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Sunday,
October
5, 2003,
Chandigarh, India  
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Badani, Munaf share honours in drawn tie Yuvraj not averse to opening the innings Thrilled Chopra looking forward to first Test Test team selection on expected lines |
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Bedi’s cricket school nearing completion Wilson Jones dead Master of cue, three balls
China retain title, India
finish 4th Warm welcome for Deepak Thakur at Una
Hockey
players disillusioned
Colleges hockey PSB overcome HP Red Paramjit excels
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Badani, Munaf share honours in drawn tie Rajkot, October 4 Badani’s knock of 127 helped the home side take a slender 28 runs lead over the New Zealanders who were reduced to 68 for four before the draw of stumps at the Corporation Stadium. After Badani’s exploits with the bat, untested Patel gave a virtual scare to the tourists ahead of the first Test match when he, alongwith spinner Murali Kartik, effected a New Zealand batting collapse. Patel and Kartik took two wickets apiece to reduce the visitors to 37 for four in the 12th over before opener Lou Vincent (28 not out) and Craig McMillan (17 not out) stemmed the rot in an eventful last session of play. India A’ 28-run first innings lead looked quite impressive at one stage as the Kiwis, who had made 375 for seven declared in their first innings, lost wickets at regular intervals. First innings centurion Mark Richardson was dismissed early in his second knock when Kartik had him caught by Rohan Gavaskar at mid-on on second attempt. Richardson’s early dismissal saw a promotion in batting order for Nathan Astle, who had failed to open his account in the first innings. But the stylish batsman did not last long as he fell leg before to Patel for five. Skipper Stephen Fleming also failed with the bat for the second consecutive time when he became Patel’s second victim after making just three. Fleming, who made 27 in the first innings, was snapped by Gavaskar at the point region with New Zealand’s on 34. Three runs later Kartik dealt another blow when he had all-rounder Scott Styris snicking one to wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta. Styris failed to open his account. With time running out, the home team pressed hard for a few more wickets but Vincent and McMillan played out the remaining 15 overs to force the draw. Earlier, Badani scored a magnificent century to frustrate the Kiwi bowlers who toiled hard to prevent the India ‘A’ from taking the lead. Playing with a fractured hand, Badani struck 16 fours and six sixes during his 186-ball knock to become the fourth centurion of the match. Resuming at his overnight score of seven, Badani added 72 runs with wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta (21). The Tamil Nadu batsman, who was dropped by Paul Wiseman when on 81, reached the three figure mark in style, lifting left arm spinner Daniel Vettori for a six over long-on. Despite the injury, Badani played some superb shots all around the wicket and was the more dominant among the two batsmen. New Zealand (1st inngs): 375 for 7 decl India A (1st inngs): (overnight 216 for four) Chopra c Wiseman b Oram 66 Ramesh c Fleming b Tuffey 110 Willams c Styris b Vettori 4 Kaif c Hart b Styris 4 Badani c Hart b McMillan 127 Kartik c Hart b Oram 10 Gavaskar c Richardson b Vettori 1 Dasgupta c Hart b Tuffey 21 Sreesanth b Vettori 16 R.P. Singh c Hart b Tuffey 13 Patel not out 0 Extras
1 Total (all out, 132 overs) 403 FoW: 1-164, 2-170, 3-195, 4-209, 5-225, 6-228, 7-300, 8-386, 9-403 Bowling:
Tuffey 31-14-68-3, Oram 28-4-86-2, Styris 9-2-45-1, Vettori 37-9-96-3, McMillan 6-2-22-1, Wiseman 21-3-76-0. New Zealand (2nd inngs): Richardson c Gavaskar b Kartik 7 Vincent not out 28 Astle lbw b Patel 5 Fleming c Gavaskar b Patel 3 Styris c Dasgupta b Kartik 0 McMillan not out 17 Extras:
(nb-8) 8 Total: (4 wkts, 23 overs) 68 FoW: 1-16, 2-23, 3-34, 4-37 Bowling:
Patel 9-2-22-2, Kartik 11-1-41-2, Gavaskar 3-1-5-0. — PTI |
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Yuvraj not averse to opening the innings Chandigarh, October 4 "Given a chance, I would like to open the innings. I am confident of doing well and very proud to serve the country," the hard-hitting batsman known more as a specialist one-day batsman and an excellent fielder. "It is the first step towards the fulfilment of a goal we had set out to achieve for Yuvraj," said his father Yograj Singh. Elated at his son's elevation to the Test squad, the former India fast bowler, who played a crucial part in moulding Yuvraj's career, stated that Yuvraj had the ability to bat at any slot. "He has it in him to be successful in both the versions of the game and serve the country as a match-winner for a long time," he said. "He is totally focussed to the game and does not like anything coming between him and the game," he said. Yograj is of the firm view that Yuvraj has the talent to score 25,000 runs in both the Tests as well as one-day matches for the country. For someone as talented a batsman as Yuvraj to break into the Test squad was just a matter of time. The left-handed batsman had given evidence of his prodigious talent with the willow on numerous occasions in the shorter version of the game where he had proved a match-winner so many times. Yuvraj first gave glimpse of his talent at international level, when he hammered the Australian bowling attack, undoubtedly the best in the world, and notched up spectacular 80-ball 84 in Nairobi in 2000-01. A brief slump, when he fell to the guiles of wily Muralitharan a couple of times, and the southpaw was banished into exile. Yuvraj was again back in the team with a bang, scoring two successive match-winnngs knocks of 60-ball 80 in Hyderabad and 52-ball 75 in Guwahati one-dayers as India were able to keep honours intact against Zimbabwe. In the recent World Cup in South Africa, Yuvraj again displayed that he had the wherewithal and the guts to take on the best in the business and on the biggest stage. Showing nerves of steel, Yuvraj frustrated the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and tearaway fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and grafted an innings ( 53-ball 50 not out) of rare quality as India humbled arch rivals Pakistan. Against Kenya, he played a priceless unbeaten knock 58 off 64 deliveries, again steering the team out of choppy waters. He was not a success in terms of runs scored during his maiden stint with England county Yorkshire this year. But Yuvraj later revealed that the experience gained in English conditions would stand him in good stead for his future assignments. It later proved prophetic as Yuvraj whipped India 'A' bowlers all over the park in a Champions Trophy league match against India "A" last month, scoring a scintillating 81-ball 111 not out studded with nine fours and fours sixes. Yuvraj was adjudged the Man of the Series. Now it is up to Yuvraj, who has expressed his eagerness to play Tests —this version of the game being the ultimate test of the skills and capabilities of any cricketer—to grab the opportunity with both hands and try to replicate his one-day performance. |
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Thrilled
Chopra looking forward to first Test Rajkot, October 4 The Delhi opener, who was picked for the first Test following his impressive performance in the two warm-up matches against the visitors, said “it is an honour to play for the country and I am very thankful to the selectors who have showed faith in my ability.” “Inspite of not playing for the last five months, I scored a century against the Kiwis in Visakhapatnam and a reasonable 66 here and I am satisfied with the performance, Chopra told reporters after the three-day match between India ‘A’ and New Zealand. When asked about his pairing with Virender
Sehwag, Chopra said “I have opened with him for Delhi in first class matches and we have a very good understanding”. Chopra said he enjoyed batting alongside Sadagopan Ramesh, who had performed well for India in the past.
— PTI |
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Test team selection on expected lines My behaviour over a past couple of days has put my wife in a bit of bother. She was concerned over the excited look I wore through this period, particularly when it assumed enormous
proportions every time I settled myself in front of the telly. There’s nothing more exciting than seeing “India’s fastest bowler” in action or a trio of rookie quickies pitted against the quality batting line-up on a ‘greenish’ wicket. Considering there are few slots in the Indian Test squad and contenders filing nominations day in and day out, the India A match was worth watching. A new Chairman of selectors, some surprising statements in the press and a new home series on the anvil gave this side game some added fillip. But frankly, I hit more disappointment from Rajkot than sitting on that balcony seat watching the Big B ‘act’ in the movie Boom. Munaf Patel wasn't half as quick as he was made out to be. The promising pace sensation spent more time in the dressing room recovering from injuries than bowling on the square. The Indian Test team selection too went on expected lines. The inclusion of Yuvraj Singh was pretty evident after his interest to open in Tests became public. I believe the knock at Vizag and the fact that he is an useful left-arm spin option for the skipper on turning tracks, sealed the issue in his favour. Although Akash Chopra got what he deserved, he may have to bid his time further before he makes his Test debut. Balaji and Salvi earned themselves a place in the team by virtue of some consistent performances while selectors did well by including Bahutule in the 14-member squad for Ahmedabad. Although there isn’t any outside chance of Bahutule making it to the playing eleven, his inclusion has more to do with keeping the players’ faith in Ranji Trophy intact. After all, the leg-spinner has been a pillar of strength for Ranji champions, Mumbai and the recent Irani Trophy showing only upped his credibility as a reliable all-rounder. My heart goes out for Agarkar, who surprisingly didn’t feature in the scheme of things for the first Test, but he has some company in Ramesh, Badani and Bangar. I am sure all of them will remain in selectors’ good books, considering the team for Mohali and the Test matches in Australia will be called for shortly. Coming back to Munaf and the fast bowling discoveries, I am afraid it was nothing but hype. I am against academies pushing youngsters before they are actually ready for the big league. As an alternative, they should groom them a bit more, let them play a lot more matches and work on variations with the ball. Sadly, I didn’t find anything in them but exuberance topped with dollops of inconsistency. It’s basic that the ball should be delivered at the highest point to help gain the more bounce and a high-arm action is just perfect to make it look very elegant. However, Munaf tends to overlook all these factors at one go. Bowling with a round arm action, he loses out on bowling inswingers, so essential for batsmen playing away from their pads but by bending his left leg far too much on the delivery stride, he even fails to take advantage of that 6'3 height factor. Munaf, RP Singh and Shreesanth have the requisite talent to strike big but they need to work hard on their fitness and come back as complete bowlers. A bowler complete with speed, stamina and variety to last long in international cricket. Someone not just as a replacement for Srinath but with a complete new identity. —
Dronacharya Sports Promoters Association |
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Bedi’s cricket school nearing completion New Delhi, October 4 The former Indian cricket captain disclosed here today that the JP Group has come forward to help him realise his dream of setting up an indoor residential cricket school at his farm house complex in south Delhi which will have five indoor pitches and 21 outdoor pitches. He said the indoor school would also have residential accommodation for 25 cricket trainees. “Every dark cloud has a silver lining”, Bedi said in a philosophical vein. He said the indoor cricket school, the work on which had remained dormant for quite some time now, would become functional by the end of this year. Bedi conducted a month-long coaching camp for about 75 trainees, who were selected from all the states of north India, and a few from south, though most of them belonged to Punjab, and has shortlisted some outstanding talent, who the magic spinner of yore, felt “would one day bring laurels to the country in cricket”. He said the camp, which concluded at the Jamia Milia Islamia ground today, was dedicated to tennis ace Leander Paes and hockey star Jugraj Singh, who are convalescing after their recent hospitalisation. The boys had the benefit of getting valuable cricketing lessons from spin wizard Erapally Prasanna, wicketkeeping legend Syed Kirmani, who has since become the senior national selector, another national selector Kirti Azad, Hanumant Singh, Yograj Singh, Gursharan Singh and coach Raju Tandon. Bedi said his inspiration to take up coaching was former Director-General of the Sports Authority of India Major-General Narender Singh, who had once remarked that he (Bedi) was doing only lip service, and nothing else to groom young talent. Bedi said ever since he took up cricket coaching as a serious passion, hundreds of boys have been trained by the Bishan Bedi Cricket Coaching Centre. He said one of the most outstanding trainees of the month-long camp, right-arm off spinner Puran Pal Singh of Ludhiana, has been invited by Cricket Club of India President Raj Singh Dungarpur for trials in Mumbai. Former India captain Tiger Pataudi distributed certificates to all the boys who participated in the coaching camp. Former Test players Abbas Ali Baig, Gursharan Singh and Vijay Dahiya, Dronacharya cricket coach Gurcharan Singh, hockey Olympians Ajit Pal Singh, Zafar Iqbal and Ashok Kumar, well-known educationist R.C. Shekhar, Vice-Chancellor of the Jamia Milia University, Dr S.S. Mahadi, and Major-General Narender Singh were some of the prominent people who were honoured at the function. |
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Wilson Jones dead Mumbai, October 4 He is survived by his wife of 52 years Peggy, children and grandchildren. Jones had been ailing for some time having suffered three paralytic strokes in the past. The last stroke in May this year left him paralysed on the right side and unable to speak, though conscious. The Jones family had to seek assistance from other sportspersons and members of the public to provide for his treatment. Among the first to offer his condolences was Raj Singh
Dungarpur, President Cricket Club of India. ‘’Wilson was a pillar of strength for the billiards movement in India,’’ Dungarpur said. The CCI named its billiards room after the great champion. “I am glad we named those rooms after him. That salutation will remain forever. He was a saint among sportsmen, one which we will never see again,” added
Dungarpur. Among those who claimed to cheer Jones during his last birthday in May this year included seven-time world champion Geet Sethi. “All the cueists are thankful to him for giving us the initiative and encouragement to do well in the sport,” Sethi had then said acknowledging Jones’ contribution to the sport. |
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Master of cue, three balls
Mumbai, October 4 The first Indian to don the tag of `world champion’ in any sport, Jones never compromised on hard work and discipline not only during his playing days but also after he left it. Born on May 2, 1922, at Pune, Jones marched his way to success despite financial constraints. Jones hit the headlines after he won the World Amateur Billiards Championship held at Kolkata way back in 1958. After being satisfied with the runners-up trophy in 1962 in the next edition of the tournament in Australia, Jones regained his crown in 1964 in New Zealand. A 12-time national amateur billiards champion, Jones also won the national amateur snooker title five times. He had a distinction of playing an exhibition match in the Buckingham Palace in England in 1951. He also displayed his skills in front of the first President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad, in New Delhi. Awarded `Sportsman of the Year’ in 1950, Jones was also honoured by Government of India with the Arjuna Award in 1962 and Padma Shri in 1965. Jones, who was also the Maharashtra state billiards champion eight times won the state snooker title six times. After quitting the game in 1967, Jones gave everything he had in making champions like Subhash Agarwal, Ashok Shandilya, Devendra Joshi, Nalin Patel, Kamal Tulshan and many others. While Subhash Agarwal and Ashok Shandilya went on to become professional world champions, Devendra Joshi was a former world No 2. Thirty four years after bestowing him with the Arjuna Award in 1962, Jones won the award for excelling as a coach when the nation honoured him with the Dronacharya award in 1996. Jones also coached many state champions like Kamal Tulshan, Amit Sabu, Nickel Chokani, Chandu Shah, Satish Amarnath, Sumer Verma and Mahesh Chhabria. The demise of the genius who had such a huge legacy and numerous followers has left a void in the cue sports arena. Jones will always be remembered as India’s first world champion, who also won the hearts with his charismatic style.
— PTI |
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Randhawa
slips to tied 31st New Delhi, October 4 Randhawa had a terrible back nine and slumped to be tied 31st place at six-over 146 following a second-round seven-over 77 while Atwal had a much better round of two-over 72 and was tied 45th at eight-over 148, according to information reaching here from the par 70. On a day when the entire field struggled on the tough course, the combined scoring average being a whopping 74.07, world No 1 Tiger Woods, however, shot a stunning round of four-under 66. On seven-under 133, Woods carded the lowest round of the day and was one of only five players who managed to break par. That gave him a five-stroke advantage over first-round leader Sergio Garcia, Rocco Mediate, KJ Choi, and Tim Herron, who were tied second at two-under 138 at the half way stage of the premier championship.
—PTI |
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China retain title, India
finish 4th Bhopal, October 4 China clinched four more gold and two silver medals on the last day of the four-day extravaganza to finish on the top of the table with a total of 28 medals (19 gold, five silver and four bronze). Placed next to the China was Japan though bagging the highest number of 31 medals. Japan finished second as they won only 12 gold medals against China’s 19. Iran, the runners-up in the last edition, were relegated to the third spot with a medal tally of 29, including 10 gold, 15 silver and four bronze, to their credit. Spurred by the spectacular performance of its junior participants, India stood fourth in the overall tally after adding two more bronze medals to their kitty today. It was the best-ever display by India, who grabbed a total of 17 medals, including four gold, four silver and nine bronze. India’s two bronze medals today came in K-1 (Karma Topo) and C-2 (S Kumar and Sanjit Singh). Both the events were in 200 metres senior men category.
— PTI |
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Warm welcome for Deepak Thakur at Una
Una, October 4 Captain of the gold medal winning hockey team in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, Charanjit Singh blessed Deepak Thakur. UNI NIS cold shoulders stars PATIALA (OSR): Young hockey stars forward Deepak Thakur and goalkeeper Kamaldeep Singh, arrived at the local railway station yesterday. Officials of the district administration were not even aware of players’ arrival. The National Institute of Sports (NIS) authorities, too, cold shouldered the players as nobody from the institute was present at the station. Both Deepak and Kamaldeep are inmates of the Patiala-based Sports Authority of India’s Centre-of-Excellence and reside in the institute’s hostels. I.S. Gill, under whose tutelage Deepak, Kamaldeep and Prabhjot have been transformed into hockey stars, could not reach the station as he was away on an official trip to Jalandhar. Their arrival was in complete contrast to the high-profile welcome accorded to Deepak when he returned after the junior World Cup triumph. Senior police and district administration officials, including the then DC, Mr Jasbir Singh Bir, had been present even as traffic had to be diverted to make way for Deepak’s 70-odd vehicle cavalcade. That was last time. This time Deepak and Kamaldeep took an autorickshaw and made their way to the NIS. Meanwhile, both Deepak and Prabhjot Singh have yet to receive the Rs 2 lakh each promised by the Punjab Government after the Busan Asian Games. Gill was an elated man as yet another of his trainees, drag flick exponent Sandeep Singh, has been selected in the 24 probables announced by the IHF in preparation for the Afro-Asian Games. |
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Hockey players
disillusioned Jalandhar, October 4 Talking
about his name being absent from the team, Baljit Saini, a senior
player said, ‘‘I had already been told by coach Rajinder Singh
that there was a possibility of giving rest to the some senior players
for paving way for budding hockey players. The decision of the IHF is
on expected lines’’. However, Baljit Dhillon, another player who has been left out stated that he had requested the IHF for rest as he had played a series of tournaments. Kamalpreet,
however, refused to comment on the issue by saying that it was a
matter to be decided by the IHF authorities. ‘‘I don’t want to
say anything on it’’, he commented. Meanwhile, inordinate delay on the part of the state government in allotting residential plots, which were promised by the then SAD-BJP government to the players belonging to Punjab for their outstanding contribution in winning the junior Hockey World Cup has led to disillusionment among them and their family members. Immediately
after the victorious players’ return to Punjab, the then Punjab
Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had announced that the winning
members — Gagan Ajit Singh, Jugraj Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, Prabhjot
Singh and Tejbir Singh would be allotted residential plots in
respective urban estates. Sports promoters in the state feel that
the indifferent attitude of the state government and its failure to
meet the promise would not only cause resentment among the players,
but could also prove to be a deterrent in the way of upcoming
aspirants.
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Colleges
hockey Jalandhar, October 4 Earlier, in today’s segment of league matches the G.G.S. Khalsa College, Chandigarh, thrashed Government College, Ropar 4-0, while Government College, Dhudika sent out Barjindra College, Faridkot 3-1. The match between Khalsa College, Patiala and Lyallpur Khalsa College Jalandhar ended in a draw 2-2, whereas, DAV College, Jalandhar won 2-1 against Government College, Ludhiana.
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PSB overcome HP Red Mandi, October 4 The fast-paced encounter saw quick exchanges and off a counter-attack in the fourth minute, Jaswinder Singh of Punjab and Sind Bank record to carve out an early lead. H.P. Red boys tried their best for an equaliser but failed on all fronts.
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Paramjit
excels Jalandhar, October 4 The Spring Dale Public School won the toss and opted to
bat first. However, due to good fielding of the DMS boy’s, they were
restricted to 176 runs in 25 overs. The top scorers of their team
being Rohan (27 runs) and Sahil (29). The DMS team played with
determination and completed the target in 20.5 overs at the expense of
three players. Paramjit Singh of DMS was declared Man of the Match.
He scored 52 runs including 4 sixes and 4 four’s off 26 balls.
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MCGRATH
DOUBTFUL FOR FIRST TEST NO
HELP SA
FOR SHARJAH SAI
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Rajkot, October 4
