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Friday,
February 7, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Zimbabwe hit back over
Aussies uneasy about clash with Pak Injured Kallis may miss opener Anwar sure to miss
opening match Hooper’s ton in Windies’ victory |
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Minnows Kenya, Namibia looking for upsets Shane Watson could be the surprise weapon Flintoff key man for England Pak akin to wounded tiger: Afridi
Pierce bows out Rohan Bopanna to make Davis Cup debut JCT, Vasco evenly matched
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Zimbabwe
hit back over England snub
Harare, February 6 Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) chairman Peter Chingoka, reacting to England’s request to move their game from Harare to South Africa because of security concerns in the strife-torn country, said: “We have made a decision that we will not play any of our home matches away if they are shifted for political reasons.” The ZCU’s stand is the latest twist in a long-running controversy
bedeviling the tournament over whether matches should go ahead in Zimbabwe and Kenya. The first game of the World Cup is due to be played on Sunday. Chingoka told Reuters: “For us, there is no good reason for the games to be shifted from Zimbabwe. We have addressed all security and safety reasons. “What remains are political arguments which have no place in cricket.” The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to decide on Thursday whether to agree to England’s request to move their February 13 match. Australia have also expressed some concerns but are still planning to play against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on February 24, while India and Pakistan, the Netherlands and Namibia have said they are happy to go ahead with their games as scheduled. New Zealand, meanwhile, are refusing to play their match against Kenya in Nairobi on February 21, also because of security fears. They have yet to formally appeal to the ICC for a shift of venue. Six World Cup pool matches are due to be staged in Zimbabwe, with two more in Kenya. South Africa is scheduled to host 46.
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India crash to
stunning defeat
Durban, February 6 The ghosts of New Zealand tour came to haunt the Indians once again as their celebrated batting line-up could muster just 158 before being shot out in 38.2 overs by a mediocre bowling attack. The local team had earlier scored 190 for nine in their stipulated 50 overs after being put in to bat. Skipper Sourav Ganguly (6), Sachin Tendulkar (9), Dinesh Mongia (0), Mohammad Kaif (2) and Sanjay Bangar (1) together could account for just 18 runs as the bulk of the scoring was done by the tailenders. Virender Sehwag was the only batsman able to save his reputation, top-scoring with 40 runs. Ajit Agarkar (26), Harbhajan Singh (25), Parthiv Patel (15) and Anil Kumble (15) saved India some blushes as at seven down for 88 in the 19th over, the team was in real danger of being shot out within the three-figure mark. Ironically, it was an Indian-origin bowler, Yadeen Singh, who wrecked the Indian innings, claiming the three prized wickets of Ganguly, Tendulkar and Sehwag. He returned figures of 3 for 38 from eight overs.
PTI |
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Aussies
uneasy about clash with Pak
Johannesburg, February 6 Ponting hoped the result would be the same as four years ago when the Australians, then led by Ponting’s predecessor Steve Waugh, thrashed Pakistan by eight wickets in the 1999 World Cup final at Lord’s. The two teams have been drawn in the same preliminary league group this time and are due to face each other at the Wanderers on Tuesday in what is being billed as a key match of the tournament. “That’ll be nice, yeah, that’s what we are hoping for,” Ponting told AFP when reminded of the Lord’s final. The world champions were planning a full-scale assault on Pakistan, playing what spin wizard Shane Warne referred to as “the only cricket we know - hard and aggressive.” But it was evident the Australians were worried what the brilliant, but unpredictable, Pakistanis would throw at them. Ponting conceded Tuesday’s opener was utmost on the players’ minds. “We can’t think any further ahead,” he said. “If we did, we would not be paying enough attention on what we need to do in our first game”. “It’s about as simple and as complicated as it gets at the moment, our focus is on Pakistan.” The Australians will pay special attention to the Pakistani pace power in the form of captain Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar. “These guys have a very strong bowling line-up,” he said. “If conditions suit them they are very dangerous and can take early wickets”. “So we have to make sure that we can get through the new ball and hopefully take it from there.” Ponting conceded Akhtar was the dangerman in the rival camp. “He’s just a very, very dangerous bowler,” the Australian captain said. “We know that we need to get through those tough spells and hopefully he doesn’t do too much damage.” Ponting revealed his team had special plans for every Pakistani bowler and batsman. “We will come up with some plans for their batsmen and bowlers and perform those plans on the day.” But when asked what these plans were, Ponting just laughed, shrugged his shoulders and said: “No comment”. Damien Martyn, who hit a patient 40 in a warm-up match on Monday, said he believed both Pakistan and India could not be taken lightly. “India and Pakistan are the danger teams to watch,” he said. One-day specialist Michael Bevan agreed that the primary focus had to be on Pakistan. “That’s probably the best way to approach it,” he said. “If you do more than that you put yourself under immense amount of pressure.” Bevan, too, was keeping mum on Australia’s strategy. “Yeah, we have a strategy but it would probably not be in our best interest to reveal it,” he laughed.
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Injured
Kallis may miss opener Johannesburg, February 6 Captain Shaun Pollock admitted that the injury could keep Kallis out of the opening game of the World Cup against the West Indies in Cape Town on Sunday. He said an injury like that was very sensitive and no one could afford to bowl with a sore toe. Bringing Kallis in before his injury was healed might make things more difficult later in the lengthy tournament of six weeks, said Pollock. Kallis is also unlikely to be in the side for the final warm-up game on Thursday.
IANS |
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Anwar sure to miss
opening match
Johannesburg, February 6 Anwar has still not recovered from the injury he sustained on his elbow by a Shoaib Akhtar delivery during nets on Monday. “Chances of Saeed playing against Australia appear very slim as the injury will take time to heal,” said a Pakistan team source. Anwar was recalled to the team for the World Cup after being ignored for the tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa by the selectors. Anwar, who has played 243 one-day internationals and scored over 8,500 runs, has been in and out of the team since 2001. The 34-year-old, making a comeback in the national team after a five-month absence, had his left elbow bruised by a thunderbolt from pace bowler Akhtar during Pakistan’s nets earlier this week. Anwar, whose 194 against India six years ago remains one- day cricket’s highest individual score, sat out Pakistan’s last warm-up match against a provincial team in Benoni today. “When I received that blow I thought my World Cup was over but thanks to Almighty Allah there was no fracture,” he said. Sporting a long beard after turning a devout Muslim two years ago following his daughter’s death, Anwar gave a sermon at a local mosque in Johannesburg earlier this week.
PTI, AFP |
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Hooper’s ton in Windies’ victory
Johannesburg, February 6 Playing in a day-night match, as they will in the tournament’s opening match against hosts South Africa on Sunday, the West Indies piled up 360 for four in their 50 overs against the team yesterday which finished runners-up in South Africa’s domestic limited overs competition. Opening batsman Wavell Hinds hit 96 off 83 balls and Ramnaresh Sarwan hit 80 off 87, with the pair sharing a 90-run third wicket stand before Hooper cut loose, hitting nine fours and two sixes. He and Ricardo Powell (34 not out) scored 75 in an unbeaten fifth wicket stand off the last 6.3 overs of innings. Marlon Samuels, the West Indies batsman who was withdrawn from the squad on medical advice after suffering a knee injury, seems set to return to the team after a new medical report passed him fit. He had already been replaced by Ryan Hinds. Meanwhile, Bangladesh gained a morale-boosting five wicket win over a below-strength KwaZulu-Natal in a day-night match in Durban, where they start their World Cup campaign against Canada on Tuesday. Ehsanul Haque starred, hitting 92 runs.
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SA a supremely motivated side I WAS hit by World Cup fever immediately on landing in South Africa. Messages about the tournament dot the airport, and the city’s roads. Teams and superstars dominate newspaper columns and television time. The mood of the moment is inescapable, and it talks of cricket. I can only see the buzz getting louder after the opening ceremony on Saturday. One of the first persons I met here was Sir Vivian Richards with the unmistakable swagger. He expressed surprise at India’s performance in New Zealand. Like so many others, he thought India could have done without that trip. To come here with so many defeats under the belt means that much more hard work. Richards was quietly optimistic about his own team’s prospects. After their splendid performances in the one-day series in India, I guess this is justified. They have a strong batting line-up, which begins with Chris Gayle who hits the ball as hard as any player I have seen. Ridley Jacobs, who should bat number 7 or 8 is another man who can give the ball a thump. Australia are rated as favourites by bookmakers, but my pick is South Africa. They are a supremely motivated side, and come into this tournament with many victories under their belt. In home conditions, they have never been easy to beat, and in the one-day format they have been especially strong. The South African batting is strong and deep, the bowling attack incisive and the fielding superlative as always. The teams from Asia — India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka — are not to be discounted. All three sides are extremely talented. My concern is that all three have been inconsistent in the recent past, and will have to rework their game plans apart from raising their morale. But if they manage to reach the Super Six stage, all three teams can be extremely dangerous. In India’s case, everybody’s sights are trained on the match against Pakistan. But for me, the most important contest is against England, on February 26. England have run India very close in when the two teams played last year, and in recent months have fared creditably against Australia. That experience should have made them ready for the rigours of the World Cup. From the top cricket playing countries, New Zealand have not done too badly in recent times either. Stephen Fleming would fancy his team’s chances after routing India at home. In the African continent, I would not undermine Zimbabwe’s chances too, though their bench strength is extremely limited, and they have been shrouded in controversy and uncertainty for a while now.
Gameplan |
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Minnows
Kenya, Namibia looking for upsets This year the cricketing world turns its focus on South Africa, due to the World Cup. While most of the focus will be on South Africa and to a lesser extent on Zimbabwe, especially with the furore being created with the indecision regarding games in that country, two African minnows will be looking to make some kind of mark in this tournament. Kenya and Namibia join their bigger cricketing brothers with Kenya playing part-hosts. Neither of these teams have a serious chance of winning the tournament nor even getting to the “Super Six” stage but no doubt they will be looking to create an upset or two or at least put up a performance or two to make the rest of the cricketing world take notice of their presence. It was just two tournaments ago, the 1995/96 tournament in Asia, that Kenya made the rest of the competitors stand up and take notice when they comprehensively beat the eventual quarter finalists West Indies in the preliminary rounds and although they can’t have said to have made great strides forward since, there is enough talent and experience in their line-up for them not to be taken too lightly. Names like Steve Tikolo their captain, Maurice Odumbe, the brothers Martin and Toni Suji and Kennedy Otieno are now names cricket followers around the world have become familiar with. Tikolo debuted in one day internationals for Kenya in 1995/96 and has played first class cricket for Border and played also for Swansea in the Welsh leagues. He can be a very exciting batsman who has a top score of 147 versus Bangladesh in the 1997 ICC Trophy but he has also scored 96 versus Sri Lanka in 1996 and 93 versus Australia and so cannot be considered as only capable against the lesser teams. He was also voted man of the series in the tri-nation tournament between Kenya, Bangladesh and India. His skills don’t stop at the wielding of his bat as he is also a competent right arm medium bowler with 28 wickets and a best of 3 for 22. Maurice Odumbe would probably be the next best known player in the Kenyan line-up. He also debuted in one day internationals for Kenya in the 1995/96 World Cup in Asia and was the captain for that tournament. He is now the vice-captain and has played in all 25 of Kenya’s official one day internationals. He hasn’t got a century to his name as yet but has a highest score of 83 versus India and probably his most notable performance is with the ball where in that famous victory against the West Indies, he took 3 for 14 and took home the ‘Man of the match/award. If Kenya can be considered a smaller brother of South Africa and Zimbabwe, then Namibia would have to be considered the babe of the family. None of their players have yet played an official one-day international but quite a few like their captain D.B. Kotze, J.B. Burger, J.L. Louw and B. Murgatroyd have experience of domestic one-day games in the South African league and will be looking to enhance their reputations. They no doubt like Kenya but to a greater extent, will be looking forward to the experience of playing against the greater cricketing nations and even one eye catching performance could go a long way towards the promotion of the game of cricket in the eyes of their governments and countrymen, which surely has to be the ultimate goal of these lesser cricketing nations.
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Shane Watson could be the surprise weapon ‘Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown’. Australia are no different in that context. When the cricket’s biggest kicks-off in Cape Town, the pressure factor could be felt ‘Down Under’, no matter how vehemently Ricky Ponting denies this charge. Aussies, for sure, go into this World cup as pre-tournament favourites but somehow, I am not very confident about the ‘yellows’ this time around. Australians have, indeed, left deep impressions in Test cricket but unfortunately, the same cannot be said in the game’s shorter version. One-day cricket, thankfully, retains the competitive spirit to prevent the sport going the Formula 1 way. The Australian squad has changed vastly from 1999. Almost half of the members in the touring party on verge of experiencing their maiden venture. Though none of them are untested, the World Cup is a totally different stage altogether, a place where even nerves of steel gets rusted. Precisely why I believe Steve Waugh should have been marshalling the troops here. The Waugh episode apart, the trio of Bevan, McGrath and Warne’s injuries gave die-hard Australian fans some wrinkles on their forehead when the World Cup was just days ahead. The trio is crucial to their country’s cup fortune and they know this fact very well, utilising them with utmost caution. The presence of Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie gives the bowling department an awesome look but remember they are only the supporting cast, the wrecker-in-chief tag remains with McGrath and Warne. Surely this bowling line-up has been giving sleepless nights to opposition batsmen and provided no injuries resurface, the Australians have enough firepower to quell any revolt threatening their reign. All-rounder Shane Watson could be the surprise packet, for he is capable enough to rattle the timber through sheer pace and backed by the likes of Darren Lehmann, Andrew Symonds and Damien Martyn batsmen world over will have their hands full dealing with them. The conditions in South Africa will add some extra sharpness in an already shining sword and when that ‘weapon’ is poisoned by dare devil Australian fielding, it promises instant death for batsmen. With so much of praises showered on the quartet, is there a need for me to say that bowling will be Australia’s strength in South Africa. In my opinion, Australia should always
be prepared themselves to defend a total despite ground realities loaded heavily for team batting second. The Australian batting will be shouldered by Adam Gilchrist, skipper Ricky Ponting and the tall presence of Mathew Hayden. Both Hayden and Gilchrist are aggressive batsman, taking the bowlers by the scruff of their neck and seize the initiative inside the first 15 overs. This is where, I feel, Australia have a chink in their armour. Having mentioned that conditions favour the bowlers, especially in the first 15 overs, the batsman will need to practice patience in the middle before opening out in the latter stages. All the above mentioned batsman come in successively in the top order and this can be a bit dangerous for their campaign. More so when neither Gilchrist or Hayden believe in the policy of grafting runs slowly but steadily. Remember Gilchrist had a relatively quiet tournament in England
in the last World Cup, where the ball zipped appreciably. Damien Martin, Lehmann and Micheal Bevan can also be major influences on the scorecard, apt in giving ‘finishing touches’ but does not have the aura of match-winners like the opening duo. Having mentioned that, Australian batsman though, have an uncanny habit of coming up with bits-and-pieces knocks just when the team needs most. Placed in ‘A group of death’, Australia open their encounters with tough matches against
unpredictable Pakistan and India. If they come out unscathed in the ‘twin tests’ then South Africa’s ‘Dazzling Zebras’ are in danger of run down by jumping Kangaroos.
Dronacharya Sports Promoters |
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Flintoff
key man for England Port Elizabeth, February 6 But if not, or if he is forced home early through injury, it could be a short tournament for Nasser Hussain’s men. Flintoff, 25, for all his talent, is not yet the proven international match-winner that many of his foreign contemporaries are. At 6ft 4inch height, powerfully-built Flintoff’s strength is his strength, which allows him to hit the ball vast distances when in form. Similarly, his fast-medium bowling is based around him hitting the pitch and making life uncomfortable for the batsman.
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Pak akin to wounded tiger: Afridi Johannesburg, February 6 “Imran Khan’s ‘cornered tigers’ did the trick in the 1992 World Cup and Waqar Younis’ ‘wounded tigers’ will hopefully do this time,” said the flamboyant Afridi whose attacking brand of cricket has fetched him a one-day record of 3,871 runs and 127 wickets, besides 63 catches from 173 matches. “We have lost three one-day tournaments in a row, two out of three Test series and it’s too much. It’s not something we are used to as it is not the way we like to play our cricket,” Afridi was quoted by the Daily Times as saying. Since last August, Pakistan finished last in the tri-nation cup in Morocco; were flayed by hosts Sri Lanka in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy and then swamped 4-1 by South Africa.
PTI
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Pierce
bows out
Hyderabad, February 6 Giant killer Akiko Morigami of Japan also showed brilliance and brushed aside Silvija Talaja (Croatia) 6-4, 6-2 to book her berth in the last four stage. The 20-year-old Flavia halted the veteran Mary from the very first game itself and showed her mental toughness and talent to win the duel 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 while her senior partner accepted defeat in grace and bowed out of the singles event. Mary said her concentration was disturbed by sore throat. “I had throat infection and it was bothering a bit. Though I tried to play good shots I really couldn’t,” Mary said and hoped that she would be back in form for the doubles match. Flavia, who turns 21 this month end, showed aggression and control, blended them with intelligence and quick reflexes to take the first game. She gradually packed more power to win the next two games while her more experienced partner was trying to settle down. Mary won her first game with a powerful serve and her high drive shots enabled her to take the score to 4-5. The engaging duel touched new peak with the two European neighbours involved in long rallies at 5-5 which ended with a double fault by Flavia.
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Rohan Bopanna to make Davis Cup debut New Delhi, February 6 Indian non-playing captain Ramesh Krishnan has opted to field the best possible combination, and the hosts hope to wrap up the tie in two days, if Rohan lives upto his promise, that is. In Rohan Bopanna, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Harsh Mankad, India have an unbeatable line up on paper. And considering the track record of Japan against India in Davis Cup, it should be a cake-walk for the hosts. Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, who took out the draw of lots at his official residence in the morning, did India a good turn, when he picked up the name of Rohan Bopanna first, to meet Japanese number two Goichi Motomura, in the opening singles of the tie tomorrow morning. Rohan is the top seed for India, by virtue of his 345th ranking on the ATP, ahead of Leander, Mahesh and Harsh Mankad. Leander, whose ATP singles ranking hovers around 1002, with just five points in his kitty, will clash against Japanese top gun Takao Suzuki in the second singles. In the doubles on Saturday, Leander and Mahesh will take on Jun Katao and Thomas Shimada while in the reverse singles on Sunday, Rohan will meet Suzuki and Leander will tackle Motomura. Though Rohan had lost to Motomura in the final of the Asian Championship at Tashkent last year, the big serving Indian has the advantage of playing on his favourite surface grass, and at home ground. Home advantage will give India a head start, and the Japanese should consider themselves lucky if they can pick up a few games. The tie would be an excellent opportunity for Rohan to make the best of his debut. Leander Paes, too, had made his Davis Cup debut against Japan, on a
balmy day at Chandigarh in February, 1990. Leander put on a memorable performance to carve out a permanent niche for himself in India’s cup play. Ever since, he has been shouldering, virtually single-handedly, the country’s Davis Cup aspirations, though Mahesh Bhupathi’s contribution is no mean either. But Leander, being the star singles player, has had to always chip in with the winning rubber, to steer India clear of the tight corner, to apply the killer punch. On this account alone, Leander is extremely pleased at the inclusion of Rohan Bopanna in the playing team. Though this tie would be “another opportunity for me to improve my Davis Cup record”, Leander observed that “for the first time, we have a chance of winning the other singles as well, and the pressure is not on me alone”. Leander said “Rohan was playing excellent tennis as he is serving very well. His entry into the Asian Championship final has boosted his confidence”. Leander felt that “Rohan has improved a lot since India’s last Davis Cup tie, against Australia last September, and it is a great opportunity for him to excel”. Rohan, who was given the honour of speaking to the media first, said “grass has been my favourite surface, and I have been playing hard on it. I have a great chance to win”. Ramesh Krishnan said the draw was favourable to India as it was good for Rohan to play the singles first. “Leander is experienced enough to adjust to the second singles’ timing”. Mahesh Bhupathi, who had skipped the home cup ties against Lebanon at Lucknow and South Korea in New Delhi, and the away tie against Australia last year, due to a shoulder injury, will be teaming up with Leander in the doubles, for the first time after they annexed the Asian Games gold at Busan. Bhupathi was happy to be back in the team, and pairing with Leander. The Indian camp is confident of completing a Japanese washout, as the hosts have beaten Japan 16 times out of their 18 meetings, including six wins in India, starting in New Delhi (1961, 4-1), and following it up at New Delhi again (1967, 4-1), Poona (1969, 5-0), Kanpur (1974, 4-1), New Delhi (1977, 3-2) and Chandigarh (1990, 4-1). India last beat Japan by 3-2 at Osaka in 2001. Delhi is a particularly lucky venue for India, though Japan, who have brought the same team who played against India at Osaka, are confident of putting up a good fight, no matter the match is being played on grass. In terms of singles rankings, the Japanese players are way ahead of the Indians, but in Davis Cup play, Leander Paes has made a mockery of rankings, over and over. |
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JCT, Vasco evenly matched Chandigarh, February 6 JCT's fortunes witnessed a turnaround recently with back-to-back victories against Churchill Brothers and Mumbai's Mahindra United. The induction of Mohammed Salisu, formerly of ITI, has strengthened the midfield. For a change, the JCT attack spearheaded by international IM Vijayan, strikers Hardip Gill and Harvinder besides winger Jaswinder appears formidable. The role of international Joe Paul Ancheri is of paramount importance as he is the main link between the attack and midfield. In the previous match against Mahindra United, Ancheri was at his lethal best, pumping in three goals. With a confident defence marshalled by Nigerian stopper Musa Aliu, wing back Daljit Singh and stopper Harpreet, JCT hope to maintain the winning streak. The presence of
Ghanaian goalie Mansuru Mohammed adds to the mill men's confidence. Vasco, coached by former international Derrick Pereira who incidentally played alongside Parminder Singh, JCT's assistant coach, in the national team, are a force to reckon with in Indian football. In Rui Wanderley and Marcos Pereira, Vasco have an outstanding striker and medio. Wanderley was the hero of Vasco's 1-0 win over Tollygunge on January 29 as also the 1-0 win over Salgaocar earlier. Against Mohun Bagan, Wanderley was again the saviour, as he scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw. The other notable faces are goalkeeper Rogerio Ramos, defenders Franky Baretto, Sanjay Parte and Seby Dias, medio Jules Alberto Dias, and forward Mario Soares. JCT and Vasco had last met on January 25 at Margao where Vasco, thanks to a brace by Marcos Pereira, won 2-1. Hence the match tomorrow provides an opportunity to JCT to avenge the earlier humiliation. The two sides are evenly matched, though Vasco's defeat at the hands of Churchill Brothers a few days back has left them a bit shaky.
The following are the latest standings of the teams in the seventh 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. East Bengal
11 8 3 0 23 11 27 Salgaocar 11 7 1 3 19 9 22 Vasco SC 11
6 3 2 14 11 21 Dempo 11 6 2 3 16 13 20 Mohun Bagan 11 5
3 3 21 14 18 Churchill 11 4 5 2 12 9 17 JCT 11 4 2 5 16 12 14 Tollygunge 11 4 1 6 11 19 13 Indian Bank
11 3 2 6 14 21 11 Mahindras 11 2 4 5 11 16 10 HAL 11 2 1 8 9 18 7 ITI
11 0 3 8 6 17 3
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Punjab cops win Chandigarh, February 6 In the school category, Khalsa High School, Charan Kanwal, Banga, beat Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Paldi, through the golden goal. |
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