2 2 3 4 5 JCT 5 0 2 3 3 6 2 Tollygunge 5 0 2 3 2 7 2 Punjab
Police 5 0 0 5 2 12 0 |
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Punjab beat Goa, lift BC Roy Trophy Jodhpur, January 4 It was Goa who dominated the proceedings for long spells with superior ball control and short passes but Punjab made full use of the few
opportunities that came their way. After a goal-less first half, a swift attack by Punjab in the 64th minute saw Goan defender Joaquim D’Silva conceding a a free kick from just outside the penalty box with a rough tackle. Sarabjit Singh did not try a direct shot and instead set it up for Avtar Chand who beat the Goan goalkeeper with a powerful rightfooter that nestled into the right corner of the cage. Stung by the reverse that came against the run of play, Goa tried their best to find the equaliser but their efforts went in vain.
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FIFA rankings: India move up Mumbai, January 4 In the world rankings, France continues to occupy the top spot followed by Brazil and Argentina. Italy and Portugal are in joint fourth place. Czech Republic have jumped four places to break into the top 10 being placed 10th.
UNI |
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Gurbaaz Maan for B’desh
Open Chandigarh, January 4 Gurbaaz is just 19 and has just finished his plus-two from Bhavan Vidyalaya. Good in his studies throughout, he had his schooling from St John’s High School. At today’s meeting with mediapersons, Gurbaaz talked about his achievements. At the recent Nationals, Gurbaaz was a member of the Punjab team that won the gold medal. In the Hero Honda Chandigarh Open, Gurbaaz rubbed shoulders with the top professionals spreading a scare among them returning a seven under par 221 score in the open category. He was selected by the Indian Golf Union to represent India in the International Golf Championship in Seoul, Korea, last year. He finished tied 13th. Gurbaaz talks highly of the Italian coach, Dr Donato Di Ponziano, under whom he undertook training in August , 1999, and again in August, 2000, at the national coaching camp in Gurgaon. This tall golfer, who will soon be joining the Arizona State University, is all set for the Bangladesh Open in which 10 countries are expected to take part. Mr Sandeep Sandhu, who is the first north representative in the Indian Golf Union, said a national handicapping system would soon be finalised to remove the discrepancies in the nett score handicapping system. He said very soon each golf club would have a course rating. He was hopeful of having a final national handicapping system soon. |
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Afghanistan Olympic stars fit, raring to go Kabul, January 4 “Unless we can attract them back home, they will be competing in the next Olympics for foreign teams,” said a dejected national wrestling coach Sultan Mahmod Nazari. Afghanistan’s brightest wrestling stars, Naseer, Razi Gul and Mir Ahammad are living in Canada, he said. So is boxing champion Jawid Aman. “They send us videos every now and then so we can see how well they are doing in Canada,” he said. The country’s weighlifting champions have opted for Europe. “Khalil lives in London, Pana Zada lives in Germany, while Jalil Sultani — now a trainer — lives in Norway,” Nazari said. The sports stars left the country after Afghanistan became internationally isolated during the five-year reign of the hardline Taliban from 1996 until December 2001.
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Squad for European
circuit meet Chandigarh, January 4 European Circuit Championships is a series of competitions held in five to six of the top European cities. Last year Abhinav participated in 12 competitions and took 6 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals. Other Indian top marksman in the team include women’s air rifle shooter Anjali Vedpathak and ace pistol shooter Jaspal Rana. The team: Air rifle: Charan Singh, Ashok Kumar Shahi, Sushil
Ghale, Sameer Ambedkar, Sandeep Tarate and Abhinav Bindra. Air pistol: Jaspal Rana, Samresh Jung, Ved Prakash, Ronak
Pandit, Amol Renke, Zakhir Khan. Women: Air rifle: Anjali
Vedpathak, Anuja Tere, Suma Dixit, Meena Kumari, Raj Kumari and Sabeeha Dhillon. Air pistol: Sonia Rana, Shilpi Singh, Saroja Kumari, Shweta Chaudhary, Anuraj Singh and Seema
Tomar. |
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Vicky causes a major
upset Sangrur, January 4 Results (all semifinals): Lt. Fly Wt: Sunil (PTA) Hardeep Singh (Sang), Gurmukh Singh (STC) Ravinder Singh (Sang). Fly Wt: Arun (Hsp) Ramanjit (Sang), Saurav (Jal) Sarabjit (Sang). Bantam Wt: Bir Davinder Singh (STC) Kailash Kumar (Bth), Gurlal (Asr) b Pawan Kumar (Sang). Feather Wt: Gagandeep (Bth) Gurdip Singh, Pritpal Singh (STC) Manjit Singh (M’sar). Light Wt: Ranjit Singh (STC) Balkar Singh (Ldh), Harvinder Singh (Sang) b Malkit Singh (Sang) Light Welter Wt: Vicky Singh (Sang) Jasvir Singh (STC), Gautam Kumal (Hsp) b Gurdip Singh (Sang). Welter Wt: Bhawan Singh (Ldh) Rajan Kumar (STC), Gagan (Hsp) Ramanjit (Jal). Light middle Wt: Amandeep (Bth) b Lakhwinder Singh (Sang), Vikramjit (Fkt) b Harjinder Singh (F’pore). Middle Wt: Dilbag Singh (F’pore) b Amrit Avtar (Pta), Bikramjit Singh (Bth) Sanjeev (Hsp). Light heavy Wt: Ram Singh (Pta) b Sanjay Kumar (Hsp), Bhalinder Singh (Sang) Pavittar Singh (Sang) Heavy Wt: Simran Singh (Pta) b Sukhminder Singh (Mansa), Gurbakhshish Singh b Ravi Kumar (Sang). Super Heavy Wt: Jaspreet Singh (Pta) b Rupinder Singh (Sang). |
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Taekwondo meet
inaugurated Rohtak, January 4 Mr B.K. Kang, First Secretary in the Korean Embassy in India, was special invitee on the occasion. Talking to the mediapersons after the opening ceremony Mr Kang said that the game has its roots in Korea but the standard of the game was quite high in India. |
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SGFI names
observer Ludhiana, January 4 According to a press note, Amrik Singh has been named as observer
by the School Games Federation of India for this prestigious meet. |
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