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Saturday,
July 12, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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India ensure berth in ABC championship finals Wood, Lumb guide Yorkshire to safety Taylor relives Tendulkar threat
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Waugh wishes to sign off in India No decision yet on Johnson Sehwag's ton rescues Leicestershire
Cleared Ulihrach may sue ATP
East Bengal score 11-0 victory Kahn overcomes hearing problem President hopeful of Olympics medal Narrow victory for IHF Juniors Randhawa keeps
low profile
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India ensure berth in ABC championship finals New Delhi, July 11 Having beaten Bangladesh and Nepal with century plus scores, Sri Lanka were considered to be one of the keenest opponents for the hosts, but India took them too in their stride, while gearing up for the big clash ahead, against Uzbekistan, in their last match of the round-robin league. Uzbekistan have also qualified final round, to be held in China from September 23 to October 2. India and Uzbekistan will join 14 other
countries, six of them seeded, in the finals in China. Though India scored an emphatic victory against Sri Lanka, score-wise, national coach K J Chansoria was far from pleased with the performances of the cagers, as he felt that the experienced Indians could have taken a leaf out of the Lankans’ game,
particularly in their quick passing. He noted that the Indians wasted time and energy in bouncing the ball, which often became a pointless and needless exercise. He tried to give all the players a chance, particularly the younger ones, and they came out with a satisfying performances. But some of the seniors were not that effective, though the tall and sturdy Parminder Singh, the tallest hoopster belonging to Punjab Police, seems to have loosened up a lot, in comparison to his performances in the earlier two matches. He still fumbles with the penalty throws, but by and large, his presence acted as a deterrent to the aggressive offence of the Sri Lankan players, as he used his height and body to bulldoze through the Lankan defence, and when the visitors tried to baulk him, it invariably resulted in penalty shots. Parminder Singh contributed 12 points, but the top scorer for India was the lanky Robinson, who excelled in his rebound collection, and his stunning forays bamboozled the Lankan defence. He showed quick-silver reflexes while basketing to emerge the top scorer with 17 points. The one who came through the junior ranks, Trideep Rai, who was introduced after the interval, accounted for 13 points while S Sridhar and Riyazuddin scored 12 points each. Captain Gagnesh Kumar produced 10 points. For Sri Lanka, the top-scorer was their best player, attacker Duke Rajapakse. He would have added a few more points, but the presence of Parminder Singh put a spanner in his works. India fielded their experienced bunch to begin with, but the scoring was slow and steady. Parminder Singh used the match for limbering up his techniques, and his occasional two-pointers kept up his morale.India led 25-13 after the first quarter, and widened the lead to 40-24 at half time. The younger players were brought in to the attack in the second half, which showed quick results with the scoreboard moving at a faster pace. At the end of the third quarter, India widened the lead to 73-45. The last quarter saw the return of the crafty play-maker S Gopinath who spearheaded the attack, scoring seven points himself, including a brilliant three-pointer, to ensure a century plus score for the hosts, for the third consecutive match. Scores: India 101 (S P Kadam 3, Snehpal Singh 6, Murali Krishnan 4, Gagnesh Kumar 10, Desraj 3, Parminder Singh 12, Gopinath 9, Trideep Rai 13, Riazuddin 12, S Robinson 17, S Sridhar 12). Sri Lanka:
56 (Duke Rajapakse 14, Asanka Suwaris 9, Chanath Danawansa 8, Heshan Premarchandra 8, Eranga Weerasinghe 8, Channinda de Alwis 5). |
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Indian spikers
enter semis New Delhi, July 11 The Indian juniors, who caused a sensation upsetting defending champions Brazil in the preliminary round, will take on Iran, who beat Thailand 25-16 25-22 25-19 in tomorrow’s semifinal, according to information received here. In the other semi-final, Brazil will take on Czech Republic. Brazil beat Russia in five games 25-22 17-25 25-19 20-25 17-15 and Czech Republic beat Australia 20-25 25-16 25-18 25-19.
— PTI |
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Wood, Lumb guide Yorkshire to safety
London, July 11 India ‘A’, who had taken a first innings lead of 90 runs before declaring at 336 for eight yesterday, though bowled beautifully on the final day, they failed to overcame the challenge of Wood and Lumb who guided Yorkshire to safety with their patient knocks. First-down Victor Craven (46) was the other successful batman for the hosts who declared their second innings at 296 for six in 94 overs which brought an end to the match. Yorkshire, who had lost their opener Chris Taylor for four yesterday, began the day cautiously with both Wood and Craven playing sensibly to deny the visitors any early success. The pair added 83 runs for the second wicket before Craven was castled by spinner Murali Kartik with the score reading 88. However, it failed to deter Wood from continuing with the good work as he put on 104 runs for the third wicket
Lumb. Yorkshire 1st innings: 246 India ‘A’ (1st innings):
336 for eight
decl. Yorkshire (2nd innings) Taylor c Das b Bhandari 4 Wood c Patel b Kartik 88 Craven b Kartik
46 Lumb c Jaffer b Balaji 56 Fellows c Patel b Balaji 11 White not out
21 Blakey b Kartik 20 Gray not out 34 Extras: (b-8, lb-6, nb-2) 16 Total: (for 6 wkts
decl,
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-88, 3-192, 4-214, 5-214, 6-249. Bowling: Balaji 19-6-51-2, Bhandari 12-4-36-1, Pathan 17-4-73-0, Kartik 25-5-76-3, Mishra 16-2-45-0, Gavaskar 4-3-1-0, Badani 1-1-0-0.
— PTI |
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Taylor relives Tendulkar threat
Sydney, July 11 Tendulkar enjoys an enviable record against the Australians, scoring most of his centuries against the world champions and continues to be an enigma for them. Like his successor Steve Waugh, Taylor also rates India as a special country. Taylor recalled the Test match Australia won against India in Bangalore in 1998 and his own century as also the 1996 match where India’s then skipper Mohammad Azharuddin was given out in controversial circumstances. “Bottles came flying on the field (when Azhar was given out). The good news was the game resumed after 30 minutes but the sad part was that we lost the match.” Taylor, who was one of the 147 cricketers who would be presented the baggy green cap at a reunion party of past and present Australian players, admitted it was indeed a special occasion for all concerned. “The baggy green cap is a wonderful keepsake. It is universally recognised as the greatest symbol of world sport. “I keep it well secured at home but don’t lock it away as I want to keep going back to it,” he said.
— PTI
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Waugh wishes to sign off in India
Sydney, July 11 “I would like to end my career in India,” Waugh said in an interview with PTI here. Australia are scheduled to tour India next year and Waugh has never hidden his ambition of winning a Test series in this country — something which an Australian side has never achieved since 1969. Steve Waugh-led world-beating Australian side had failed to conquer the “final frontier” in 2001. He wants to take one last shot at fulfilling his long-cherished desire. But the thorough professional that he is, Waugh said right now he was concentrating all his energies on Australia’s upcoming assignment — a first-ever Test series against minnows Bangladesh at home. “The India series is still a long way off and I am focusing on Bangladesh at the moment,” he said. One thing he has never lost sight of is his charity work in Kolkata. Ever since he visited ‘Udayan’ in 1998 after yet another Test series defeat in India, Steve Waugh has been passionately involved with the charity, visiting the home on a regular basis. He has even started a separate girls’ wing. “Udayan’ is my pursuit for life. It is not something you start and give up,” Waugh said. “I am committed to continued support to Udayan. We are soon going to start another school for 200 needy children not far from ‘Udayan’.”
Warne undeterred
Undeterred by the 12-month ban from international cricket, controversial spinner Shane Warne is determined to “come back better than ever before” and feels that the break will actually help him extend his career. Warn said the break had “rejuvenated” him, contrary to popular perception that the ban, which followed after he tested positive for diuretics, would dampen his spirits. “I am enjoying my break from cricket. I would love to come back better than ever before and play for Australia,” Warne said. “I think this break will give me a chance to play longer as I have been rejuvenated,” Australia’s most successful spinner ever said. Warne also sought to dismiss any doubts over his fitness saying he was “as fit as I have ever been”, a fact reflected in his slimmer frame. “I will start working on my game in August. I am not one to harp on the past. I am enjoying my present — being with my family, touring around the USA and the UK and playing golf.” Warne also got a vote of confidence from his Test skipper Steve Waugh. “Shane has the talent and if he desires there is no reason why he cannot come back. He is a great player and loves big opportunity,” Waugh said. And unlike Waugh, Warne is very much open to the idea of acting in a Bollywood film. “If the right opportunity comes up, I would be interested in acting in a Bollywood film.” — PTI
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No decision yet on Johnson London, July 11 Somerset seamer Johnson, 28, suffered a groin strain during England's four-wicket win over South Africa at Edgbaston on Tuesday and was unable to complete his quota of 10 overs. “He (Johnson) had a decent bowl in the nets and a bat but we'll have to see how he wakes up,” England one-day captain Michael Vaughan told reporters at Lord's today. “He's been an invaluable member of the team since he came in,” added Vaughan of Johnson who took five wickets on his Test debut against Zimbabwe. But throughout his career Johnson has suffered persistently from injuries, a knee problem earlier this season the latest before Tuesday's groin trouble. “Maybe he's just unlucky. Hopefully, tomorrow he will play.” If Johnson is unfit Durham fast bowler Stephen Harmison would be the most likely replacement.
— AFP |
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Sehwag's
ton rescues Leicestershire London, July 11 Sehwag struck 20 boundaries and four sixes during his knock as he guided Leicestershire to 221 for three in reply to Middlesex’s imposing 620 for seven declared at close on the second day. The Indian dominated the opening stand of 197 with John Maunders (55) before both the batsmen were dismissed by Chad Keegan in consecutive overs. Sehwag’s previous best score during his county stint was 81 off 84 balls against Surrey. In another Frizzle County Championship match, India’s middle order batsman Mohammad Kaif, playing for Derbyshire, failed to make much of an impression as he failed in both the innings against Gloucestershire. Kaif scored 12 and six in the two innings.
— PTI |
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Cricket
camp at Bangalore Mumbai, July 11
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Navratilova enjoys inspiring people
London, July 11 Sunday’s victory, with partner Leander Paes, was her first title since her return to international tennis three years ago and many had wondered why the 58-times grand slam winner kept going. “Whatever I do now is icing on the cake. When we won that title, it wasn’t icing on the cake, it was the cake,” 46-year-old Navratilova said in a conference call yesterday. “Now there is no doubt in people’s mind that I should keep playing but there was never any doubt in my mind that I should keep playing when I wasn’t winning anything.” After joking she might play until she is a pensioner, she said she would decide at the end of the season whether to continue a career which has spanned four decades. “It is very tempting to play at Wimbledon next year but it is also very tempting not to,” the Czech-born American said. “It would be amazing to finish at Wimbledon on a winning note but, who knows, real have no plans for it at the moment.” Even afer retiring, Wimbledon’s oldest champion said she would not be bored, instead she would turn to her hobbies of woodwork and flying small planes. “Bored is not in my dictionary, never was, never will be. I did not get into tennis or back into it because I was bored.” Navratilova said she enjoys inspiring people. “People seem to get motivated by what I still do out there. It’s not having to excel at a world level, it’s at whatever your level is,” the nine-times Wimbledon singles champion said. Most of us could do better, I’m not just talking about athletics, I’m talking about life and people get that motivation from me. I have a lot more experience than anybody else out there and I’m very happy to share that. “But I feel like an older woman playing tennis which is exactly what I am,” she said. — Reuters
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Cleared
Ulihrach may sue ATP Prague, July 11 ''It is possible that we will file for lost earnings and damages to his good name,'' Jiri Balastik told the daily Mlada Fronta Dnes. Ulihrach was cleared of the charges on Wednesday after the ATP admitted that an electrolyte replacement product routinely given to players by tour trainers may have been contaminated by nandrolone. The 28-year-old tested positive for nandrolone after a tournament in Moscow in October 2002 and in May this year was banned for two years, fined $43,770 and docked 100 ranking points.
— Reuters
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East Bengal score 11-0 victory
Kolkata, July 11 Eight players tasted blood, with Baichung leading from the front scoring thrice. Mike Okoro showed he was goal hungry after the long break scoring twice. Kuluthangan, Chandan Das, Dipak Mondal, Douglas D’silva and Malswama scored once each. Captain Suley Musah who is making it into a habit of scoring regularly also found the target with a fine header. East Bengal will take on Thailand’s BEC Terro Sasana, one of the top Club teams of Asia, in their first Group ‘D’ match on July 14 and the next match is against Army FC of Phillipines on July 16. East Bengal’s matches will be played in Jakarta. If East Bengal makes it to the quarter finals then their next game would be on July 21 against any one of the group-C teams. The teams in that group are Persita Tangerang of Indonasia, HAGL of Vietnam and telecom and Transportation of Laos. The teams in group-A are Petrokimia Putra of Indonesia, Finance and Revenue of Myanmar and Samrat United of Cambodia. In group-B the teams vying are Armed Forces (Singapore), Perak (Malaysia) and DPMM FC (Brunei). All the group A and B matches will be played at Surabaya. The quarter finals are played in the winner of a group against the runners of the other group format. The semis are scheduled for July 24 and finals for July 25. — UNI
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Kahn overcomes hearing problem Berlin, July 11 “ I hope it’s alright now,” he said as he recuperated on the sidelines of his club’s training camp in Leipzig. Kahn, who is also Germany’s captain, has endured a turbulent year in which he made headlines for admitting having an affair with a barmaid while his wife was pregnant. “Sport is the focus of my life,” said the 34-year-old. “ I did some things last year that were completely normal. But I underestimated the media my private life would attract. Naturally, I made mistakes.” Kahn yesterday said he fell into a bit of a hole after the 2002 World Cup, when Germany lost 2-0 to Brazil in the final after he spilled a shot that enabled Ronaldo to score the first of his two goals, and got off to a sluggish start last season. —
Reuters |
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President
hopeful of Olympics medal
New Delhi, July 11 For the first time in fve years a head of state interacted freely with the hockey team and his morale-boosting words had an immediate effect on the players who promised him that they would do their best. “The way they look, the way they speak, the way they won two tournaments, the way they talked to me, they should win an Olympic medal,” Kalam told players. Mixing freely in his inimitable style, Kalam struck an immediate rapport with the team members who were overwhelmed by the President’s gesture to ask each one of them to share their feelings.
— PTI
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Narrow victory for IHF Juniors
Chennai, July 11 Their “well” of prowess gushing through, ONGC bowed out of the tournament, suffering their second defeat in the three-team Pool C. They had lost to Air India in the inaugural match. Earlier, in Pool A, a young Bhopal XI shook off their first match loss to Tamil Nadu XI, when they beat MEG Bangalore 4-2, after leading by a solitary goal, scored in the fourth minute of the first half, by half-time. The fact that the IHF Juniors, putting up a hard fight through captain Vivek Gupta, who muffed a penalty stroke but made amends by converting a penalty corner, had to wait till the 80th minute for the winner, was ample testimony to the stout heart displayed by the ONGC. The winning goal came off their third penalty corner in the match, when Navpreet Singh, in front of the goal mouth, passed the ball to Vivek, who tapped the ball in with the reverse side of the stick. IHF Juniors gained three points and have to defeat Air India, if they are to top the pool on their way to the quarters. Amidst expectations of a feast of goals from them by the motley crowd, the IHF Juniors went into attack mode straightaway, propelled by the sparkling stickwork from playmaker Arumugham, who combined well with Vivek Gupta, Raju and Birendra Lakra to harass the ONGC defence. But the ONGC, under pressure to make a match of it and remain in contention, responded with equal vigor through Amarjeet Pratap, Gurpreet Singh and Mohammed Fahad. — UNI
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Randhawa
keeps low profile Kuala Lumpur, July 11 The Indian star will carry the Asian PGA’s challenge at Royal St Georges and has reached early to get in precious practice rounds at the famed links layout. Randhawa’s mindset will be simple. "Im just going to treat it as any other tournament," he vowed. Lessons learnt from his maiden outing at the British Open at St Andrews three years ago will be put to good use as he attempts to make a lasting impression this time around. "At St Andrews, I was really excited and got caught up with the hype of qualifying for the British Open and then missed the cut. "I’m going to treat the Open as another tournament. That’s the best way to do it. I must remain calm and patient when the tournament starts. I got excited the last time around and it cost me," added Randhawa. He plans to head to Royal St Georges tomorrow.
— AFP |
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New Delhi, July 11
