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Saturday,
March 15, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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A sweet revenge
Zaheer quickest Indian to claim 100 wickets |
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Nice to see Kaif bat well at No 4
We were never in game: Fleming Nehra gives all credit to Le Roux Is Ganguly the best after Tiger
Pataudi? Aussies promise Kenya no mercy Gilchrist backs Ponting Jayasuriya to play today
despite tonsillitis We’ll win it for Andy: Streak Kenyan cricket owes much to Indians Obuya need not sell tomatoes any
more DIARY OF THE WEEK
Paes-Rikl beat Bhupathi-Henman Pillay to lead Indian team Harinder in
lead BSF hold Hindustan Club
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A sweet revenge
Centurion, March 14 In a stark reversal of roles from India’s tour of New Zealand two months ago, the Kiwis found themselves at the receiving end of a Zaheer Khan-inspired Indian pace bowling fury and were skittled out for a paltry 146 in 45.1 overs after being put in to bat by Sourav Ganguly on a good batting track. Zaheer Khan finished with four wickets and also became the quickest Indian to reach 100 wickets in one-day internationals. And despite the minor hiccups which saw the team lose their first three wickets for only 21 runs, India cruised home with relative ease, scoring 150 in 40.4 overs. Mohammad Kaif top-scored with an unbeaten 68 while Dravid, who was let off by McCullum when on one, made 53 not out. The two were associated in India’s best fourth-wicket partnership against New Zealand. India’s victory looked assured once New Zealand were bundled out for a low score but pace sensation Shane Bond brought some
excitement into the game with his two early strikes in the form of Virender Sehwag and Saurav Ganguly. Sehwag flashed at a widish delivery to be caught in the slips after making one run while Ganguly, who scored three, was bowled off a virtually unplayable yorker. When Tendulkar, who made 15 with three fours, hit Daryl Tuffey for a smashing square cut straight into the hands of Jacob Oram at point, India had slipped to 21 for three in the fifth over and New Zealand suddenly started fancying their chances. However, Dravid and Kaif played sensibly after that, adding 129 runs for their unfinished partnership which bettered India’s previous best fourth wicket stand against New Zealand of 101 recorded by Kapil Dev and Dilip
Vengsarkar. Both the batsmen offered a few chances to the New Zealand fielders early in their innings before settling down to guide their side to its seventh consecutive one-day victory. Earlier, India wounded New Zealand with their own weapon as the fast bowlers blew the Kiwis away for just 146. Zaheer Khan struck twice in the very first over of the innings, dismissing Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle with his second and third deliveries. Fleming played fluently though, even attacking Zaheer who went for 28 runs from his first three overs despite the wickets. But Ashish Nehra, who replaced Zaheer in the seventh over, bowled a very tight line to restrict the flow of runs and pile up pressure on the in-form New Zealand skipper. Nehra also sent back Scott Styris, who put on 38 runs for the third wicket with Fleming, with a beautiful outgoing delivery which produced a healthy edge on its way to wicketkeeper Rahul Dravid. Fleming was dismissed soon after, his mistimed shot against Javagal Srinath going straight to Sachin Tendulkar at mid-off, which left New Zealand panting at 60 for five in the 18th over. PTI SCOREBOARD New Zealand: McMillan c Harbhajan
b Zaheer 0 Fleming c Tendulkar b Srinath 30 Astle lbw b Zaheer 0 Styris c Dravid b Nehra 15 McCullum b Zaheer 4 Cairns c Zaheer
b Harbhajan 20 Harris lbw b Zaheer 17 Oram b Sehwag 23 Vettori c Ganguly
b Harbhajan 13 Tuffey c and b Mongia 11 Bond not out 0 Extras:
(lb-5, w-4, nb-4) 13 Total: (all out, 45.1 overs)146 FoW: 1-0, 2-0, 3-38, 4-47, 5-60, 6-88, 7-96, 8-129, 9-144. Bowling: Zaheer 8-0-42-4, Srinath 8-0-20-1, Nehra 10-3-24-1, Harbhajan 10-2-28-2, Ganguly 2-0-4-0, Tendulkar 5-0-20-0, Sehwag 2-1-3-1, Mongia 0.1-0-0-1. India: Sehwag c Styris b Bond 1 Tendulkar c Oram b Tuffey 15 Ganguly b Bond 3 Kaif not out 68 Dravid not out 53 Extras: (w-8, nb-2) 10 Total: (3 wkts, 40.4 overs) 150 Fall of wickets:
1-4, 2-9, 3-21. Bowling: Tuffey 10-1-41-1, Bond 8-2-23-2, Oram 5-0-20-0, Vettori 5-0-18-0, McMillan 2-1-4-0, Styris 6.4-0-29-0, Harris 4-1-15-0.
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Zaheer quickest Indian to claim 100 wickets Centurion, March 14 Zaheer, who took 4 for 42 to help his side skittle out New Zealand for 146 in a World Cup Super Six match here, achieved the landmark when he castled Brendon McCullum. Zaheer, who has taken his wickets tally to 101 in 65 matches, eclipsed the record of teammate Ajit Agarkar who had reached the 100-wicket milestone in 67 one-day matches. The left-handed bowler said after the innings that he was happy to be among wickets with some good bowling performance. “I was the one who was not bowling the best in the tournament. I am happy to be among wickets today. “It is a great feeling to have reached the 100 wickets milestone. It is a great moment in my career,” he said. The four wickets made Zaheer Khan the joint leading wicket taker for his side in this edition of the World Cup with 15 wickets. He shares the place with veteran Javagal Srinath. He also equalled his career-best bowling performance today, having claimed an identical 4 for 42 against Zimbabwe in 2001. The Baroda paceman said he was disappointed for not getting more wickets after the initial burst. “I was trying to bowl up and did not try anything extra-ordinary. There was something on the track and the ball was carrying nicely. “However, I am a bit disappointed for not continuing with the start.” Though he claimed Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle in the second and third ball of the match, he gave away 28 runs in his first three overs forcing captain Sourav Ganguly to replace him with Ashish
Nehra. PTI |
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Nice to see Kaif bat well at No 4 When Stephen Fleming issued the bold statement on the eve of the match of reopening India’s wounds, many dismissed him for merely copying the Aussie style of playing cricket - firing verbal bullets before finishing the job with booming missiles on the cricketing field. The Indians were confident of the job on their hands and therefore sensibly didn’t read too much into Fleming’s words. What many didn’t realise is that was the only option at the disposal of the Kiwi skipper to try and unsettle the rampaging Indian team. Centurion Park was a totally surrounding from the last time these sides met but that was not the only difference in this Super Six match. It was mentioned in my previous piece that this Indian side was totally ‘different’ from the one the Black Caps encountered in their home series but at the same time even the Kiwis had failed to maintain their early form in the tournament. Precisely why the early morning celebrations from the fielding Indians didn’t surprise me or probably even Fleming himself. The opening slot has been one real spot of bother for the Kiwis and it baffles me why Nathan
Astle, who have done this job well in the past, is repeatedly forced to come in the first over itself but at the loss of the one wicket. Astle’s early loss was a jolt for the Kiwi and just what the Indians expected from Zaheer Khan. The left-hander, though ended up a bit expensive than he would like to, did the correct thing by pitching ball right-up there and giving the new ball every opportunity to do it’s bit in the air. That he took hundred wickets and won the man-of-the-match was just the tonic the Baroda paceman needed to get his confidence, which was not that inspiring at the start of the World Cup, back. It’s heartening to note the Indians seamers weaving their own identity in the tournament and learning from every outing. I cannot help mention Ashish Nehra time and again. Coming at one change, he kept up the pressure by bowling relentlessly on the corridor of uncertainty and removed the dangerous Styris and stuffed out all hopes of a fightback. And when Harbhajan Singh turned his arm over with a miserly spell, the final nail was struck on the coffin. Full marks to Sourav Ganguly for shuffling his bowlers well and making the correct bowling changes at the appropriate junction. A total of 147, mind you on a perfect batting wicket, were simply a disappointment for the crowd and viewers world over who expected a close finish. Stopping Indians within that total needed a miracle and they don’t happen that often in cricket. Shane Bond stood in the way of a deserving Indian win, but he lacked the support from other bowlers in the side.
Tuffey, Harris, Oram, Vettori and McMillan aren’t the likely candidates I would assign on this batting surface. Things could have been different if McCullam could have latched on the chance offered by Dravid at the start of his innings these things are a part and parcel of this game and cannot be taken for imagining a different result. I was happy to see Kaif coming out and playing positive at number four, which I have mentioned, time and again, is the perfect position for him. He has a sound temperament to fit the bill and a fifty here has proved it’s worth. So therefore by virtue of an Indian win, Sri Lanka and New Zealand reverse their roles of waiting in the wings and the Asian giants have done a huge favour towards their sub-continental friends. If Sri Lanka wins against Zimbabwe then they play Australia in the semis. Meanwhile New Zealand watch anxiously to learn their fate-for the second time.
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We were never in game: Fleming
Centurion, March 14 “We have played very well in the tournament so far and we don’t want to let it (the winning streak which stretched to seven after today’s win) get away,” Ganguly said after India laid to rest the ghosts of their disastrous New Zealand tour on underprepared pitches, overcoming the Kiwis by seven wickets in a World Cup Super Six match here today. He said the important matches for the team were just around the corner and urged his players not to relax. Ganguly once again commended the sterling performance of his bowlers and fielders who restricted New Zealand to a low score of 146, which came immediately after their humbling of Sri Lanka who were dismissed for 109 on Monday. The skipper, who won the toss and put the Kiwis in to bat in a surprising move, said he had made the decision on the basis of his team’s earlier experience in Super Sports Park. “This was our third game on this wicket and I had a feeling the ball would come on to the bat better in the second half,” Ganguly said. Man of the Match Zaheer Khan, who took four wickets for 42 runs, said he was glad that he was finally bowling upto his potential. “I was the one (among the three pacemen) who was not bowling upto my best, but today I came good. “We (himself, Javagal Srinath and Ashish Nehra) are now clicking as a unit,” Zaheer said. Zaheer also said he was “happy” for having reached the personal milestone of 100 one-day wickets today. India now play Kenya in a day and night semi-final in Durban on March 20. New Zealand captain Steven Fleming said the Kiwis were “never in the game” today. “It was a good pitch (to bowl) and would have favoured us if we had posted a bigger score. “Posting a good score is very important (in one-day games nowadays),” Fleming said. He is now keeping his fingers crossed on tomorrow’s Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe match. If the Lankans win, it will be curtains for the Kiwis but if Zimbabwe score an upset win, the Black Caps will be through for a semi-final match-up with Australia on March 18. “It’s good luck to Zimbabwe now.”
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Nehra gives all credit to Le Roux Johannesburg, March 14 Le Roux’s fitness programme is seen by many as one of the main reasons for India’s success and new approach to the game, especially in one-day cricket over the past year. India defeated England at the Lord’s in the NatWest triangular and shared the ICC Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka in a rain-hit final in Colombo. “Fitness is the most important element in a fast bowler’s make-up and for that Adrian must get all the credit,” Nehra told the Afrikaans daily Beeld here. Nehra said together with fellow pace men Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan, he was determined to do his bit to help India take back the World Cup for the first time in 20 years. “The style we three have differs and we complement each other very well. Javagal’s experience and his advice to Zaheer and me also helps a lot.” Playing in his first World Cup, Nehra is excited about the prospect of possibly playing against Australia, because he has never played against the favourites since making his debut for India in 1999. Nehra also lauded the captaincy of Saurav Ganguly, especially his constant encouragement of the younger members of the team. He said this contributed to the success of the team. In the World Cup group match against England in Durban, Nehra showed his mettle with a career best of six for 23, which won him the Man of the Match Award.
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Is Ganguly the best after Tiger
Pataudi? Saurav Ganguly has been India’s best captain in a world cup. It is arguable whether that line of thought can be expanded into a declaration that Ganguly is the best captain to have led India in cricket since Tiger
Pataudi. A probing mind, an independent spirit and, most of all, an unyielding commitment to back his bops go into making Ganguly’s persona a captain. There is no doubt that his boys, including Sachin Tendulkar, play for their captain as much as for their team and nation. Ganguly may be a tad sensitive. But can any one help it when his job entails leading a country filled with cricket supporters who are the most passionate in the world and who have this despairing tendency to throw more than a rotten egg or an overripe mango when their team fails? Ganguly can seem too intense, too cricket-oriented in his thinking. As captain, he embraces the ornate and the flamboyant. He used to wear his emotions on his sleeve when his anger would so easily get the better of him. “There are a few points to prove,” has been a kind of motivational thinking for him as it is for most Indians, who still believe the colonial yoke is yet to be exorcised. The jersey-waving gesture on the balcony at the Lord’s said it all. In gathering everyone together for one good effort at the world Cup after the shattering experience of the match against Australia, Ganguly has shown the capacity to be an inspirational leader. He has also mellowed into a mature version of himself. Of others who led India in World Cups, Srinivas Venkataraghavan was a pragmatic choice rather than an imaginative one. Kapil Dev proved the most dynamic of World Cup skippers and who led by example and also played the greatest retrieving innings in the history of the competition. Kapil helped India rally from the depths against Zimbabwe at Turnbridge Wells. His team took on two-time World Cup winners at a time when the cricket world knew no other one-day champions. But, Kapil had certain weaknesses of character in being able to relate to each member of his team. Leading by example was something Kapil could do well. That quality was so well represented in the catch he took in the final, running yards and yards back to snaffle Richards and turn a relentless tide in a memorable match which helped change the very history of cricket. Azharuddin, who led India in three World Cups as opposed to Venkat and Kapil’s two, was to become a walking disaster area as captain. He tended to withdraw into himself too much for his own good. His guiding principle that those playing for their country should know their job does not cut ice with Indians. Indian cricketers need nurturing after wandering into the top level of the game. Ganguly understands this best. He is always there to talk a key batsman back into form, ever there to encourage a bowler rather than goad him, also prepared to cast the baleful eye on a fielder guilty of a misfield. Venkat was so senior he could give a dressing down to senior players. Kapil had the earthy and warm approach but he did not always say what he felt. Azhar sometime used his captaincy to score personal points against colleagues. Ganguly’s is an all-embracing approach, combining avuncular benevolence with a dictatorial eye for discipline. The Ganguly has been able to keep a steady hand on the rudder despite his own horrendous run with the bat through the home series against the West Indies, on moist New Zealand pitches and in the current World Cup reveals a certain strength of character. No captain would have faced as much the weight of expectation as Ganguly. Kapil’s devils were not expected to win the World Cup but as defending champions they proved a failure because they could not cope with increasing expectation. Azhar’s team faced the same situation after it beat Pakistan in the 96 quarterfinal. By the same token, Ganguly can also call upon a very peculiarly Indian sense of fatalism in a dark hour. “Life will go on, “he said ahead of what was looming as India’s real chance to win a Test series abroad in England last summer. In the end, India was not good enough a Test side to do much about fulfilling that long felt desire. India’s Test record under Ganguly is no different from that of predecessors. But the success ration, also boosted by wins in Zimbabwe, the Caribbean and England is high enough to matter in number. There is no escaping the conclusion that India, favourites to enter the World Cup final, are a moderate Test side. The results of two key games — the semifinal and finals — should not matter that much. The conclusion that Ganguly has been India’s best World Cup captain can be arrived at regardless of whether he emulates Kapil Dev in winning the World Cup or not. If he does, he would be placed on an impossible pedestal. Ganguly has opened the minds of his players and of Indian cricket. A fierce loyalty built among colleagues will bring its rewards. At the same time, he has gone about mending his own form, turning it around by examining his batting, eradicating errors while still leaning on strengths. Under Ganguly, team India can pose a threat to Australia on March 23. In that lies more evidence to the argument that Ganguly is the best Indian captain at a World Cup.
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Aussies promise Kenya no mercy Durban, March 14 While Australia romped through to the semifinals with an all-win record, Kenya became the first non-Test playing nation to make the last four when they beat Zimbabwe on Wednesday. The Australians are expected to toy with the Kenyans, but middle-order batsman Damien Martyn said his side had taken note of the Africans’ giant-killing feats. “As such we respect their side all over,” Martyn said. “We have not set any targets as such, other than to go out and win by playing the best we can. “We see the Kenyans in the same light as any other side in the competition and it is our declared intention to win the World Cup without being beaten. “This is the last round robin game. The next two are straight knock-out games. “For a couple of our players this may be their last World Cup tournament. So, we want to win it in style. We don’t plan to do anyone any favours by way of team tampering,” Martyn said. The match will help Kenya get used to the Kingsmead lights under which they take on India in the second semifinal on March 20. Australia’s opponents for the first semifinal at Port Elizabeth on Tuesday will be known after the Super Sixes ends tomorrow. Kenya have already produced one of the great upsets of this tournament by beating 1996 champions Sri Lanka in the group phase. But victory over unbeaten Australia would surpass even Bangladesh’s win over Pakistan at the 1999 World Cup and rank with the most sensational wins ever known in sport. British bookmaker William Hill believes tomorrow’s contest will be a hopeless mismatch. They make Kenya 16-1 to win with Australia 1-100 to wrap up victory. However, Australian captain Ricky Ponting is unlikely to allow his batsmen to take it easy. Ponting was unhappy with the way the top order, including himself, collapsed against New Zealand during their 96-run victory at Port Elizabeth on Tuesday. “We must get some more runs on the board the next time we play,” Ponting said after a match where his side managed 208 for nine. Australia’s batting problems were used by a superb spell of fast bowling from Shane Bond, who took six wickets. Kenya’s ‘quicks’ are nowhere near Bond’s pace and will not frighten the Australia batsmen. But in the likes of Martin Suji, who took three for 19 on Wednesday, the minnows have bowlers capable of hitting a good length while leg-spinner Collins Obuya should not be under- estimated either. Kenya captain Steve Tikolo knows his side can enjoy tomorrow. “Australia is a top team,” he said. “We will just go out and play with the same attitude that has got us this far. We have nothing to lose.” Teams (from): Australia: Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Andy Bichel, Ian Harvey, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Andy Symonds, Nathan Bracken, Nathan Hauritz. Kenya:
Steve Tikolo (capt), Maurice Odumbe, Asif Karim, Alpesh Vadher, Ravindu Shah, Hitesh Modi, Brijal Patel, Martin Suji, Tony Suji, Thomas Odoyo, Kennedy Otieno, Joseph Angara, Peter Ongondo, David Obuya, Collins Obuya. Umpires: Billy Bowden (NZ) and Steve Bucknor (WI) TV umpire: Asoka de Silva (SL) Match referee: Mike Procter (RSA). AFP |
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Gilchrist backs Ponting Durban, March 14 Gilchrist, who has deputised as captain in Test matches, insisted that should Waugh decide to call it a day he would throw his support behind Ponting who has led the team to the semi-finals of the World Cup here. “Ricky is the main man in line, whether it is now or later. He’s an outstanding captain,” the 31-year-old Western Australia wicket-keeper added. “He’s grown into the leadership role and he’s obviously an option the selectors will have.” Gilchrist said Australian squad, preparing for tomorrow’s Super Sixes clash against Kenya, were as keen as anyone to find out if Test captain Waugh intended to prolong his international career. A decision whether the 37-year-old Waugh will tour the West Indies next month will be made by Sunday when the party for the Caribbean tour is finalised. “No one’s talked to Tugga (Steve Waugh),” explained Gilchrist. “It’s been discussed by the players here, not in a `come on let us know’ sort of way but more like two guys sitting in a pub. “It’s a big decision either way.” Looking ahead to tomorrow’s day-night encounter, Gilchrist said experience had taught Australia, unbeaten at the World Cup so far, not to underestimate the African minnows. “Kenya have got great self-belief and team spirit. The last time we played them (in September when Australia won by five wickets) they gave us a real scare in Nairobi. “We changed the batting order that day and won with just a few balls and wickets to spare. “You can’t take any team lightly. They’ve had a lot of critics, a lot of people said they shouldn’t be here after getting points because of New Zealand’s forfeit. “But there’s no guarantee that New Zealand would have won. Sri Lanka went there and lost.” Gilchrist said Australia had still to settle on a team for tomorrow and that it was still too early to tell if Andrew Symonds’ groin injury would keep the hard-hitting batsman out. As well as physical troubles, Australia are aware of the mental strain building up around a team expected to coast to World Cup glory.
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Jayasuriya to play today
despite tonsillitis East London , March 14 Jayasuriya, who already has a broken thumb and sore forearm from a Brett Lee hit, watched his team’s net practice from the sidelines after receiving antibiotic injections twice a day for the last four days. The inspirational captain’s health matched his team’s World Cup fortunes, which were taken out of their hands by Kenya’s win over Zimbabwe on Wednesday. Kenya’s win took them into the semi-finals and meant tomorrow’s game between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe could be meaningless if New Zealand nail down the fourth and final spot by beating India at Centurion today. But it could all turn around for the Lankans if India beat the Kiwis. Then Sri Lanka would be just three games away from a second World Cup title. “Then the game’s on, you’ll find a very committed team on Saturday morning,” said coach Dav Whatmore. “If the result goes in our favour on Friday, the boys will be jumping out of their skin.” Whatmore acknowledged that Australia and India were justifiably the hot favourites to reach the final based on form during the World Cup. But he was disappointed at the way Sri Lanka had played against both teams in their first two Super Six matches. “Australia and India are the two teams that have performed in this World Cup but we could have fought a bit harder in those games,” Whatmore said. Zimbabwe are likely to be at a low web after a humiliating seven-wicket defeat against the Kenyans ended their hopes of reaching the last four. Zimbabwe’s star batsman Andy Flower has confirmed this will be his last match for the country after a career in which he has turned in world-class performances for more than a decade. Flower has been the mainstay of a fragile Zimbabwean batting line-up during the World Cup and top-scored with 63, almost half his team’s runs, against Kenya. Former captain Alistair Campbell, who was drafted into the side as a late replacement for injured batsman Mark Vermeulen, is also expected to retire from
intentional cricket. In the Super Sixes, Zimbabwe were easily beaten by New Zealand before losing against Kenya. Even the Zimbabwe fielding, usually one of the team’s strong points, let them down against the Kenyans.
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We’ll win it for Andy: Streak East London, March 14 “Andy’s been a great servant of Zimbabwean cricket,” said Streak. “He’s a world-class batsman, his record speaks for itself. He’s up there with the legends of cricket.” The left-hander has already stated that he will retire from international cricket when his country’s World Cup campaign comes to an end — that will be tomorrow here at Buffalo Park with Zimbabwe already out of the running for a semifinal spot. “It’s sad that it’s Andy’s last game, but we’d like the game to be a tribute to him and hopefully we’ll be able to pull off a win,” Streak said. Flower, along with team-mate Henry Olonga, was involved in a high-profile black armband protest against the regime of president Robert Mugabe and was threatened with being dropped from the World Cup squad if he didn’t abandon his protest. Flower will play for Essex in the English county championship later this year. Sri Lanka coach Dav Whatmore was also full of praise for Flower. He was the international player of the year a couple of years ago, but he hasn’t done that well the past 12 months or so,” Whatmore said. “But he’s still a world class player with all the strokes”.
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Kenyan cricket owes much to Indians Nairobi, March 14 After all the two countries have had a lot in common in the last two decades. The development of Kenyan cricket, introduced first by the British colonial powers at the end of the 19th century, was later harnessed by members of the Asian community, who had immigrated from the subcontinent to settle in east Africa. The different Asian communities living in Kenya played organised matches among themselves at their own clubs. It was only a matter of time before children of African families living and working within the Asian-run institutions took interest in the sport. One of the first African players to get involved was Kenneth Odumbe — elder brother of Maurice, one of the men who has taken Kenya to the last four. He played for Pangani Sports Club in Nairobi, 1 km away from the Sunni Muslim-owned Sir Ali Muslim Club, which dominated the Kenyan cricket league from the 1960 to 1982. Odumbe laid the foundation. Others such as Tom Tikolo — current skipper Steve Tikolo’s elder brother — followed suit. Nearly the entire Odumbe and Tikolo brothers took up the sport. “Many of the black kids who lived in the government quarters used to go and watch the Asian kids play cricket and we were impressed,” remembers Tom Tikolo, who rose through the ranks to become Kenya’s first black captain. The gifted African players were not only assimilated to play for the clubs, but they were educated by their Asian employers. “If it wasn’t for the Asians, our cricket would not be where it is,” said Richard Mwangi, a veteran Kenyan cricket journalist. “All the clubs in the country were privately owned but the Asians waived the membership for Africans to play and those going to schools and colleges were paid for,” added Mwangi. “The clubs had a big role to play in our careers and the development of cricket in general,” said Tikolo, whose club, Swamibapa, paid his school fees through primary and high school and later took him to a college to study civil engineering. Tikolo, who led Kenya to three International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy tournaments, including the 1994 finals in Nairobi, was appointed the ICC development officer for east Africa in 2000. During his league days with Swamibapa, a quarry and construction-based club, Tikolo brushed shoulders with several Indian professionals who were employed by Kenyan clubs to improve the standards of the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) league. Among the professionals from the subcontinent were former India team coach Anshuman Gaekwad, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, Chandrakant Pandit and the current Kenya coach Sandeep Patil. The arrival of the professionals meant the competition between the foreign and local players intensified. But instead of the hostilities between the clubs, friendship was cemented further when the India national team and the country’s provincial sides started touring Kenya for a series of matches. “The first Indian professionals who came to Kenya between 1986 and 1990 were players of calibre and were very encouraging to our players,” said Tikolo. The India national team visited Kenya for the first time in 1992 on a stop-over to Zimbabwe. They played and beat Kenya by 80 runs. Since then the two sides have played each other seven times, with India winning five times. Kenya only registered victories in the preliminary match of the Coca-Cola Cup in Gwalior, in 1998 and during the triangular limited overs tournament in South Africa in 2001. The two teams met in the Super Six here on March 7 with the Indians winning by six wickets. AFP |
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Obuya need not sell tomatoes any more Durban, March 14 Obuya is enjoying a purple patch and is laughing his way to the bank after his team’s dream run in the World Cup and his own contribution to the unprecedented success. Obuya, till now used to earn $1,000 (Rs 49,000 approx) a year from cricket. The vast majority of his annual income came from selling tomatoes at his mother’s market. All that seems to have changed, for the better of course, after he got a few tips from the legendary Shane Warne. Warne’s tips on the flipper and wrong-un has resulted in Obuya taking 13 wickets in the World Cup so far to be seventh on the bowling list same as Australian medium pacer Andy Bichel. “In Nairobi I had a chat with Warne and he showed me some tips about how to bowl the flipper and the wrong-un,” Obuya was quoted as saying on World Cup’s official website. “I am trying to bowl the flipper. It is not coming as well as Warne can do it but I am trying,” the bowler said. Obuya will face the sternest test when Kenya take on Australia tomorrow, although both teams have already made it to the semifinals. “I am looking forward to playing Australia very much,” he said. “If I can get three or four wickets I would be very happy.” “I know Australian batsmen are very aggressive and I’m looking forward to putting the ball in the right places. I hope to get wickets,” the unassuming Obuya said. A good show against Australia will be certainly the cherry on the cake for Obuya, who also admitted money would not be as big a problem this year. In fact, Obuya’s cricketing income is all set to touch an all-time high. Kenya is guaranteed a $500,000 payout for making the semifinals, with the majority of the booty to be shared among the 15 players who have reached greater heights than any of them thought possible. The unexpected largesse was definitely not in the scheme of things for
Obuya. “Yes,” he said. “It is hard for me to believe.” PTI |
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DIARY OF THE WEEK CENTURION PARK: The talk has already veered towards nominating the best 11 players from the present World Cup. Celebrated cricket writer Peter Roebuck and yours’ truly scratched their heads on way to Centurion from Johannesburg and the 40-minute drive flew in a flash. Finally the choice was fixed on the following names: Openers: Sanath Jayasuriya and Herschelle Gibbs Middle order: Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Aravinda de Silva, Ramnaresh Sarwan Wicketkeeper: Adam Gilchrist Pace bowlers: Shane Bond, Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan Spinner: Brad Hogg or Collins Obuya. The choice of Sachin Tendulkar in the middle order would annoy many but the presence of Jayasuriya, with his left-arm bowling options, is too irresistible. Herschelle Gibbs hardly failed in South Africa’s otherwise ignominious run. Brian Lara didn’t play many innings but he looked in good touch in whatever opportunities he had and his fielding appeared sharp. And both of us were grateful that Tendulkar had agreed to be in the middle-order. Aravinda de Silva, on the strength of his innings against Australia alone-not to forget his little dibly-doblies-deserve to be in the eleven. His on driven six off Brett Lee in that game would forever remain etched in memory. Sarwan was just outstanding in the few knocks he played. He had so much time to spare and he didn’t panic even when the run-rate was climbing abnormally. Finally, his willingness to come out to bat, ignoring doctor’s advice-after being hit on the head by Dilhara Fernando of Sri Lanka-was an act of exemplary bravery. There is little contest on the choice of Adam Gilchrist as a wicketkeeper. As for pace bowlers, Bond has been the fastest and most accurate while Srinath and Zaheer as a fast bowling pair have been unmatched in this tournament. The spinner’s choice should delight the supporters of underdogs-Australia’s Brad Hogg and Kenya’s Collins Obuya have caught eye ahead of Harbahjans, Muralitharans and Saqlain Mushtaqs. Two things become noticeable from this choice of best eleven. One, there is a shortage of youngsters to have come through and made name for themselves in this World Cup. Two, there is hardly any all-rounder who has made his mark. Jacques Kallis of South Africa could have made his presence felt but he suffered from poor form. Andrew Flintoff of England wasn’t consistent enough to be regularly in news. All-rounder just for all-rounder’s sake could see John Davison of Canada sneak through on the strength of his mighty hundred against the West Indies and little spinners. The reflection also pointed towards the declining standards of cricket. It’s no disrespect to Kenya but they were able to put across three Test playing nations which was bizarre. Glenn McGrath of Australia said it indicated how much a team could achieve on a cricket field if it just had a sense of fun. Australia have appeared invincible which shows cricket suffers from a sense of competition. Indeed, just looking at Kenya and you wonder if the meeks are already inheriting the earth called cricket! |
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Paes-Rikl beat Bhupathi-Henman New Delhi, March 14 Paes and his Czech Republic partner David Rikl defeated Bhupathi and Britain’s Tim Henman 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to enter the doubles quarterfinals, according to information received here today. Bhupathi and Henman had on Monday defeated David Adams and Robbie Koenig of South Africa 7-5, 6-3 in the first round while Paes and Rikl enjoyed a bye. Paes and Rikl now face Mark Knowles of Bahamas and Daniel Nestor of Canada — who were named Team of the Month in February — in the round of 16.
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Pillay to lead Indian team New Delhi, March 14 The team comprises two goalkeepers, three full backs, six half backs, seven forwards and four coaches. The team: goal-keepers: Kamaldeep Singh and Devesh Chauhan; full-backs: Dilip Tirkey, Kanwalpreet Singh and Jugraj Singh; half-backs: Ignace Tirkey, Vikram Pillay, Bimal Lakra, Arjun Halappa, Devender Singh and Prabodh Tirkey; forwards: Dhanraj Pillay (captain), Mukesh Kumar, Baljit Singh, Gagan Ajit Singh, Deepak Sonkhla, Prabhjot Singh and Tejbir Singh. Coaches: Rajinder Singh (chief coach), Baldev Singh (coach), A.B. Subbaiah (goalkeeper coach) and Harendra Singh (penalty corner coach). |
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Harinder in
lead Chandigarh, March 14 He had bogies on 5th, 6th and 14th holes. Sandy Lehal, also of the Chandigarh Golf Club followed him with score of 73 (one over par 72). In contrast to yesterday’s eight birdies, today Sandy could only muster three birdies on the first, sixth and 13th holes. Manav Dass was placed third. He also had a par round of 71 with birdies on 2nd, 5th, 6th and 17th holes. The top 10 gross scorers in order after the second day’s play are, Harinder Gupta 139, Sandy Lehal 142; Manav Dass 143, Keshav Mishra 144, Jaideep Patwardhan 148, Anitya Chand 150, Jasjeet Singh 150, Vikram Rana 151, HS Kang 151 and Vikrant Chopra 151. The top Nett scorers after the second day are, Harinder Gupta 70, Vipul Daredia 70, Sandy Lehal 71, Manav Dass 71, Balwinder Mattu 71, Zorawar Singh 71, Kuldip Singh 71, Keshav Mishra 72, Vikram Rana72 and HS kang 72. |
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BSF hold Hindustan Club New Delhi, March 14 In another match, Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) were held to a goalless draw by Jammu and Kashmir Bank. In a rough and tough clash, BSF and Hindustan asked for no quarters and gave none, with referee C Lama of Sikkim having a hard time in the middle, due to the rough tackles of both the teams. He had to flash the yellow card six times, to quieten frayed tempers. After a goalless first half, Hindustan Club forged ahead when inside-right A Seriki capitalised on a pass from Rishi Kapoor to score a goal in the 59th minute. Rattled by the setback, BSF fought back to earn a number of scoring opportunities, but Harvinder Singh and Santosh Kujur failed to convert them. Eventually, they succeeded in scoring the equaliser in the 82nd minute when J Ouseph shot in angularly following a corner kick. |
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Centurion, March 14
