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Michael Vaughan puts England on top
Ganguly best among current captains
Bob Woolmer for
full-strength England
15 disciplines announced for C’wealth Games |
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Women boxers win
Asian title
Narain pins hopes on new car
Russia crush India in volleyball
Agassi, Nadal in third round
Punjab football league kicks off today
Ramesh in sight of title
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Michael Vaughan puts England on top
Manchester, August 11 The England captain ended his lean run to score 166, the first century of the series. The home side, fresh from levelling the contest at Edgbaston, closed on 341 for five after opting
to bat. For Australia, the day began perfectly when opening bowler Glenn McGrath was declared fit after missing the second Test with damaged ankle ligaments. Things, however, got steadily worse, the world champions dropping four catches in a ragged fielding display. Vaughan, who hit one six and 21 fours, was given two extra lives and also bowled off a no-ball before recording his 15th Test century. Marcus Trescothick made 63 in a 137-run stand for the second wicket while Ian Bell, struggling at times to get the ball off the square, put on 127 for the third wicket to end on 59 not out. When Australia took the new ball with 10 minutes remaining, Kevin Pietersen was caught on the boundary off Brett Lee for 21, and Lee bowled nightwatchman Matthew Hoggard on the last ball of the day. Leg spinner Warne, brought on after lunch, dismissed Marcus Trescothick for 63, caught behind by Adam Gilchrist off an attempted sweep. The crowd rose to give Warne a standing ovation as his team-mates congratulated him. The 35-year-old Warne saluted back by holding the ball above
his head. The 600th wicket, in the 42nd over of the innings and Warne’s fifth, also involved some luck, the ball appearing to hit the left-handed Trescothick’s pad, glove and bat before bouncing up off wicketkeeper Gilchrist’s thigh. The day had begun with McGrath in the spotlight as he was declared fit. He looked as good as ever today but had no luck at all. Trescothick, beaten repeatedly, should have been out to McGrath again on 13 but Gilchrist stuck out one hand when he might have got two to the chance and spilled it. Lee was causing as much trouble at the other end. Andrew Strauss pulled too early at a 95 mph lifter and took a blow just under his jaw line. He had not added to his six runs when he played too early at a finely disguised slower ball from Lee in the next over and was yorked, giving the bowler his 150th Test wicket. Scoreboard England Trescothick c Gilchrist b Warne 63 Strauss b Lee 6 Vaughan c McGrath b Katich 166 Bell not out 59 Pietersen c sub b Lee 21 Hoggard b Lee 4 Extras
(b-4, lb-3, w-2, nb-13) 22 Total (5 wickets, 89 overs) 341 Fall of wickets:
1-26, 2-163, 3-290, 4-333, 5-341. Bowling: McGrath 19-3-76-0, Lee 19-6-58-3, Gillespie 15-2-89-0, Warne 27-5-75-1, Katich 9-1-36-1.
— Reuters |
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Ganguly best among current captains
Somehow, I also feel drawn into the captaincy debate currently on in India. Should it be Sourav Ganguly or Rahul Dravid? One is proven, the other has promise. One is charismatic, the other low-profile, but all substance. Who is the one we are looking to lead India into the next World Cup?
We in Sri Lanka too are handling the captaincy issue in our own way. I, as head of the cricket committee, strongly feel we should make up our mind and appoint a captain for the next two years. A captain needs to be in control of things to manage men and matters and put strategies and methods in place. India should also look to have a leader for a longer period. Half measures will not work. I start with my impressions about Ganguly. I have known him for long and feel he is the best of the current lot in world cricket. He is imaginative and backs talented youngsters. I used to do the same when I was at the helm: I remember Chaminda Vaas needed a dose of confidence every now and then when he started. I am also not convinced about the two theories doing the rounds in India: that a captain’s life on the shelf is only for four or five years and that Ganguly is not good enough to hold his position in the team as a batsman. Again, I will go to my example to stress the point. I captained Sri Lanka for nearly 10 years and am absolutely convinced my best came in the final five or six years. The first 3 or 4 years were spent in learning and was possibly defensive. So Ganguly’s longevity should not be held against him. It is not his fault if he has been successful. You do not shoot a horse in the leg when it is still serviceable. Another issue is about his batting. I do not think Ganguly is finished as a batsman. He may not be as high-scoring as he was a few years ago, but only the other day, he completed his 10,000 runs in one-day cricket and is the youngest of the four others to do so. He can hold his position in the team and he still has a healthy average. Let us now look at the issue from Rahul Dravid’s perspective. He has lately emerged as India’s best batsman in both forms of cricket: I do not think there is any room for argument on this score. His dedication and commitment to his team is exemplary. He is rock solid and can inspire the men around him. Dravid is also pretty selfless. He was the strongest pillar on whom Ganguly rose to great heights as captain. We in Sri Lanka do it all the time. Even as Marvan Atapattu is emerging as a capable leader, you would see a Sanath Jayasuriya helping him with field settings in the first 15 overs. A Muralitharan is always talking to the bowlers and giving them ideas. Sharing the burden is a sign of a happy, trusting team. Dravid has not done badly as captain in the tournament. He reacted to situations quickly and offers promise. His supporters, of course, will like him to be at the helm as he is 33 and it is now-or-never for him. In two years’ time, it may be too late for him. I have not seen enough of him as captain to pass a judgment. But it is difficult not to like him. He needs time to adjust. If I could offer advice, I would ask the Indian media and a few motivated officials to stop fishing in troubled waters. Your agendas can wait in matters of national importance. Cricket brings happiness to multitudes: our masses identify strongly with the cricket heroes and their performance. Let the best men and leaders be there on the field. Your personal choices should have no role. I know how the Indian media could fall into that north-west or east-south trap. Selectors too should be men of integrity and be able to look themselves in the mirror in the morning. I have always been against this zonal representation among selectors. Let the best four selectors, even if they are from one state, choose the team of India. In Sri Lanka, the government has interfered in the matters of cricket and in the new cricket hierarchy, you will see better results. It is good to get rid of the baggage of previous cricket officialdom. Those who matter in Indian cricket must decide whether they want a short-term or long-term plan. If it is long-term investment, they need to look at things dispassionately. They need not gloss over the tardy fielding or the place of a few seniors in the one-day context. If India are looking for a place in at least the semifinals of the next World Cup, they need to bring out the surgeon’s scalpels now.
— PTI |
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Bob Woolmer for
full-strength England side in Pak
Karachi, August 11 There are fears that some leading English players may opt out of the tour because of safety concerns.
— Reuters |
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15 disciplines announced for C’wealth Games
New Delhi, August 11 Mr Kalmadi said on a representation from the Organising Committee, the CGF lifted the cap of 15 games, giving India the choice of including more than 15 events. He said 15 disciplines — aquatics, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowling, netball, rugby 7’s, shooting, squash, table tennis, weightlifting and wrestling — had been included in the games, and some more would be added from disciplines such as archery, cricket, tennis, judo, billiards and snooker, handball, rowing and basketball with the concurrence of the CGF General Assembly. At the Organising Committee meeting in the afternoon, attended by the who’s who of the country’s policy-makers, industrialists and sportspersons, there was strong demand for the inclusion of golf, chess, cricket and tennis as India was very strong in these events, and stood a very good chance of winning medals. Prominent sportspersons who are members of the organising committee are IOA Secretary-General and former Asian Games shooting gold medallist Raja Randhir Singh, who is also the vice-chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, former Indian cricket captain Bishan Singh Bedi, cricketers Navjot Singh Sidhu and Abbas Ali Baig, Athens Olympics silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Sydney Olympics bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari, former athletics star Ashwani Nachappa, former women’s hockey team captain Sita Gossain, 16-time national squash champion Bhuwaneswari Kumari and several others. Mr Kalmadi said the laughing tiger has been chosen as the mascot for the games, though the name of the mascot would be announced only during the closing ceremony of the next Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006. Mr Kalmadi has requested Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, who was also present at the meeting, to organise a contest at the school level to find a suitable name and slogan for the mascot. The name of the mascot for the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi —Appu — was selected after a nationwide contest. Mr Kalmadi said around 8,000 participants from 71 countries would participate in the 2010 games. He said India has also bid for the 2014 Asian Games and would be bidding for the 2016 Olympic Games as well, as a follow-up of the successful Commonwealth Games bid. Mr Kalmadi said India was almost sure of winning the 2014 Asian Games bid as the other contender, Busan in South Korea, had organised the Asiad in 2002, and therefore stood little chance of getting the votes of the Olympic Council of Asia. Mr Kalmadi thanked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his active interest in the games as he had taken the initiative to constitute the GoM (Group of Ministers) under the chairmanship of Union Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh to give full support to the Organising Committee. Mr Kalmadi said the operational budget of the games had been pegged at Rs 802.23 crore while the expected revenue would be Rs 909.60 crore, which would include sponsorship fees, host broadcasting rights, merchandising/licensing and ticketing. The estimates have been computed by the Sports Marketing and Management firm, which is handling the marketing of the Melbourne Games. The Queen’s Baton Relay, the curtain-raiser to every Commonwealth Games, containing the Queen’s message to athletes, was flagged off by Queen Elizabeth II on March 14. The baton will travel to all 71 countries of the Commonwealth, and reach Delhi on September 13, 2005. The Delhi relay will be held on September 14 from Red Fort to the National Stadium. The baton relay will be held in Agra and Kolkatta also. India has been given a 20-minute slot during the closing ceremony of the Melbourne Games to showcase India and Delhi, and the preparations for the 2010 games. He said over 2000 trained artistes would be taken to Melbourne for the event to put up a magnificent spectacle. The CGF flag will be handed over to Delhi at a ceremony during the closing function of the Melbourne games. Mr Kalmadi said the Organising Committee would seek Rs 200 crore every year for the next five years from the Central Government for the preparation of the Indian sportspersons for the 2010 Games as the aim was to bring India among the 10 best sports nations in the world. |
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New Delhi, August 11 India led the charge from the very first bout in the finals when MC Marykom thrashed Greatchen Abaniel of Philippines on points 35-11 in the 46 kg class to win the first gold of the event. Another
Manipuri pugilist, L Sarita Devi, also showed top form to defeat Ha Son
Bi of North Korea without much difficulty in the 54 kg section. Jenny RL
of Mizoram impressed with a 35-20 win against host Taipei’s boxer Sie
Wan Jyun in the 63 kg section. In the 70 kg class, Kerala’s Aswathy
Mol was at her best as she outscored Hu Ya Ming of Taipei in the second
round of the bout with the referee stopping the contest, declaring the
Indian winner. Karamjeet Kaur of Punjab got the better of Liao Hut-Weiv of Taipei 32-15 for the top honours in the 75 kg class. In
the final of the 80 kg section, Lekha KC, also from Kerala, defeated
Taipei’s Chen Chu Chu in the first round, the Indian Amateur Boxing
Federation said. — PTI |
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Narain pins hopes on new car
Chennai, August 11 “I want to be on the podium more than once, but the current package of the car allows me to compete with teams like Minardi and my team-mate (Tiago) Montiero.” “Minardi have been quick in qualifying but sometimes their fuel lasts just enough. In the actual racing scene, they were last down almost,” he said. Jordan’s new EJ15B car was expected to be launched after next week’s race in Turkey. “Then we will be able compete with bigger teams,” he said. On a Formula One track in India, he said, “Many state governments have shown interest. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was interested on a track in May 2005. I would like that to happen in Tamil Nadu.” “It takes more than what we think of when it comes to the F1 track. A lot of infrastructure and other things are required. But it is certain that without government support, it is going to be a mission impossible,” he added. Asked to say whether auto major Tata Motors was looking at owning an F1 team, he said “I wish it happens. India having a F1 team is a wonderful idea and a good thing to happen. But it is quite a while away. It is an idea. I do not know whether it will come through immediately.” Replying to a question, Karthikeyan disagreed that Michael Schumacher was on the wane. “Ferrari and Michael lost in performance and others picked up. In two months time, you cannot say much about one’s capabilities. Michael is Michael, a seven-time world champion.” Karthikeyan said the ‘one-tyre’ rule was going to be changed next season. He said, “the rule is the same for everyone, but it is hard on rookies. Most of the teams do not bother because there is a penalty for change of tyres.” Asked to say whether he would be able to drive as a paid driver next season for a new team, Karthikeyan said, “It is true that some of the teams have shown interest in this matter. Six more races to go for the season. Nothing has been finalised as yet and everything is open at the moment.” “Any team that I sign with for the next season will come down to India and sign a deal with a few corporates. India is a good market for them,” he said. As for the races, he said “I take good and bad aspects as part of my racing career. I went through a bad patch. I have come out of it now. I was prepared to drive for any team this year.” “Since I am already there now, having gained some experience, I must look forward to show higher results and move higher levels too. I will stay in the circuit for a couple of more years.”
— PTI |
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Russia crush India in volleyball
Visakhapatnam, August 11 Russians completed the league outings, winning against the hosts with ridiculous ease in the shortest match of this championship, which lasted just 57 minutes with the score 25-18, 25-15, 25-16. They will meet the Netherlands in the semifinal tomorrow. In Pool B, the Netherlands became the second team to qualify for the last-four stage, defeating lowly Tunisia 25-14, 23-25, 25-15, 25-19. Brazil had already qualified from the pool with four wins in four outings.
— UNI |
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Tonique, Clay win gold
Helsinki, August 11 America’s Bryan Clay, last year’s Olympic Games decathlon silver medallist, also grabbed an impressive gold from last year’s Athens hero Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic yesterday. The USA celebrated a second success as another of their new kids on the block, Tianna Madison, won the women’s long jump title at the tender age of 19, seeing off the Olympic bronze medallist Tatyana Kotova and defending champion Eunice Barber of France. Despite the absence of four-time champion Hicham El Guerrouj, a Moroccan still won the men’s 1500m title. Rashid Ramzi now runs for Bahrain. Finland’s hopes of winning their first gold medal ended in disappointment as their javelin finalists failed to medal in appalling weather conditions, which brought rain and biting cold. But there was some consolation as Andrus Varnik of Baltic neighbours Estonia turned his silver from the 2003 championships into gold. Clay dominated the decathlon after looking like having a nerve-wracking duel with Sebrle following the first day’s events. The 25-year-old finished on 8,732 points after the 10 gruelling disciplines, while Sebrle was 211 points behind on 8521. The modest American said he only thought about gold in the last event, the 1500m, but promised that this was only the beginning of more to come — like breaking the world record.
—AFP |
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Montreal, August 11 A long rain delay could not stop Rafael Nadal of Spain as the top seed romped to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Brazil’s Ricardo Mello. CARSON (USA): Fourth-seeded Russian Nadia Petrova, still seeking her first WTA Tour title, cruised into the third round here. She beat American wild card Jill Craybas 6-3, 6-1 on Wednesday. Third-seeded Elena Dementieva joined Petrova in the third round by ousting unseeded Australian Samantha Stosur 6-4,
6-3. — AP, AFP |
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Punjab football league kicks off today
Chandigarh, August 11 According to Arjuna awardee Inder Singh, secretary of the Punjab Football Association, the league will be played on home-and-away basis on the pattern of the National Football League. The centres scheduled to host the matches are Phagwara, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, and Mahilpur. Arjuna awardee Gurdev Singh Gill has been
nominated as project director. The league is scheduled to end on September 19. The kick-off time for all matches will be 4.30 pm. Guru Nanak College, Phagwara, will be JCT Football Academy’s home ground. Punjab State Electricity Board have opted for the PSEB football ground in Hoshiarpur while Punjab Police will play their home matches at the PAP Football Stadium, Jalandhar Cantt. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahilpur, and BSF Football Stadium, Jalandhar Cantt, will be the home grounds of Mahilpur FC and BSF, respectively. For JCT Mills, the home ground will be the JCT Football Stadium,
Phagwara. On the opening day tomorrow, JCT Football Academy will meet Mahilpur FC at Phagwara. |
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Ramesh in sight of title
New Delhi, August 11 Two rounds remain in the premier Swiss event that will select the top 14 contestants for the National A Chess Championship. Others following Ramesh with 8.5 points are PDS Girinath of Andhra Pradesh, S Arun Prasad and BT Muralikrishna of Tamil Nadu, DP Singh of Jharkhand and BS Sivanandan. Defending champion Sriram Jha, with 12 other players with eight points each, are placed third while another 14 are on 7.5 points each. |
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