Sunday, June 13, 1999
today's calendar
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S P O R T | Sunday, June 13, 1999 |
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Pak
two wins away from title: Akram Interim
panel to run cricket in Lanka Ranatunga
told to step down Stop
criticising Warne: Waugh Players
told to "finish off" Zimbabwe tie Saqlain
2nd to get Cup hat-trick Sharif
seeks report on Pak defeats Cup
song sinks without a trace |
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Paes-Bhupathi
duo loses at Queens Tyson
to start training |
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Kiwis win, enter semis TRENT BRIDGE, June 13 (PTI) — India made an inglorious exit from the World Cup going down by five wickets to New Zealand in their last Super Six tie, lifting the Kiwis into the semifinals but leaving Australia and Zimbabwe in suspense. A demoralised India, fighting to post a face-saving win after being eliminated, rode on Ajay Jadeja’s fine 76 to post 251 for six on electing to bat. But opener Matt Horne top-scored with 74 and raised a crucial 83-run fourth wicket stand with Roger Twose (60 n.o.) before the left-hander along with an aggressive Adam Parore (26 n.o.) achieved a dramatic victory by lifting New Zealand to 253 for five with eight balls left at the Nottingham County Ground. India mounted a valiant fight to stop the Kiwis after heavy showers held up play for 85 minutes, but an erratic 47th over by paceman Javagal Srinath that went for 15 runs killed their hopes of bowing out with some pride intact. The victory helped New Zealand force a tie with Zimbabwe on five points, but they edged past the Africans on superior net run rate to seal a last four berth. But the fresh twist in the Super Six left Australia — four points — in a must win situation against South Africa tomorrow. Zimbabwe’s hopes rest on their neighbours baulking the attempts of the Aussies. India reduced New Zealand to 90 for three and looked good to come totally on top, but Horne and Twose cashed in on loose bowling and a weak fifth bowler in the middle overs to effect a splendid recovery. Young seamer Debashish Mohanty once again came up with an excellent two for 41, removing opener Nathan Astle (26) and Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming (15), and Srinath sent back Craig McMillan (6) cheaply. But Horne and Twose denied India any more immediate wickets as they pushed the score to 173 for four in the 35th over. Horne, who cracked eight fours in reaching his first fifty of the tournament off only 85 balls, was eventually run out substitute fielder Nikhil Chopra’s direct hit from mid on. Rain intervention forced the players indoors, but the sky cleared and sun broke through as play resumed. India suddenly looked all charged up with a huge number of their fans rooting from the packed stands. With leg-spinner Anil Kumble bowling superbly despite difficulty in gripping the wet ball, India had pegged New Zealand to 218 for 4 after 45 overs. The big-hitting Chris Cairns fell first ball of the 46th over to Robin Singh as New Zealand were left to make 34 runs off 29 balls. But Robin Singh went for 11 runs in that over as Azhar was left ruing the weakness of the fifth bowler. To add to the chagrin of the Indian supporters, Srinath once again showed his inability to handle pressure by conceding 15 runs in the 48th over which simply ended the contest. Parore decisively pulled the match New Zealand’s way making his unbeaten 26 off only 14 balls and the win was sealed when Twose capped his invaluable 77-ball knock by hitting the brace to bring off victory. The Indians, disappointed after finishing with just two points from the lone victory over arch rivals Pakistan, will head for home regretting the number of mistakes that cost them a place in the knockout. Earlier, Ajay Jadeja hit a solid 76 off 102 balls and raised 90 runs for the fourth wicket with Azharuddin (30) and 54 runs for the fifth with Robin Singh (27 off 29 balls) to enable India post a fighting total on electing to bat first. The star trio of Sachin Tendulkar (16), Saurav Ganguly (29) and Rahul Dravid (29) failed to raise big knocks after getting settled, but the middle-order contributed vital runs to ensure a close fight. Cairns took 2 for 44
while left-arm seamer Geoff Allott, who has emerged the
highest wicket-taker in a single World Cup, extended his
number of scalps to 20 by removing Ganguly. |
The hype was too much: Wadekar MUMBAI, June 12 (PTI) — The Indian World Cup team was put under tremendous pressure by all the hype and hoopla generated, according to cricket selection committee chairman Ajit Wadekar. "The hype was too much. They have never experienced so much pressure. Ultimately they are human. It is very disappointing that they did not qualify for the semi-finals. I feel they deserved to make it to the last four after beating teams like Sri Lanka, England and Pakistan", Wadekar told PTI here today. India’s chances of making it to the semi-finals were blown away at Trent Bridge yesterday by arch-rivals Pakistan’s commanding victory over Zimbabwe in the Super Six clash. The former India captain and cricket manager felt the failure of the team’s tail to wag contributed a lot to the defeats, especially against Zimbabwe in the preliminary phase which cost them dear in the Super Six stage too. "If our tailend batsmen had chipped in we would not have goofed up in the last over against Zimbabwe. It has been happening for quite some time now. From Chennai (in the first Test against Pakistan when India lost by 17 runs). Something has to be done about it", Wadekar said. "Look at Pakistan, South Africa. Their tailenders come up with useful contributions every now and then", he said. "Our top-order batting clicked well though the skipper (Mohd Azharuddin) was a bit out of form. Our bowlers performed well occasionally as well as the fielders", he said. "The expectations from the team were too many. Some others made a lot of money", Wadekar said. He also felt India should have reached England earlier than April 24 as they generally take time to acclimatise. "We needed some more time to get used to the cold climate as we are traditionally slow starters and then try to make it up", the ex-India captain said. The selection committee chairman felt the cup format can be improved upon to prevent good teams from going out. "I suppose separate quarter-finals followed by semi-finals and final would have been better. The points system was okay as far as keeping in suspense which teams would qualify. But good teams went out", he said. Coach Anshuman Gaekwad had also hit out at the points system in vogue for the tournament. But Wadekar said it was no excuse for the team’s exit as the management knew two months in advance about the points system. "We were aware of
it. We should have been prepared for it though there is
scope for improving the points system", he added. |
Aussies have their task cut out HEADINGLEY, June 12 (PTI) — A resurgent Australia take on South Africa in a high-voltage last World Cup Super Six tie tomorrow with the onus on them to win and ensure their semifinal berth in style. Australia, with four points, will know their position before they take on South Africa, who have already reached the last four with six points along with Pakistan. Australia’s qualification will be assured if India beat New Zealand today, but a Kiwi victory will leave Australia in a must-win situation. A win for the Kiwis will fetch them five points - like Zimbabwe. Australia, who just about managed to make the Super Six grade without any points, have found their rhythm in victories over India and Zimbabwe in Super Six, but South Africa will be in no mood for charity. Hansie Cronje and his men will look for victory as it will help them top the table and give them advantage on head-to-head in case of weather intervention in the knockout. A victory can also leave South Africa facing the Aussies again in the semifinal, where Super Six topper plays the fourth placed and second and third placed sides meet in the other semifinal. But an Aussie win will force a three-way tie on points with South Africa and Pakistan and net run rate would then be considered to decide the placings. South Africa have remained the team to beat in this World Cup and have proved too powerful barring the lone blemish against Zimbabwe in their final group clash. They pulled off a brilliant chase against Pakistan and then smothered the Kiwis after setting a big target in the Super Six. With South African batting also beginning to play to potential Australia have their task cut out. South Africa have a couple of injury worries. Opener Herschelle Gibbs, who top-scored with 92 against New Zealand, is nursing a hamstring strain and all-rounder Jacques Kallis has a stomach muscle problem. The South Africans may decide to make a couple of changes for the game to enable both to regain full fitness. The Aussies are also a transformed lot after four wins in a row made up for their listless start. Stylish opener Mark Waugh’s 104 against Zimbabwe showed his splendid form and the Aussies have also played true to their batting depth. Mark Waugh was also the top scorer with 83 as Australia beat India at The Oval and skipper Steve Waugh will hope for another fine display from his batsmen. Mark Waugh, who struck a superb fourth World Cup century against the Kiwis, has the ability to change the complexion of the game on his own. Steve Waugh himself is showing brilliant touch with Ricky Ponting, Michael Bevan and Tom Moody also chipping in with useful contributions. The tie will also be a great competition between two strong bowling and fielding sides. Against South Africa’s all-pace attack, the key to the Aussie attack could be star leg spinner Shane Warne and Michael Bevan, who bowls left arm slow stuff. Steve Waugh will expect an improved display from Warne. The leg-spinner is struggling with a shoulder strain here and has come in for stick against both India and Zimbabwe. He was hit for 49 runs in 6.2 overs against India and against Zimbabwe he were for one for 55 in nine overs. This has not only put
pressure on the leg-spinner but can also disturb the
balance in the attack and South Africa will fancy
themselves despite have been the bunnies of the blonde
leg spinner in the past. |
Australia vs SA form guide HEADINGLEY, June 12 (AFP) — Australia vs South Africa form guide: Australia: coach - Geoff Marsh, captain - Steve Waugh. South Africa: coach — Bob Woolmer, captain — Hansie Cronje. 1999 World Cup results: Australia — beat Scotland by six wickets, lost to Pakistan by 10 runs, lost to New Zealand by five wickets, beat Bangladesh by seven wickets, beat the West Indies by Six wickets Super Six — beat India by 77 runs, beat Zimbabwe by 44 runs. South Africa beat India by four wickets, beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs, beat Kenya by seven wickets, beat England by 122 runs, lost to Zimbabwe by 48 runs. Super six - beat Pakistan by three wickets, beat New Zealand by 74 runs. Recent head-to-heads: Australia won the last three-match Test series against South Africa 1-0. But Hansie Cronje's team ended the third Test feeling cheated after Mark Waugh was given not out after hitting his stumps. His unbeaten century helped Australia avoid defeat and win the series. South Africa have had the upper hand in recent one-dayers. They won six games in a row up to January 1998, but the lost the next two as Australia stole a home tri-nations tournament. The last time they met was in an unofficial encounter at the Commonwealth Games. When an under-strength South Africa beat Steve Waugh's full-strength team in the final. Pollock toom four for 14 that day. With Steve Waugh hitting 90 not out. Previous World Cups: The sides have played just once, in 1992, when the South Africans won by nine wickets in Sydney. Allan Donald played a key role with three wickets for 34 before Keppler Wessels, now retired, made 81 not out. Venue: Headingly,
one of the oldest Test venues, a little cramped but
generates a good atmosphere. County-side Yorkshire tried
to leave the venue two years ago for a new ground but
have decided to stay and renovate the current site. Don
Bradman scored 309 runs in a day here in 1948. Capacity:
14, 750. |
Pak showed tactical
adaptability LONDON, June 12 — Necessity is the mother of invention. Facing the sudden death situation as they were here at the Oval when playing Zimbabwe, Pakistan may have good sense thrust upon them. They put a batting order right and they picked Shahid Afridi ahead of Salim Malik by which they showed a willingness to abandon old ideas. Wasim Akram sent in Wajahtulla Wasti to open with Saeed Anwar which once again showed good tactical adaptability. The first lesson to be learnt in this orthodox World Cup was that pinch-hitting openers like Afridi who depend more on their eye than sound technique have little chance to succeed in English conditions in which there is so much lateral movement of the ball. The form of Saeed Anwar was, however, bound to be decisive factor. When he is in good nick, Pakistan look a different batting side. He had run into such a rough patch that he did not benefit even from being one of the few batsmen in the world who can boast that he was dropped off a straightforward catch by Jonty Rhodes. Anwar (on 20) has a large slice of luck today too as Alistair Campbell put down a simple catch at first slip off a luckless Mbwanga. The sky was the limit as Anwar fired, passing a hundred for the 16th time in his career but only the first time in a World Cup. The batsman who has on the one-day international record for the highest score of (194 vs India at Chennai) has this in-built ability to keep finding the spurts of scoring in the midst of a long innings. He has the technical ability as well as innovation to keep the scorers busy. By the time he topedged a catch to the keeper, Anwar had placed the innings on such a pedestal that the Pakistan bowlers could expect a solid total as well as terrific vocal support to back them. The moment Anwar left Pakistan did manage to lose their way before Afridi restored sense while also showing what prowess he has as a late order pinch hitter. The Pakistanis lost wickets as if they had 20 instead of ten and it was entirely the aggression of Afridi which he held in check and unleashed at the right time that gave them the total they should always have made without any trouble. Wajahatullah, whose name sounds as if he is a character from a movie set in ancient India, demonstrated the efficacy of a straight bat even if he did edge a few and steered a few off a thick edge. The chances of someone like him succeeding against the swinging ball are far more. By virtue of the rearranged order, Pakistan had the best start in terms of runs and wickets — 74 for no loss in 15 overs and then 97 before Wajahtullah skied one. Pakistan had resembled a hospital on the move after the defeat against India in which the cream of their batsmen picked up as many injuries as Lance Klusener and Neil Johnson have been picking up match awards in this World Cup. Physical problems or not, they had to put their ten best men on the field since Yousuf Youhana is the only one yet to recover from an injury more serious than niggling. The retention of Afridi was the master stroke. He is best described as a "non-thinking man’s Klusener" who has the capacity to be a late order hitter in the slog. He can so easily convert a potentially good total into a great one if his big hitting comes off in a late middle order which already has Moin Khan, who is playing on with a broken finger and Wasim Akram. Zimbabwe had their
problems too, Johnson who made that delightful 132
against Australia at Lord’s last Wednesday, could
not bowl which meant they had to adjust their team
composition to include Mbwanga. And nothing causes more
heartache than to have someone who opens the batting and
bowling incapacitated, the bowling of Health Streak in
his second spell may have compensated for Johnson not
being able to bowl. —UNI |
Pak two wins away from title: Akram LONDON, June 12 (AP) — Wasim Akram sought more understanding from his fans in lean after Pakistan’s dramatic entry into the World Cup semifinals with a runaway 148-run win over Zimbabwe in a Super Six match at The Oval today. Wasim expressed anguish at the team being criticised for everything "under the sun...all sins’’ when it struck a bad patch and lost three successive games after a six-month winning run. "The Pakistan team needs support from its fans when we are not doing well,’’ Wasim said. I’ve always been pleading to our supporters that we too are human beings...as capable as anyone else to have a bad week.’’ He said his players were upset by the public reaction when it was pushed into a must-win situation against Zimbabwe to keep alive its hopes of making the semifinals. "I’ve been saying all along that keep backing us...have faith in the team and we’ll come good at the right moment,’’ the Pakistan captain said. The three defeats actually helped wake up the team and made us hungry for more success.’’ Wasim said his team was in peak form and just two wins away from winning the World Cup. "As a captain, I’m delighted to make the semifinals and find ourselves just two wins away from the World Cup,’’ he said. We’re switched on at the right time...the moment that matters most.’’ Although Pakistan carried the maximum four points into the Super Six, it faced many anxious moments before progressing to the semifinals and kept the fans on their tenterhooks. Wasim said the players couldn’t be blamed for putting their supporters through so many anxious moments. "They too treat us like that, up one moment and down the other,’’ he said, pointing out the rough treatment the players received when the team falters. Believe me, I’ve been besieged by calls from back home questioning what had gone wrong.’’ Wasim said the team was full of confidence and capable of rising to the occasion. "We are looking towards the final at lord’s,’’ he said. The opposition does not bother us...we can beat them all.’’ Akram said the batting order was still being shuffled to get the right combination, not in desperation. "We’re trying
out every-thing...left, right and centre, to get the best
combination,’’ he said. "There’s no
desperation and now we seem to have got it
correct.’’ |
Interim panel to run cricket in Lanka COLOMBO, June 12 (PTI) — Sri Lankan Sports Minister s b Dissanayake has appointed a five-member interim committee to run the affairs of the island’s cricket board after asking Arjuna Ranatunga to step down as captain for the World Cup debacle. Dissanayake appointed yesterday a committee of former cricketers headed by Renzie Wijetileke, managing director of Hatton National Bank, with former skipper Michael Tissera, and ex-Test players Siddath Wettimuny, Asantha de Mel and former board secretary Skandha Kumar as members. The panel will temporarily look after the board affairs as a city court stayed the functioning of the office-bearers after their controversial election was challenged. The committee would be assisted by seven elected members of the board whom the court has permitted to function as their election was not challenged. The panel has been authorised to operate funds to make arrangements for the tour of Australian and Indian teams to Sri Lanka scheduled for this August. The minister last night asked Ranatunga to step down as captain and continue as player. Dissanayake, who has been vested with the authority over all sports bodies, told, BBC’s Sinhala service last night that Ranatunga had made tactical mistakes which contributed to the team’s disastrous showing. Though there has been widespread calls for Ranatunga’s resignation, it was the first time he was being officially asked to quit and has left the portly "captain cool" with little option but to resign. Ranatunga, who stayed back in England after his team was eliminated, had refused to quit on his own and had left the decision to national selectors and Sports Ministry officials. In a statement in London recently, he said he still had a few years of cricket left in him and expressed his willingness to serve in whatever capacity. The problems within the board had undermined Sri Lanka’s preparation for the World Cup and has been given as one of the main reasons for their debacle. The board elections had witnessed acrimonious scenes with the defeated Clifford Ratwatte, uncle of Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunge, walking out alleging that his rival Thilanga Sumathipala had obstructed his rivals from voting. Ratwatte obtained a
court stay on the board’s functioning but it was
subsequently lifted after a representation that funds had
to be cleared for the team’s departure. |
Ranatunga told to step down COLOMBO, June 12 (AFP) — Sri Lankan Sports Minister S.D. Dissanayake yesterday accused skipper Arjuna Ranatunga of several mistakes that led to the country’s early exit from the World Cup and asked him to step down. Mr Dissanayake said Ranatunga (35) should step down as captain of the Sri Lankan squad but could continue to play. "He got many things wrong in the tournament," Mr Dissanayake said in an interview with the BBC. "He made very bad decisions, so it is time for him to step down." Mr Dissanayake told the BBC’s Sinhalese language programme that he believed Ranatunga was a "modest sportsman" and he could continue to remain in the Sri Lankan team but not as captain. The minister’s remarks were the first official reaction since the country’s humiliating exit from the first stage of the tournament unable to defend the cricketing crown won in March 1996. In a written statement sent here from England Ranatunga vowed to continue playing. Seven members of the Sri Lankan squad returned last week while the others stayed in England. Ranatunga was one of
those who remained and was spared the frosty reception at
Colombo airport, which was in sharp contrast to the red
carpet welcome Sri Lankans received after winning the
previous World Cup. |
Stop criticising Warne: Waugh LEEDS, June 12 (AP) — Australian skipper Steve Waugh today called for an end to media criticism of leg spinner Shane Warne. He said if the continual scrutiny didn’t end, Australia could lose one of its greatest ever cricketers. Warne, described by Waugh as a "great asset to the game’’, has come under fire since he was dropped from the Test side in the West Indies for the first time in 69 Tests in April this year. In 15.2 overs in two World Cup matches against India and Zimbabwe, the Australian vice-captain has conceded 104 runs and taken just one wicket and the pressure on him to quit is mounting. But Waugh, preparing his team for tomorrow’s Super Six match against title favourite South Africa, said Warne was a vital part of the team and "will come good when it counts.’’ "Give the guy a bit more leeway,’’ he said. I think he deserves that I really don’t know what people want from him.’’ "They want to try to take a guy down and lose one of Australia’s greatest ever cricketers.’’ Warne’s World Cup fortunes have see-sawed just as Australia’s and Waugh said it was effecting the champion spinner, who was taking a ‘‘few things personally’’. He wants to win the World Cup and so do we,’’ Waugh said. ‘‘He’s taken a few (negative comments) personally. It’s hard not to. ‘‘He is in the public eye now and big news all the time ... (but) you can destroy a guy if you go too far.’’ Warne has been one of cricket’s most controversial players. At the start of the World Cup, he was fined by the Australian cricket board for criticising Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga in a newspaper column in a British broadsheet. ‘‘He’s always going to attract publicity,’’ Waugh said. He knows that. I think just recently, it’s gone a little bit over the top.’’ Warne, who became a father for the second time during the World Cup, has also been linked to a phone-sex confession by a British model in a local tabloid. ‘‘His personal life, private life... Even people writing him off as a cricketer’’ has to stop, Waugh said. ‘‘It will be good for the next week or so if other guys took the publicity rather than Shane.’’ The 29-year-old spinner, who has taken 317 wickets (average 25.06) in 71 Tests and 192 wickets (average 24.78) in 122 one-day internationals, was subjected to fresh allegations of bribery this week by former Test batsman David Hookes. Warne together with batsman Mark Waugh was fined by the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) in 1995 for accepting money from an Indian bookmaker to provide match information during Australia’s cricket tour of Sri Lanka in September 1994. The fine was kept secret
until the facts emerged last year. The ACB held a new
inquiry and decided not to take further action against
the pair. |
Players told to "finish off" Zimbabwe tie NEW DELHI, June 12 (UNI) — Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar today claimed that instructions were sent to the players to finish off the match against Zimbabwe, which India eventually lost in that one over of Olonga. Appearing for the ESPN sports channel in today’s match in the Super Six between India and New Zealand he claimed that he had information about such instruction and wanted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to inquire into it. "Whoever had sent that instruction it is totally "rubbish". There is no need for that as you had still one more over to go. Just singles would have taken India past Zimbabwe’s total’’, Gavaskar bemoaned. India, requiring four runs to win and two overs in hand, lost to Zimbabwe when Olonga, bowled that memorable penultimate over, picked up the crucial wickets of Robin Singh, Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad. This loss in the end analysis had turned out to be very crucial as India lost two crucial points, which ultimately led to its exit from the World Cup in the Super Six league itself. India had the
mathematical chance of qualifying for the last four
following its spectacular victory over arch-rivals
Pakistan after losing to Australia in the opening Super
Six match. But Pakistan’s win over Zimbabwe
effectively sealed all routes for India. |
Saqlain 2nd to get Cup hat-trick LONDON, June 12 (PTI) — Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq yesterday claimed the second hat-trick in World Cup history scalping the last three wickets as his team humbled Zimbabwe at The Oval here. Saqlain enticed tailender Henry Olonga (4) out of the crease for wicket-keeper Moin Khan to remove the bails on the first ball of the 41st over. Moin Khan repeated the act next ball when Adam Huckle jumped out for a wild heave, while last-man Mpumelelo Mbangwa, surrounded by a posse of fielders, was trapped leg before as Saqlain claimed a hat-trick to emulate India’s Chetan Sharma. Sharma was the first to claim a World Cup hat-trick in 1987 against New Zealand at Nagpur when he clean bowled Ken Rutherford, Ian Smith and Ian Chetfield in three successive balls. Sharma’s was a unique all-bowled hat-trick in one-day internationals. Saqlain returned figures of 6.3-1-16-3 as Pakistan thrashed Zimbabwe by 148 runs to storm into the semi-finals. Saqlain, who came into
the World Cup after a brilliant Test series against
arch-rivals India in which he claimed 20 wickets in two
Tests — five in each of the four innings, has so far
claimed 16 wickets in the World Cup. |
Sharif seeks report on Pak defeats ISLAMABAD, June 12 (PTI) — The Pakistan Government yesterday sought a full report on the national team’s three successive defeats to debutantes Bangladesh, South Africa and arch rivals India in the cricket World Cup. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has asked the cricket board to submit a report on the poor performances of the team, which suffered a humiliating defeat against Bangladesh in the league stage and was beaten comprehensively by South Africa and India in the Super Six, the PPI news agency reported. The report said Mr Sharif made two telephone calls to board officials in London to know the reasons for the debacle. The three defeats severely dented Pakistan’s morale in the World Cup leaving the formidable side struggling for a semifinal berth. Pakistan, who were held
as co-favourites with South Africa after coming into the
tournament with two triseries victories in India and
Sharjah, lived up to the billing by winning their first
four league matches before losing the inconsequential tie
to Bangladesh. |
Cup song sinks without a trace LONDON, June 12 (Reuters) — The official World Cup anthem "All over the world" has made even less of an impact on the tournament than the England team. Released in a masterpiece of bad timing on the day England were eliminated in the first round, sales of the Dave Stewart composition have been minimal. This week a London radio station offered an overseas holiday to anybody who would sing a few bars of the song, which is supposed to promote the World Cup without once mentioning cricket. The offer closed two
hours later without a single call. |
Sampras defeats Ivanisevic LONDON, June 12 (AP) — A 7-5, 6-4 victory over Goran Ivanisevic yesterday in the Queen’s Grass-Court Tournament guaranteed that Pete Sampras will go into Wimbledon ranked No 1 and equal Ivan Lendl’s record of 270 weeks at the top. Sampras will regain his No 1 spot when the new ATP tour rankings are issued on Monday, his 268th week on top to equal American Jimmy Connors. Lendl is No 1 at 270 weeks. Sampras’ victory over Ivanisevic, a rematch of last year’s Wimbledon final with the same outcome, assured him of also being No 1 the day Wimbledon opens on June 21, which will be his 269th week in the top spot. Wimbledon lasts two weeks and ATP tour ranking won’t come out again until July 5, the day after it ends. Under ATP rules, Sampras will be automatically credited with being No 1 during the first week of Wimbledon, moving his total to the tying 270. A good tournament would allow him to be ranked No 1 on July 5, hitting 271 and breaking the record. Sampras faces unseeded Australian Lleyton Hewitt in Saturday’s semifianls. Hewitt defeated No 11 Cedric Pioline 7-5, 6-4. In another quarterfinal, No 7 Greg Rusedski of Britain had his grass-court preparation for Wimbledon set back by unseeded Armenian Sargis Sargsian 6-2, 6-4. Sampras refused to be intimidated as Ivanisevic fired a succession of early aces. The second-seeded Sampras earned set point with a floated backhand down the line, and then took the opening set with a winning service return. In the second set, another service return gave Sampras his third match point at 5-4, and the Croat then netted an easy forehand. The Armenian’s victory put him into the semifinals against Tim Henman or Karol Kucera. Rusedski fired two aces and a service winner in the opening game, but then looked second best against an opponent who is polished on grass. Sargsian was quicker around the court and covered the net, while Rusedski often missed the mark with his first serve and buried his volleys into the net. "I never got into a
rhythm or flow in any area,’’ Rusedski said.
Things just happen now and then. I don’t know why. I
wasn’t aggressive with my footwork, and he was
returning well and is one of the best movers I’ve
seen on grass for a long while.’’ |
Paes-Bhupathi duo loses at Queens LONDON, June 12 (PTI) — French Open doubles champions Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi were given a rude shock before the Wimbledon Championships by Australian pair of Wayne Arthurs and Andrew Kratzmann in the Queens Club tennis event here. The world number one pair of Paes/Bhupathi lost 3-6,6-7 (4/7) to Arthurs/Kratzmann on the lush green centre court here last night. Paes/Bhupathi, who tasted their first Grand Slam victory last week at Roland Garros, were participating in the Queens tournament as a warm-up event to the all-England championships that gets underway in Wimbledon on June 21. The Indians have had indifferent performance in Wimbledon despite grass being their favourite surface. Last year, the Paes/Bhupathi pair crashed out of Wimbledon in the second round while they exited in the opening round in 1996 and 1997. They have shown much better consistency on other surfaces in the Grand Slams — reaching semifinals at US Open (twice), French Open (semifinals in 1998, winners in 1999) and Australian Open (semifinals 1998, finalist in 1999). Paes/Bhupathi, after
receiving first round bye here, beat Latin American duo
of Maurice Ruah (Venezuela) and Andre Sa (Brazil) 6-2,6-4
in the second round. |
Tyson to start training ROCKVILLE, Maryland, June 12 (AFP) — Mike Tyson, on probation after his release from jail on assault charges, has been granted permission to train in Arizona with an eye to returning to the ring in August at Las Vegas. The former world heavyweight champion was paroled last month after a no contest plea on the charges stemming from an auto accident last August. Tyson must report to Arizona probation officers, perform community service and attend anger management sessions while away from his suburban Washington home. Reports have unbeaten
Dane Brian Nielson and Germany’s Axel Schulz as
possible rivals in Tyson’s latest comeback. Tyson
has not fought since stopping South Africa’s
Francois Botha in round seven last January. |
H
Chanderkanta to
lead cricket team Chanderkanta earlier led India in a series against Sri Lanka, that India won 7-0. She scored 584 runs in six matches, with three half-centuries and three centuries. Chanderkanta works as a senior clerk with Northern Railway at Jalandhar. The Indian team is scheduled to play three one-day matches, one Test match and four practice matches. They will also play a day-night match against Holland. The team: Chanderkanta (capt), Rupanjili Shastri (Indore), Renu Margaret (Railways), Neetu David (Kanpur), Anju Jain (Delhi), Hemalata Kala (Agra), Kalyani Umrani (Pune), Mithali Raj, G.S. Lakshami (Andhra Pradesh), Purnima Rao (Hyderabad), Anjum Chopra, Deepa Kulkarni (Air India), Arti Vaidya and Umesh (Delhi), Reshma Gandhi (Railways). Kawaljeet made
coach by ITF A coaching camp will be held in Paris (France) from July 1. As many as 50 top under-14 juniors of the world will be participating in the camp which will be conducted by 10 ITF appointed coaches from different countries. Mr Kawaljeet Singh had earlier been nominated as coach by the ITF for the Central Asian team for under-14 boys and girls for the Asian tournaments held at Chiangmai (Thailand) in March, 1997. Punjab jr hockey
team Announcing the team here today, Mr Hardeep Singh Dhillon, secretary of the Punjab Hockey Association, said Punjab would play their first match on June 16. The team: Goalkeepers — Jasjeet Singh and Amritpal Singh; Full backs — Manpreet Singh, Gurpinder Singh and Sukh Amrit Pal Singh; half-backs — Gurjeet Singh, Harpreet Singh, Ranbir Singh and Jugraj Singh; forwards — Bhupinder, Sarbjit Singh, Paviter Jeet Singh, Tejbir Singh, Satvinder Singh, Kulwinder Singh, Charanjeet Singh. The coach and manager
are Mr Malkiat Singh and Mr S.S. Saini respectively. |
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