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Tuesday,
May 20, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Turmoil in Pakistan hockey IHF announces team for Australia tourney Kiwis secure last-over victory |
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Australia notch up 8-wicket win
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BCCI “scuttling”
Jadeja’s re-entry Seeds have it easy at ITF Futures Bhatia restricts Amritsar
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Turmoil in Pakistan hockey Chandigarh, May 19 The sack of full back Sohail Abbas, forward Nadeem, and left-half Wasim is as surprising as the appointment of former goalkeeper Ahmed Alam as skipper. The reason for their dismissal, according to General Mohammed Aziz Khan, president of the PHF, is indiscipline as the three opted to play in the German league. Incidentally in 2001, Ahmed Alam had announced his retirement from international hockey citing lack of form. In the tenth World Cup in Kuala Lumpur in 2002, his place was taken by Mohammed Qasim. Full back Sohail
Abbas, who made his international debut in 1998 during the India-Pakistan hockey series, is today rated among the best penalty corner specialists in the world. In the World Cup at Kuala Lumpur last year, Sohail Abbas and Argentina’s seasoned campaigner Jorge Lombi emerged as the top scorers of the tournament with ten goals each. Sohail is perhaps Pakistan’s first-ever master flicker who was the team’s potent weapon during the Sydney Olympics where he scored a hat-trick against Britain. More recently this Karachi-born player, whose father, Mr Iftikar
Hussain, was a cricketer, played a key role in Pakistan’s title win in the Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in Malaysia. Having already overhauled the legendary Hassan Sardar’s tally, Sohail seemed destined to become Pakistan’s all-time top scorer but his removal, along with that of Nadeem and Wasim, has blunted the advantage that Pakistan enjoyed over their rivals. The return of Ahmed Alam as skipper is surprising since he had already announced his retirement on August 17,2001, following his team’s dismal performance in the Azlan Shah hockey. With the silver jubilee edition of the prestigious Champions Trophy just round the corner, the PHF has reposed faith in the old guard but discarding a specialist like Sohail will definitely put Pakistan on the defensive. In the World Cup last year, all ten goals that Abbas scored were off penalty corners. The price for Sohail’s exclusion can be heavy because ever since his debut he has been a regular scorer. Even at the Asia
Cup, he was the highest scorer with 16 goals. Left-half Mohammed Wasim, who turned 25 on April 10, is also a highly experienced player having represented his country in the 1997 Junior World Cup, Champions Trophy in 1996 and 1997, World Cup, Commonwealth Games, and the Asian Games. Given the PHF’s style of functioning, Sohail Abbas as well as the others may also get a recall soon but by then the team might already have paid a heavy price for their exclusion. |
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IHF announces team for Australia tourney New Delhi, May 19 The squad which will be accompanied by four coaches and a trainer was announced here this evening through a fax message sent to the media. Dhanraj Pillay, who last led the country to its second-ever gold medal victory at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, will spearhead the Indian challenge in the tournament with the help of several seniors who have made a dramatic return into the team. The team does not include any new face as even the green horns like Sandeep Michael, Tushar Khandekar and Arjun Hallapa have been part of the Indian squad in recent times. The selectors after trying many combinations and permutations, have sprang up quiet a few surprises by recalling ageing former captains Baljit Singh Dhillon and Baljit Singh Saini along with three-time Olympian Mukesh Kumar. Though there are few promising younsters, the emphasis has been on experience as selectors seem to have adopted a compromising path in picking the final squad. Right half V F Vinay (IA) who was voted best played in the Aga Khan tournament recently concluded in Mumbai was not
considered and Saini has been inducted. Other teams in the fray in this tournament, Australia, Pakistan and Australia ‘A’ have announced their squad over a week ago. Significantly Pakistan has not included three of their star players, captain Mohd Nadeem, penalty corner expert Sohal Abbas and left Wasim Ahmed. All of whom were part of the winning Azlan Shah trophy team because of discipline as all three are playing in the European league with out the
permission of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). The two events to be held in Perth from May 28 to June 1 and in Sydney from June 4 to 8, IHF president K P S Gill said in a press release here today. The team: Devesh Chauhan, Kamaldeep Singh, Dilip Tirkey, Kanwaljeet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Ignace Tirkey, Bimal Lakra, Vikram Pillay, Viren Rasquinha, Prabodh Tirkey, Baljit Singh Saini, Dhanraj Pillay, Baljit Singh Dhillon, Gagan Ajit Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Tejbir Singh, Tushar Khandkar, Mukesh Kumar, Arjun Halappa and Sandeep Michael. Coach: Rajinder Singh. Assistant coaches: Baldev Singh, Harendra Singh and A B Subbiah (GK). Physical trainer: Sampath Kumar.
UNI, PTI |
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Kiwis secure last-over victory
Dambulla, Sri Lanka, May 19 Set a modest 157-run victory target, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 147 in the last over of the innings with Vettori the chief destroyer on a turning pitch. The Kiwis have now automatically qualified for the final of the tournament, which also features Pakistan. Vettori, who was used carefully by his captain Stephen Fleming, bowled four separate spells. He started his match-winning spell with the first ball wicket of number four batsman Kumar Sangakkara, who was bowled through the gate for 11. Vettori then had Atapattu caught at cover for 13 and Dilshan caught at slip for seven to leave Sri Lanka tottering on 79 for five. When both Chaminda Vaas and Kumar Dharmasena were both caught behind, Sri Lanka needed another 56 runs with only three wickets remaining. Mahela Jayawardene and Kaushal Lokuarachchi edged closer to the target, adding 20 runs in 58 balls before Lokuarachchi was trapped lbw for eight by a Scott Styris inswinger. Jayawardene added a further 15 runs in 32 balls with Muttiah Muralitharan but Vettori tempted Muralitharan (4) into an expansive lofted drive to claim his fourth wicket. Reuters/AP SCOREBOARD New Zealand: Nevin c Sangakkara b Nissanka 8 Fleming lbw Murali 16 Vincent run out 12 Styris c Kaluwitharana Cairns c Dilshan Harris run out 4 McCullum not out 47 Mills c Jayawardene Adams run out1 Extras: (b-1, lb-5, nb-3, w-4) 13 Total: (for 8 wkts, 50 overs)156 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-40, 3-42, 4-69, 5-76, 6-88, 7-138, 8-156. Bowling: Vaas 8-2-11-0, Nissanka 8-1-19-1, Dharmasena 10-2-19-0, Muralitharan 10-2-41-2, Lokuarachchi 5-1-25-0, Jayasuriya 9-0-35-2. Sri Lanka: Jayasuriya c McCullum Kaluwitharana b Adams 18 Atapattu c sub b Vettori 13 Sangakkara b Vettori11 J’dene c Harris b Styris 38 Dilshan c Fleming b Vettori 7 Vaas c McCullum b Mills 4 Dharmasena c McCullum Lokuarachchi lbw b Styris 8 Murali c Mills b Vettori 4 Nissanka not out 6 Extras:
(b-3, lb-2, nb-4, w-9) 18 Total: (all out, 49.1 overs)147 Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-43, 3-60, 4-63, 5-79, 6-87, 7-101, 8-121, 9-136. Bowling: Tuffey 9-4-22-1, Mills 8-2-30-1, Adams 3-0-14-1, Styris 9.1-0-30-2, Vettori 10-4-14-4, Harris 10-2-32-1. |
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Australia notch up 8-wicket win
Kingston, May 19 The comprehensive victory yesterday opened up a 2-0 lead for Ricky Ponting’s team in the seven-game series. The third game is in St Lucia on Wednesday. Disgruntled West Indies fans were streaming from the ground long before the end as the Australians clinically accumulated the required runs and only lost the wickets of Adam Gilchrist (27) and Matthew Hayden (51) along the way. Ponting maintained his rich scoring form and brought up his 33rd one day international half-century to remain unconquered on 57. Symonds, promoted to number four in the order, hit the winning runs off Corey Collymore to be 17 not out. The damage was done in the limp West Indies innings with pace spearhead Glenn McGrath leading the way with three wickets in his final over to bundle the home side out for a paltry 163. But it was an impressive combined performance by all the six Australian bowlers, with fast bowler Brett Lee snaring 2 for 22 and Andy Bichel 2 for 27, among them the prized scalp of Brian Lara. Backing up the four-prong speed attack were the spinners Brad Hogg and Symonds, who between them bowled 18 overs for 49 runs in the middle of the innings to strangle the West Indian scoring. The Australians remain unbeaten in one-day internationals since losing to Sri Lanka by 79 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 9 this year.
AFP Scoreboard West Indies: Gayle c Gilchrist b Bichel 28 Smith c and b Lee 1 Samuels c Gilchrist Lara c Gilchrist b Biche l5 Sarwan c Hayden Powell c McGrath b Hogg 32 Banks c Gilchrist b Lee 29 Baugh b McGrath 29 Drakes b McGrath 1 Dillon not out 3 Collymore lbw b McGrath 0 Extras: (b-2, lb-4, w-9)15 Total: (all out, 49 overs)163 FoW: 1-4, 2-21, 3-43, 4-50, 5-75, 6-103, 7-157, 8-160, 9-163. Bowling: McGrath 10-2-31-4, Lee 7-0-22-2, Gillespie 9-0-28-1, Bichel 5-0-27-2, Hogg 10-3-27-1, Symonds 8-0-22-0. Australia: Gilchrist c Samuels Hayden c Collymore Ponting not out 57 Symonds not out 17 Extras: (lb-10, w-3, nb-1) 14 Total: (2 wkts, 35.1 overs) 166 FoW: 1-50, 2-120 Bowling: Dillon 10-1-45-0, Collymore 8.1-1-35-1, Banks 10-0-42-1, Drakes 1-0-6-0, Gayle 6-0-28-0. |
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Aussies hungry for another win Kingston, May 19 Australia skittled the West Indians out for 163 off 49 overs and cantered to victory off 35.1 overs, scoring 166 for two. The victory opened up a 2-0 lead for Ponting’s team in the seven-game series. No team in international one-day cricket has come close to their winning sequence, with the odds that it will reach 20 victories in the third game of the series in St Lucia on Wednesday. “The thing with our side is it’s got just so many class players right down the list, probably more so on the bowling side,” Ponting said. “It just comes down to having a lot of good players in the side at the moment and a lot of hungry players. “We’ve got good, hungry players that want to keep improving every time they walk out on the field, whether that be at training or in a game, and that’s what keeps motivating us and driving us. “There’s a lot of hard work that goes into winning that many games of cricket in a row. One day it’s going to come to an end and hopefully it’s no time soon.” West Indies skipper Brian Lara could only agree with the dominance of the Australian team in the abbreviated form of the game. “It’s easily the best one-day team in the world and may be the best one-day team I’ve seen put together in my era,” Lara said. The Australians remain unbeaten in one-day internationals since losing to Sri Lanka by 79 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 9 this year. Since then Australia’s ODI dominance has taken in the February-March World Cup in southern Africa when they beat all-comers, culminating in their 125-run demolition of India in the final in Johannesburg on March 23. Ponting’s team has continued winning while also playing its last 13 matches without spinner Shane Warne, who is banned until next February for taking a banned drug.
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McGrath in news for right reasons Kingston, May 19 McGrath ripped through three lower-order batsmen desperate for runs in the 49th over to finish with 4-31 and earn the man-of-the-match award in Australia’s 19th consecutive one-day international win yesterday. Australia’s premier paceman has been on the rack over the last week for his much-criticised on-field rage at Windies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan in the fourth Antigua Test last Monday.
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Sarwan inspired by Waugh Guyana, May 19 “In Australia, I asked Steve Waugh what was the key to his success and he said his mental toughness and patience,” Sarwan said. “Getting advice from him was very good,” he said. A mentally tough Sarwan was responsible in repelling Waugh’s charge for a 4-0 scoreline against the West Indies in the present tour when he cracked a hundred and powered his team to a record-breaking fourth innings score of 418 in the Antigua Test. Sarwan said he could identify himself with Waugh since like the doughty Australian he also took a long time to reach his maiden hundred. Waugh took 26 Tests for his first Test century and for Sarwan it could be possible only in his 28th Test. “I was also aware that he took a long time to score his first hundred. I was reminded of it when I was taking a long time to get mine, so that helped me think positively”. “Steve Waugh’s been a big influence, not just on me but on cricketers in general,” Sarwan said. Sarwan had a torrid time as a 20-year-old youngster touring Australia three seasons ago, scoring 0, 0, 2 and 1 in the first two Tests. Though West Indies still lost the series 5-0, the young Guyanese said the tour was an eye-opener for him in more ways than one. “The tour of Australia did a lot for me, in terms of being mentally strong, because I had a pretty rough time there. Those guys play cricket very hard,” said Sarwan. In the recent Test series, Sarwan missed the first Test due to finger injury but averaged 47 in the Test series and is now looking to match his stuff in the one-dayers when he averages 55 from 34 games. Sarwan might be comfortable with his game but he is looking to change his nickname “Sars”. “It’s not a good name any more, is it,” said Sarwan. The alternative ‘Ronnie’ is not liked by him either as it is linked to his habit of being run out. “He’s the best batsman in terms of production in the West Indies team right now,” said Michael Holding. “I would go so far as to predict that he will turn out to be a great batsman.”
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Wasim Akram and his battles with India New Delhi, May 19 Wasim Akram will be missed by team-mates, opponents and fans. No less by the Indians who were at the receiving end of his fury many a time. “Akram is the best fast bowler I have ever played against in the world. His deceptive bouncers were very lethal and because of that Akram found success so often,” former India captain Krisnamachari Srikkanth said. “Akram will be remembered for ever as one of the all time greats,” said Srikkanth who led the last Indian team to visit Pakistan, way back in 1989. Akram’s retirement, announced midway through a county match in England, might have been low key without much hoopla but at least, Akram realised early enough that he no more had a chance of returning to the Pakistan team and bid a quiet adieu. More than 400 wickets in both forms of the game is a rare double that would withstand the test of time. If his 1,032 first-class wickets at 21.65 including 70 five-fors and 16 10-wicket hauls are staggering, the two hat-tricks in both Tests and one-day internationals complete the picture of an all-time great. “He was the best paceman and none of the top batsmen in the world ever felt comfortable while facing Akram,” former player and selection committee chairman Chandu Borde said echoing the thoughts of most of the Indians. Of course, what set Akram apart from his contemporaries was that he did not need to resort to any kind of sledging to earn his wickets. There had hardly been a moment in his entire career when Akram spat verbal volleys in the manner of the likes of Glenn McGrath after beating a batsman. There was not even the typical West Indian fast bowler’s cold stare on the follow-through. Just a rueful grin on the sweaty face which seemed to ask, “how could you have missed it”. Former India allrounder Robin Singh vouches for Akram’s approach to the game. “He is a gentleman cricketer and he will be missed,” said Robin Singh. “He is the most complete bowler in the world. My personal observation of Akram is that he is the best fast bowler in the world. He is a fast bowler with rare natural abilities and he has proved quite often that he can take wickets at will,” Singh told PTI. For all his exploits all over the world, Akram enjoyed bowling against India, claiming 45 wickets from 12 Tests and 60 from 48 one-day internationals. “A series against India always raises our spirit. We in Pakistan say ‘whenever you want to get back into form, have a match against India’,” the bowler himself has said often, and that may explain the levels to which he raised his game when playing against the subcontinent rivals. The 10-wicket haul by Anil Kumble might be oft mentioned feat in the last Test series played between the two neighbouring countries but the cricket puritan would like to remember Akram’s spell on the fifth morning in the Chennai Test which Pakistan won. The delivery that got Rahul Dravid was just one fibre of a magical yarn that the seamer weaved around the Indian batting mainstay. Thoughts of facing Akram would be the last thing the recently-married Dravid would want to have during his honeymoon. Akram’s battle with other leading Indian cricketers of his time was also stuff of folklore. Ever since his lethal bouncer left Srikkanth with a bleeding forehead in a one-day international in 1987-88, one may say the swashbuckling batsman failed to bat with the same authority against the
Pakistani. In the famous return series in 1989, Akram would open some of the old scars — to borrow a phase from Steve Waugh — to have Srikkanth dismissed in the seven of the eight innings. In the eighth instance, the Indian captain was caught by Akram. “I consider him a hardcore fighter who had given his best for the country,” Srikkanth said. “It was unfortunate that he faced problems from his board but he proved himself right always.”
PTI |
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BCCI “scuttling”
Jadeja’s re-entry New Delhi, May 19 The Bench comprising Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice R S Sodhi told Malhotra that he could raise the issue before the single judge, which is seized of the BCCI petition, challenging the Arbitrator’s order. Justice, Manmohan Sarin had last week issued notice to Jadeja on BCCI’s petition, challenging the award by the Arbitrator in his favour. The notices were also issued to the BCCI’s investigating officer K Madhavan, on whose report the ban was imposed on Jadeja and the three members of board’s disciplinary committee, which took a decision in this regard. The BCCI had also imposed life ban on former captain Mohammed Azharuddin and Ajay Sharma and five year ban on Manoj Prabhakar, besides Jadeja. Jadeja, Madhavan and the BCCI disciplinary committee members, had been directed to submit their replies by August 7. The Arbitrator in his order had cleard Jadeja from the match fixing allegations and said the award would become effective after expiry of three months time. However, the BCCI had filed an appeal against it in the high court on April 26, just a day before completion of the three-month period. |
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Vijay captures Byron Nelson title Irving, May 19 The 54-hole leader, Singh surrendered the lead after 11 holes, but three birdies over the final seven proved more than enough in ideal conditions at the Las Colinas TPC. Singh carded a 4-under-par 66 to finish at 15-under 265. Price, whose three-putt bogey at the 15th proved to be pivotal, shot a 65 and was alone in second at 267, a shot ahead of Australian Robert Allenby (65). Coincidentally, Singh and Price have been among the most outspoken critics of Annika Sorenstam’s participation in the Colonial tournament, which starts on Thursday. Singh made headlines when he slammed Sorenstam, saying a woman had no place in a men’s event, but he put the controversy out of his mind and let his clubs do the talking. “I spoke to my wife a lot,” said Singh, who collected $ 1.008 million for his 13th victory on the PGA Tour, his second this year. “She said, ‘Just go and play.’ The way I was playing, I just wanted to focus on my game.” He wasn’t at his very best for much of the round, picking up three birdies and two bogeys in the first 11 holes, but when the challenge was issued, he responded magnificently. Singh, who has pulled out of the Colonial, started the final round with a one-stroke lead over Jeff Sluman and three-shot advantage on Price, who played two groups ahead. A tap-in birdie at the first extended Singh’s lead, but by the time he got to the 12th tee, he found himself a shot behind Price. A birdie at the 12th made it level again, but Price birdied the 14th to regain the lead. However, his three-putt bogey at the 15th opened the door for Singh, who slammed through it by sinking a 28-foot birdie at the same hole moments later. “I never made a long putt all week, and that was it,” Singh said. “That was the one I wanted. And then I birdied 16, and that was it.” Price, who will defend his Colonial title, could only rue his miscue at the 15th, where he sent his first putt from 60 feet rocketing nine feet beyond the hole. “It was probably the fastest putt on the course, the one I had coming down the hill,” he said. “I had my opportunities to shoot 63. I played really well, hit only two poor shots the whole day.” “I felt someone was going to shoot 15-under, whether it was Vijay or someone else.” His prediction was correct as Singh won in front of Nelson, the 91-year-old tournament host. “I’m so proud to win this tournament, because of Byron,” Singh said.
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Seeds have it easy at ITF Futures New Delhi, May 19 Third seed Shruti Dhawan, who reached the semi-finals of the second leg here last week, ousted Deepa Chakrabarty 6-3 6-2 while sixth seed Sheethal Goutham defeated Anupama Rajor 6-1 6-3 in the first round matches at the DLTA courts here. Eighth seed Kamini Murugaboobathy was stretched to three sets by Sandhya Nagaraj but the former played a strong deciding set to win 6-3 4-6 6-1. The other seeds including top seed and last week winner Liza Pereira will kick start their campaign tomorrow. Madura Ranganathan ousted Harpreet Gill 6-0 6-3, Yamini Thukkaiandi defeated Parul Goswami 6-2 6-2, Lata Assudani beat Chirshant Rajor 6-3 6-1 and Rati Kumar breezed past Rani-Smita Jain 6-3 6-2 in the other matches of the day. Isha Lakhani (2), Ankita Bhambri (4), Archana Venkatraman (5), and Preeti Rao (7) are the other seeded players.
PTI |
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Bhatia restricts Amritsar Ludhiana, May 19 Amritsar won the toss and opted to bat first. They were cruising well with some patient batting performance by Munish Bhatia and Vipan who contributed 66 and 60 runs, respectively. The pair added 82 runs for the second wicket and the visitors, once were well placed with 139 for 3. Then, Rajat Bhatia and the pacer, Gurpreet Khaira, a student of plus two of local Kundan Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, exhibited some excellent bowling to reduce Amritsar’s first essay to a modest total of 200 runs after 56 overs. Gurpreet, however could scalp just one victim for 39 runs. At draw of stumps, Ludhiana, in their first innings were well in control of the proceedings with 88 runs on the board after losing one wicket in 37 overs. Brief scores: Amritsar
(Ist innings) -200 all out in 56 overs (Munish Bhatia 66, Vipan 60, Harman Bajwa 16, Rahul 16, Rajat Bhatia 7 for 38, Gurpreet Khaira 1 for 39, Yogesh Kumar 1 for 26 and P P Singh 1 for 30) Ludhiana (Ist
innings) -88 for 1 in 37 overs ( Karan Goel 25, Amrit Pal 33 n.o, Dushyant Kohli 15 n.o, and Karan Kalia 1 for 20). |
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