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Wednesday,
May 22, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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India face uphill task in 5th Test
Lara’s words inspire Mervyn Dillon Chucking: Simpson quits ICC panel |
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Ronaldo raring to storm back at World Cup
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Ballack expected to lift Germany Will Song be third time unlucky? B’
ball players get warm welcome PBA selects 21 probables
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India
face uphill task in 5th Test
Kingston, May 21 Playing a fluent innings, Tendulkar was unbeaten on 82 in the company of his skipper Saurav Ganguly, batting on 23, as India made a slight recovery after three early blows had derailed their run-chase of 408. In the process, Tendulkar became the second Indian to score 8000 runs in Test cricket. He reached the milestone with his 12th four to move to 82 just before tea break. Sunil Gavaskar, who has 10,122 runs, is the only other Indian to have scored more in Tests.
Batting extremely positively, Tendulkar warded off any pressure after the two openers, Shiv Sunder Das and Wasim Jaffer, and later Rahul Dravid had been dismissed with the score only on 77. Das and Jaffer were claimed by Pedro Collins who had earlier in the day frustrated the Indians with the bat too, making a career-best 24 in the West Indies’ second innings total of 197. Dravid fell leg before to Adam Sanford after playing an attractive knock of 30. Tendulkar did the bulk of the scoring in the post lunch session which saw the addition of 109 runs in 31 overs. Ganguly, who has had a good series with the bat, played the role of sheet anchor to perfection. The two have so far added 89 runs for the fourth wicket. Chasing 408 for a highly improbable victory, India suffered early setbacks to be placed at 57 for two at lunch. India claimed the remaining three wickets of the West Indian innings in the first 45 minutes of play to bowl out the hosts for 197 in their second innings. But with the cushion of 210-run first innings lead, the West Indies ensured India were set a target that has never been successfully chased before. Incidentally, the biggest ever successful fourth innings chase has been scripted by India against West Indies, the 406 for four in Port of Spain in 1976 being a world record till now. Indian openers Shiv Sunder Das and Wasim Jaffer failed to provide the foundation needed for such a huge chase and both were back in pavilion with just 25 runs on the board. Both wickets were claimed by left-arm fast bowler Pedro Collins who earlier in the day had frustrated the Indians with the bat too, scoring a career-best 24. It was left to Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, two of India’s most prolific scorers on foreign soil, to wage a grim battle and they had so far added 32 runs for the third wicket. Dravid was batting on 26 while Tendulkar was on seven when lunch break was taken. Das and Jaffer had a tentative start and, with the pitch playing truant, they were in trouble on a couple of occasions. With just 19 runs on the board, Collins, who came as the first change bowler, gave the first blow to the Indians by sending back Jaffer. PTI SCOREBOARD West Indies (1st innings) 422 India (Ist innings): 212 West Indies (2nd innings): Gayle c Ganguly b Srinath 15 Hinds c Laxman b Srinath 6 Sarwan c Das b Zaheer 12 Lara b Zaheer 35 Hooper c Ratra b Zaheer 6 Chanderpaul c and b Zaheer 59 Jacobs c sub (Mongia) b Harbhajan 16Dillon b Nehra 4 Collins b Harbhajan 24 Sanford c Ganguly b Harbhajan 5 Cuffy not out 3 Extras (b-4, nb-8) 12 Total (all out, 62.2 overs) 197 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-24, 3-58, 4-60, 5-81, 6-117, 7-122, 8-170, 9-187. Bowling: Srinath 16-3-49-2, Nehra 9-2-23-1, Zaheer Khan 20-2-79-4, Harbhajan Singh 17.2-2-42-3. India (2nd innings): Das lbw b Collins 10 Jaffer c Hinds b Collins 7 Dravid lbw b Sanford 30 Tendulkar batting 82 Ganguly batting 23 Extras: (b-5, lb-1, nb-8) 14 Total: (for 3 wkts, 52 overs) 166 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-25, 3-77. Bowling: Dillon 14-3-52-0, Cuffy 14-4-29-0, Collins 10-2-44-2, Sanford 9-5-20-1, Hooper 5-1-15-0.  |
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Lara’s words inspire Mervyn Dillon Kingston, Jamaica, May 21 The Trinidadian finished with career-best figures of five for 71 as India were bowled out for 212 in their first innings on the third day of the deciding fifth Test yesterday. The West Indies reached the close on 165 for seven, a lead of 375 runs. “Brian Lara had a chat with the guys yesterday and he said a few things that really helped me take a step in the right direction,’’ Dillon said. “It will help all of the guys over the next two days of this crucial Test.” The series is tied 1-1 after India won the second Test in Trinidad by 37 runs and the West Indies hit back with a 10-wicket win in Barbados in the third. The fourth Test was drawn. Yesterday’s effort was Dillon’s second five-wicket haul in a Test, his previous best was a burst of five for 111 against Pakistan in Karachi in December 1997. “Thankfully this one is out of the way,’’ he said. “I’ve got quite a few four-wicket hauls, I was looking to get five here and things worked out for me.’’ The 27-year-old has picked up a personal best 22 wickets in the series, and said he was responding to the pressure of being the West Indies’s main strike bowler after the retirements of Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose last year. “I’ve been working very hard,’’ said Dillon. “There is a lot of pressure on me being the senior fast bowler in the team. I have been bowling a lot more consistently.’’ Dillon, playing in his 26th Test, took his wicket tally to 98 and is now getting close to his three-figure target. “The 100-mark is in the pipeline. That’s going to happen, I just hope it’s sooner rather than later. But my concern right now is to try to get India out again.’’
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Chucking: Simpson quits ICC panel Mumbai, May 21 Simpson, considered as the
unofficial cricket ombudsman, announced his decision in Mumbai today. Simpson told reporters that suspect bowling (chucking) was the bane of cricket and was as vicious as match fixing. A lot of bowlers with bent elbows were currently grabbing international attention for their illegal achievements and the ICC has not been forthright enough to deal with it, he pointed and explained that he could not stand by and watch it helplessly. He said the recent new instructions to the umpires not to call bowlers on the field but instead report to the ICC will only give spurt to such habits. He cited the case of Aussie batsman Norman O’Neill who had problems after facing West Indian Charllie Griffith. O’Neill really felt that one day Grifith will kill somebody and he nearly did that to Nari Contractor. Simpson had forever voiced his disgust at chuckers who are getting away and according to him what will hurt more will be that one day history will give credit to bowlers with suspect arms for taking highest number of wickets rather than great bowlers like Richard Hadllee, Imran Khan and Kapil Dev. Simpson was all praise for former cricketers like Bishen Singh Bedi and Micheal Holding who have spoken out against chucking. Bedi compared Sri Lankan off spinner Muttiah Murlitharan, touted to break the highest number of wickets record, as a javelin thrower and Holding has whole heartedly supported this view. Simpson may not, however, be aware of the fact that eminent personalities like former Aussie captain Ian Chappell and former Windies captain Clive Lloyd not only believe that bowlers like Muralitharan and Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar are genuine but have even picked them for rewards and awards. Even former India captain Sunil Gavaskar as the ICC chairman of technical committee and as a studious columnist has remained silent on this issue. Simpson ridiculed the clean chit given to Akhtar and Muralitharan by an Australian research laboratory which certified that both were born with deformed arms and do not bend their elbows with an intent. “Sorry mate, deformity can not be allowed to violate laws”, he concluded.
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Telecast schedule New Delhi, May 21 The telecast will commence with the first one-day match which will be played in Jamaica next Saturday. Schedule (all in IST): May 25 1st ODI Jamaica May 26 2nd ODI Jamaica May 29 3rd ODI Barbados June 1 4th ODI Trinidad June 2 5th ODI Trinidad |
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Ronaldo raring to storm back at World Cup Rio De Janeiro, May 21 Although the Brazilian striker scored four goals and produced a few brief flashes of his talent, the lasting memories were of his dazed, lethargic performance in the final. This time, after virtually two years on the treatment table, expectations are lower, “The Phenomenon” is fresher and he is eager to send a message to anyone who doubted that he could be the same player again. Recent performances for both Brazil and Inter Milan suggest that the 2002 World Cup has come at the perfect time for the injury-plagued striker. Ronaldo finally appears to have overcome the two operations on his troublesome right knee and the muscular problems which followed, forcing him to miss most of the European season. The latter could now prove a blessing as he reaches peak fitness at a time when his markers are likely to be jaded and weary after another long domestic season. Ronaldo is not alone in hoping that Japan and South Korea can help him to rebuild a once glittering career. A huge, publicity and advertising machine is standing by in the wings, waiting to grind into action at the slightest hint of a Ronaldo resurgence. At the peak of his career, the 1996-7 season with Barcelona, Ronaldo became one of the planet’s most photographed personalities. There was Ronaldo driving his new car, Ronaldo in Hong Kong, Ronaldo opening his new bar, Ronaldo taking a helicopter to go shopping during the Copa America. Some said that fellow striker Romario, a self-styled “Bad Boy” with a well-known aversion to training and an equally well-known liking for a good night out, was leading him down the wrong path. At the same time, Ronaldo was lending his name to a host of products in return for millions of dollars in sponsorship. Brazilian commentators began wondering whether it was not all too much for a player who was only 21 at the time, and they appeared to get their answer at the World Cup final against France. Hours before the game, Ronaldo had what his team-mates described at the time as a “convulsive attack” at the team hotel and was rushed to hospital. Although he eventually played, Ronaldo was a lethargic shadow of the player, who normally terrorised defences and Brazilians were left to wonder why he had been fielded at all. Since his injury nightmare, which began 15 months later, Ronaldo has clearly tried to tone down his lifestyle. He ditched the Ferrari in which he once sped around Rio de Janeiro’s racetrack for a more modest vehicle and tried to move in a more cultural direction by sponsoring a play. While Romario continued with his Bohemian lifestyle, Ronaldo had married Milene — a female footballer nicknamed “The Queen of the Keep-ups” — and was announcing the birth of their child Ronald. Ronaldo, who comes from a poor suburb in the sprawling northern zone of Rio de Janeiro, has always remained close to his roots, though modesty has never been his strong point. “I’m sure I’m going to take the World Cup by storm,’’ he said after making his international comeback for Brazil in their friendly against Yugoslavia in March. “I want to start slowly but I remain very ambitious. In my career I have always conquered everything I wanted. My objective is to be the best again, I know it might take time but I will do it.” Despite his recent attempts to preach family values, his reputation, and that of Brazilian players in general, continues to go before him. His decision to return to Brazil in February to continue his battle to regain fitness was immediately greeted with suspicion in Italy, because it coincided with Rio de Janeiro’s carnival. A furious Ronaldo retaliated by refusing to talk to the Italian media for the next two months — though he did not do himself any favours by spending a night at Rio de Janeiro’s “Sambadrome” as the guest of a local brewer. He has been quick to get his advertising career back on track and began a campaign on behalf of a mobile phone company even before his playing comeback.
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Ballack expected to lift Germany Berlin, May 21 “Ballack is so well advanced he can take on the role of leader,” national coach Rudi Voller said recently — and with Sebastian Deisler rendered a risk because of injury, Ballack could be shouldering the hopes of a nation. Bayer Leverkusen — a club who have never even won their domestic title — reached this year’s European Champions League final largely thanks to his efforts and the 25-year-old propelled himself into international limelight in the process. He destroyed Liverpool’s hopes in the quarter-finals of the competition with two goals in the thrilling 4-2 second leg win, including a piledriver of a shot for his side’s opening goal. Ballack scored again in the 2-2 draw in the first leg of the semi-final against Manchester United but his participation in the return match seemed in doubt when he badly bruised his foot in a Bundesliga match. “All we can do is pray,” said Leverkusen coach Klaus Toppmoller. His prayers were answered as Ballack not only took the field but led his team-mates to the draw they needed to reach the final. He may have been eclipsed by Zinedine Zidane as Leverkusen lost 2-1 to Real Madrid in that final, but he ensured he will be one German to watch in South Korea and Japan. When he returns from Asia, Ballack will move to Bayern Munich who are rebuilding their entire team around him and Deisler. Toppmoller is already bemoaning his loss. “It’s going to be extremely difficult to replace players such as Ballack... because they have so much quality,” said the chain-smoking technician.
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Will Song be third time unlucky? Yaounde, May 21 A no-nonsense centre-half who takes no prisoners, Song’s robust style has not gone down well with referees - he is the only man to have been sent off at two World Cups. The first red card came on his debut for the ‘Indomitable Lions’ at the 1994 tournament, when as a nervy 17-year-old he clattered into a Brazilian opponent to earn instant dismissal. Another red against Chile at the 1998 World Cup earned Song further notoriety. “Rigobert is a strong, highly competitive defender and a bubbly character,” said Song’s former boss at Liverpool, Gerard Houllier. “He is not someone you have to push into the fight. He is the sort you have to calm down and soothe.” But though Song admits he is anxious to avoid an unwanted hat-trick at this year’s World Cup when Cameroon face Germany, Ireland and Saudi Arabia in group E, he is unlikely to curb his uncompromising style. “I will play as I always play,” Song said. “You can’t call me a dirty player. I play hard but fair,” he said. Now older and wiser, Song has developed into an inspirational captain for Cameroon, leading the west Africans to back-to-back Nations Cup triumphs in 2000 and 2002. Yet Song’s success at international level has not been matched in the club game. In recent seasons he has drifted around Europe, unable to settle at clubs in England, Germany and Italy. His happiest period in club football came at French side Metz, where he stayed for four years from 1994 to 1998. But subsequent transfers to Italian side Salernitana and Liverpool went sour, with Song hastily offloaded after being branded clumsy and suspect under pressure. It was a similar story at West Ham, who he joined in November 2000, following the departure of Rio Ferdinand to Leeds. Song maintained he was harshly treated by the Hammers, saying he suffered from constant comparisons to the skilful Ferdinand. Sure enough, Song’s stay at Upton Park was short-lived and this season he has been loaned to FC Cologne, relegated from the Bundesliga. His limpet-like man-marking skills are reported to have attracted admiring glances from other clubs in Germany though as yet his future is undecided.
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Russian plan Mowcow, May 21 Alexander
Chernov, head of the Soccer Tourist Agency that is handling the team’s travel, said yesterday final plans won’t be worked out until Thursday, just two days before the team is to leave for Japan, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.
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B’ ball players get warm welcome Ludhiana, May 21 On their arrival at the local railway station, the players were received by Mr Teja Singh Dhaliwal, Mr B.S. Brar, general secretary and joint secretary respectively of the Punjab Basketball Association along with other office-bearers of the PBA and parents of the players. A Punjab Police band was also in attendance there when the lads alighted from the Frontier Mail. Punjab had earlier won the championship during the 51st edition of the meet at Sarkaghat, Himachal Pradesh in 2000 and again in the 52nd national championship at Bhillai , Chhattisgarh last year. Meanwhile, Mr R.S. Gill, ADGP, Punjab and President, PBA has announced that the team members will be felicitated suitably at a function to be organised by the association at a later date. The following players were the members of the victorious Punjab team: Amit Prashar (captain), Sneh Pal Singh, Fatehjit Singh, Vinod Kumar, Karanveer Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Gurpal Singh and Harpreet Singh (all from Ludhiana), Pawan Kumar (Jalandhar), Prabhjot Singh and Mandeep Singh (Gurdaspur) and Gurpreet Singh (Kapurthala). |
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PBA selects 21 probables Ludhiana, May 21 According to a press note issued today by the general secretary of the association, the probables will attend a prepatory camp at Kapurthala from May 29 to June 13 prior to their participation in the national meet. The names of the campers are: Boys: Balraj Singh, Jagnandan Singh, Gurjit Singh, Baljinder Singh (Bathinda), Gurtejpal Singh, Bikramjit Singh (Jalandhar), Raj Kumar, Sunny Sharma (Muktsar), Daljit Singh (Gurdaspur), Puninder Singh (Faridkot), Royal Roop Singh, Randeep Singh (Amritsar), Amrinder Singh, Gagandeep Singh (Mansa), Harpreet Singh (Kapurthala), Jagbir Singh, Taranbir Singh, Parambir Singh, Sachin (Ludhiana), Harinder Singh, Gobindpreet Singh (Moga). Girls: Navddep Kaur (Patiala), Jagroop Kaur (Amritsar), Nancy (Kapurthala), Mehak, Lisha, Rani (Faridkot), Angeeta Sharma, Raman, Satbir (Jalandhar), Aarti Sharma, Ekta (Muktsar), Sakshi, Karambir, Surbhi, Rajanpal Kaur (Gurdaspur), Parveen, Preet, Rajwinder Kaur (Kapurthala), Suman Lata (Bathinda) and Sneh Raj (Gurdaspur). |
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