Thursday, February 13, 2003, Chandigarh, India






National Capital Region--Delhi

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
S P O R T S

SA race to 10-wicket win
South Africa's Charl Langeveld appeals against Kenya's Ravindu Shah Potchefstroom, February 12
Herschelle Gibbs savaged the Kenyan attack today as South Africa raced to a 10-wicket victory over Kenya in their World Cup clash at the North-West Stadium. Gibbs scored an unbeaten 87, including 12 fours and four sixes, as the South Africans reached their target in the 22nd over.


South Africa's Charl Langeveld appeals against Kenya's Ravindu Shah during their match in Potchefstroom on Wednesday. — Reuters photo

Tendulkar highest scorer
Paarl, February 12
Indian batting star Sachin Tendulkar today became the highest run scorer in World Cup history, erasing Javed Miandad’s existing record.
India's Sachin Tendulkar hits a shot as Dutch wicketkeeper Jeroen Smits reacts
India's Sachin Tendulkar hits a shot as Dutch wicketkeeper Jeroen Smits reacts during their match in Paarl on Wednesday. — Reuters photo

Trust the Indians for a Bollywood-style climax
W
hen Dinesh Mongia was named in the team yesterday, coming down at number seven everybody poked fun at the batting order. But Ganguly justified his team composition when Mongia went on to play a crucial role in India getting past the 200 run mark. Indeed, I am sarsactic when I make this comment, for I dare not think what might have happened if Ajit Agarkar or Ashish Nehra would have taken his place in the team. 


World Cup 2003: Schedule


Chinese figure skaters Shen Xue and Zhou Hongbo perform
Chinese figure skaters Shen Xue (front) and Zhou Hongbo perform at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, which began in Beijing on Wednesday. Shen and Zhouare leading after the first day of competition. — Reuters

EARLIER STORIES
 


Indian psychologist confident

Paarl, February 12
He is no astrologer or soothsayer but he is confident of Indian cricket team’s ‘’super showing’’ in the World Cup. The man who has immense faith in the Indian team is psychologist Sandy Gordon. According to him: “Those who have written off Indian team or its chances in the World Cup are in for a big shock, Sourav Ganguly’s boys will not only do better but are going to be in the race for the title.”

Today’s match
Pool B:
West Indies vs 
New Zealand 1.30 p.m. (IST

Kiwis face tough task
Port Elizabeth, February 12
After a miserable 47-run loss to Sri Lanka in opening match, New Zealand now face the mammoth task of beating a resurgent West Indies in tomorrow’s Group B match of the World Cup.

Warne pleads innocence
Sydney, February 12
Australian cricket legend Shane Warne returned home today insisting that the banned diuretic which has seen him forced out of the World Cup had nothing to do with masking any banned substance. He returned to Melbourne late today after he tested positive for a banned diuretic used to aid weight-loss after a test by the Australian Sports Drugs Agency (ASDA) before the team flew to South Africa earlier this month.


Shane Warne of Australia leaves his Press conference after arriving back in Melbourne on Wednesday. — Reuters
Shane Warne of Australia leaves his Press conference

Australian team 100 per cent behind Warne
W
e got to know of Shane Warne testing positive on the day before the match against Pakistan. On Monday evening, we all got together and discussed the best possible way to deal with this unforeseen situation.

Australian fans display a banner supporting Australian bowler Shane Warne
Australian fans display a banner supporting Australian bowler Shane Warne at the Cricket World Cup match between Australia and Pakistan, played at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa on Tuesday. Warne was sent home after failing a drug test. — AP/PTI

Warne’s mother feels devastated
Sydney, February 12
Shane Warne’s mother is “devastated” after realising she gave him the pill which could end his cricket career, according to a source close to his family.

DIARY OF THE WEEK
Warne saga will overshadow everything else
PAARL:
The first few days of World Cup have shown batters in good light. Shaun Pollock or Allan Donald, Wasim or Waqar, Shane Bond or Jacob Oram, Muralitharan or Shoaib Akhtar have all suffered in contrast.

Symonds played the innings of his life
R
icky Ponting’s first day as a World Cup captain was one to remember. He made a crucial half-century then watched with a smile as his personal choice Andrew Symonds hit a scintillating century and all this preceded his most difficult task; marshalling his forces after receiving some depressing news about one of his star players.

Latif cleared of racial abuse charge
Johannesburg, February 12
Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has been cleared of a charge that he made a racist comment towards Australia’s Adam Gilchrist during a World Cup match, Pakistan manager Shaharyar Khan told Reuters today.





Pakistan's wicket-keeper Rashid Latiff (L) speaks with his captain Waqar Younis after a meeting with the ICC in Johannesburg on Wednesday. — Reuters photo
Pakistan's wicket-keeper Rashid Latiff speaks with his captain Waqar Younis

Rhodes breaks bone

Dutch wicketkeeper Jeroen Smits celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss India's captain Saurav Ganguly Indian cricket fans wave their national flag during their team's first match of the ICC cricket World Cup against Holland
Dutch wicketkeeper Jeroen Smits (R) celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss India's captain Saurav Ganguly (L) in their opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup in Paarl, South Africa on Wednesday.  Indian cricket fans wave their national flag during their team's first match of the ICC cricket World Cup against Holland in Paarl, South Africa on Wednesday. India went on to win by 68 runs. — Reuters photos


NFL
JCT beat HAL 1-0
Ludhiana, February 12
After surviving some anxious moments, JCT, Phagwara managed to scramble past their spirited opponents, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore, 1-0 in the 13th round of the National Football League match played at Guru Nanak Stadium here today. With this victory, JCT earned three points to take their tally to 18 and moved to the seventh spot while HAL, with 7 points remained at the eleventh spot.

Brazil, China draw friendly tie
Guangdong, February 12
A lethargic Brazil drew 0-0 with China today in a friendly international which they could easily have lost had the home side possessed sharper strikers. Three times Sun Jihai, at the heart of nearly all China’s best moves, chipped in low crosses that eluded the tall Brazilian centre backs only to see his strikers fail to trouble goalkeeper Dida when they should have scored.

Brazil's Ronaldo (L) fights for the ball with China's Li Weifeng during a friendly soccer match in Guangzhou on Wednesday. — Reuters photo
Brazil's Ronaldo fights for the ball with China's Li Weifeng during a friendly soccer match in Guangzhou

Roy Keane hangs his boots
Glasgow, February 12
Ireland won’t have to speculate about a Roy Keane return anymore. The 31-year-old former captain retired from international soccer today, making Wednesday’s friendly match against Scotland the start of a new era.

Facile win for Haryana eves
Ludhiana, February 12
Sri Guru Nanak Pritam Girls Senior Secondary School, Shahbad Markanda, demolished Chandigarh XI 7-0 to begin their campaign in style in the inaugural match of the VIIth All-India Mohinder Partap Singh Grewal Women’s Hockey Tournament at the astro turf ground of Punjab Agricultural University here today.

Kazim wins gold
Chandigarh, February 12
Mohammad Kazim, a student of DAV Centenary Senior Secondary School, Malerkotla, won a gold medal in the 48th National Badminton Championship, under-19 (boys category), held in Gujarat in the last week of January.

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SA race to 10-wicket win

South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs hits a six against Kenya
South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs hits a six against Kenya in Potchefstroom on Wednesday. — Reuters photo

Potchefstroom, February 12
Herschelle Gibbs savaged the Kenyan attack today as South Africa raced to a 10-wicket victory over Kenya in their World Cup clash at the North-West Stadium.
Gibbs scored an unbeaten 87, including 12 fours and four sixes, as the South Africans reached their target in the 22nd over. Gary Kirsten was a touch more sedate, but he, too, scored a half-century, reaching 52 off 63 balls with nine fours.

It was pretty much over as a contest after Lance Klusener ripped out the heart of the Kenyan lower order as South Africa dismissed Kenya for 140 in 38 overs.

Gibbs and Kirsten were then dismissive in chasing down the very small victory target.

Gibbs was particularly severe on the Kenyan attack, which seemed unable to find a consistent line or length.

He took just 66 balls to reach his 83, and played shots all around the wicket. There were some edgy strokes in his innings, but he never looked in any danger of being dismissed.

Klusener, whose big hitting 57 against the West Indies took South Africa to within four runs of victory on the opening day, has struck form just at the right time, and he took four wickets for just 16 runs in eight tight overs.

But he signalled his intention to make a mark in the match earlier with a brilliant pick up and throw-in to run out Kenya’s batting hero Ravindu Shah for 60.

Shah’s innings was a gem as his teammates fell regularly around him. He reached his 50 off just 70 balls in a bright display of positive batting, and he had hit six fours at that point.

When he was out, he had faced 87 balls, and had added another boundary to his tally before he was sent back by Maurice Odumbe after hitting a sweet shot backward of square off Nicky Boje.

Despite the low score by Kenya, South Africa let some catches go down in the field.

Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and captain Shaun Pollock dropped two each, and Jonty Rhodes dropped a really tough one.

It was a disappointing innings by Kenya, after captain Steve Tikolo won the toss and elected to bat on a very hard and barren pitch. It was the obvious decision with Kenya’s middle order mainly Tikolo himself and the likes of Odumbe hoping to exploit what appeared to be a good batting pitch.

South Africa rested the out-of form Allan Donald, replacing him with Charl Langeveldt, who has been particularly impressive in the nets and in fielding practices.

Bar that one change, South Africa elected to go with a full-strength side in pursuit of a first victory in the tournament after losing the opening match against the West Indies. 

Scoreboard

Kenya:

K.Otieno run out 1

R.Shah run out 60

B.Patel c Boucher b Pollock 1

S.Tikolo c Kirsten b Pollock 3

H.Modi c Pollock b Boje 9

M.Odumbe c Gibbs b Klusener 16

T.Odoyo c Boucher b Ntini 22

C.Obuya lbw b Klusener 0

M.Suji c Pollock b Klusener 0

P.Ongondo c Kirsten b Klusener 13

A.Karim not out 0

Extras: (b-1 w-7 nb-4 lb-3) 15

Total: (all out, 38 overs) 140

Fall of wickets: 1/4, 2/7, 3/26, 4/62, 5/92, 6/105, 7/105, 8/120, 9/139

Bowling: Pollock 6-2-15-2, Ntini 7-1-14-1, Kallis 3-0-23-0, Langeveldt 5-0-24-0, Boje 9-1-44-1, Klusener 8-2-16-4.

South Africa:

Gibbs not out 87

Kirsten not out 52

Extras: (w-2 nb-1) 3

Total: (for no wicket, 21.2 overs) 142

Bowling: Suji 4-0-21-0, Odoyo 6-1-34-0, Karim 2-0-17-0, Obuya 5-1-32-0, Odumbe 2-0-21-0, Ongondo 2.2-0-17-0. AP
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Tendulkar highest scorer

Paarl, February 12
Indian batting star Sachin Tendulkar today became the highest run scorer in World Cup history, erasing Javed Miandad’s existing record.
Tendulkar, who opened the innings after almost a year’s gap, overtook the former Pakistani captain’s aggregate of 1083 runs from 33 World Cup matches, when he scored the required 25 runs in India’s opening match against Holland here.

The batting maestro first hit Edgar Schiferli for a four to reach 24 and equal Miandad’s record and followed it up with another boundary in the same over for the milestone.

Tendulkar, playing his fourth World Cup, went into the match with 1059 runs from 22 matches at an average of 58.83 while Miandad, who is also the only player with six World Cup appearances, made his runs from 33 matches at 43.22. PTI

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Trust the Indians for a Bollywood-style climax
Chetan Sharma

When Dinesh Mongia was named in the team yesterday, coming down at number seven everybody poked fun at the batting order. But Ganguly justified his team composition when Mongia went on to play a crucial role in India getting past the 200 run mark.

Indeed, I am sarsactic when I make this comment, for I dare not think what might have happened if Ajit Agarkar or Ashish Nehra would have taken his place in the team. A team studded with superstars, ( the term comes after their astounding success with commercials) was expected to ease through the Dutch operation but trust Indians to make the climax bollywood style.

At a time when havans were conducted for India to win the World Cup, the team has just given ‘devotees’ a shocker. One might just be tempted to press the panic button but I would still recommend to back this team. Remember, it takes time to heal the wounds from the Kiwi mauling and the best way to do it is get back into the ground and start winning, no matter how!

The Indians paid the price for experimenting too much. Saurav Ganguly had to do a lot of explaining on Sehwag’s demotion as much as he to ponder again on Sachin’s batting order. Seeing signs of middle order cracking in the African heat, Sachin best place in the interest of the team remains at number four. Yes, Sachin’s did get runs opening the innings but he is priceless for India and has to shielded from any untoward early happeings in the innings.

Thankfully, though it was expected, Indian bowlers, especially veterans Srinath and Kumble, bowled with a lot of purpose and penetration. The Dutch batsmen too eased the pressure on Indian bowlers, failing to apply themselves according to batting rulebooks.

However, Wright and the team mangement have to do some brainstroming over the extras conceded by the bowlers and in a close match it could make the difference. Zaheer still does not seem adapted to the conditions and was sadly out of control with his swing. Ganguly, according to me, bowled a lot extra than desired and on a slow wicket Sachin, Sehwag and Yuvraj were a safer bet.

The only highpoint from this match was dismissing Holland in a World Cup match, something which has not happened in the whole 1996 edition.

On the other hand, South Africa gave a throughly proffessional performance, routing co-hosts Kenya by 10 wickets. Gibbs and Kirsten spent some quality time and this should do wonders to their confidence. Their bowling was accurate and fielding trademark sharp. The West Indies match against New Zealand is crucial to both teams, if Windies win then they are through to super sixes and Kiwis in some serious danger of making an unceremonious exit. The Black Caps have to win...or esle a trip to Kenya is likely on the cards. Dronacharya Sports Promoters 

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Indian psychologist confident

Paarl, February 12
He is no astrologer or soothsayer but he is confident of Indian cricket team’s ‘’super showing’’ in the World Cup.
The man who has immense faith in the Indian team is psychologist Sandy Gordon. According to him: “Those who have written off Indian team or its chances in the World Cup are in for a big shock, Sourav Ganguly’s boys will not only do better but are going to be in the race for the title.”

He is of the view that the poor showing by the Indians in New Zealand was an aberration and “sooner every body forgets that better it will be because the players have put that thing behind them.”

Gordon, a faculty member of the University of Western Australia, has been hired by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ‘’talk it out with the players, their problems and mental attitude, before the start of the World Cup.”

The psychologist is a not a full timer with the team and has come here because he loves Indian cricketers.

“They are highly talented bunch,” Gordon says about the players adding that the players were focused and taking the competition very seriously.

What pleased Gordon was the “never say die attitude of the players and also not taking their rivals lightly, be it Holland or Namibia.”

“I had a one-to-one interactive session with the players. I am more than convinced that if they play to their potential they can be front-runners for the title,” Gordon said.

The Australian psychologist, however, is very clear about his role. “I am not giving counselling because there is something wrong with the players or the team. They don’t have any problem. They are like any team or individuals. I am helping them to focus better and also help them pay attention to the details, however minor they may be.”

The players also think that interaction with Gordon has been useful. According to team vice-captain Rahul Dravid, “it is difficult to explain in concrete terms how this kind of counselling is useful but it is definitely a help.” UNI

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Kiwis face tough task

Port Elizabeth, February 12
After a miserable 47-run loss to Sri Lanka in opening match, New Zealand now face the mammoth task of beating a resurgent West Indies in tomorrow’s Group B match of the World Cup.

The West Indies, celebrating the return of Brian Lara, are on a high after snatching a three-run victory over host South Africa. Lara’s century and the team’s fighting spirit in Cape Town on Sunday have suddenly made the men in maroon possible contenders for a record third World Cup, which they won in 1975 and 1979.

For New Zealand it has always been the case of so near yet so far.

The team reached the World Cup semifinals in 1975, 1979, 1992 and 1999 as well as the quarterfinals in 1996.

But a defeat against the West Indies may mean an early ticket back home for the Black Caps, who have been touted as the dark horse of the tournament. On the other hand a second defeat may also force New Zealand to rethink its decision not to travel to Nairobi to play against Kenya because of security fears. Forfeiting its match will mean a loss of four more valuable points.

Already the thinking in the New Zealand camp is that playing Kenya should be kept an option.

“The situation with Kenya is that the process is still underway. It’s an obvious thing to look at when the side loses, the pressure goes on,” captain Stephen Fleming said after Monday’s loss to Sri Lanka.

New Zealand players fear for their safety in the wake of a November terrorist attack on a hotel in Mombasa, which killed 15 people. Their request for the February 21 game to be moved to South Africa has been turned down by World Cup organisers.

New Zealand could afford to forfeit the Kenya match if it defeats not only the West Indies but also South Africa on February 16.

But Monday’s performance has raised serious doubts about the Black Caps’ batting — Nathan Astle made a duck, Fleming one and Craig McMillan three. Only Scott Styris’ 141 redeemed the side.

Port Elizabeth is not particularly lucky for New Zealand. It lost a Test to South Africa here during its last visit two years ago. Combine it with the fact that New Zealand lost 0-3 to Pakistan and 1-3 to the West Indies last year, things look rather grim for the team.

The West Indies had also beaten India 4-3 in India in November and even though New Zealand hammered India 5-2, it was on home pitches made for seam bowlers.

The West Indies have never lost to New Zealand on neutral territory, and have won three of their four World Cup meetings.

Tomorrow, New Zealand are most likely to bring back left arm spinner Daniel Vettori who was inexplicably made to sit out against Sri Lanka. Also there is a likelihood for paceman Kyle Mills who has the best one-day international bowling record in the side apart from Shane Bond. AP

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Warne pleads innocence

Sydney, February 12
Australian cricket legend Shane Warne returned home today insisting that the banned diuretic which has seen him forced out of the World Cup had nothing to do with masking any banned substance.

He returned to Melbourne late today after he tested positive for a banned diuretic used to aid weight-loss after a test by the Australian Sports Drugs Agency (ASDA) before the team flew to South Africa earlier this month.

Warne told journalists at the airport that he has never taken and never will take performance-enhancing drugs.

“I am limited in what I can say tonight because it is important I don’t compromise the formal hearing that is coming up,” Warne said reading from a prepared statement.

“I can confirm that the fluid tablets I took before appearing to announce my retirement from one-day cricket (on January 22) was given to me by my mum.”

“Contrary to speculation, taking it had nothing to do with the shoulder injury or for masking any banned substance.” “I do not, never have and never will, take any performance enhancing drugs”. AFP

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Australian team 100 per cent behind Warne
Glenn McGrath

We got to know of Shane Warne testing positive on the day before the match against Pakistan. On Monday evening, we all got together and discussed the best possible way to deal with this unforeseen situation. It was Shane who decided that it was best for the team as well as for him to go back to Australia and deal with the situation. It was not as though we received the news in the morning and played within hours, as some reports in the press would like readers to believe. We had braced ourselves overnight for all the attention and curiosity that we knew the announcement would draw. Once we set foot on the Wanderers we all shut out the hoopla around the news — it was a challenge, but the results prove that we did not let our focus waver.

The team is 100 per cent behind Shane in this difficult time, and while we will focus on the World Cup in his absence, we are getting regular updates from Australia. It’s good that he is with his family in this hour of crisis, and he knows that all his teammates are supporting him right now. It is also important to note that the “B” sample report is not yet out, so everyone must wait a few days before arriving at any conclusion.

Shane is a great competitor, and it’s obvious that we will miss him. However, the team as a whole is focused on succeeding, no matter what, and we are here to prove that we are good enough to win every game we play.

The opening game against Pakistan was penciled in every Australian player’s mind as a tough one. Pakistan is always a very dangerous team, and we knew that we had to be in top form rather than taking time to get used to the conditions in our opening game. We had drawn out our plans 48 hours ahead of the match, and the key of beating Pakistan as usual lay in minimizing damage in the first 15 overs. The Pakistan bowlers did not allow that to happen, and we were in some strife at 80 for four. I think Ricky Ponting played a really significant knock at that point, and he has proved that he is a crisis man as well as a fine captain. Ricky has been in good form right through the summer back home, but his innings in a difficult game, under difficult circumstances, at a time when the whole world was waiting for the team to crumble under the blow of losing its key player was simply superb. Andrew Symonds took off from where Ricky left, and his innings could also be a career-defining one. I’ve always thought Symonds is a talented player, I hope this century will help him break into the big league.

Our batsmen really set things up well for us bowlers, and all we had to do was land it in the right place because the asking rate would do the rest. Personally, I was pleased with being able to bowl 10 overs straight. The altitude and temperature made it difficult, but the fact that I could still withstand it without having to leave the field afterwards gives me a great deal of confidence. I think my injury is now a thing of the past, and my bowling will only get better from here on. Gameplan

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Warne’s mother feels devastated

Sydney, February 12
Shane Warne’s mother is “devastated” after realising she gave him the pill which could end his cricket career, according to a source close to his family.
The circumstances under which Warne took the diuretic which led to his ignominious exit from the World Cup team are still unclear but Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was also reported as saying Warne was either “stupid or naive” to take a pill from his mother which was on the banned substances list.

A source close to the family was quoted as saying by an Australian news agency that Warne’s mother had not yet been approached to try to explain the situation.

“The question hasn’t been asked yet, it is a bit of a tender topic,” the source said.

“She is pretty devastated herself and they don’t want to go there.”

Warne had taken the pill in circumstances that were “totally innocent”, the source claimed.

Warne today returned to Australia with his international career hanging in balance. He flew home from Johannesburg yesterday after learning he had failed a drug test in Melbourne last month.

A second test will be carried on his “B” sample and if it turns out be positive again he could be banned for two years under Australian Cricket Board’s doping rules.

However, if it is proved Warne accidently took a “low grade prohibited substance”, he could escape with just a three-month suspension.

The source said Warne must have taken the diuretic tablet one or two days before making his return from a dislocated collarbone in the tri-Series one-day match against England last month.

Ponting, meanwhile, admitted he feared Warne’s glorious cricket career might be over if he is slapped a two-year ban.

“There is a fear of that,” said Ponting, according to an Australian news agency.

“But I don’t think anybody will know until all the hearings have been held.”

The Australian skipper described Warne’s decision to take a pill containing diuretics as naive and stupid — the same terms Warne used about himself during the match-fixing scandal.

Asked if Warne was guilty of naivety in not knowing its banned contents, Ponting said, “For sure, for sure — or stupidity, one of the two”.

Ponting said Warne had revealed the truth to his teammates. “He basically told us everything — told us the truth of the matter and a lot of the guys probably really felt for him”. PTI

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DIARY OF THE WEEK
Warne saga will overshadow everything else
Ashish Shukla

PAARL: The first few days of World Cup have shown batters in good light. Shaun Pollock or Allan Donald, Wasim or Waqar, Shane Bond or Jacob Oram, Muralitharan or Shoaib Akhtar have all suffered in contrast. While Tendulkars and Dravids can’t wait for their turn, Srinaths and Caddicks could only await their fate with trepidation. The dye is truly cash.

Viv Richards, probably the greatest batsman since Sir Donald Bradman, admits he didn’t see it coming. ‘Carl was insistent we go into the game with seven batsmen, wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs and only three fast bowlers against South Africa,” said Viv “It’s often best at times to let the captain have his way.”

Carl Hooper was at hand and smiling: “We would continue this policy unless we get ourselves into serious trouble.”

“This is the make-up we’ve been using for the past six to eight months and it’s been working for us, three frontline bowlers and Chris (Gayle), Marlon Samuels, Ricardo Powell, Wavell Hinds and myself doing the rest,” he said.

South Africa it seems has got it all wrong. They prided themselves before the start of the tournament in having six specialist bowlers — now it seems they have three too many. The team is over-reliant on all rounders and fans are unable to understand why the likes of Graeme Smith and Jacques Rudolph are on the sidelines while Boeta Dippenaars are monopolising the middle order. Jonty Rhodes too has gone public criticising the team composition.

So upset is Allan Donald with criticism that he responded angrily in practice nets a day before the start of the game against Kenya. A net bowler knocked his middle stump and the “white lightning” hacked down all his three stumps with bat in angry retaliation. Seeing Donald in that sort of mood, the young lad quietly packed his bag and left the field.

New Zealand’s Stephen Fleming, who had a smirk on his face at the press conference after each victory against India at home, now has crease on the forehead as it becomes obvious his bowlers would not carry him far. It’s for the batsmen to deliver — only in this race tortoise would not win against hare.

In a matter of just three days, the position for Super Sixes is becoming clearer. South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka are firm favourites from Group B while Australia, Pakistan and India should make it from the other group. England have compromised its chances by refusing to go to Zimbabwe. They chose to ignore, no less, the weight of Nelson Mandela’s moral appeal.

Meanwhile the Shane Warne saga will overshadow anything else which might happen now in this World Cup. If the second test doesn’t prove his innocence, then Warne is liable to be banned by the Australian Cricket Board (ACB). The severity of the punishment could differ from three months to two years. If Warne is cleared, the ACB would request the ICC for Warne’s return in the World Cup.

A source close to Warne’s family said the offending pill of diuretics had been given to him by his mother. It led to South Africa’s coach Eric Simons to reply drily: “You can’t trust your mom for every thing!” Warne has been on the fitness regime for more than a year, trimming about 14 kg from his previously stout regime. Diuretics are used mainly to rid the body of fluids and aid weight loss but can also mask other performance-enhancing drugs. Warne has announced this World Cup is his last appearance in one-day cricket. It now seems he has already played his last one-day internationals.

Meanwhile other teams brace themselves for a drug test. All the teams would be subjected to random drug testing at least once in this tournament. Fast bowlers do take pain killers and other medications to recover from fatigue and extra work load.

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Symonds played the innings of his life
Ian Chappell

Ricky Ponting’s first day as a World Cup captain was one to remember. He made a crucial half-century then watched with a smile as his personal choice Andrew Symonds hit a scintillating century and all this preceded his most difficult task; marshalling his forces after receiving some depressing news about one of his star players.

Instead of being the blonde bamboozler Shane Warne turned into the blonde bombshell before a ball had even been bowled at the Wanderers. Having tested positive for a banned substance during an earlier random Australian Cricket Board drug test, Warne opted to return home to prove his innocence, stating; “I have never taken performance enhancing drugs.”

Despite that deflating news and the loss of four early wickets Symonds proceeded to play the innings of his life and resurrect Australia’s fortunes. Coming in with Australia just where Pakistan would have hoped they ‘d be after sending them in, Symonds, with some early guidance from Ponting produced an innings of raw power. The ferocity of his counter attack caught Waqar Younis by surprise and when his plan to bowl Australia out failed he had no fall back position. Symonds didn’t club a six until the penultimate over but he did clout fifteen fours in his hundred and therein lies the secret of this timely success. On so many previous occasions Symonds failed because he tried to hit the ball in the air too often but in passing fifty for only the third time in his international career he suddenly unearthed the secret to batting at the highest level.

Not only did Symonds succeed in easing the pain of Warne’s departure he also managed to upset the normally placid Waqar. Having had one of his deliveries deposited over the rope the Pakistan quickie retaliated with his second head high delivery. This was a sure sign he’d lost the plot as a skipper and umpire David Shepherd removed him from the attack. What had started out as a horror day for Australia and a glorious one for Pakistan had been totally turned on its head by Symonds fearless stroke play.

Things only got worse for Pakistan. They were docked an over in the chase then the top order batsmen struggled to cope with Glenn McGrath’s accuracy, Jason Gillespie’s movement and the fiery pace of Brett Lee. Warne may have been missing but there was no shortage of class with this trio bowling at their peak right from the start of the competition.

Even when the lesser bowlers were introduced the Pakistan batsman couldn’t grab the initiative. They were crease bound against the variety of Brad Hogg and miffed by Ian Harvey’s many changes of pace. Most players resorted to the risky sweep shot against Hogg and in trying to loft Harvey they offered the outfielders a regular supply of catches. They combined for seven wickets and what with Symonds crackling century it had certainly been a rewarding day for the lesser lights in the Australian team.

Pakistan had everything in their favour from the moment Warne pulled out of the match and yet they still lost to the defending champions by 82 runs. Some of the Pakistan players had a lot to say before the game about Australia being right for the plucking. They have now discovered that talk is cheap and actions are the only things that count, a lesson firmly driven home by Symonds. (TCM)

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Latif cleared of racial abuse charge

Johannesburg, February 12
Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has been cleared of a charge that he made a racist comment towards Australia’s Adam Gilchrist during a World Cup match, Pakistan manager Shaharyar Khan told Reuters today.

“Rashid Latif has been completely cleared from any wrongdoing he was charged with,’’ khan said after emerging early from an hour-long International Cricket Council (ICC) hearing. “He has said he has the highest regard for Adam Gilchrist as a person.”

The alleged incident happened during Tuesday’s Group A match, which Australia won by 82 runs,

The 34-year-old Latif top-scored with 33 as Pakistan struggled to 228 all out in reply to the world champions’ 310 for eight. He has played 34 Test matches and 144 one-day internationals since making his Pakistan debut in 1992.

Australia batsman Darren Lehmann was suspended for five matches last month after making a racist comment in his team’s dressing room during a match against Sri Lanka. Reuters

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Rhodes breaks bone

POTCHEFSTROOM: South Africa’s Jonty Rhodes broke a bone in his hand during the World Cup group B match against Kenya on Wednesday, team officials announced at a press conference. An x-ray confirmed the break and Rhodes was immediately sent to Johannesburg to consult a specialist. Reuters

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NFL
JCT beat HAL 1-0
Anil Datt

Ludhiana, February 12
After surviving some anxious moments, JCT, Phagwara managed to scramble past their spirited opponents, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore, 1-0 in the 13th round of the National Football League match played at Guru Nanak Stadium here today. With this victory, JCT earned three points to take their tally to 18 and moved to the seventh spot while HAL, with 7 points remained at the eleventh spot.

JCT’s star striker, I M Vijayan who was sent in midway through the second half in place of off-colour Hardip Gill, made all the difference. In the 82nd minute, in a quick counter-attack from the midfield, Jaswinder and Harvinder Singh weaved a good move to enter the box. The former’s header was deflected off HAL’s custodian, Mark Mascrenhas hands and Vijayan seized the opportunity to score the much-awaited goal, much to the relief of the JCT camp.

JCT players launched fast-paced attacks but the moves hardly grew into threats because their forwards, particularly in the early phase of the first half, were too slow and allowed the visitors to snatch the ball away.

Earlier, JCT’s best chance to go ahead came in the 63rd minute, when Hardip missed a sitter. He again fumbled four minutes later when his powerful kick landed in Mark’s hands. In the 72nd minute of the play, Hardip was substituted by Vijayan who immediately got into the business. He succeeded in breaching the HAL defence line repeatedly and finally managed to score the match winner for the JCT.

HAL defender Rajendra Prasad gave an inspiring performance today and was named the ‘player of the match’. He received a cash prize of Rs 5,000.

The next match here between JCT and Churchill Brothers, Goa, will be played on February 22.

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Brazil, China draw friendly tie

Guangdong, February 12
A lethargic Brazil drew 0-0 with China today in a friendly international which they could easily have lost had the home side possessed sharper strikers.
Three times Sun Jihai, at the heart of nearly all China’s best moves, chipped in low crosses that eluded the tall Brazilian centre backs only to see his strikers fail to trouble goalkeeper Dida when they should have scored.

A draw was a fine result for a side thrashed 4-0 by the Brazilians in the World Cup last year and a great start for new China coach Arie Haan.

But there were few signs of the promises Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira made of a world champion performance as his side strolled through the first half and rarely penetrated the blanket Chinese defence.

They were a little brighter in the second half and Ronaldinho would surely have scored just three minutes in but for a dubious offside decision.

Chinese goalkeeper Liu Yunfei had to be alert several times as the Brazilians slotted in angled passes towards Ronaldo, who showed few flashes of his ability to terrorise defences.

The closest he came to scoring was in the 58th minute when Ronaldinho capped a wonderful run that took him past four defenders with a chip that Ronaldo managed to scoop over the onrushing goalkeeper only for the ball to be scooped away at the last moment. Reuters

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Roy Keane hangs his boots

Glasgow, February 12
Ireland won’t have to speculate about a Roy Keane return anymore.
The 31-year-old former captain retired from international soccer today, making Wednesday’s friendly match against Scotland the start of a new era.

Keane had been the most talked about player going into the match at Hampden Park in Glasgow, even though he wasn’t selected, with speculation he could return for Ireland’s final six Euro 2004 qualifiers under new coach Brian Kerr.

The Manchester United midfielder left the Ireland squad on the eve of last summer’s World Cup after an angry confrontation with coach Mick McCarthy.

Kerr can now concentrate on uniting the team, which slumped to losses against Switzerland and Russia in Euro 2004 qualifying games after missing out on the World Cup quarterfinals on penalties to Spain.

Wednesday’s match will be the 10th time the two countries have played since 1961. Each side has won three and lost three, with three ties. Scotland beat Ireland 2-1 in the last match-up, a friendly in May 2000 in Dublin.

“We have been looking forward to this fixture and it’s a big game for us,” Ireland midfielder Matt Holland said. AP

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Facile win for Haryana eves
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, February 12
Sri Guru Nanak Pritam Girls Senior Secondary School, Shahbad Markanda, demolished Chandigarh XI 7-0 to begin their campaign in style in the inaugural match of the VIIth All-India Mohinder Partap Singh Grewal Women’s Hockey Tournament at the astro turf ground of Punjab Agricultural University here today. In the second match, Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, defeated Punjab 1-0.

The first encounter, between Haryana and Chandigarh proved to be a mismatch as the latter failed to cope up with the Haryana girls’ mobility and speed. The only consolation for Chandigarh eves was a penalty corner in the 14th minute of the first half which too which went abegging. For Haryana XI, Balwinder Kaur and Jasjeet Kaur scored two goals each while Gagandeep Kaur, Aarti and Ramneek scored a goal each.

In the second match, Navpreet Kaur of RCF, Kapurthala, converted a penalty corner to enable her side to win the cliff-hanger 1-0. The match failed to produce any result in the regular period and then the golden goal rule was applied, Navpreet struck to seal Punjab team’s fate.

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Kazim wins gold
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 12
Mohammad Kazim, a student of DAV Centenary Senior Secondary School, Malerkotla, won a gold medal in the 48th National Badminton Championship, under-19 (boys category), held in Gujarat in the last week of January.

Mr P.S. Sangha, Principal of the school, said in a press note that Kazim achieved the goal with the inspiration from his parents and sports teachers Mr Jatinder Singh Chahal and Ms Sarla Chahal.

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 SPORTS BRIEFS


Zimbabwe batsman Andy Flower sits on the cricket pitch during a practice session
Zimbabwe batsman Andy Flower sits on the cricket pitch during a practice session while groundsmen from the Harare Sports Club prepare the wicket on Wednesday. England have pulled out of their fixture against Zimbabwe, which was due to be played at the venue on February 14. 

England's Captain Nasser Hussain repairs his bat during a practice session in Cape Town
England's Captain Nasser Hussain repairs his bat during a practice session in Cape Town, South Africa on Wednesday. The Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) has begun counting the millions of dollars it will lose after its cricket team's World Cup match against England was called off on Tuesday. — Reuters photos

‘SACHIN-SIGNED BAT DID THE TRICK’
PAARL:
Sachin Tendulkar might have played a role in Brian Lara’s magnificent ton which helped West Indies score an upset win against South Africa in the opening World Cup match. It was a Tendulkar-autographed willow from which flowed the runs, it was revealed by the star West Indian batsman. “Look at the bat. See here is the signature of Sachin on the logo!” a smiling Lara told players who had gathered to congratulate him after he scored a masterly 116 off 134 balls studded with 12 fours and two sixes in the Cape town match on Sunday. Lara was sure of his “little Indian friend” also getting big scores in the tournament. PTI

‘BLOW TO AUSSIES’
PAARL:
India’s batting mainstay Sachin Tendulkar, perhaps the only batsman to have given Shane Warne “nightmares”, said the leg spinner’s unceremonious exit from the World Cup was a blow to the defending champions. “Australia does have a lot of depth but obviously losing someone like Warne before the first game cannot be easy for anyone,” Tendulkar said. “The cricket world will miss him in the World Cup,” Tendulkar said after Warne was forced to return home yesterday following revelation that he had tested positive for a banned substance. Tendulkar refused to comment further on the matter and told a website, “I don’t really have the details and moreover, I don’t want to comment on controversies and stuff like that.” PTI

PRAYERS FOR SAURAV
TARAPITH (WB):
Fans of Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly assembled at the famous Tarapith Temple here from early morning on Wednesday to pray for Ganguly and his team members as India open its campaign in the World Cup against Holland in South Africa. Cricket enthusiasts from Bardhaman, Malda, Murshidabad and Howrah carried cutouts of Ganguly, little master Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, master blaster Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan to the Temple and offered prayers to the goddess Tara for India’s victory. The cricket lovers put garlands made of Hibiscus and vermillion on the cutouts before handing those over to the priests. UNI

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