Monday, April 26, 1999
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S P O R T | Monday, April 26, 1999 |
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Gilchrist, Warne help Australia
triumph BRIDGETOWN, (Barbados), April 25 — Australia, fired by 64 in 55 balls from Adam Gilchrist, beat West Indies by four wickets in the sixth one-day international at Kensington Oval yesterday.
Wadekar defends team composition |
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Joshi
guides Nepal into last four |
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Gonzalez scores thrice as Spain
lift world title "South
Asia Shree" title for Prasad Kuerten
to meet Rios in Monte Carlo final World
Athletic Day meet at Patiala Nawaz
Sharif plays morale booster Woolmer says 'no' to England Steven
announces retirement |
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Gilchrist, Warne help Australia triumph BRIDGETOWN, (Barbados), April 25 (Reuters) — Australia, fired by 64 in 55 balls from Adam Gilchrist, beat West Indies by four wickets in the sixth one-day international at Kensington Oval yesterday. West Indies made 249 for eight in their 50 overs after winning the toss and Australia eased home at 253 for six with nine deliveries to spare. Wicketkeeper Gilchirst gave the touring side an ideal start by putting 71 in 11 overs with fellow opener Mark Waugh (25), Rickey Ponting made a solid 43 and Michael Bevan (35 not out) completed the job in an unfinished seventh wicket stand of 47 with Shane Lee (19 not out). West Indies had been given a flying start by their own wicketkeeper, Ridley Jacobs, promoted to open as in the previous match. He smashed 68 from 56 balls and put on 81 in 11 overs for the first wicket with Sherwin Campbell (24). Leg-spinner Shane Warne removed both openers and put a brake on the run rate in two accurate spells that brought him final figures of 10-1-28-3. Jimmy Adams (46) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (44) added 61 for the fourth wicket but West Indies fell away in the latter stages of their innings, four wickets going for 33 after they reached 208 for four. Australia lead the seven-match series 3-2. The fifth game in Georgetown on Wednesday was declared a tie following a pitch invasion by spectators that prevented Australia's last pair from scoring a third run to level the scores. Scoreboard Australia |
World Cup fixtures and umpires MUMBAI, April 25 (PTI) — India's Srinivas Venkataraghavan and Rudi Koertzen of South Africa would be the two on-field umpires for the opening match of the World Cup between hosts England and holders Sri Lanka at Lord's on May 14. Cammie Smith of the West Indies would be the match referee and Dave Orchard of South Africa the third umpire to monitor TV replays, as per the World Cup match-wise list of on-field umpires, referees and third umpires. The match-wise list for the preliminary league phase: May 14: England v Sri Lanka at Lord's. On-field umpires: S. Venkataraghavan (Ind) and Rudi Koertzen (SA). 3rd umpire: Dave Orchard (SA). Match referee: Cammie Smith (Windies). May 15: India v South Africa at Hove. On-field umpires: David Shepherd (Eng) and Steve Bucknor (Windies). 3rd umpire: Ian Robinson (Zimbabwe). Match referee: Talat Ali (Pakistan). May 15: Zimbabwe v Kenya at Taunton. On-field umpires: Doug Cowie (NZ) and Javed Akhtar (Pak). 3rd umpire: K.T. Francis (Lanka). Match referee: John Ried (NZ). May 16: Australia v Scotland at Worcester. On-field umpires: Peter Willey (Eng) and Steve Dunne (NZ). 3rd umpire: Sharp (Eng). Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Lanka). May 16: West Indies v Pakistan at Bristol. On-field umpires: Orchard and Darrel Hair (Aus). 3rd umpire: K. Sharp (Eng). Match referee: Raman Subba Row (Eng). May 17: New Zealand v Bangladesh at Chelmsford. On-field umpires: Robinson and Venkat. 3rd umpire: Shepherd. Match referee: Peter Burge (Aus). May 18: England v Kenya at Canterbury. On-field umpires: Francis and Koertzen. 3rd umpire: Cowie. Match referee: Ali. May 19: India v Zimbabwe at Leicester. On-field umpires: Willey and Orchard. 3rd umpire: Hair. Match referee: Smith. May 19: Sri Lanka v South Africa at Northampton. On-field umpires: Dunne and Bucknor. 3rd umpire: K. Palmer. Match referee: Reid. May 20: Australia v New Zealand at Cardiff. On-field umpires: Shepherd and Akhtar. 3rd umpire: Koertzen. Match referee: Subba Row. May 20: Pakistan v Scotland at Chester-Le-Street. On-field umpires: Cowie and Robinson. 3rd umpire: Hampshire (Eng). Match referee: Durge. May 21: West Indies v Bangladesh at Dublin. On-field umpires: Francis and Hair. 3rd umpire: Sharp. Match referee: Madugalle. May 22: England v South Africa at Oval. On-field umpires: Venkat and Dunne. 3rd umpire: Akhtar. Match referee: Smith. May 22: Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka at Worcester. On-field umpires: Bucknor and Shepherd. 3rd umpire: M. Kitchen (Eng). Match referee: Ali. May 23: Kenya v India at Bristol. On-field umpires: Robinson and Cowie. 3rd umpire: Holder. Match referee: Burge. May 23: Australia v Pakistan at Headingley. On-field umpires: Koertzen and Willey. 3rd umpire: Julian. Match referee: Subba Row. May 24: Scotland v Bangladesh at Edinburgh. On-field umpires: Francis and Orchard. 3rd umpire: Dudleston. Match referee: Reid. May 24: West Indies v New Zealand at Southampton. On-field umpires: Venkat and Akhtar. 3rd umpire: Hampshire. Match referee: Madugalle. May 25: England v Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge. On-field umpires: Hair and Bucknor. 3rd umpire: Julian. Match referee: Ali. May 26: Sri Lanka v India at Taunton. On-field umpires: Dunne and Shepherd. 3rd umpire: Koertzen. Match referee: Smith. May 26: South Africa v Kenya at Amsterdam. On-field umpires: Willey and Cowie. 3rd umpire: Constant. Match referee: Subba Row. May 27: West Indies v Scotland at Leicester. On-field umpires: Robinson and Akhtar. 3rd umpire: Venkat. Match referee: Burge. May 27: Australia v Bangladesh at Chester-Le-Street. On-field umpires: Orchard and Bucknor. 3rd umpire: Kitchen. Match referee: Reid. May 28: New Zealand v Pakistan at Derby. On-field umpires: Koertzen and Francis. 3rd umpire: Willey. Match referee: Madulgalle. May 29: England v India at Edgbaston. On-field umpires: Hair and Akhtar. 3rd umpire: Cowie. Match referee: Burge. May 29: Zimbabwe v South Africa at Chelmsford. On-field umpires: Shepherd and Venkat. 3rd umpire: J. Holder. Match referee: Subba Row. May 30: Sri Lanka v Kenya at Southampton. On-field umpires: Orchard and Willey. 3rd umpire: Dudleston. Match referee: Ali. May 30: West Indies v Australia at Old Trafford. On-field umpires: Dunne and Francis. 3rd umpire: Constant. Match referee: Reid. May 31: Pakistan v Bangladesh at Northampton. On-field umpires: Hair and Cowie. 3rd umpire: Shepherd. Match referee: Madugalle. May 31: Scotland v New Zealand at Edinburgh. On-field umpires: Koertzen and Robinson. 3rd umpire: Bucknor. Match referee: Smith. The postings from the
super six stage onwards, commencing on June 4, would be
done at the end of the preliminary league depending upon
the qualifiers. |
Ranatunga ‘determined’
to win COLOMBO, April 25 (UNI) — Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga has said he is "more confident and determined’’ to clinch the World Cup for the second time for his country. "I must commend the selectors for giving me more or less the same outfit which surprised one and all by pocketing the last World Cup championship,’’ he said before his team’s departure yesterday for London. "I am quite sure this combination will click again to bring the World Cup once more to Sri Lanka,’’ he added. On the deterioration in the team’s performance in the recent past, Ranatunga admitted that "poor fielding’’ during the past one year had spelt disaster for the Sri Lankans. "Certain victories have turned into defeat as a result of poor fielding,’’ he noted. Stating that the team had been put through "strenuous’’ fielding sessions, he exuded confidence that the team would be at their "brilliant best’’ during their World Cup campaign starting next month. Though he indicated a change in the team batting order, he did not elaborate. On this year’s annual general meeting of the Sri Lankan board of control for cricket ending in court, Ranatunga said, "it is pathetic’’. "What we need is an administration which will work hard to improve the game.But this sort of thing should not have happened, especially with the all-important World Cup round the corner,’’ he remarked. Asked whether he planned
to retire in the near future, the Sri Lankan skipper
said: "I will give it a serious thought after
winning the World Cup". |
Wadekar defends team composition LUCKNOW, April 25 (PTI) — National cricket selection committee chairman Ajit Wadekar today defended the composition of 15-member Indian squad for the May-June World Cup saying it was the best in view of weather conditions in the British isles. "They should do well in the premier one-day tournament," Wadekar said in a Press conference here. "We have selected the best possible 15 players for the World Cup keeping in view the weather conditions in England," he said. "The players have the wishes of millions of cricket fans which should enable them to bring back the trophy," the former India captain said. India won the World Cup hosted by England in 1983. With batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar back in the team after recovering from back problem, "Indian team has definitely got a boost," Wadekar said. "They should put behind their recent indifferent results against Pakistan in order to strive and win the World Cup". Commenting on the raging debate over captaincy, Wadekar stoutly defended Azharuddin’s selection despite his poor form with the bat. "There is nothing wrong with his leadership. The country has won several Test series’ and one-day tournaments under his ‘astute’ leadership in the past," he said. "One-day cricket is a funny game and it all depends on how a team performs on a particular day. Unfortunately India failed to lift their game during the crucial matches," the selection committee chairman said referring to India’s defeat against Pakistan in the finals — at Bangalore and Sharjah — earlier this month. When asked whether the selection committee would impress upon any strategy, Wadekar said it was for the thinktank of the Indian team to decide specific strategies against their opponents. Wadekar said he was confident that the Indian team would perform better in fielding department after getting itself fine-tuned to consultant Bobby Simpson’s physical fitness training programme. "Bob has been working with the cricketers for sometime and the results will show in the performance of the team very soon," he said, adding "coach Anshuman Gaekwad, manager Brijesh Patel and trainer Andrew Kokinos will also help individual players in toning themselves up for the mega event." Commenting on the laid-back approach of some of Indian cricketers in the field, particularly during fielding, he said "cricket grounds in India are also to be blamed for lack of agility among some of the players as most of the grounds are poorly maintained." On Orissa swing bowler Debashish Mohanty’s selection, Wadekar clarified that he was dropped from the provisional list of 19 players as the selectors had faith that Bengal all rounder Laxmi Ratan Shukla would come good. But later it was decided that Shukla needed more exposure," he said. "The selection of
Mohanty will provide more options to the skipper in
choosing pace bowlers besides the frontline bowlers like
Venkatesh Prasad, Javagal Srinath and Ajit Agarkar would
also be on tenterhooks to give their best," he said.
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Gonzalez scores thrice as Spain
LAGOS, April 25 (Reuters) — Pablo Gonzalez scored twice as Spain crushed Japan 4-0 to win the World Youth Cup for the first time yesterday. Gonzalez, who plays for second division club Numancia, finished as the tournament’s joint leading scorer with five goals alongside Mali’s Mahamadou Dissa. Underdogs Japan, missing injured captain Shinji Ono, were never in the hunt after Saludes Barkero drilled a free kick through their defensive wall in the fifth minute. Gonzalez scored in the 14th and 30th minutes. Gabriel Garcia De La Torre added a fourth early in the second half, converting a chance brilliantly set up by fellow Barcelona reserve Xavier Hernandez. After that Japan were happy to keep the score down. Spain, whose players are nearly all reserves with first and second division clubs, dominated the game and could have been further ahead by the interval but for two timely saves by goalkeeper Yuta Minami. However, Troussier was unhappy with the free kick awarded against Minami inside the penalty area from which Spain opened the scoring. "At this age level it was a very rigid decision and the whole game turned on it," he said. Earlier, the
competition’s other surprise package Mali took third
place by beating Uruguay 1-0, their second win over the
South Americans in the tournament. |
Joshi guides Nepal into last four MARGAO, April 25 (PTI) — Naresh Joshi guided Nepal into the semifinals by scoring a hat-trick as the Himalayan kingdom registered a 3-2 win over Sri Lanka in an absorbing group "B" match of the SAFF tournament here today. Nepal, who scored their first ever win over Sri Lanka, shot into the lead in the third minute through "man of the match" Naresh Joshi. Sri Lanka restored parity in the 21st minute off a penalty through Roshan Perera. A minute later Amunallah gave Sri Lanka the lead. Nepal, who played a cohesive game, restored parity in the 40th minute through Joshi and the score was 2-2 at half time. Joshi, who scored his first hat-trick, scored the winning goal in the 81st minute. Nepal qualified for the semifinals with three points and head the table. Sri Lanka, who finished their league engagement with a draw and a loss, will have to wait for the result of the match between Nepal and the Maldives on Tuesday which will decide the second team to qualify from this pool. Naresh Joshi bagged the most valuable player of the match and was awarded cash award of Rs 10,000. Referee S. Lelerajen of
Malaysia showed yellow cards to Sri Lanka’s Mohammed
Anees and Mohamed Kabeer and Nepal’s Deepak Amatya
and Bal Gopal Maharjan. |
"South Asia Shree" title for Prasad NASIK, April 25 (PTI) — India’s Prasad Kumar won the first South Asia Bodybuilding Competition held here bagging the "South Asia Shree" title. Groupwise winners: 65 kg group: R. Murali (India), Nagesh Prasad (India), Sachin Pradhan (Nepal), Prasanna Parsis (Sri Lanka), Narendra Awale (Nepal), Dipankar Sikandar (Bangladesh). 70 kg group: V.M. Bashir (India), K.S. Pandey (India), Raju Diwakar (Nepal), Sagar Tamrakar (Nepal), Dikson Seram (Sri Lanka), Mongtha Rakhim (Bangladesh). 75 kg groups: E.G. Baijee (India), N. Vasanta (India), Jeevan Givi (Nepal) Suday Premkumar (Sri Lanka), Vain Bahadur Basukalal (Nepal), Aliabdulla (Maldives), Manjitsingh (India) Rajiv Tisera (Sri Lanka), Naresh Mahajan (Nepal), Jayanta Jaylal (Sri Lanka), Rajkumar Rai (Nepal). Bobby Singh and A.K.
Rari in 75 kg group were disqualified due to technical
reasons, the organisers said. |
Nawaz Sharif plays morale booster ISLAMABAD, April 25 (PTI) — Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif yesterday offered to take the role of morale booster for country’s cricket team by agreeing to play an exhibition match against England-bound World Cup squad. The cricket enthusiast Prime Minister also promised to be one of the spectators at Lord’s if Pakistan reached the final. Pakistan, in the midst of a turmoil with resignation of coach Javed Miandad and betting and match-fixing probe judge summoning Wasim Akram and others for "final questioning", got a relief when its Prime Minister met team members and expressed his support to them at a reception in Lahore after returning from his state-visit to Moscow. Sharif decided to meet the team preparing for May-June World Cup and boost its sagging morale. The Pak premier, who is expected to leave for another foreign trip shortly, took time off to talk to the team members to wish them good luck. Pakistan won the World Cup in 1992 which was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Terming his primeministership as a good omen, Sharif said he was at the top post when Pakistan won the World Cup and added: "Now again I wish to see you emerge as champions and do the whole nation proud". In the wake of coach Miandad’s resignation following differences with some senior players, the Prime Minister repeatedly emphasised on discipline saying, "there is no reason for the Pakistan team not to win the World Cup if they show the discipline and team spirit". Incidentally Miandad was also present at the reception with the Prime Minister. Sharif promised the Pakistani team that he would go all the way to England to watch the World Cup final if they make it to the final and said, "It is my wish that Pakistan play World Cup final and win it". He lauded the performance of the Pakistani team in the recent tournaments specially during the Indian tour and said the team was sent to India despite criticism from certain quarters and, "the boys proved equal to the task and came out with flying colours from the tour". Team skipper Wasim Akram while thanking Sharif for the meeting said boys were ready to perform in the World Cup while the Pakistan board chief, Khalid Mahmood said: "Rest assured, we will not disappoint you in the World Cup". Akram also invited Sharif for a friendly match with the World Cup team which he said would greatly encourage the team for the World Cup. Sharif, who is a keen
cricketer himself and plays cricket on weekends, accepted
the invitation and promised to spare time for such a
match which is likely to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium
in Lahore before the Pakistani team leaves for World Cup
on April 28. |
Kuerten to meet Rios in Monte MONTE CARLO, April 25 (Reuters) — Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten stopped Spain’s unbeaten run on clay this season to ease into his first final of the year against Chile’s Marcelo Rios at the 2.2 million Monte Carlo open yesterday. Today’s final will be the first between two Latin Americans in a super 9 tournament, one rank below the four grand slams. For the first time in three years, there will not be a Spaniard in the final here and Kuerten is to blame. The former French Open winner beat 15th seed Felix Mantilla 3-6 6-3 6-4. Rios, world number one last year, was less convincing in his 6-4 3-6 6-2 victory over Frenchman Jerome Golmard, who had beaten title holder Carlos Moya of Spain in the quarter-finals Mantilla won in Barcelona last week, emulating compatriots Alberto Martin and Albert Costa, winners of the two previous tournaments held on the surface in 1999 in Casablanca and Estoril. But Kuerten, who had beaten Spain almost single-handed in Davis Cup tie this month, had the game to counter the Catalan on a rainy day in the principality. "I had to come back from one set down so I had to be more aggressive and come to the net," added the 13th seed, who had not beaten Mantilla in three previous matches. The Brazilian at first had trouble adapting to a court made slower by constant drizzle and he made a lot of unforced errors. Mantilla broke Kuerten straight away and the Brazilian lost the set 6-3 in 35 minutes. In the second, Kuerten rushed the net at every opportunity to great effect. In the final set Mantilla, who had fought out a long three-set battle against Costa in the previous round, seemed to tire. Kuerten broke the Spaniard for 4-3 and finished him off with a fine volley two games later. Rios, back in form after a back injury forced him out of action for most of the early season, was a little inconsistent in a match which also lasted just over two hours. Golmard looked in control in the first set, leading 4-2, when he cracked, double faulting twice to allow Rios back and winning just one point out of 14. When Rios seemed to have been heading for a quick victory that in turn collapsed to trail 4-1. He saved five set points before handing the second set to the Frenchman. The last set was a war of nerves, each player struggling to keep his serve, but Golmard was the first to lose his and Rios clinched the set. Kuerten, who lost 6-4
6-3 against Rios in Estoril, said: "It will be tough
because he beat me in our last clash but revenge could
also add to my motivation". |
India hold edge over Pakistan MARGAO, April 25 (PTI) — Hosts India have an upper hand over Pakistan when they lock horns with their arch rivals in group "A" of the SAFF Football Tournament here tomorrow. India, who drew their opening encounter against Bangladesh, need only a draw to qualify for the semifinals, while Pakistan require a victory. Bangladesh with four points from a win and a draw have already qualified. India look strong on paper with players like Baichung Bhutia, I.M. Vijayan, Carlton Chapman and Bruno Coutinho in their ranks, who can tilt the match in their favour. But their midfield, particularly Chapman and Vijayan, who were not at their best in the last match, will have to give off their best. Indian coach Sukhwinder Singh said his boys would play their usual game and go all out for a big win to top the pool though the team needs only a draw to qualify. "We cannot underestimate Pakistan on the basis of their performance against Bangladesh in the last match as it was their first tie", he said. Pakistan, who were beaten 4-0 by Bangladesh, will have to tighten up their defence and midfield. Pakistan have lost to India 0-2 in the last SAFF Games and 1-3 in the pre-Olympic under-23 tournament here. Pakistan face an uphill task as four of their players are injured. Defender Pervaiz hurt his leg yesterday, captain Haroon Yousaf is down with fever, while striker Shahid and goalkeeper Muhammad Younis are doubtful starters. Pakistan coach Muhammad Idrees said his team would go all out for a win to qualify for the semifinals. He rated the Indian team as a strong side. "They have a lot of exposure and play professional matches at home whereas our boys do not get to play much as we do not have a professional league in Pakistan", he said. "Our chances in
tomorrow's match are 50-50," said Idrees. |
World Athletic Day meet at
Patiala PATIALA, April 25 — The World Athletics Day Meet will be held at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) on May 1 and 2, according to junior national athletics coach and Dronacharya awardee J S Saini. This will be the fourth edition of the meet and is being organised by the Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI). Among the star athletes scheduled to participate in the two-day meet will be Parmeek Singh, winner of the 1500 metres gold medal in the junior national athletics championships held at Cuttack in January this year. Parmeek Singh is widely perceived by experts to be one of the most talented metric milers after Bahadur Prasad. The others are Gojen Singh who won the gold in the 1500 metres in the Asian Games, Sunita Rani, winner of a silver and bronze in the 1500 m and 5000 m at the Bangkok Asiad, discus thrower Harwant Kaur, Aman Saini and Amandeep Singh of Punjab Police. The winners, a maximum of six boys and six girls will be considered by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) for participation in the world athletic day draw. In the last edition discus thrower Harwant Kaur was selected to watch the World Athletic Championships held in South Africa under this scheme. Athletes under 20 years of age as on December 31, 1999 are eligible to participate. The events: boys: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 110m hurdles, long jump, shot put, discus, javelin, hammer throw and 5 km walk. Girls: 100m, 400m, 800m,
1500m, 100m hurdles, long jump, shot put, discus throw,
javelin throw and 3 km walk. |
Jeev finishes runner-up NEW DELHI, April 25 (PTI) — Top Indian Jeev Milkha Singh fired the day’s best card of four-under-67 to overcome a four stroke deficit but could not maintain the form, losing to Choi Kyoung Ju of Korea on the first playoff hole in the Kirin Open Golf Tournament in Japan today. The 27-year-old Indian, four strokes adrift of lead at 5-under 137 after two rounds on Friday, came back strongly on the final day today to finish runner-up at 9-under 204 in the 75 million yen (approx Rs 32 lakh) event which was reduced to 54 holes after heavy rains washed off play yesterday. The Chandigarh-based Jeev failed to save par on the first extra hole after his second shot landed in a nasty rough in front of the green on the par-4 18th hole at the Ibaraki Golf Club’s west course. Japan’s Kazuhiro Takami fired a 67 to match the day’s lowest card for a three-way tie for the third place at 7-under 206 with compatriots Naomichi Ozaki and Tsuyoshi Yoneyama. Terry Price of Australia, Tsukasa Watanabe and Yasuharu Imano followed third at 208. India’s Arjun Atwal undid his fine effort of 69 in second round, which helped him make the cut after a poor 75 on the opening day, with a three-over 74 to finish way down at 218. Jeev (70+67+67), the
lone Indian on the tough European PGA Tour, was cruising
towards victory before Choi caught up with him at 9-under
204 thanks to an even-par 71 on the final hole, sinking
in a seven-foot putt. |
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BRIDGETOWN (Barbados), April 25 (Reuters) — West Indies allrounder Carl Hooper has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, team manager Clive Lloyd said today. Lloyd said Hooper broke
the news to team members yesterday after the sixth
one-day match against Australia, which the visitors won
by four wickets. |
Woolmer says 'no' to England LONDON, April 25 (Reuters) — South Africa’s cricket coach Bob Woolmer appears to have ruled himself out of coaching the England team for the time being at least. England, who are seeking a replacement for David Lloyd when he steps down as coach at the end of the World Cup on June 20, have already approached Englishman Woolmer. However, a report in the Sunday Telegraph says ex-England Test all-rounder Woolmer has accepted an offer to commentate for talk radio, an English station, on England’s tour of South Africa starting later this year. Woolmer finishes his coaching job with South Africa after the World Cup, and has already said he wants a rest from the game following the tournament in England. That would also make him
unavailable to coach England in their four-Test home
series against New Zealand immediately after the World
Cup. |
Steven announces retirement WELLINGTON (New Zealand), April 25 (AP) — New Zealand's top-ranked men's tennis player Brett Steven announced yesterday his retirement after 12 years on the pro circuit. Steven, 29, said a recurring foot injury, a subsequent slide in his singles ranking and the desire to spend more time with his family contributed to his decision to quit earlier than planned. "I have made no secret that this was probably going to be my last year on the ATP Tour," Steven said. "I am still planning to play the Davis Cup tie against Spain at the end of September but will retire completely from competitive tennis after that." Steven, from Auckland, tore a tendon in his right foot in February and has struggled with the injury since. He has been advised it could take up to two months to heal properly. With a current Association of Touring Professionals (ATP) Tour singles ranking of 126 and 54 in doubles, Steven said he had no regrets about retiring.
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Shuttlers' camp at Shilaru CHANDIGARH, April 25 — Secretaries of northern state association affiliated to the Badminton Association of India today held a joint meeting at Panchkula which was presided over by Mr Devender Singh, vice-president, BAI. The agenda included ways to promote the game at the grass-root level. Secretaries of five states and UTs including Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh attended the meeting. It was decided to hold a two-week high-altitude conditioning camp for under 16 and under 13 players at Shilaru (near Shimla) in June this year. The players will be shortlisted by the respective state associations. Most of the
representatives stressed on the adoption of the game by
educational institutions. Mr Rajinder Kalsi, secretary of
the Punjab Badminton Association mooted the idea of
starting a tournament for schools and clubs. The members
also felt the need for public sector participation to
give a boost to the game. |
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