Thursday, April 1, 1999
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S P O R T | Thursday, April 1, 1999 |
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Depleted India face uphill task The match had lost much of the sheen with the absence of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar due to back problem and for a die-hard-Indian fan no sight in the field can be better than the little champion carting the best of the bowlers to the far corners of the ground.
South Africa win 1-day, Test series |
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Yugoslav star Lukic to quit France Sanchez
Vicario, Mauresmo ousted 300
gold medals at Sydney Olympics Matthaeus
will be ‘perfect German coach’
19 teams for eves’ soccer
nationals Over
100 employees of SAI face axe Santosh
Trophy:Will form book predictions come true ? |
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Depleted India face uphill task The match had lost much of the sheen with the absence of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar due to back problem and for a die-hard-Indian fan no sight in the field can be better than the little champion carting the best of the bowlers to the far corners of the ground. After that skipper Mohammed Azharuddin had to pull out due to shoulder injury. And when India easily defeated Sri Lanka in the last league match at Pune rendering India's entry into the final certainty, the Indian thinktank decided to withdraw another four key players — Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Nayan Mongia and Sadagopan Ramesh — robbing the contest of much of star appeal. The decision to pull out the players is not under scrutiny here but it would certainly be a jolt for the cricket enthusiasts and it can have a definite bearing on the outcome of the match. Whatever be the status of the match — consequential or inconsequential — in the final analysis it is the end result which matters, more so when the team is engaged in contest with Pakistan. And the fans in any case would never like to settle for anything less than a victory. Pakistan's morale must be sky high after the huge 143-run drubbing they handed to the home side in their previous encounter at Jaipur, where the Indian team in pursuit of the victory target of 278 runs was bundled out for 135 runs. But the only silver lining for India for tomorrow's contest is the form shown by newly-appointed captain Ajay Jadeja, debutant swashbuckling batsman Amay Khuresia and, of course, good bowling and agility shown by Tamil Nadu allrounder Robin Singh. Khuresia yesterday was, in fact, a revelation. He showed that he had no fragile nerves when he came out to bat in his first international match and proved that the tough grind at the domestic level had only helped him polish his skills. He demonstrated his mental toughness, skill and temperament as he struck the very first ball he faced to straight boundary and later carted off-spinner Upul Chandana for successive sixes. Jadeja has also confirmed that he may not be having the wherewithal to open the innings, as commentator Geoff Boycott has aptly been saying, but he can contribute for the benefit of the team immensely, when batting in the middle order. Pakistan, though have lost their last match to Sri Lanka despite heroic efforts by their skipper Wasim Akram, have been strengthened by the return of wily off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who has tormented the Indian batsmen with his variation and nagging accuracy. Even otherwise, they have been going from strength to strength after they arrived in India for the Asian Test Championship. They have given a couple of remarkable performances and have proved that if they jell together, they are really a hard side to beat. They look to have the right man for every job. Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi form a fearsome duo as openers in one-day cricket, who can send the run rate soaring in the first 15 overs. Their middle order is replete with impressive stroke makers such as Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Azhar Mehmood and skipper Wasim Akram himself. Besides Akram, they have found a new wicket-taker in fast bowler Shoiab Akhtar, who is improving with each outing. The Indian side under the leadership of flamboyant Jadeja yesterday proved that if the key players play to their potential, the end result can be quite favourable. For the records, India have a much better result at the PCA Stadium having won all three matches played so far, while for Pakistan past results have not been too comforting as they have lost both their previous matches played here. The Pakistan team had an absorbing session at the nets in the evening, while the Indian team, which arrived by the afternoon flight preferred to do only catching and fielding practice. Pakistan captain Wasim Akram and Indian team coach Anshuman Gaekwad refused to name their respective playing eleven today. Teams (from): India: Ajay Jadeja (captain), Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Amay Khuresia, Vinod Kambli, Saba Karim (wk), Virender Sehwag, Nikhil Chopra, Venkatesh Prasad, Ajit Agarkar, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Robin Singh (sr) and Gyanender Pandey. Pakistan: Wasim Akram (captain), Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Moin Khan (wk), Azhar Mehmood, Abdul Razzak, Saqlain Mushtaq, Arshad Khan, Shoaib Akhtar, Imran Nazir and Shahid Nazir. Hours of play: 2.30 p.m.
to 6 p.m; 6.45 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. |
Jadeja may open today SAS NAGAR, March 31 — Doubts persist about the complete fitness of the key Pakistan players Saeed Anwar and Inzamam-ul-Haq for the match against India scheduled for tomorrow at the PCA Stadium here. Wasim Akram, skipper of the Pakistan team, after strenuous practice session at the nets here in the evening disclosed that both Anwar and Inzamam were feeling better than yesterday, but he refused to give a clear indication saying that the final decision would be taken tomorrow. Inzamam had been hit by a fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar delivery while practising at the nets yesterday, while Anwar had a sty in his eye. But Inzamam had a long batting stint at the nets and clobbered the ball powerfully, while Anwar spent some time on batting before he switched over to fielding. About his own fitness Akram said though he was feeling a bit weak earlier, he was better now. Akram stated that one or two new faces would be inducted into the squad while deferring the final decision on the team composition to the morning. Akram stated that the team was taking the match seriously and the players were working hard for a victory. "If we win tomorrow's game it would give a definite edge to us on India for the final match at Bangalore." Akram expressed his concern over the middle order but allayed any fears on the count saying the Ijaz and Inzamam were both experienced players and whenever they click the team would get a big total. Akram was all praise for the PCA Stadium, saying that it was one of the best he had seen in the world. Anshuman Gaekwad, coach of the Indian squad revealed that in the absence of S. Ramesh, wicketkeeper Saba Karim or skipper Ajay Jadeja or Amay Khuresia would be considered for opener's slot. When asked again, about Khuresia, he replied that Khuresia has opened the innings earlier. About yesterday's fielding against Sri Lanka, which was one of the big factors in India's victory, he said nothing special had been done. Gaekwad refused that there was any extra pressure on the team on account of the absence of some key players who have been rested for this match. He did not disclose the
playing eleven saying that a final decision would be
taken by the selectors tomorrow. |
Lara stars in Windies win BRIDGETOWN, March 31 (Reuters) — Brian Lara scored a masterful unbeaten 153 to lead the West Indies to victory over Australia in one of the greatest performances in Test match history yesterday. West Indies reached their target of 308 with one wicket to spare thanks to Lara’s innings and valuable support from Jimmy Adams (38) and Curtly Ambrose (12), and now lead the four match series 2-1. It is only the fourth time that the West Indies have scored more than 300 in the fourth innings to win a Test and it was a victory that looked extremely unlikely when they were 98 for six in the first innings after Australia posted 490. In an enthralling day’s cricket at the Kensington Oval yesterday, the advantage swung to and fro. Jason Gillespie quickly removed Adrian Griffith and Carl Hooper, both lbw, to leave the hosts in trouble at 105 for five. Jimmy Adams then joined Lara and the pair who scored a record 322 for the fifth wicket in the second Test, set about a repeat. They reached 133 before Glenn McGrath, who bowled virtually all day, bowled Adams for 38. Within 10 minutes the paceman had taken his innings haul to five by trapping Ridley Jacobs and Nehemiah Perry lbw in successive balls. With the West Indies reeling at 248 for eight, still needing 60 runs for victory, Ambrose joined his captain in the middle. The veteran bowler held up his end for 90 minutes and even chipped in with a couple of streaky boundaries during the partnership of 54. Lara had an escape when wicketkeeper Ian Healy missed a sharp one-handed chance with seven runs needed but two balls and one run later Gillespie had Ambrose caught at third slip by Matthew Elliott to increase up the tension yet again. Courtney Walsh survived four balls, Lara took the scores level and then won the match by crashing Gillespie through the covers to spark a wild pitch invasion. After scoring 213 to win the second Test almost single-handedly, Lara will lead his team into the fourth and final Test with his reputation as the world’s finest batsman now firmly back in place. West Indies’ reputation, in tatters after a 5-0 whitewash in South Africa and a pitiful defeat in the first Test of this series, is also back on track. "It was a great team effort," said Lara, "the bowlers got us back into it in the Australian second innings. "I thought it would be hard to win after their first innings but coming in today I always thought we had a great chance". "I'm pretty happy with my own form but it would not have been possible without the contributions of the rest of the team". Australian skipper Steve Waugh, who has had a roller- coaster start to his spell in charge, said "cricket was the winner, I think it was the best test I’ve ever played in". Scoreboard |
Paolo Maldini completes 11 years with Italy ROME, March 31 (Reuters) — Paolo Maldini celebrates the 11th anniversary of his international debut today when he captains Italy against Belarus in a European Championship qualifier. Maldini, the most-capped player in the Italian squad, made his debut in the Croatian port city of Split in a friendly against the former Yugoslavia on March 31, 1988. The AC Milan left-back has since appeared in three World Cup finals and collected 98 caps, just 14 fewer than the most-capped Italian player of all-time - former goalkeeper and national team coach Dino Zoff. "It’s been 11 years exactly and the world has changed a lot since then," Maldini told Gazzetta Dello Sport newspaper. The 30-year-old said he and his team mates were stunned when the mainly Croatian crowd heckled the Yugoslav national team in that 1988 match. "We were speechless, we didn’t understand, we thought it must be some club rivalry," he said of the ethnic tensions that later exploded into open war. "But a few years later, unfortunately, we all understood." Italy, who beat Denmark 2-1 last Saturday and play Belarus in Adriatic city of Ancona, are top of an easy group one with a 100 per cent record from three games. Wales are three points back and Switzerland five points adrift. Italy have yet to drop a
point in a competitive match since Zoff took over last
year and a win against Belarus would virtually assure the
Azzurri a place in the finals, which the three-time world
champions have never won. |
Yugoslav star Lukic to quit France PARIS, March 31 (Reuters) — Serbian striker Vladan Lukic is quitting French club Metz to return home to Yugoslavia because of Nato air strikes on his country. "What they're doing to my country is a scandal. So I'm off. I'm quitting Metz to return to Yugoslavia," Lukic told the French sports daily L'Equipe on Monday. "It's my duty to leave because my country is under attack," he said. "I still don't know how I'll get there but I'll manage." Lukic, who has scored four league goals this season, joined Metz from Swiss club Sion two years ago. He missed Metz's friendly away to Standard Liege of Belgium on Friday, but compatriot Nenad Jestrovic did play and plans to stay in France. "It's hard because I've got all my family there (in Yugoslavia)," Jestrovic, who joined Metz from Bastia this season, said. "I played at Liege the other night but my mind was elsewhere," he said. "Having said that, I'm a professional with commitments. And I don't want to mix sports and politics. For now, I'm playing. Later we'll see." Girondins Bordfaux's Nisa Savelijic and Ivan Vukomanovic, who travelled home for senior and under-21 European Championship qualifiers last week that were subsequently postponed, have not returned to France yet. Vukomanovic told a local
French daily: "I won't leave my family, I'm a
patriot and consider my place is here (in
Yugoslavia)." |
Sanchez Vicario, Mauresmo ousted HILTON HEAD ISLAND (SOUTH CAROLINA), March 31 (AP) — Jana Novotna and Amanda Coetzer advanced to the third round of the Family Circle Cup, while Arantxa Sanchez Vicario and Amelie Mauresmo were eliminated. Novotna, the third-seeded Czech star, beat Romania's Catalina Cristea 6-4, 6-4. Coetzer, the defending champion and No. 5 seed from South Africa, defeated Russia's Elena Makarova 6-3, 7-5. Fourth-seeded Sanchez Vicario, the 1998 French Open champion was upset by fellow Spaniard Gala Leon Garcia 6-4, 6-3. Sanchez Vicario won the 1996 Family Circle title, but has struggled in the event the last two years. "I know I'm not at my best," Sanchez Vicario said. "I made a lot of errors." Mauresmo, the 1999 Australian Open runner-up who was seeded eight, fell 6-4, 0-6, 6-4, to fellow Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy. "It was a little strange," Mauresmo said. "It was very windy and a little bit cold. I wan't really in the rhythm, mentally and physically." Seventh-seeded Anna Kournikova of Russia, in her Family Circle debut, beat Spain's Maria Antonia Sanchez Lorenzo 2-6, 6-3, 6-1. In other second-round matches, No. 11 Natasha Zvereva of Belarus defeated Argentina's Paola Suarez 6-3, 6-1, No. 13 Sylvia Farina of Italy beat American Kimberly Po 6-2, 7-5 and No. 14 Elena Likhovtseva of Russia beat American Tara Snyder 6-0, 6-3. Top-ranked Martina Hingis
of Switzerland and Monica Seles of the USA, the
tournament's top two seeds, begin play today with
second-round matches. |
How serious is Tendulkar's injury? S.A.S. Nagar, March 31 — The powers that control the Board of Control for Cricket in India are obviously not speaking the truth regarding the injury of Sachin Tendulkar. While on one hand they are repeatedly saying that Sachin Tendulkar's injury is "mild" and "some rest" should see the star cricketer back in action on the other they are repeating time and again that they have left to Sachin himself to decide when he will be fit to return to international cricket. The controversy regarding the state of Sachin's injury has been aggravated by the contradictory statements issued by the President and Secretary of the board. While the Secretary , Mr J.Y. Lele, has been saying that Sachin's injury is "mild", the statement by Mr Raj Singh Dungarpur, President of the board, at Mumbai yesterday that "Sachin's availability for the Sharjah tournament, involving India, Pakistan and England, is still uncertain" has only added fuel to the raging fire. Why is the board not conveying the correct position regarding the problem being faced by Sachin ? Sachin's problems came to the fore while he was batting in the first match of the "Friendship series" between India and Pakistan at Chennai in early February in India's second innings. Time and again Sachin held on to his back every time he faced a delivery. Overcoming his injury the master batsman scored a century but was unable to take his team to victory. The teams then moved to Delhi for the second Test and this is where the board made its first mistake. Instead of resting Sachin the team management asked him to play (may be this was done as India were trailing 0-1 in the two-Test series) with a "back support". Not only that, Sachin also played in the first two games of the Asian Test Championship, first against Pakistan at the Eden Garden and then against Sri Lanka at Colombo. By forcing Sachin to play in so many matches after he had injured his back has the board aggravated his injury? While no one is willing to talk on this it is apparent to even a lay- man that the only cure for back pain is complete rest. It was only when the on-going three-nation tournament got under way did the BCCI think it prudent first to send Sachin to England for consultation with Dr Ken Kennedy and also announce that the star cricketer would "miss the first two or three matches of the series but might be available for the match against Pakistan at S.A.S. Nagar". It was only later that the board announced that Sachin would miss the complete series. And now comes the announcement from no less a person than the BCCI President that Sachin might miss the Sharjah tournament as well . The one disturbing fact it that there is no one among the powers that is willing to take the bull by the horns. There is no denying the fact that the Indian cricketers have been playing too much cricket over the past year and a half. It is because of this that even such a fit cricketer like Mohammad Azharuddin has been forced to miss two matches of the ongoing series because of a shoulder problem. One only hopes that Sachin recovers fully for the World Cup. Much of India's hopes rests on the shoulders of the super star. Why the team has come to depend so much on just one player is a question which everyone should ask but yesterday's performance against Sri Lanka at Pune should give the team added confidence in the future. Any Indian team without Sachin or Azhar which could score 286 for six in 50 overs against a team like Sri Lanka definitely holds out hope in the future. Meanwhile, it is reliably learnt, that the team management of the Indian squad has been directed by the board not to speak anything on the injury sustained by Sachin or any other player. Why such a step has been taken is not difficult to fathom. Obviously, the board has something to hide vis-a-vis the injury of the Indian star. The team for the World Cup
is scheduled to be finalised by the national selectors on
the day of the final of the three-nation tournament at
Bangalore on April 4. They will probably have to take a
calculated risk while including injured players in the
squad. As per rules of the World Cup injured players can
be changed if the player is injured in course of the
tournament. But what does one do if the player is injured
even before the gale event? |
South Africa win 1-day, Test series WELLINGTON, March 31 (Reuters) — A replay of the sixth and final one-day international between New Zealand and South Africa was abandoned today without a ball being bowled when saturated outfield failed to dry sufficiently for play to begin at the Basin Reserve. South African batsman Daryll Cullinan, who scored a record-breaking 275 not out in the drawn first Test at Eden Park, was named as New Zealand's international cricketer of the year winning a luxury Saloon car worth $ (NZ) 32,000. South Africa completed an almost perfect build-up to the looming World Cup in England when they completed their New Zealand tour today with a 3-2 one-day series win. The tourists won the limited overs contest and the Test series 1-0. Coming after their whitewash home series win over the West Indies, South Africa look in hot form for the World Cup which starts in May. "I think South Africa's record over the past 12 months shows they probably will be favourites for the World Cup," said legendary South African allrounder Mike Procter. Jacques Kallis, possibly the world's top allrounder, showed tremendous form with the bat with two one-day centuries and a Test century. He bowled quickly and effectively. Lance Klusener was used as the pinch-hitter anywhere in the order and showed his value when he smashed 35 not out off 19 balls to steal victory for South Africa in the fourth one-day international. The strength of the batting was such that Shaun Pollock's skills were rarely needed, but his bowling was quick and accurate. "We've known that
Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis are fine
players and really they have just enhanced the tag
they've had over the last two or three years," said
skipper Hansie Cronje. |
300 gold medals at Sydney Olympics SYDNEY, March 31 (AFP) — There will be 300 medal events at the 2000 Olympics after the Sydney Organising Committee gained approval to add synchronised diving to the programme, it was announced today. Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) sports commission head John Coates said the inclusion of synchronised diving for the first time was an initiative of world swimming's governing body FINA. Thirty-five new events have been added since the Atlanta Games, including taekwondo and triathlon. SOCOG, estimates there will be 10,321 athletes competing in Sydney, down from 10,744 in Atlanta because of tougher qualifying standards. Thirty-eight per cent of competitors will be women, up from 34 per cent at the previous games. Athletics will be the biggest sport with about 2,000 competitors, followed by swimming with 744 and rowing with 550. Two hundred countries are
expected to be represented at the 2000 games, three more
than in 1996. |
Matthaeus will be ‘perfect German coach’ BONN, March 31 (Reuters) — Bayern Munich’s veteran libero Lothar Matthaeus would be perfect successor to Germany head coach Erich Ribbeck, Franz Beckernauer was quoted as saying today. "Lothar is predestined to become head coach. He knows how to read the game, analyse it and rate it", Beckenbauer told weekly Sport Bild. Ribbeck, who was appointed after Berti Vogts stepped down last September, has a contract running until Euro 2000. Matthaeus, 38, was to celebrate his 134th cap for Germany in a European Championship qualifier against Finland later today. Beckenbauer is both the
Bayern Munich president and a vice-president of the
German Soccer Federation. |
19 teams for eves’ soccer nationals GUWAHATI, March 31 (PTI) — Nineteen teams, including national games gold medallist Manipur, Goa, Kerala and Bengal will vie for top honours in the seventh Women's National Football Championship, starting at Shillong from May 8, a senior football association official said yesterday. Manipur, Bengal, Goa and Kerala have already earned berth in the quarter-finals while the remaining 15 teams have been grouped into four groups with Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Orissa and Tripura in group ‘A’, honorary secretary of the All-India Football Federation K.N.Mour said here. Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Maharashtra have been placed in group ‘B’ while Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana were in group ‘C’. Bihar, Meghalaya and Rajasthan comprise group ‘D’, Mr Mour said. The inaugural match will be played between Bihar and Meghalaya. The quarterfinals begin on May 14 with Manipur, Goa, winner of group ‘A’ and winner of group ‘C’ placed in group ‘E’ while Bengal, Kerala, winner of group ‘B’ and winner of group ‘D’ will fight it out in group ‘F’. The semifinals will be played on May 20 with the winner of group ‘E’ taking on runner up of group ‘F’ while in the other match, winner of group ‘F’ takes on runner up of group ‘E’. The final will be played on May 22, Mr Mour added.
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Over 100
employees
of SAI face axe PATIALA, March 31 — Panic has gripped employees of all grades of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), even as the staff inspection unit (SIU) instituted by the Department of Internal Finance, Ministry of Finance, has declared 427 employees of SAI centres all over the country surplus. Among these 427 employees, more than 100 are employed here at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), which is the main academic centre of SAI. When contacted, the Director of NIS, Mr G.S. Anand, confirmed this development which has sent shivers down the spines of employees whose very livelihood is at stake. Mr Anand said that although he had received verbal orders, the notification to this effect was still awaited although sources indicate that the notification was expected anytime. Contrary to earlier reports that the shifting of various schemes from NIS to the SAI corporate office would render a substantial number of employees 'surplus', it has now come to light that more than the shifting of the schemes, it was due to the SIU report submitted to the Ministry of Sports recently, and accepted by SAI, that has put hundreds of employees in a spot, some of whom even fear retrenchment. To calculate the financial implications of giving a 'golden handshake' to the employees working in various SAI centres all over India, a meeting of senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Sports and SAI officers was held on December 12 last year where a voluntary retirement scheme was mooted and it was calculated that an amount of at least Rs 15 crore would be involved if the employees were given the sack. SAI sources confirm that due to shifting of the four schemes namely the scholarship scheme, All-India Rural Sports Festival scheme, National Women's Festival Scheme and the North East Sports Festival Scheme, which are at present being operated from the NIS and are in the process of being shifted to the SAI headquarters at Delhi, would render only 12 employees, including an assistant director, surplus. Basically it is on the basis of the SIU report that has rendered 427 employees including 20 assistant directors, 26 UDC's, 80 LDC's working at various SAI centres surplus. The reason for shifting the schemes from Patiala are that whenever the Sports Ministry officials need information from SAI about the progress of these schemes, the SAI officials had to refer the same to the NIS which apart from being a cumbersome procedure was also time consuming. However, Mr Kirat Singh and Mr Tarsem Singh Thapar, president and general secretary of the SAI-NIS employees association, respectively, in a statement said that this argument did not hold water. Moreover, they termed the SIU report as a 'hastly' prepared one, jeopardising the livelihood of hundreds of employees, adding that the three-member SIU team which visited the NIS in 1977 for just three days, could not project the entire working of the NIS in a proper manner. The union leaders claimed that they had met various top sports administrators and politicians over the past few days to air their grievance as their jobs were at stake. Ms Uma Bharti, the Minister of Sports, has also asked ministry officials for the criteria on basis of which the employees have been declared surplus. Interestingly, all posts which the SIU team has termed 'surplus' have already been approved and sanctioned by the government. In this regard the Rajya
Sabha MP, Mr S.S. Dhindsa had recently met Ms Uma Bharti
to urge that the SIU report either be kept in abeyance or
should not be implemented at all, so as to prevent
retrenchment. |
Harbhajan props up Punjab AMRITSAR, March 31 — India's promising young off-spinner Harbhajan Singh strengthened his claim as an allrounder with a brilliant batting performance here, scoring an unbeaten 67 to carry the home team's total to an impressive 344 all out in the first innings against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal here today. In reply Tamil Nadu crawled to 125 for 3 in 65 overs. Harbhajan with 10 and Navdeep with no score began the second day's proceedings with great promise. The former displayed his talent with the bat and frustrated Tamil Nadu hitting both fast bowlers S Mahesh and P. Subbiah all over the ground and was involved in a 58-run ninth wicket partnership with Navdeep who was adjudged lbw by D Wasu for 8 and again with Bharat Bhushan to add another 47 valuable runs for the last wicket. Harbhajan displayed complete array of shots and his classic six over the mid-wicket was a treat to watch. The Punjab innings closed at 344, 45 minutes before lunch. Tamil Nadu opened their innings with Anand George and S. Sriram and at lunch were 15 for no loss. The home team's seamers Bharat Bhushan and Sandeep settled to some fine bowling and did not allow any liberty. When Bharat Bhushan and Sandeep Sharma could not get any breakthrough, skipper Rathore brought in Harbhajan Singh and in his third over he had S. Sriram caught behind by Mongia for 20 and Tamil Nadu's score read 45 for one. Immediately thereafter Sarandeep, another spinner, trapped H.K. Badani for naught. George was joined by skipper S Sharath but after the pair had added 31 runs in 16 overs, George was out leg before wicket to Sandeep for a well made 45 and the third wicket fell at 77. Sharat, an elegant left hand batsman, and Madan Gopal with a defensive approach were very watchful against Harbhajan who was getting the ball turn sharply. At close Tamil Nadu were 125 for 3. Punjab (Ist innings): Vikram Rathore b Mahesh 1, Navjot Sidhu lbw Mahesh 124, Sandeep Sharma law Mahesh 16, Pankaj Dharmani lbw Mahesh 7, D. Mongia b Subbiah 39, Amit Sharma b Kumaran 3, Harminder Jugnu c Paul b Kumaran 8, Sarandeep Singh c Paul b Kumaran 27, Navdeep Singh lbw Vasu 8, Harbhajan Singh not out 67, Bharat Bhushan b Mahesh 10. Extras 34. Total (all out for 344 in 113.5 overs) Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-33, 3-51, 4-145, 5-159, 6-172, 7-239, 8-239, 9-297. Bowling: T. Kumaran
23-3-93-3, S. Mahesh 22.5-5-68-5, P. Subbiah 32-8-70-1,
D. Vasu 24-8-60-1, S. Sriram 11-3-30-0, H.K. Badani
1-1-0-0. |
Sunil to play in Europe CHANDIGARH, March 31 — Sunil Kumar, the 15 year old tennis sensation of Chandigarh has been selected by the International Tennis Federation, as a member of the ITF International (under-16) team to play in the European Tennis Association events to be held in Europe in May-June this year, according to a press note of the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association. Sunil was earlier selected to represent India in the NEC World Youth Cup to be held in Hiroshima (Japan) from April 25 to May 3 this year. Sunil Kumar is the only Indian boy included in this team and is training under the tennis promotion scheme of the Punwire. In Europe, Sunil will take
part in the following tournaments: Sporting International
Tournament, Torino-Italy, Avvenire Memorial Tournament,
Milano-Italy besides three other tournaments in France. |
Santosh
Trophy CHENNAI, March 31 (PTI) — The form book predicts a repeat of last year’s final as defending champions Bengal and runners-up Goa take on Kerala and Tamil Nadu in their respective semifinals tomorrow and on Friday in the 55th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy here. Exhuming confidence, the Bengal and Goa coaches told reporters here they would allow their wards to play their natural game. However, they could not be complacent in dealing with the merits and weaknesses of their rivals, they said. Both Kerala and Tamil Nadu have remained unscathed in the preliminary and quarterfinal leagues. To the hosts’ credit, they have performed better in their victories, including in the preliminary league matches. However, Kerala were pitted against strong teams like Maharashtra and Assam, the Imphal National Games finalists, in the quarterfinals. Games winners Maharashtra, who were directly seeded to the last eight, required just a draw against Kerala to progress but lost 1-2, while Kerala beat Assam 3-1. Top ranked Bengal will be under pressure to win against Kerala, who do not have big stars in their ranks, but are dependent on solid all round performances. The teams had last met in the Cuttack national finals when Bengal edged out Kerala 5-4 in the tie breaker. However, Kerala’s achiless heel could prove to be left wing back Suresh, who will be benched, having received two yellow cards. His absence would be felt most when Kerala play Bengal in the semifinals on April 2. Coach M.M. Jacob said: "We are not having any plan to mark Bhutia. My boys have been playing natural football, which comes to them quite easily. If they click in all-round performance, we should beat Bengal." On the other hand, Bengal and Goa, with several stars, have played against stronger oppositions in the national league before participating in the ongoing Santosh Trophy. Apart from Baichung Bhutia, Bengal, winner 28 times in the past, have Joe Paul Anchery, fully recovered from knee injury Amit Das, Dipendu Biswas and Raman Vijayan, the opportunistic forwards. Defenders Falguni Datta and Debjit Singh can baulk the strongest of attacks, while goalkeeper Prasanta Dora is a reassuring presence under the bar. Goa have remained the only team in this tournament to have scored confident victories amongst the seeded squads (Maharashtra and Punjab have been ousted by Kerala and Tamil Nadu respectively). With seven players from Salgaocar, the winners of the coveted national league title have the best midfield strength, both on paper and on turf. The Bengal players were witness to Goa’s territorial superiority in their 6-0 rout of Karnataka yesterday and would have already started their home work to contain them in case these two teams clash in the final. However, Goa, also like Kerala, have problems of yellow cards and star striker Somatai Shaiza will miss the match against Tamil Nadu tomorrow. Goa’s linkmen Jules Alberto, Mario Soares and S. Venkatesh could be termed the best trio available and it would be a herculean task for Tamil Nadu to hold on to the ball against them. Goa coach Sabir Ali felt the team had been denied one more day’s rest as their match has been advanced by a day. His main worry would be to screen internationals Syed Sabir Pasha and Hamilton Bobby. These two talented players have an uncanny ball sense. Pasha, in particular, could pose problems to defenders with sheer speed inside the box, while Bobby’s curling lobs to the target from outside can spell danger. However, Tamil Nadu, with a mixture of experienced and young players, would go all out to beat the best of the Goan attack and defence. By all counts, a feast of
good football will be on view in the remaining three days
of the championship, culminating in the finals on April
4. |
Chowrasia blasts into contention NEW DELHI, March 31 — Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia blasted into contention with a brilliant seven under 65, even as Shiv Prakash joined Shamim Khan at the top spot, both tied at a score of nine under 135, at the SRF Open Golf Championship, being played at the par-72, 6,779-yard Delhi Golf Club course here today. At third spot, one stroke behind was Vijay Kumar with an aggregate score of eight under 136 runner-up at the Indian Open, Chowrasia, carded the best score of the day with an exemplary seven under 65. Chowrasia, teeing off from the 10th tee, was on fire, with a birdie on the 12th, followed by a double hat-trick of birdies, these coming on the 14th,15th, 16th and 17th. A bogey on the 2nd and a four foot missed par chance on the 4th, were more than made up for with a classy eagle on the 8th, set up by a driver and a 3 iron. "The Indian Open performance has helped me like nothing else could have. Also, my approach shots were very satisfying today", said the Calcutta pro. Overnight leader Shamim Khan played yet another consistent round of golf, his card displaying an impressive two under 70. A driver, 3 iron and Sand Wedge saw the Delhi pro putt in a gem of a 20 footer on his very first hole. Losing his way a bit with bogies on the 5th and 8th holes, Shamim played to par on the next six holes. A sudden acceleration of form saw the small built pro sink in a 15 footer for a birdie on the 15th. A 11 footer birdie putt on the 17th preceded yet another birdies on the 18th. " I am happy with my putting. I hope to continue in the same vein tomorrow", said the 20-year-old Shamim. Shiv Prakash, the defending champion here, has been having a rather dry spell after starting off in sensational fashion, winning the Wills Southern Open, the McDowell’s Centenary Open and the Crompton Greaves Matchplay. Today, he seemed to regain his lost touch, as he started off with a birdie on the Ist. A bogie on the 2nd, did nothing to hamper his confidence as he sank in two superb 25 footers on the 5th and 7th, following them up with yet another birdie on the 8th. Beginning his back nine with two missed par chances on the 11th and 12th, the Kanpur pro roped in three more birdies on the 14th and 15th, ending a cavalier fashion with a birdie on the 18th. "I didn’t putt well today" was all he had to say." Vijay Kumar, current leader of the Order of Merit put his nagging shoulder problem behind him as he turned in yet another impressive score, with a three-under 69 which placed him at eight-under 136 at the end of day two. Vijay began in characteristic fashion with birdies on the 2nd, where a classy 15 footer putt was set up by a 1 iron and an 8 iron and the 8th, to go two-under after his front nine. The Lucknow pro’s return journey was studded with three birdies on the 14th,15th and 18th, with a double goie on the 13th being the only blemish in an otherwise near perfect card. "I hit the ball really well today but my putting was not satisfactory. Yesterday, it was the other way around", said Vijay. Local pro Vivek Bhandari had a flawless round with four birdies, all coming on his back nine. Playing to par on his front nine, the 1998 Honda-Siel winner had an amazing left to right 35 footer putt on the 10th, set up by a 3 wood and 8 iron. Another 15 feet birdie putt on the 11th, was followed by birdies on the 14th and 18th. " I missed as many as four 10 footer birdie putts on the 3rd, 6th, 12th and 17th. Had I sunk those in, things would have been fantastic", Bhandari said. The cut was applied at six over with the top 41 pros and 4 amateurs, making it to the final two rounds. The cut was applied at six over with the top 41 pros and 4 amateurs, making it to the final two rounds. Kapil leads amateur field: Former Test cricketer Kapil Dev led the amateur field with a score of three over 75, and a two day score of 155. Two strokes behind at second spot was Sanjeev Talwar with a second day’s score of 82 and an aggregate of 157. At third spot was Karan Atwal, who at 158, was one stroke behind Talwar. Scores: 135 Shiv Prakash
(67,68): Shamim Khan (65,70): 136 Vijay Kumar (67,69):
138 Vivek Bhandari (70,68): 139 Shiv Shankar Prasad
Chowrasia (74,65): 140 Basad Ali (70,70): 141 Gaurav Ghei
(72,69), Mohd Islam (72,69), Rafiq Ali (72,69), Ali Sher
(69,72). Amateurs: 155 Kapil Dev (80,75): 157 Sanjeev
Talwar (75,82): 158 Karan Atwal (77,81). |
Exciting playoffs in Amateur Golf CHANDIGARH, March 31 — The third round of the knockout competition of the 98th Amateur Golf Championship witnessed superlative golf today with four of the matches going into sudden death playoffs. Yesterday's star performer Vikramjit Singh figured in the longest playoff finally succumbing after a ding dong battle to Akhil Nayar on the fourth playoff hole. Harjinder Kang of Chandigarh playing against scratch Pakistan golfer Vaqas Ahmed fought off heavy odds from being two down on the 14th to fashions a dramatic win on the 18th hole by making birdies on the 16th and 17th. Harmeet Kahlon started the day with a massive run of consecutive birdies on the opening three holes and again on the credit of his young opponent Amandeep Bhaika to hold off the stalwart for that long. Digvijay Singh, the defending champion, also played a fantastic round of six under par in jut 15 holes where he vanquished his opponent Ashok Kumar of Delhi, the current national juniors' champion. A showdown between the titans is certainly on the cards for the finals. The winners for the day who will be playing for a place in the last eight tomorrow are as under: Harmeet Singh Kahlon, Shiv
Kapoor, Harjinder S. Kang, Aman Behl, Shiraz Kalra, Ahmed
Ali Shah, Akhil Nayar, Manav Dass, Lalith Kumara, Anura
Rohana, Lakhan Singh, Amit Luthra, Sandeep Syal, Anitya
Chand, Suleiman Ali and Digvijay Singh. |
Samaranch refused to testify at US hearing WASHINGTON, March 31 (AFP) — International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Juan Antonio Samaranch has refused to testify at a hearing into the Olympic corruption scandal that could lead to a cut in the flow of money to IOC from the USA. U.S. senator John McCain yesterday received Mr Samaranch’s reply to the invitation to appear here on April 14 and warned that Mr Samaranch does not realise how real the threat is for US Laws that would cripple major IOC sponsor support. "I’m deeply saddened that Mr Samaranch has declined our offer to testify," McCain said. "Apparently Mr. Samaranch doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation for the future of the Olympic movement". "The lack of transparency and accountability within IOC that fostered a culture based on gifts and lavish travel has brought a dark cloud over the integrity of the Olympics". "We must now move forward, unfortunately without Mr Samaranch’s direct input, to ensure that urgently-needed reforms are implemented". Among the measures being considered by the US Congress are cutting tax breaks for US firms sponsoring IOC and mandating any US TV rights fees be paid to the US Olympic Committee instead of the IOC. They would be staggering blows to the IOC because nine of the top 11 sponsors are US firms. "I appreciate your
having extended to me the courtesy of appearing before
the senate committee.. Regrettably I am unable to
attend," Mr Samaranch wrote to Mr McCain. |
Hyderabad on top HYDERABAD, March 31 (PTI) — A superb century by Test discard VVS Laxman and off-spinner Kanwaljit Singh’s fantastic bowling prowess (3 for 23) enabled hosts Hyderabad take full command against Delhi on the second day of the five-day Ranji Trophy quarter-final here today. At close, Delhi were tottering at 69 for 4 off 34 overs in reply to the home team’s huge first innings total of 440. Laxman’s 110 runs, which included 21 fours, came in 257 minutes of his stay off 172 balls. In the morning, Hyderabad resumed at their overnight total of 270 for 3 and added 170 more runs before being bowled out for 440 in 145.3 overs, 13 minutes before tea. Delhi began on a disastrous note, losing opener Anshu Dhani (17), lbw to left-arm off-spinner Venkatapathi Raju when his side’s total was 40. Thereafter, Hyderabad veteran Kanwaljit Singh struck by claiming all the remaining three wickets of Akash Chopra (32), Devender Shara (3) and Akash Malhotra (3) in his spell of 7.5 overs conceding only 20 runs. At stumps, skipper Vijay Dhaiya (6) and Pankaj Joshi (2) were at the crease. Brief scores: Hyderabad: 440 all out in 145.3 overs (VVS Laxman 110, Nanda Kishore 108, M.V. Sridhar 94, Venkapathy Raju 35, Amit Bhandari 4/79, Harende Choudary 3/69, Sandeep Angoorala 2/80). Delhi: 69 for 4 in 34
overs (Akash Chopra 32, Kanwaljit Singh 3/23). |
H
Ambala football CHANDIGARH, March 31 (BOSR) — The District Football Association, Ambala, will conduct the Ambala district club league football championship at War Heroes Stadium, Ambala, from April 3 to 7, according to a press note of the association. Mr Anil Vij, MLA, Ambala Cantt will inaugurate this five-day meet. PSEB beat RCC by 89 runs PATIALA, March 31 (FOSR) — A fine allround performance by Ranji Trophy cricketer Sanjeev Kapuria (86 and 2 for 24) enabled PSEB to beat Royal Cricket Club by 89 runs to move into the next round of the first Royal Challenge Invitation Cricket Tournament played at Khanna, near here, today. Scores: PSEB: 220 for 7 (S. Kapuria 86, A. Kakria 35, Lakhbir Singh 26, Chander Shekhar 33, Pawan 2 for 38, Ranjan 2 for 44, Tony 2 for 34). Royal Cricket Club: 141 all out (Bobby 45, Ravinder Monicha 30, R. Pandey 3 for 20, Rajesh Deegia 2 for 12, S. Kapuria 2 for 24, A. Kakria 2 for 44). PSEB spikers finish third PATIALA, March 31 (FOSR) — PSEB were placed third in the 26th All-India Inter-State Electricity Boards Lawn Tennis Tournament which concluded at Lucknow yesterday, according to information received here today. Seeded direct into the
quarterfinals, PSEB blanked out Gujarat State Electricity
Board 3-0. In the semifinals Uttar Pradesh Electricity
Board managed to beat the Punjab powermen 3-2. In the
hardline match PSEB downed Tamil Nadu State Electricity
Board 3-0 to be placed third among 12 teams. The PSEB
troika comprised HS Kang, Munish Kaushal and Swaraj
Dhillon. |
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