Athletic trials

Aussie eve smashes C'wealth hammer throw record

TT tournament

Punjab judo team

Basketball trials

England complete a famous series win

LEEDS, Aug 10 (Reuters) — England completed a famous victory on the final morning of the fifth and final Test against South Africa at Headingley today to clinch their first five-Test series win in nearly 12 years.

The last two South African wickets fell for 10 runs to leave the tourists 24 runs short of their target of 219, giving the series to England 2-1.

Having recovered from the depths of 27 for five, South Africa resumed on 185 for eight but lost Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini within half an hour’s play to be all out for 195.

Darren Gough, with figures of five for 36 overnight, trapped Ntini lbw for a duck to finish with the career-best figures of six for 42 to seal the match and series.

The Yorkshire fast bowler sank to his knees with the deafening cheers of some 10,000 spectators ringing in his ear and his teammates clammering to congratulate him.

England came back to win the fourth Test after losing the second Test and drawing the first and third matches. They wrapped up the series, Alec Stewart’s first as captain, in Leeds to end a bleak run against the game’s heavyweights.

It was England’s first victory in a five- or six-Test series since the 1986-87 Ashes tour of Australia and their first on home soil since 1986 when they again triumphed in an Ashes series.

Donald was the first to go after adding two to his overnight pair of singles. Angus Fraser, who finished with three for 50, had Donald caught behind by Stewart in the sixth over of the morning.

The last time England were involved in a Test as close and as tense as this was in 1982-83 in Melbourne when Alan Border and Jeff Thomson started the final morning needing 37 to win.

On that occasion Australia scraped to within four runs of victory before Thomson edged Ian Botham at second slip only for Chris Tavare to fumble the catch, but Geoff Miller caught the rebound and England won by three runs.

Apart from the honour of victory, both teams were playing for record prize money with the England Cricket Board (ECB) paying a win bonus of £200,000 (about Rs 1.37 crore) to their team and the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) offering 500,000 rand (about Rs 34.23 lakh) for a series win.

SCOREBOARD
ENGLAND (Ist innings) : 230
SOUTH AFRICA (Ist innings) : 252
ENGLAND (2nd innings) : 240
SOUTH AFRICA (2nd innings) :
Kirsten c Atherton b Gough 3
Liebenberg lbw b Gough 6
Kallis lbw b Fraser 3
Cullinan lbw b Gough 0
Cronje c Stewart b Fraser 0
Rhodes c Flintoff b Gough 85
McMillan c Stewart b Cork 54
Pollock not out 28
Boucher lbw b Gough 4
Donald c Stewart b Fraser 4
Ntini lbw b Gough 0
Extras (lb-6, nb-2) 8
Total 195
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-12, 3-12, 4-12, 5-27, 6-144, 7-167, 8-175, 9-194.
Bowling: Gough 23-6-42-6, Fraser 23-8-50-3, Cork 17-1-50-1, Flintoff 4-0-13-0, Salisbury 8-0-34-0.

JCT qualify for main round
By Amardeep Bhattal
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — JCT Phagwara kept their reputation intact by emerging deserving winners in the North Zone Kalyani Black Label Federation Cup Football Tournament edging out Punjab State Electricity Board by two goals without reply at the Sector 17 Football Stadium here today.

By virtue of today's victory, JCT not only wiped out bitter memories of the defeat in the Punjab State Super League at the hands of the powermen but also qualified for the main round of the Federation Cup scheduled to begin in Delhi on August 19. Eight top national outfits, including holders Salgaocar, last year's runners-up East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Mohammedan Sporting, Churchill Brothers, Dempo, BSF and ITI are already seeded in the last 16.

The Phagwara team's rise from the 'ashes' after the second big exodus last season has been phenomenal. Today's victory should serve as a great morale booster for coach Sukhwinder and former internationals Inder Singh and Parminder Singh who are engaged in a major exercise of putting together a winning combination comprising mostly local players after a series of setbacks over the last two seasons.

With players like Musa Alieu, Manjinder, Manjit, Emeka Achilefu, Arvind Kumar and Harsharanjit, having left for greener pastures at the conclusion of the last season and with star striker Stephan Abarowei yet to report back, the JCT management indeed had a tough task at hand for the current season. Nevertheless players like Hardeep Singh, into his second season with the millmen, Sukhdev Singh, Harjinder Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Tarsem Lal and Jasbir Singh today proved that they still have the capability of turning the tide against major outfits on their day.

Taking the field without key striker Hardeep (Junior) who pulled a hamstring in the semifinals, JCT went all out for victory today and for the large crowd it was indeed a treat as such contests have rarely been witnessed in the city. The millmen held complete sway over the proceedings for a major part of the game and could have won by a bigger margin had they not muffed some easy chances.

PSEB, on the other hand, were a pale shadow of themselves and seemed to be bereft of ideas in the face of repeated onslaughts. Star midfielder Parvinder and strikers Sandeep Saini and Kuldeep Singh were allowed little room to manoeuvre.

JCT went on the offensive right from the kick-off but the first serious attempt was made in the 10th minute following a Rampal-Daljit move but Hardeep (Senior) shouldering added responsibility in the absence of his namesake, failed to provide the finishing touches.

PSEB counter-attached through Gurdish whose long ranger from the top of the box was punched over the bar by the goalkeeper.

In the 29th minute, JCT's star striker Sanjay Majhi had to be carried out on a stretcher but two minutes later the millmen shot into the lead following a move by centre-half Harjinder Singh. Harjinder's pass to Sukhdev saw the latter putting Bhupinder in possession who blasted home from close range to make it 1-0 in favour of his team.

Majhi returned a minute later only to muff an easy chance when midfielder Bhupinder had moved in cutting through two defenders. Bhupinder gave a quick pass to Majhi who beat one defender before taking an angular kick but unluckily the ball struck the goalpost.

The second goal for JCT came in the 42nd minute when Rampal centered the ball for Sanjay Majhi standing on the top of the box. With full confidence, Majhi aimed a powerful right footer which gave the PSEB custodianno chance (2-0).

JCT kept up the pressure with Hardeep (Senior) orchestrating several moves on the right flank. However, they could not consolidate their lead any further.

After the lemon break, JCT made a couple of substitutions with Charanjit Singh coming in place of Sanjay Majhi and Balbir Singh taking the place of Jasbir. But Charanjit was a little slow in his movements although Balbir did show some promise.

PSEB got a good chance to reduce the margin in the 72nd minute following a cross by Sukhbir from the left corner. JCT's stopper back Ranjit Singh failed to make an interception and the ball came to Kamaljeet of PSEB. Despite being at hand-shaking distance from the JCT goalkeeper, Kamaljit fumbled in taking a kick and thus let the chance go waste.

With time running out, PSEB initiated some moves through Sandeep Saini and Kamaljeet but luck did not favour them.

Commenting on today's victory, JCT coach Sukhwinder Singh said his team played well and had shown improvement after every match. "We hope to perform better in the main round as we will be going with renewed confidence," he added.

Selection along predicted lines
By Abhijit Chatterjee
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — The selection of the probables for the first training camp for next year's World Cup scheduled to be held at Chennai from August 21, now increased to 22 after permission from the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Mr Raj Singh Dungarpur, has gone along predicted lines. There is no surprise . The reason why the national selectors increased the number of probables to 22 is the fact that India will have to field two teams in international fixtures simultaneously — the Sahara Cup at Toronto and the Commonwealth Games.

By bringing back both Navjot Sidhu and Rahul Dravid, arguably the most technically perfect batsmen India has today, the national selectors have admitted that batting in England, venue of next year's World Cup, will be a totally different cup of tea.The ball seams a lot in England in June (when the World Cup will be staged) and it will be good to have players like Navjot and Rahul in the wings specially if the opening pair of Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly fail to come to terms with the conditions.

It is a well known fact that both the skipper Mohammad Azharuddin and cricket manager, Anshuman Gaekwad, do not have much love for Navjot Sidhu. But the fact that he still made it to the list of 22 goes to the credit of the national selectors, who must have stood their ground when the name of the Punjab opener was discussed.

The recall of Rahul Dravid was also expected. While still saying that he is not the ideal one-day batsman the national selectors are hoping that that the Karnataka batsman will pick up some tips from former Australian skipper Bobby Simpson, who will be the consultant for the Chennai training camp.

That allrounders are going to play a major role in the proceedings is apparent from the fact that the selectors have opted for eight allrounders, in a squad which has nine specialist batsmen, six medium pacers, four spinners and as many as three wicketkeepers.

That this is not actually the final line-up from whom the squad for the World Cup will be selected was indicated by the chairman of the national selectors, Mr Kishan Rungta, himself. With the annual general body meeting of the BCCI scheduled to be some time in September end, it is quite likely that there will be certain changes in the selection committee also. And each national selector will have his own likes and dislikes when it comes to picking up players on the fringe of national selection.

The one "new" name in the list of 22 is that of Delhi medium pacer, Robin Singh (Jr) currently touring Holland with the India "A" squad. In the reckoning for quite some time this Robin Singh is heading for his big break at the age of 28, like his other counterpart from Tamil Nadu. Robin , according to Kishan Rungta, has been on the evaluation board since last year's camp at Bangalore. He was among the 27 probables there.The then chairman, the late Ramakant Desai, was impressed by Robin Singh's ability to bowl fast and move the ball.

The selection of three wicketkeepers gives clear indication of the BCCI's decision that this group of 22 probables will be divided into two teams which will do duty at Toronto and the Commonwealth Games. To make up the list of 14 for each international outing the selectors will have to look around and induct players maybe from the India "A" team currently touring Holland.

While the list includes six medium pacers, including Jagaval Srinath, who showed no signs of the injury which kept him out from international cricket for so long in the Diana memorial match at Lord's, there are only four spinners, including Mumbai's leg spinner Sairaj Bahutule, whose usefulness in one-day cricket is yet to be proved in spite of so many opportunities.

Setback for Kunte; Konguvel wins

KOSZALIN (Poland), Aug 10 (PTI) — Former national ‘A’ winner IM P. Konguvel scored a splendid win over GN A. Khasin of Russia but IM Abhijit Kunte’s final GM norm hopes received a setback as he suffered his first loss against highly rated Czech GM Z. Hracek in the seventh round of the M.K. Cafe Cup International Chess Tournament here yesterday.

Konguvel (4) defeated Khasin in a flamboyant style to keep alive his chances for the title and IM D. V. Prasad (3) shared the point with local GM Robert Kuczynski while Rahul Shetty lost to WGM Joanna Dworakoska of Poland.

Kunte (4) and Konguvel both face a difficult task of scoring 2.5 points from the remaining three rounds to achieve their final norm and Grandmaster title.

GM Igor Khenkin (6) maintained his lead followed closely by GM S.Sulskis (5.5) going into today’s rest day.

Kunte played Ruy Lopez Tchigorin variation against Hracek, who made a strong improvement on existing theory. Kunte landed in an inferior position and could not extricate himself from the mess and lost.

Playing white against the classical variation of Sicilian defence employed by Khasin, Konguvel offered two pieces as sacrifice, but the Russian GM chose to refuse the offer to take his king to safety. But he landed into a bad position and Konguvel won with precise play.

Prasad (3) drew against GM Robert Kuczynski in a Sicilian defence Najdorf variation game with white pieces. Rahul Shetty (2) suffered another loss on time in sudden death finish in a totally winning position against Dworakowska.

Other results:
GM Kengis (5) drew with GM Igor Khenkin (6),
GM S.Sulskis (5.5) beat GM E.Sutowsky (4.5),
GM Krasenkow (4.5) drew with GM I Novikov (5),
GM Z. Hracek (5) beat I.M. A. Kunte (4),
GM Movsesian (4.5) drew with GM M. Bizodsky (4.5).

Rafter wins Canadian Open

TORONTO, Aug 10 (Reuters) — Australian Patrick Rafter completed a sensational week of tennis by winning the Du Maurier Canadian Open beating Richard Krajicek of the Netherlands yesterday.

The third seed survived boiling heat and humidity to defeat the sixth-seeded Krajicek for only the second time in eight tries. He did not lose a set in five matches, becoming the first player to do so at the Canadian Open since Czech Ivan Lendl 10 en years ago.

Rafter improved his world ranking from fifth to third behind top-ranked Marcelo Rios of Chile and American Pete Sampras, who dropped to second with his defeat by Andre Agassi here on Friday.

Rafter broke Krajicek’s serve at 4-all in the opening set to take the lead. "I had a good chance with a break point at 4-all in the first set," said Krajicek. "He stayed back on a second serve and I hit a good backhand return but he came up with a good forehand."

The Dutchman said getting the lead in the opening set was crucial on such a hot afternoon. "The first set was very important," Krajicek said, "and in the second set I got a little tired. I started getting a little less from my serve."

Krajicek broke Rafter for a 3-1 lead in the second set but Rafter broke right back. He began with a seemingly impossible chase for a backhand that he angled acutely cross-court, surprising Krajicek at the net.

Title for Davenport

CARLSBAD, (California), Aug 10 (Reuters) — Lindsay Davenport won her second title in as many weeks with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over hobbled giant-killer Mary Pierce in the final of the Toshiba Classic tournament here yesterday. "I played well," said second-seeded Davenport. "It’s unfortunate Mary got hurt. She played a great match yesterday. You can just do the best you can out there. Today, I had a little bit of luck on my side and was able to pull it out."

The unseeded Pierce had surprised third-seeded Venus Williams before stunning world number one Martina Hingis with stirring come-from-behind semifinal win.

However, the 23-year-old French star fell short in a bid for her third title of the year due in part to a pulled right thigh muscle suffered in pre-match warm-ups.

Davenport, who improved to 5-2 over Pierce, showed a brilliant arsenal of searing groundstrokes and effective serves in the romp for her 16th career title and third in 1998, Ranked second in the world, she extended her unbeaten match streak to eight. She produced 28 winners to eight for Pierce.

Davenport is still a substantial 529 points behind Hingis in the rankings. But the world number one is not having the success she had a year ago when she won 12 tournaments, and could slip within range of the American.

Just two months ago, Hingis held a 3,000-point lead over the second-ranked Davenport. Hingis has been number one since March 31, 1997.

What would it take for the 1996 Olympic gold medallist to take over the top spot?

"Martina is still number one and has a number of tournaments left this summer to play and could do very well," said Davenport. "To overtake her as number one is sort of a dream but if I’m going to, I have to step up my performances in grand slams."

"I’ll probably have to win the US Open in New York. But it’s slowly getting there."

The injury hampered Pierces’ mobility and the sting on her groundstrokes.

"It affected everything, serves, moving," she said. "To play against someone like Lindsay you have to be at the top of your game and feel that you can compete.

Yugoslavia regain world b'ball title

ATHENS, Aug 10 (Reuters) — Yugoslavia regained the world basketball championship yesterday, coming from behind to beat Russia 64-62 in the final.

In a tense, closely-fought game played out to a near-capacity crowd of around 18,000 at the Olympic indoor stadium, Yugoslavia just held on for their fourth world crown.

Yugoslavia won the title in 1990 but were prevented from defending it four years later because of the international sporting boycott.

Russia had led 35-30 at halftime yesterday but Yugoslavia took a critical 57-56 lead with a minute left.

Both sides were then involved in a series of one-point penalty throws but the most telling moment came with just 30 seconds left when Yugoslav Zeljko Rebraca blocked what looked like a certain Russian two-pointer.

Rebraca had been active at the other end, top scoring for the winners with 16 points.

But the most valuable player of the tournament award went to team mate Dejan Bodiroga, who weighed in with 11 points in the final. His coolness under pressure in the overtime victory against Greece in Saturday’s semifinal had been an important factor in Yugoslavia making it through.

The Yugoslavs received a mixed welcome at the medal ceremony with the fervent Greek crowd continuing to chant for their own favourites.

Greece had to settle for fourth place after earlier losing the playoff 84-61 to the USA who took the bronze medal.

But it was gold for Yugoslavia and deservedly so. Their only defeat in the tournament was a narrow 61-60 reverse in group play by Italy.

They came to Athens minus three or four top players for various reasons but still produced high-quality, fast-moving basketball.

Coach Zeljko Obradovic said: "we didn’t consider ourselves favourites and that showed in the way the game turned out. The victory was mainly due to a very good defence. It was a very nervous and physical game."

The Yugoslavs paraded the trophy proudly round the arena to the delight of their 2,000 strong following. Earlier, "Sasa" Djordjevic, one of their other stars, had draped himself in his country’s flag, happily inviting salutes.

As on Saturday, the Yugoslav fans were held back for security reasons but they were rewarded when the players made a second appearance.

The result spelt another disappointment for Russia, runners-up four years ago when an NBA US squad swept to the gold medal in the absence of the banned Yugoslavs.

Prichard stars in Essex victory

LONDON, Aug 10 (AFP) — Skipper Paul Prichard led from the front as Sunday league leaders Essex cruised to an eight-wicket win over Glamorgan at Chelmsford.

Prichard hit an unbeaten 99 from 97 balls to steer Essex to victory with 7.3 overs to spare after Glamorgan had been restricted to 172 for nine.

All-rounder Ronnie Irani claimed four for 26 and then weighed in with an unbeaten 39 as Essex made short work of their modest victory target.

Wasim Akram kept Lancashire level with Essex at the top with an unbeaten 75 from just 42 balls which secured a 71-run win against Gloucestershire at Old Trafford.

The Pakistani all-rounder’s quickfire innings featured six sixes and five fours as Lancashire, with 114 runs in the final 10 overs, made 222 for six. Akram added 99 with Neil Fairbrother, who hit a fourth successive one day half century and finished with 76 from 101 balls.

Gloucestershire crashed to 151 all out in reply despite an aggressive 49 from Tim Hancock and 38 by Bobby Dowson.

Vikram Solanki ended Worcestershire’s run of five consecutive defeats in all competitions with 88 off 96 balls in a seven-wicket win against Nottinghamshire at New Road.

Solanki overcame a slow pitch to guide his side home with 7.3 overs to spare after dismissing the visitors for a modest 154.

The opener’s measured performance, containing seven fours and only six of the afternoon, effectively cancelled out an innings of 53 by Paul Johnson, who reached 6,000 league runs in 17 seasons with Nottinghamshire.

Kent ended a run of three successive league defeats by recording a comprehensive seven-wicket win at Canterbury to dash Hampshire’s hopes of moving into top three in the table.

Set 138 to win the home side passed their target with just under eight overs to spare to register only their second victory in the 40-over competition since May.

Nigel Llong finished with 35 not out off 35 balls with his seventh four in the match, which attracted 4,000 persons to complete a hugely successful Canterbury festival week.

Middlesex went down to their third defeat in four matches, losing by six wickets as Warwickshire romped home with 16 overs to spare at Lord’s.

The visitors were virtually assured of victory after bowling Middlesex out for 102 - their lowest total in the competition for five years.

Veteran paceman Glandstone Small was Warwickshire’s hero returning competition best figures of five for 18. The former England star's previous best was also against Middlesex when he took five for 26 last season.

Chris Adams cracked his third successive league half century to pave way for Sussex’s seven wicket win over Durham.

Skipper Adams struck six fours and three sixes off 81 balls as Sussex, set a modest 157 for victory, pulled off their third consecutive win and their first at Eastbourne in five years, with 4.2 overs to spare.

Leicestershire ended to a five-run victory over Somerset at Leicester after making 165. Somerset’s chase was headed by Keith Parsons, who hit 48, but the visitors were all out for 160.

Scores and results:
At Canterbury: Kent beat Hampshire by seven wickets. Hampshire 137 in 39.3 overs. (D. Mascarenhas 65). Kent 138-3 in 32.2 overs.

At Chelmsford: Essex beat Glamorgan by eight wickets. Glamorgan 172-9 in 40 overs (I. Dawood 57). Essex 173-2 in 32.3 overs (P. Prichard 99 n.o.).
At Eastbourne: Sussex beat Durham by seven wickets. Durham 156-9 in 40 overs. Sussex 157-3 in 35.4 overs. (C. Adams 73).

At Leicester: Leicestershire beat Somerset by five runs. Leicestershire 165-7 in 40 overs. Somerset 160 all out in 40 overs.

At Old Trafford: Lancashire beat Gloucestershire by 71 runs. Lancashire 222-6 in 40 overs (N. Fairbrother 76, W. Akram 75 no). Gloucestershire 151 in 33.4 overs.

At Lord’s: Warwickshire beat Middlesex by six wickets. Middlesex 102 in 34.4 overs (G. Small 5-18). Warwickshire 105-4 in 23.3 overs.

At Worcester: Worcestershire beat Nottinghamshire by seven wickets. Nottinghamshire 154 in 39.4 overs (P. Johnson 53). Worcestershire 155-3 in 32.3 overs (V. Solanki 88).

Punjab swamp Nagaland

NEW DELHI, Aug 10 (PTI) — Last year’s runners-up Punjab swamped Nagaland 6-0 to set up an exciting clash with holders Orissa in the semifinals of the second Independence Gold Cup Sub-Junior (U-14) Hockey Tournament here.

Manipur stormed into the other semifinal downing Uttar Pradesh ‘A’ 3-1 and will play U.P ‘B’ who thrashed Tamil Nadu 4-0 in the other last eight match. The semifinals will be held on August 12 after tomorrow’s rest day.

Skilful forward Balbir Singh struck thrice and centre forward Gurbaj Singh, centrehalf Manbir Singh and Jalwinder Singh scored one goal apiece in a first half blitz at the National Stadium today.

But the Punjab lads missed chances aplenty in a barren second half with their Nagaland rivals, goalkeeper Pfo Krelo coming up with a few good saves in either half, also holding on.

Orissa promptly took the lead through Bikash Toppo early in the match, but Haryana fought back through a harsh Preet equaliser to go into halftime. But Samarjit Kerketta and Rohit Dungdung sounded the boards to give the Adivasi-dominated Orissa side an eventually comfortable win.

R.K. Jasobanta and R.K. Anandjit with Ch Sachikanta found the second half goals in Manipur’s comfortable win over U.P ‘A’, but the northern state’s ‘B’ team carried too many guns in taming Tamil Nadu.

Jagdeesh Yadav played a stellar role scoring thrice, including two penalty corner conversions while Prem Kumar slotted in the other goal.

A great team effort, says Stewart

LEEDS, Aug 10 (AFP) — Defeated South African skipper Hansie Cronje today lamented the tourists’ shortage of first innings runs after their failure to seal the series from a 1-0 advantage.

"Obviously, we are very disappointed," he said. "We had high hopes after winning the second Test at the Lord’s and did our best at Old Trafford but we didn’t get the wickets. Then things started to go wrong for us."

"The Old Trafford Test was an opportunity for us to go 2-0 in front and we had another opportunity at Trent Bridge to get a big score and put England under pressure. Also, in the first innings here we should have made more runs," the South African captain said.

"There are many ifs and buts. If anything, we were probably a bit light in our first innings. When you’ve got the opportunity to nail the opposition in the first innings you’ve got to do it."

Cronje paid tribute to Allan Donald after what will probably be the paceman’s last Test in England. "Allan put in a superhuman effort. Despite being in considerable pain at times with his ankle, he just kept running in and taking wickets when we needed them."

England captain Alec Stewart paid particular tribute to his bowlers. "The three seam bowlers here have been brilliant," he said. "Angus Fraser, 33 on Saturday, has been brilliant throughout, Darren Gough has been brilliant on his home territory and so has Dominic Cork."

"It really has been a great team effort. Nasser Hussain, with his 94, deserved a 100 for his great performance," Stewart said.

The successful new skipper also paid tribute to discarded off-spinner Robert Croft, who saved the series for England at Old Trafford. "We’ve rung Robert on the mobile, and we haven’t forgotten his efforts," Stewart said.

Former captain Michael Atherton, named England’s Man of the Series, commented: "It’s been a long wait. For those of us who have been around for a while, it’s a sweet moment."

Of Donald and Shaun Pollock, Atherton said it had been "a great pleasure for me to have that challenge".

As England celebrated Angus Fraser summed up their feelings: "I don’t know what to do with myself. I’m normally in the dressing room feeling sorry for myself at this stage, but I can’t get the smile off my face."

ACB adopts drug policy

MELBOURNE, Aug 10 (Reuters) — Australia will introduce a drug testing policy and a racial and religious vilification code next month, Australian Cricket Board (ACB) chief executive Malcolm Speed said today.

Australia is the first cricketing nation to adopt a racial and religious vilification policy, an ACB spokesman said. Australia also joins South Africa and England in having a drug policy.

The ACB said all first-class cricketers in Australia would be subject to random tests for performance-enhancing drugs under the new code.

Tests would be held during competition as well as out of season. Speed said the overall number of tests a year had yet to be decided.

He said any player returning a positive test faced a two-year ban from the sport.

Speed said he was not aware of any cases of performance-enhancing substances being used in cricket, but added: "We want to be in a position to deal with it when and if it arises."

Under the racial and religious vilification code, players found guilty of an offence face a fine or suspension by the ACB.

Athletic trials
Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 —Chandigarh Amateur Athletic Association will hold trials to select athletes for participation in the National Games being held at Manipur from October 4 to 14. According to Mr Shangara Singh, Secretary of the association, the men and women teams will be selected on the basis of these trials. Participants should report to Mr Jarnail Singh, athletic coach, at Sports Complex, Sector 7, Chandigarh, on August 3 at 3 pm.

Aussie eve smashes C'wealth
hammer throw record

SYDNEY, Aug 10 (AFP) — Debbie Sosimenko smashed her Commonwealth record in the women’s hammer throw at Australia’s selection trials for the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games here today.

Sosimenko threw 67.16, 45cm past her previous mark, in her first throw of the competition on the final day of the trials.

"I didn’t think it went as far as it did in the end," said the 24-year-old Sosimenko.

It was an excellent pointer to Sosimenko’s chances of a gold medal at next month’s Commonwealth Games.

The women’s hammer throw will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Games for the first time and is almost certain also to be staged at the 2000 Olympics.

Sosimenko expects to throw 68m or 69m in Kuala Lumpur when she loses 5 kg in weight to reach about 83kg to gain more speed.

TT tournament
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — The CBSE Table Tennis Tournament for boys and girls of cluster XI (Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh) will be held at the Sector 18 New Public School here from October 1 to 4, according to a press note issued here today.

The competitions in the boys and girls under 16 and under 18 years sections will be conducted in the four-day tournament.

Punjab judo team
From Our Sports Reporter

PATIALA, Aug 10 — Punjab will be fielding a 14-member squad for the forthcoming Sub-Junior National Judo Championships slated to be held in Mumbai from August 21 to 23, according to Mr A.S. Grewal, honorary secretary, Punjab Judo Association.

The team (Boys): Parveen Kumar, Vishal Kumar, Vikram Kaushal, Karambir, Manish Kumar, Shamsher Singh and Rakesh Kumar. (Girls): Manisha, Monika, Rajni, Ranjit Kaur, Salma, Sajida and Tarinder Kaur.

Sat Pal Rana will be the coach-cum-manager of the boy’s squad, while Tejinder Kaur will accompany the girl’s team in the same capacity.

Basketball trials

LUDHIANA (FOSR): Trials to select the Punjab state basketball teams for the 5th National Games scheduled to be held at Imphal (Manipur) from October 4 to 14 will be conducted at PAP, Jalandhar, on August 12 at 4.30 p.m. for men and at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana, on August 16 at 3.30 p.m. for women, according to Mr Teja Singh Dhaliwal, honorary general secretary, Punjab Basketball Association.