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Sunday,
January 13, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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India ‘A’ enter final
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1- match suspension for McGrath Gough has plans ready Jeev, Atwal among top 10 in SA Open
Fazalludin calls it a day India face Lebanon
in Davis Cup NFL: Mohun Bagan beat JCT 2-0 NFL to resume soon NATIONAL SHOOTING EUROPEAN MEET Veterans’ TT team Punjab tennis ball cricket
trials
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India ‘A’ enter final Bangalore, January 12 The second successive victory for India ‘A’, following their two wicket win against India Seniors on Thursday, was powered by a five wicket haul by off-spinner Sarandeep Singh who wrecked the middle order of India ‘B’. India ‘A’ will take on the senior team, who were placed second in the league table with a win and a loss, in the final tomorrow. India ‘B’, who were restricted to 230 in 38.4 overs in response to the 289 of India ‘A’, lost both their matches and crashed out of the tournament. Mohammad Kaif was the highest scorer for India ‘B’, making a fine 69, while Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Vijay Bhardwaj contributed 47 and 43 runs respectively. But none of the other batsmen with the exception of wicketkeeper Pankaj Dharmani, who scored 13, could even reach the double figures. Besides Sarandeep, who finished with figures of five for 57 from his 10 overs, Ajit Agarkar claimed three wickets for 55 runs. Earlier, bolstered by useful scores from each of the top order batsmen, India ‘A’ put up an imposing total of 289 for seven in their allotted 50 overs. In a do-or-die game for them, India ‘B’ captain Anil Kumble put the opposition in to bat but his team’s bowling lacked the sting and India ‘A’ batsmen scored fluently to register a big score. Opener Connor Williams top-scored with 73 and was associated in fine partnerships with Sangram Singh (39), Rohan Gavaskar (45) and skipper V.V.S. Laxman (28) to lay the foundations for a good total. Punjab youngster Yuveraj Singh then scored a quickfire 48 off 40 balls with six fours and a six towards the end to pep up the innings. SCOREBOARD India ‘A’ Williams c Bundela b Kanitkar 73 Sangram c Kumble b Pandey 39 Laxman b Kumble 28 Gavaskar c Mongia b Yadav 45 Yuveraj c Yadav b Kumble 48 Kotak run out 19 Ratra run out 13 Agarkar not out 5 Sarandeep not out 1 Extras (lb-8, nb-8, w-2) 18 Total (for 7 wkts, 50 overs) 289 Fall of wickets: 1-63, 2-106, 3-181, 4-221, 5-251, 6-282, 7-283. Bowling: Nehra 10-2-55-0, Pandey 9-0-64-1, Kumble 10-0-47-2, Bundela 7-0-38-0, Yadav 10-0-48-1, Kanitkar 4-0-29-1. Indian ‘B’ Sriram c Laxman b Agarkar 2 Mongia run out 2 Kaif c Kotak b Sarandeep 69 Kanitkar b Sarandeep 47 Bhardwaj c Gavaskar b Sarandeep 43 Yadav c Ratra b Sarandeep 2 Bundela c and b Sarandeep 3 Dharmani b Agarkar 13 Kumble b Agarkar 2 Nehra run out 23 Pandey not out 3 Extras (b-4, lb-4, nb-4, w-9) 21 Total (all out, 38.4 overs) 230 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-21, 3-125, 4-143, 5-149, 6-166, 7-191, 8-196, 9-212. Bowling: Agarkar 9-0-55-3, Zaheer Khan 8.4-0-33-0, Kartik 6-0-33-0, Sarandeep Singh 10-0-57-5, Yuveraj Singh 5-0-44-0.
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Zimbabwe fight back Galle, January 12 Spinners Grant Flower and Marillier struck just when Marvan Atapattu (50) and Mahela Jayawardene (76) had threatened to put Sri Lanka on course for a big total on the opening day of fluctuating fortunes. Thilana Samaraweera was unbeaten on eight and Chaminda Vaas on two at stumps as the hosts lost their last three wickets for 14 runs after electing to bat on a slow pitch. Grant Flower dismissed well-set Atapattu and Jayawardene to finish with 2-57, while Marillier removed Kumar Sangakkara (29) and Hashan Tillakaratne (3) to grab 2-48. Seamer Heath Streak got his lone wicket in the last session, having Russel Arnold (40) caught by wicket-keeper Andy Flower. Jayawardene tried to restore balance with a 97-run stand for the fourth wicket with Arnold, counter-attacking vigorously during his 14th Test half-century. Grant Flower, however, soon put his team back into the game when he held a return catch to dismiss Jayawardene, who struck nine fours in his 130-ball innings. Marillier also kept the pressure from the other end as Sri Lanka made a cautious start, scoring 74 in the first session against a tight Zimbabwean seam attack. The hosts stepped up the run-rate in the second as they gathered 101, but also lost two big wickets to Grant Flower and Marillier. SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka (1st innings): Atapattu c Rennie b G. Flower50 Jayasuriya b Friend 28 Sangakkara b Marillier 29 Jayawardene c and b G. Flower 76 Arnold c A. Flower b Streak 40 Tillakaratne c Samaraweera batting 8 Vaas batting 2 Extras (lb-4, nb-3) 7 Total (for 6 wkts, 90 overs) 243 Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-107, 3-125, 4-222, 5-229, 6-236. Bowling: Streak 19-6-57-1, Friend 13-3-31-1, Olonga 8-1-30-0, G. Flower 25-6-57-2, Marillier 21-5-48-2, Gripper 4-0-16-0.
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BCCI for panel’s reconstitution Kolkata, January 12 Asserting that the three-member panel had been set up without consulting the Indian board, Mr Dalmiya said, “it was disappointing that the ICC had no concern or respect for the Indian views while forming the panel”. The ICC had yesterday appointed a committee headed by Justice A L Sachs of South Africa, and with former cricketers Majid Khan of Pakistan and Andrew Hilditch of Australia as members, to probe whether Denness had followed the procedures while penalising the Indian players in South Africa two months back. The world body had ignored the names of Indian nominees — Imran Khan of Pakistan and Richie Benaud of Australia — claiming that they had made themselves unavailable due to “personal and business reasons”. However, Imran Khan today said in Karachi that he had not been approached by the ICC at all, which prompted Mr Dalmiya to say that the formation of the committee “gave the impression that the appointment of members was pre-determined”. However, Mr Dalmiya also said the doors for a negotiated settlement were always open. “The approach road is not breached yet. We are hoping for a discussion. We hope the ICC will give due weightage to our points and reconstitute the panel,” he said.
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1-match suspension for McGrath Sydney, January 12 ICC match-referee Hanumant Singh suspended McGrath for one match for showing dissent during yesterday’s opening match against New Zealand at Melbourne. McGrath will miss tomorrow’s match against South Africa in Melbourne. He was also given a two-match suspended sentence, which will come into effect if he steps out of line again between now and the end of the one-day series on February 11. The decision on McGrath followed a hearing conducted after yesterday’s match when McGrath was charged with contravention of the ICC players and team officials code. McGrath stood his ground after being given out caught behind off New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori for seven. Australia lost the match by 23 runs. McGrath’s explanation in defence of his action was not found to be
satisfactory. The hearing was attended by Australian Cricket Board chief executive officer James Sutherland, team manager Steve Bernard, captain Steve Waugh, McGrath himself and on-field umpires Darrell Hair and Bob Parry. Meanwhile, Jason Gillespie has been drafted into the side to replace Brad Williams who has been ruled out for at least three weeks. Williams — making his debut in yesterday’s match — fractured his right thumb while batting when struck by New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond. He had been expected to retain his place in the side for tomorrow’s clash. “To make my debut and play at the MCG was a dream come true, so to have it destroyed like this is a massive let-down,” Williams said.
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Gough has plans ready Kolkata, January 12 “I have my plans in place and will be singling out a batsman. It does not have to be the best player. It could be six different players in six matches,” Gough told reporters after a strenuous practice session at the CCFC ground here. The 31-year-old speed merchant said playing in India was the biggest challenge of his career and he was looking forward to the limited overs series after missing the Tests. “I am fresh after the break and enjoying my cricket. Playing in India is the biggest challenge of my career. For that matter, it is the biggest challenge for any cricketer to beat India at home.” Gough, who was selected for the England ‘cricketer of the year’ award for 2001, said India were a formidable side at home and the England team had to play very well to beat them. “But we have a good team and should be able to fight well.” Asked whether England could have performed better in the Test series against India if he and Andrew Caddick had been part of the team, Gough said “I have no idea. But there were not many experienced bowlers for the Test series.” On whether the performance of new pace bowlers Andrew Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard had put additional pressure on him, Gough said “For a long time, Caddick and myself had been carrying the load of the English bowling attack. It is good that young guys are coming up. I enjoy challenges.” Gough, who has been the leading wicket-taker for England in the shorter version of the game, however, refused to divulge his plans. “I don’t want to say anything. I will just concentrate on my bowling.” To a question whether he had any special plans for Indian batting maestro Sachin
Tendulkar, the Yorkshire paceman said “Tendulkar is the best batsman in the world. I will love to bowl to him.” Gough, who had captured the prized scalp of Brian Lara five times during the West Indies tour of 2000, said bowling to such great batsmen charged him up. |
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Jeev, Atwal among top 10 in SA Open New Delhi, January 12 Apart from Arjun and Jeev, another Indian figured in the above the cut list. Amandeep Johl, who made it to the main event after going through the rigours of Monday qualifiers, also made it to the weekend rounds after aggregating one-under 143. Atwal opened with a two-under 70 and was going along in a steady fashion on day two before catching fire on his back nine. The Kolkata pro made four birdies in his last nine holes to be in tied sixth place along with reigning US Open champion Retief Goosen at seven-under 137. Jeev, who is playing on the European Tour for past three seasons and is sponsored by Hero Honda Motors, started with a three-under 69 on the opening day and added another 69 on day two to aggregate six-under 138 after two rounds. That gave him a tied-10th place in the prestigious tournament. Amandeep Johl was two-under after nine holes on the opening day but could only manage a level-par 72. Yesterday, the Chandigarh pro posted a one-under 71 to be tied for the 47th place at one-under 143. Among other well-known players, twice US Open champion Ernie Els was in joint 37th place at two-under 142. Scores: (after 36 holes): 133- James Kingston (SA) 135-Jonathan Lomas (Eng) Andrew Butterfield (Eng)136-Tim Clark (SA), Martin Maritz (SA) 137-Arjun Atwal (Ind), Retief Goosen, Ashley Roestoff (SA) Alastair Forsyth (Scot)138-Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) Desvonde Botes (SA), Grant Muller (SA) Steve Webster (Eng), Paul lawrie (Scot), Michael Kirk (SA), Charl Schwartzel (Am) (SA).
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Pete Sampras rallies to beat Andre Agassi in final Melbourne, January 12 The 13-time Grand Slam winner defeated Agassi, 7-6 (8/6) 6-7 (6/8) 6-3 in 105 minutes. Agassi had won here last year beating Sweden’s Thomas Enqvist in the final and the previous year had a walkover when Australian Mark Philippoussis pulled out on the morning of the final with a neck injury. It was the first meeting between the two titans since their epic quarter-final at last September’s US Open where Sampras triumphed in four tiebreak sets. Sampras leads Agassi 18-14 in tour and grand Slam Matches. Sampras, who has not won a major since his 2000 Wimbledon triumph, is in the same quarter of the draw as Agassi for the Australian Open and it is likely the pair could meet again during the next fortnight. Sampras starts off the Open against Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen, while Agassi, a three-time winner and out to win a third straight time this year, is facing a qualifier.
SYDNEY: Roger Federer and Martina Hingis scored a pair of straight sets victories today as Switzerland swept both singles titles at the Sydney International tennis tournament. Federer was a young man in a tremendous hurry as he outplayed Argentine qualifier Juan Ignacio Chela 6-3 6-3 to take the men’s title, while Hingis downed Meghann Shaughnessy of the USA 6-2 6-3 in the women’s final. It was the first time swiss players had won at the same tournament — although Federer and Hingis combined to win the Hopman Cup teams title last year in Perth. The joint triumph lifted both players’ hopes of success at the Australian Open. The first Grand Slam tournament of the year begins in Melbourne on Monday. Former world No.1 Hingis ended an 11-month title drought — the longest of her career — as she won the 39th title of her career. She took home the Sydney event for the third time — and the second year in succession. On the comeback trail after undergoing ankle surgery last October, she was near flawless on serve as she took the first set from eighth-seeded Shaughnessy with a pair of breaks, sealing the set with a superb volley at the net. Hingis, (21), kept her foot to the floor in the second set, breaking in the sixth game and winning in just a shade under an hour against a player who had not dropped a set in reaching the final. She earned $ 90,000 while Shaughnessy collected $ 48,500. Federer, also seeded second, raced through his final in just 50 minutes in difficult gusty conditions to complete only his second tournament triumph. Federer’s previous tournament win came in Milan last year. He had lost in four other final appearances but he crushed Chela with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency. The 20-year-old baseliner earned $ 48,850 for his win in the lower-paying men’s event, while 22-year-old Chela collected $ 28,730. “I’m really happy to start the year like this,” Federer said. “I really didn’t expect to win with all the wind here. I don’t like it, but my tennis was fantastic. In the past I’ve felt the wind was against me, but this week I’ve been able to use it. “My preparation for the Open has been good. I played three matches at the Hopman Cup and I won here. It is looking good, but with Grand Slams you need a little bit of luck.” Chela, who was banned for three months last year after testing positive to the steroid nandrolone, had been bidding to become the first qualifier to win the event, but found himself on the backfoot from the start against a confident Federer. Chela, who finished 2001 ranked a lowly 177 in the ATP Champions Race, won six Challenger tournaments last year as he made his comeback from suspension but he was unable to add to his lone ATP tour title.
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Hingis aims to end drought Melbourne, January 12 Hingis has won the Australian women’s title three times — but her victory here in 1999 was her last triumph in a slam. She has been beaten finalist in Melbourne for the last two years, losing to Lindsay Davenport in 2000 and Jennifer Capriati last year. At 21, Hingis has seen her game of placement overtaken by the raw power of the Williams sisters and Davenport, although the world No.1 will be absent from Melbourne with a knee injury. If Hingis hopes to add to the five Grand Slam titles she has already won, she has to find a way to combat the power game. Now ranked fourth, and with 38 career titles to her credit, Hingis is aware of what she needs to do having recovered fully from a right ankle ligament injury that kept her on the sidelines for eight weeks. “I spend a lot of hours on the court,” she said. “It’s all about playing the game for me. It’s not that I get in greater shape — that’s not going to help me against the Williams sisters or anybody — but to play the tennis game that has helped me beat these girls.” “I am spending as many hours as I can working on strength and I need the match practice. I’m getting more confident and trying to get myself back into the groove again. “I’ve been practising against guys, mostly. You have a lot of power coming from them, but you also have to generate your own.” Hingis has said he is enjoying her new role as an underdog. “For a change it’s nice to be the hunter again, instead of the hunted,” she said. “There is a lot less pressure because the expectations are less.” The Swiss Miss has been happy with her form in the Sydney International warm-up tournament. “You can always get better with certain parts of you game, but I think I am going in the right direction now,” she said.
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Fazalludin calls it a day Patiala, January 12 Fazalludin telephonically conveyed his retirement plans to his father Dronacharya awardee, Syed Niyamudin, who at present is at the NIS here in his capacity as the incharge of the ongoing national football camp. Niyamudin said he was shocked at his son’s decision which had came at a most inopportune time considering that Fazalludin, a former national grasscourt champion, was just 22 Niyamudin said that the main factor behind his son’s decision was the lack of sponsorship as he had reached that particular stage of his career where only sponsors could catapult him to a higher level. Barely able to hide the agony and anguish that was clearly visible on his face, Niyamudin lamented. He used to dream a million dreams of being in the top ten of world tennis. However, his decision to retire, which he has taken independently, is soul shattering to me and my entire family.” Niyamudin revealed that at this time of his career his son needed atleast one sports psychologist, one physical trainer and one personal coach. However, neither he nor his son could not afford the huge amount involved in foreign exchange to rope in all these people. However, Niyamudin, who has coached top Kolkatta outfits like Mohan Bagan and East Bengal ,was thankful to the All India Tennis Association (AITA) in general and coach Akhtar Ali in particular who, he said, had left no stone unturned to see his son being ranked among the top four in the country. He disclosed that he wanted both his sons, including the younger one Syed Saifudin, to become top class tennis players. Fazalludin will be going to the Temple University in Philadelphia (USA) to pursue higher studies in his endeavour to become a software professional. |
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India face Lebanon
in Davis Cup New Delhi, January 12 India were relegated to zonal play after the USA blanked the Indian side 4-1 in the world group qualifiers at Winston-Salem in North Carolina in October. The tie against Lebanon will be held at the Club Sportif Taadod in Beirut. Former Davis cupper Ramesh Krishnan will be the non-playing captain of the squad. Harsh Mankad, who played the singles against the Americans along with Paes, and upcoming player Rohan Bopanna are the other two members of the Indian team with Vijay Kannan as the reserve player, All-India Tennis Association secretary general Anil Khanna said.
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NFL: Mohun Bagan beat JCT 2-0 Kolkata, January 12 Striker Abdulateef Seriki and seasoned medio Basudeb Mondal struck the goals for the glamour team in a fast paced encounter to seal the fate of their opponents. The glamour club, who desperately needed a win after having failed to live up to their awesome reputation in the league so far, did not disappoint their supporters as they earned full points after a fairly long gap. Displaying an attacking brand of soccer, the green and maroon brigade shot into the lead in the 39th minute of the contest with the hard-working Seriki finding the target capitalising on a defensive lapse. Seriki showed very good reflexes as he tapped the ball in from inside the box after the ball rebounded off rival goalkeeper Arvind Kumar’s hand following a freekick by Rishi Kapoor. Leading by a solitary goal at the interval, Mohun Bagan sustained the tempo after the breather and unleashed a flurry of attacks from both the sides to keep the JCT defenders on tenterhooks. Experienced medio Basudeb Mondal consolidated the position for his team when his booming longranger sailed into the net in the 61st minute of the contest. With this win, Mohun Bagan have secured 12 points from seven matches while JCT had just two from as many outings. The home team enjoyed territorial advantage for most part of the contest and could have won by a much bigger margin had their forwards not squandered a few gilt-edged opportunities that came their way. Mohun Bagan saw two consecutive strikes midway through the opening session go abegging with Renedy Singh being the offender on both the occasions. Bagan’s star Brazilian recruit Jose Barreto looked dangerous whenever he penetrated the rival box but could not manage to score today as the JCT defenders marked him tightly right through the encounter. Bhabani Mohanty, who was inducted into the Bagan team, had the misfortune of seeing his blistering volley from inside the box being fisted away by the rival custodian as early as the 11th minute of the contest. The JCT defence comprising Ranjit Singh, Pawan Kumar, Balkar Singh and Charanjit Singh though a tough hurdle for the home, conceded the first goal following a misunderstanding between Pawan and Balkar which created a gap in front of unmarked Sereki. He made no mistake to force the ball in.
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NFL to resume soon Margao, January 12 The National Football League had been stopped after the seventh round due to the SAFF Tournament, but AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco today said it could not wait till fresh dates of the Dhaka tournament, which is scheduled to be held from January 26 to February 5, were announced. “FIFA has suspended the BFF but there is no word on the SAFF Cup,” Mr Colaco said. “We had stopped the NFL after the seventh round on account of the SAFF Cup. But with Bangladesh Football Federation suspended and the SAFF Cup unlikely to start as per schedule we cannot wait till a further date is announced,” he said.
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NATIONAL SHOOTING Chandigarh, January 12 The women shooters of Punjab also excelled as the gritty Sabeeha Dhillon helped the state win gold in the junior team event and she was helped by Jasmeen Brar and Chetanpreet Kaur. In the senior women’s section, Punjab women secured the silver medal while Railways team comprising Anuja Tere, Suma Shirur and Poornima bagged gold medal. In the individual senior women’s section, Sabeeha after having shot an impressive 392/400, was in line for a bronze medal in the final shootout till the ninth round with Olympian Anjali Ved Pathak of CISF at the top position and Suma Shirur ( nee Dixit) took the number two slot. But as luck would have it, in the 10th round of the final shootout, Sabeeha shot 8.6, thus aggregating total 494.6/510. Anjali won the first place with 502.8/510 (397/400) while Suma returning after one year’s gap from active shooting, secured the second place with 500.7/510 (396/400). The third position went to Poornima who shot 496.2/510 (394/400) and Sabeeha 494.6/510 (392/400) clinched the fourth place. Chetanpreet Kaur of Punjab had also won gold medal in individual junior section with score of 393/400. |
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EUROPEAN MEET Chandigarh, January 12 It was an incredible neck-to-neck fight in the finals as Abhinav and gold medal winner and current world champion Dick Boshman of Holland shot the same score of 102.8 Abhinav fired a total of 696.8 (594+102.8) and Boshman finished ahead of him with an aggregate of 698.8 (596+102.8). Hon Kennel of Switzerland took the bronze with a moderate score of 690.7 (590+100.7). Yesterday, Abhinav had finished the first match with a silver winning score of 695.8 (593+102.8) and bettered himself with today’s closely contested match. “Abhinav seemed very poised and confident to assert last year’s supremacy in the European Circuit Championships where he was declared the overall champion easily surpassing Dick Boshman,” his coach Uwe Riesterer said. |
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Veterans’ TT team Chandigarh, January 12 This was stated by Mr Prem K Chowfla, secretary, Punjab Veteran TT Association. The team will take part in the 40-50 years and 50-60 years age group events. The team: Sanjeev Thapar, Daulat Ram, Jitender Kishore, Pankaj Sharma and Sanjeev
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Punjab tennis ball cricket
trials Patiala, January 12 The selected team will take part int he 12th senior national tennis ball cricket tournament scheduled to be held at Jaipur from January 17 to 20, according to Mr Harish Singh, joint secretary, Punjab Tennis Ball Cricket Association. |
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CROWD TROUBLE PUNJAB COPS IN SEMIS DAVENPORT INJURY CHANI, TALWAR ELECTED |
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Kolkata, January 12
