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Tuesday,
May 14, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Hooper, Chanderpaul make India toil
When Ratra could not sleep Lankans prepare for life without
Murali Uruguay’s offence good, defence shaky |
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Pele criticises
Brazil selections France stronger now: Zidane No ready replacement for England’s Dyer Jeev finishes
joint 24th Vijayalakshmi makes it five in a
row
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Hooper, Chanderpaul make India toil
St John’s (Antigua), May 13 Once again it was the combination of Carl Hooper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul that proved to be thorn in the flesh for the Indians. The pair, that has two double century partnerships to its credit in this series, put on 142 runs for the as yet unfinished fifth wicket to take the West Indies to 340 for four at tea. In the process, Hooper struck his third century of the series, and was unbeaten on 111. Chanderpaul, on 61, was also heading towards his third hundred of the series. The two came together after India had struck early with Zaheer Khan dismissing overnight batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan in the third over of the day. Sarwan once again failed to convert his half-century into a hundred and was trapped leg before wicket for 51 that contained six hits to the fence. The fourth West Indian wicket fell at 198 and another wicket, either of Hooper or Chanderpaul, would have considerably raised India’s chances of bowling out the hosts within the follow-on mark of 314. But with the inspirational Anil Kumble returning home to have his jaw injury operated upon and not taking the field today, the Indian attack, even though accurate, was unable to penetrate the defences of Hooper or Chanderpaul. The inspirational Anil Kumble was unable to take the field today — he later left for home to get his jaw fracture operated upon — and in his absence the West Indies progressed from their overnight 187 for three to 266 for four at lunch. Zaheer Khan and Sachin Tendulkar began the proceedings for India today and both of them were able to trouble the batsmen on a few occasions. Hooper, who was let off thrice yesterday, began with a flourish this morning and cut Zaheer Khan for two boundaries in the very first over of the day. Hooper, who also hoisted Tendulkar for a six, quickly reached his half-century off 85 balls. Chanderpaul too looked settled and played a few beautiful strokes on the off-side. The two batsmen, who have two double century partnerships in this series, batted comfortably in the later half of the session, picking easy runs as the Indian attack seemed to be lacking the sting. Even the new ball could do no trick for the Indians as the West Indies marched ahead and came within 48 runs of the follow-on mark of 314. Anil Kumble, with his head heavily bandaged due to the fracture on his jaw sustained from the blow he took from a Mervyn Dillon delivery while batting on the second day, produced an outstanding spell and claimed the prized wicket of Brian Lara as the West Indies saw themselves pushed on the backfoot after a decent start. The hosts finished the third day at 187 for three, with Ramnaresh Sarwan batting on 50 and skipper Carl Hooper on 26, but they were clearly rattled by the courageous effort of Kumble and were lucky not to have lost some more wickets. Kumble very nearly sent back Hooper not once but thrice and the West Indian captain, who is the highest scorer in this series so far, must be thanking his stars for finding himself at the crease at the end of the day. SCOREBOARD India (1st innings): 513-9 declared West Indies (1st innings): Gayle c Ratra b Zaheer Khan 32 Hinds b Tendullkar 65 Sarwan lbw b Zaheer 51 Lara lbw b Kumble 4 Hooper batting 111 Chanderpaul batting 61 Extras:
(b-4, lb-8, nb-4) 16 Total (4 wkts, 127 overs) 340 Fall of wickets:
1-65, 2-121, 3-135, 4-196. Bowling: Srinath 28-13-39-0, Nehra 28-10-75-0, Zaheer Khan 30-7-89-2, Ganguly 7-0-23-0, Tendulkar 20-2-73-1, Kumble 14-5-29-1.
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Kumble fought off pain for country’s sake St John’s (Antigua), May 13 Seeing part-time bowler Sachin Tendulkar extract turn on a deteriorating third day pitch, Kumble’s keen sense of duty and commitment overcame concern over a fractured jaw to get rid of star batsman Brian Lara and almost scalp skipper Carl Hopper, not once but thrice. Kumble who was hit on the jaw by a Mervyn Dillon short pitched delivery on Saturday, took a dose of pain killers and with a heavily bandaged jaw, rehearsed a few times in the dressing room and then jumped into action. As amazed teammates and spectators watched, Kumble, who is due to fly back home for surgery in the next 48 hours, produced dream figures of 14-5-29-1 to force the home team on to the backfoot. So moved was legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar that he put Kumble’s act of bravery among cricket’s top tales of valour and coach John Wright found it inspiring. “I knew I had to go back home because of this injury. I wanted to go home with the thought I tried my best,” was the disarming reply of Kumble barely able to open his mouth. “I was really nervous for the first time in my life going onto the field as there was a bit of risk but I thought it was worth it,” said Kumble. “Outside India, I never had a chance to bowl when we had scored 500 plus. I thought this was the best chance for me. I had come to the West Indies with high hopes and expectations. But personally it was disappointing for me. I had my chance here. I had an opportunity to go and bat there, high up in the order but it didnt work out,” said a disappointed Kumble who returned to the eleven in this Test after being dropped for the second and third Tests. “For the first couple of overs, it was okay so I continued. If it was really bad, I would have come off. “There was not much pain when I was bowling. At the end of it though it was paining, I was beginning to cramp up. May be because of lack of nutrition, may be the adrenaline was pumping up too much,” said Kumble. “It was his decision, we never pushed him. We just told him if it was painful, he must come back. He must not hang around,” said physio Andrew Leipus. “When he saw Sachin (Tendulkar) turn the ball, he decided to go in, said Leipus. “He saw that wicket had some turn and he was going to give his best.” “After his jaw was strapped, Anil rehearsed a few times in the dressing room. Then he jumped around a bit and went on to the field,” he said. “The instruction was also clear. Kumble should not open his mouth, even for a leg-before shout,” said Leipus, shaking his head in disbelief as the leggie went up appealing quite a few times. After trapping Lara leg before, Kumble almost sent back Hooper, but the catch taken at forward short leg was off a no-ball. “If we could have got Hooper out, we would have been in a good position but I think we still have a good chance in this game,” said Kumble. Leipus along with Harbhajan Singh positioned along the fine leg boundary where Kumble fielded and gave him liquids between overs. “The effect of pain-killers was wearing off after the day’s play and Kumble was beginning to get some pain,” the physio said. He spent the night in pain and was taken to hospital again yesterday morning for a second X-ray. It confirmed the worst fears that the jaw was broken from the front of his teeth right down towards the neck. “The doctors temporarily tried to keep it in position. The tooth was moving and there was a crack. “Two doctors, who are from India, said no matter what I do, I would not be making it worse. And even if I do, they in any case are going to cut it open,” said Kumble. Kumble was sure he would have to undergo a surgery but he wasn’t sure if he would be leaving for home today or tomorrow. “I have spoken to my dentist and my wife (in Bangalore) and they know about it, Kumble said, confirming he would have the surgery done in Bangalore. Leipus also said Kumble would be definitely going back home in the next 48 hours. Meanwhile Kumble’s bravery made even the legends search for a parallel at the end of the third day’s play. “Cricket has a way of producing inspiring tale of valour for the country and this ranks at the very top, said Sunil Gavaskar, Test cricket’s second highest run maker, who has been associated with international cricket for over 31 years now. “In the old days they said the boys become men when they tour West Indies. The spirit (of Kumble) is so refreshing and it bodes well for Indian cricket,” Gavaskar said. Gavaskar could only recall the instance of Vijay Manjrekar coming out to bat with his broken arm strapped in an effort to help Chandu Borde get to his hundred in a Test match. “But then as a bowler, it is quite different.”
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Kumble’s surgery on Wednesday
St John’s, Antigua, May 13 “The surgery has been scheduled for Wednesday morning, soon after he returns home,” Indian team physiotherpist Andrew Leipus told Reuters today. “We did not want him to wait for much longer.” “What he did yesterday was really brave,” Leipus said. “We would have liked him to bowl today if he felt up to it but the flight schedule was such that he had to leave this afternoon.” Leipus said Kumble would take about two weeks to get back on the cricket field after the injury and said the bowler would be available for selection for India’s Test and one-day tour of England starting at the end of June. “They are going to put in a plate to hold the jaw together but he is definitely going to be fit for the England tour,” Leipus said. “We could have brought him back to the West Indies for the one-dayers at the end of May but thought that would be cutting it a bit fine.”
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When Ratra could not sleep St John’s, May 13 “I was unbeaten on 93 and I was restless to get those seven runs,” said the 20-year-old Ratra. “I just thought I have to stay at the wicket and not to play shots early.” Ratra moved to 99 in no time on the third day yesterday morning but then saw his partner in a record 217-run association for the seventh wicket, VVS Laxman, get out hit wicket off the bowling of Mervyn Dillon. “I wasn’t worried. I just didn’t want to play a bad shot. When I got the opportunity to hit the ball, I got my hundred,” said Ratra, looking back at his unbeaten 115. Before completing his hundred, he was hit painfully on his right hand fingers by a delivery from Cameron Cuffy which rose from a length. “It was a painful blow and the nail in the middle finger of my right hand hurt a great deal. But I was committed, not only because I had to get those seven runs but also I needed to keep wickets as well. “I also knew my responsibility as there is nobody else in the team who can keep wickets,” said Ratra. The rookie ‘keeper said he was worried after he failed with the bat in the last two Tests. “I didn’t score much in the previous two Tests. So I worked hard with my coach. My captain also gave me confidence. It all was so helpful,” Ratra said. “I felt really confident after I crossed my 50. I was playing my shots and playing my natural game.
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Lankans prepare for life without Murali London, May 13 Muttiah Muralitharan spun England into oblivion four years ago at The Oval, forcing the authorities to acknowledge that Sri Lanka were at last worthy of a three-Test series. The Sri Lankans have played just four one-off Tests in England during the 20 years since entering the Test arena. Ligament damage to his left shoulder will deny the 30-year-old off-spinner a Lord’s debut this week. Sensibly the Sri Lankans, battling to find some form in the chill and damp of an English spring, have been preparing for life without the vicious spin and sudden bounce of the youngest man to take 400 Test wickets. “Sure he will be missed, like any team will miss a bowler who has taken 400-plus Test wickets,” said coach Dav Whatmore. “But that’s life. It’s a great opportunity to show people that we are not just a one-bowler team.” “We have another fellow pushing 200 Test wickets and who is also bowling extremely well. His career is going in the right direction.” Whatmore, who played seven Tests for Australia in the last 1970s and still possesses the moustache to prove it, was referring to Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Usthantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas. Vaas, only four wickets away from the 200 mark in Tests, has been more than just a backup to Muralitharan in Sri Lanka’s run of nine consecutive Test victories. A tall, strong left-arm pace bowler, he possesses a lethal inswinger, the key weapon for all the great left-armers. Sri Lanka rested Vaas for the final pre-Test match, staged at the attractive Shenley cricket club in the south-east county of Hertfordshire. Instead he practised behind the pavilion, bowling at a single stump and looking appropriately relaxed and menacing as the sun finally broke through a leaden sky. Much will depend on Vaas at Lord’s. His task will be made significantly easier if his batsmen play to their potential. Sri Lanka have enlisted the services of former South Africa and Hampshire opener Barry Richards to help them adjust to the lateral movement off the pitch and through the air in English conditions. If the pitches permit, Sri Lanka can be devastating, headed by captain Sanath
Jayasuriya, a compact left-hander who cut and pulled his way to a double century at The Oval.
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Uruguay’s offence good, defence shaky Washington, May 13 The 32nd team to qualify for World Cup, Uruguay showed some magic upfront yesterday, but two defensive lapses - one from a corner — allowed fellow World Cup-qualifier USA a 2-1 win in a friendly warm-up. Sebastian Abreu, who plays for Mexico’s Cruz Azul, scored the lone goal for Uruguay, but Inter’s Alvaro Recoba and Racing Santander’s Mario Regueiro gave Uruguay some hope for the World Cup with dashing runs through the US defence. The South Americans, who had to beat Oceania champions Australia in a two-leg playoff to earn the final spot for this year’s tournament in South Korea and Japan, will play defending champion France, and Denmark and Senegal in the first round. The USA, meanwhile, lost a key defensive player for their World Cup campaign when midfielder Chris Armas tore the anteri or cruciate ligament in his right knee. Armas collapsed without being hit in the 16th minute, but remained in the game for eight more minutes. Abreu, who knocked in a rebound in the 60th minute after US goalkeeper Brad Friedel made two consecutive saves on Recoba shots, also had one called back for offsides. The Uruguayan striker had another chance in the 66th, but Friedel made a body save and Abreu couldn’t direct his rebound header on goal. Tony Sanneh and DaMarcus Beasley got the US goals in the first half. Sanneh, who headed in a Jeff Agoos corner in the sixth minute, expertly put the ball between Uruguay goalkeeper Gustavo Munua and a defender guarding the near post. Beasley made it 2-0 in the 40th minute, putting back his own rebound after beating Uruguay defender Dario Rodriguez. The US offence had several other chances, but good keeping by Munua kept Uruguay from falling further behind. The mostly pro-Uruguay crowd of 30,413 watched the South Americans take their chances in the first half, but come up empty. In the 13th minute, Fabian O’Neill blasted a free kick from the left, but Friedel tipped it over the top. Abreu, who was marked tightly by US defender Eddie Pope in the first half, had Uruguay’s best chance of the half in the 23rd minute, but his header went over the bar. Recoba nearly equalised for Uruguay in the 31st minute, but Friedel made another diving save. Gustavo Mendez, who made several runs down the right side had Abreu in the centre in the 33rd, but with three US defenders falling back into the area. Instead of passing, Mendez sent a rocket toward the goal, but Friedel punched it over the top. The USA face co-host South Korea, Portugal and Poland in the first round. Uruguay, who will be making their 10th appearance on soccer’s biggest stage, reached their first World Cup finals in 12 years.
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Pele criticises Brazil selections Rio De Janeiro, May 13 In a column in the Sunday edition of O Globo newspaper, Pele said the lingering controversy about Romario hindered the discussion of other important questions such as which other players would participate. Pele said Scolari’s list deserved respect, but the coach had “committed some sins” in leaving out Brazilians shining in Europe such as Bayer Leverkusen’s Ze Roberto or Milan’s Serginho. Another weak point in Scolari’s team is the relative inexperience of Brazil’s defenders, whose average age is 25 and none of whom ever took part in a World Cup, the soccer king said. More experienced players Aldair and Antonio Carlos from Roma would have been a good choice, according to Pele. The team is to play final warm-up games in Barcelona. Brazil are slated to play an all-star squad from Catalunia on Saturday and on May 25 against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. The team plays its first World Cup match on June 3 in South Korea against Turkey.
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France stronger now: Zidane Paris, May 13 “France are stronger than four years ago. And they can go all the way up to the top once again,’’ the midfielder told French magazine Grand Stade today. “We have dramatically improved and we now have the advantage of being more experienced and have included young gifted players in the squad,” he said. The world and European champions are due to gather at their training camp of Clairefontaine in the western suburbs of Paris tomorrow, to prepare for a warm-up match against Belgium at the Stade de France on Saturday. But both Zidane and his Real Madrid team mate Claude Makelele will be absent as they will take part in the Champions League final against German side Bayer Leverkusen in Glasgow on Wednesday. Zidane will also be excused for Saturday’s match against the Belgians. He plans to stay with his wife in Madrid because she is expecting a baby. Happy with his new club and his family life, the French player is eager to perform well for France, stressing his season will really start at the World Cup finals. Despite an exhausting season with Real Madrid, Zidane said he does not feel tired at all. “Paradoxically, playing in a lot of matches has given me more confidence. Before the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European championship, it was exaxctly the same thing. And I overcame it easily, he said. “What I need is a little rest and a little preparation work and I’ll be fine for the World Cup finals. My season starts now. And from now on, I’ll be at full speed.’’ He added: “We are given the opportunity to achieve something that no one has ever done before. Winning a second consecutive World Cup after having clinched the European title and the Confederations Cup. The challenge is just huge.’’
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No ready replacement for England’s Dyer LONDON COLNEY: England might have to field a defender or a striker in place of injured Newcastle United midfielder Kieron Dyer at the World Cup finals, manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said yesterday. Dyer, who is almost certain to miss the tournament in South Korea and Japan after damaging right knee ligaments, has left a large hole on the problem left side of England’s midfield, where there is no ready replacement. But Eriksson said: “We have at least two defenders who might play in midfield and at least one attacker... so I think we are covered.” Eriksson told reporters that moving forward one of his two left wingbacks, Arsenal’s Ashley Cole or Southampton’s Wayne Bridge, a former midfielder, would be an option to replace Dyer. “Wayne Bridge did it in the past,” Eriksson said of the midfield role. “We’ve never tried it with England, but I know that both of them have played in that position, so who knows?” Eriksson still has time to experiment with his team selection as England have a friendly against World Cup co-hosts South Korea on May 21 and another against Cameroon on May 26. Their first match at the finals, against group F rivals Sweden, is not until June 2. The attacker Eriksson has in mind is almost certainly Liverpool’s Emile Heskey, who occasionally took up the position during England’s successful qualifying campaign. Heskey’s slot alongside club team mate Michael Owen would then go to either Leeds United’s Robbie Fowler or Aston Villa’s pacy Darius Vassell, who has scored twice in his three games since being called into the squad in February. West Ham United midfielder Joe Cole has played on the left for England this season, but the 20-year-old was included in the squad more with a substitute’s role in mind. But Cole may now find himself catapulted into the starting line-up, with much more responsibility on his shoulders. Asked if the gifted youngster with the fancy ball skills was ready, Eriksson said firmly: “I think he’s ready to play on that stage. If I didn’t think so I would never have picked him for the squad.” If Eriksson errs on the side of caution, he could pick Liverpool’s Danny Murphy, who was called up from standby to the full squad on Sunday in the wake of Dyer’s news. Should Steven Gerrard of Liverpool be ruled out by a groin strain picked up on Saturday, Eriksson has at least a ready replacement in Manchester United’s hard-working and dependable Nicky Butt, currently recovering from a knee injury, or Murphy. “Nicky Butt over the past month has been playing very good football,” said Eriksson, who added that the midfielder had assured him he would be fit for the finals. Although England leave on Monday for a mainly restful five days in Dubai, World Cup managers have until May 21 to finalise their squads. That leeway has seen Eriksson put West Ham midfielder Trevor Sinclair on standby. “The meaning of this trip to Dubai is also to recover mentally from a very long season,” Eriksson said. “You can’t start training two days after the league finished because they will physically and mentally go under the ground if you do that.”
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Jeev finishes joint 24th New Delhi, May 13 Argentina’s Angel Cabrera won the tournament with a tally of 10-under 278. Jeev, who was tied 29th overnight, fired a one-under 71 in the final round to slightly improve his position, according to information received here. The Chandigarh-based pro made a poor start to the last day’s proceedings by dropping an easy putt in the par four first. However, he made amends with birdies on the 12th and 15th holes before a bogey in the next hole handed him the card of 71.
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Vijayalakshmi makes it five in a row Lucknow, May 13 Former world under-18 girls’ champion Aarthie Ramaswamy of Tamil Nadu finished a creditable second with a quick draw against state-mate Safira Shanaz. Aarthie finished with 8 points in her kitty, 1.5 points behind Vijaylakshmi. IWM Swati Ghate of LIC also finished with eight points after the Pune based girl demolished young Tania Sachdev of Delhi. In the Koya system used to break the tie, Aarthie’s results against those finishing with a 50 per cent and over score was better than Swati’s. Vijayalakshmi’s younger sister and Indian Airlines’ player, S. Meenakshi (7) took the fourth spot and also booked the final berth alongwith the other top three finishers to the Women’s Chess Olympiad after beating former national champion IWM Anupama Gokhale of the PSCB. Meenakshi’s cause was also helped by the outcome of the Bhagyashree Thipsay and D Harika ecounter. The IDBI’s Bhagyashree, rallied from an inferior position to beat Harika, Andhra Pradesh’s chess prodigy. After losing to Dolan Champa Bose of Bihar in the penultimate round, Bhagyashree (7), who led the tournament at one stage, was virtually out of contention for top honours. With almost nothing at stake, Bhagyashree played recklessly and found herself in grave difficulties against Harika. Luck smiled on Bhagyashree when Harika blundered after being in a commanding position and went on to lose the game. The defeat not only cost Harika a berth in the Indian team for Olympiad but also an IWM title. Vijayalakshmi crushed Saheli of Eastern Railways in a one-sided game arising out of a Queens Gambit Declined. Saheli couldn’t put up any resistance once Vijayalakshmi started attacking on the queen side where both had earlier castled. Later Vijayalakshmi sacrificed a knight to rip open black’s position and created a mating attack to force Saheli’s resignation in 34 moves. For Swati it was crucial match against Tania. The Delhi teenager played the Queens Gambit Accepted and faced Swati’s aggression in the middle game. Tania’s pieces appeared a little awkward as Swati got control by winning a pawn. To make matters worse, Tania landed in time pressure and on 38th move she missed a knight fork to lose her bishop and the game. Against Anupama Gokhale, Meenakshi won in 39 moves without much ado in a game of Pirc defence. Results (final round):
S. Vijayalakshmi b Saheli Dhar Barua; Safira Shanaz drew Aartie Ramaswamy; Swati Ghate b Tania Sachdev; S. Meenakshi b Anupama Gokhale; Bhagyashree Thipsay b D. Harika; Esha Kavade b M. Saimeera Ravi; Dolan Champa Bose had a bye.
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