Tuesday, May 25, 1999
today's calendar
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S P O R T | Tuesday, May 25, 1999 |
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Bangladesh record first
win
Madan Lal backs Mohanty Zimbabwe's ‘schoolboys’
choking: Houghton Tendulkar's class was evident
Zimbabve not scared of England:
Campbell
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Race for
men's crown open Moya
advances; Ivanisevic out Guru
Hanuman dies in road mishap |
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Jacobs powers Windies to 7-wkt victory SOUTHAMPTON, May 24 (PTI) — The West Indies steadied their tottering World Cup campaign with an emphatic seven-wicket win over the high flying New Zealand in a low-scoring group 'B' tie here today. Wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs struck a superb unbeaten 80 after snapping up a World Cup record-equalling five catches and flamboyant skipper Brian Lara hit 36 as the twice former champions coasted to 158 for three wickets in 44.2 overs after skittling out the Kiwis for their lowest World Cup score of 156 in 48.1 overs at the Hampshire cricket ground. Paceman Merwyn Dillon captured a superb four for 46 and cut through the Kiwi late order as the West Indian bowlers laid the groundwork for victory under helpful conditions after Lara won the toss and put in the opposition. Veterans Courtney Walsh (1/23) and Curtly Ambrose (1/19) made early inroads before Reon King (2/29) and Phil Simmons (2/33) took over with Dillon to wreck the New Zealand innings. The second win in three matches brought the West Indies back into reckoning for a super six spot, which they can look to clinch against lowly Scotland at Leicester on May 27 before meeting the beleaguered Australia at Old Trafford on May 30. New Zealand, who upset the Aussies by five wickets at Cardiff, also have four points from two wins and meet the formidable Pakistan on May 28 and Scotland on May 31. Jacobs (80 n.o. - 131 b. 6x4.1x6) earlier claimed five dismissals as wicketkeeper to equal the feat of India's Syed Kirmani and Nayan Mongia, Pakistan's Rashid Latif and Moin Khan besides his own team-mate Jimmy Adams. Chasing a modest 157 to win, the Caribbeans ensured they did not succumb as they did against Pakistan when they went down to a 27-run defeat chasing 230 for victory. Jacobs played and missed early on as the West Indies crawled to 49 for two in the 21st over, but Lara ventured on the scene to play some delightful shots after he got going by clouting the usually tight seamer Gavin Larsen for a mighty straight six. Lara fell for 36, made off 54 balls and containing three fours and a six, but he had provided the acceleration to the innings and the West Indies were left needing only 36 for win. The powerful lefthander Jacobs, who played and missed early on, however, guided his team to victory along with Stuart Williams (14 n.o.), producing some superb shots and hoisting left-arm paceman Geoff Allott, New Zealand’s best bowler, for a huge six in the late stages. Opener Sherwin Campbell (8) was trapped leg after an unconvincing stay and Jimmy Adams (3) too perished after failing to push the score along Jacobs and Lara put on 72 runs for the third wicket in just 15 overs to hasten victory. The New Zealand innings never took off under trying conditions for batsmen. Craig McMillan top-scored with 32 and all-rounders Cairns (23), Chris Harris (30) and Adam Parore (23) made modest contributions but the West Indian pacemen never loosened their grip throughout. Fast bowler Reon King produced twin strikes by claiming the out of form Kiwi skipper Stephan Fleming and fellow left hander Roger Twose for nought to wreck the middle order before Dillon claimed four of the last five wickets. The spirited Kiwis claimed an early wicket when Dion Nash trapped Sherwin Campbell leg before as he played back to a ball that kept low. Jacobs was beaten time and again by the paceman and later by the irritating seamer Gavin Larsen, but never lost his patience even though Jimmy Adams struggled to get going at the other end. But Lara’s arrival transformed the chase. He went after Larsen first and then added two more boundaries with quick running between the wickets and Jacobs joined the aggression with authentic shots of his own. Jacobs reached his second fifty of the tournament off 88 balls (7 x 4), but Lara fell in the 36th over with his team needing just 36 runs to complete the win. The left-hander tried to pull the nagging slow medium stuff of Chris Harris, but got a thick top edge and Nash took a brilliant catch behind the bowler running from widish mid-on. Williams, sent ahead of Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, kept company with Jacobs and brought up victory with a boundary. WEST INDIES: |
India's demand for re-match rejected LONDON, May 24 (PTI) — India’s demand for a re-match against Zimbabwe was today turned down by the World Cup organisers who upheld the match referee’s action of reducing the number of overs for the Indian innings from 50 to 46. After a nearly two-hour meeting with representatives of the Indian team management, the World Cup organising committee spokesman told PTI: "The technical committee concluded that the match officials were correct in their interpretation of the playing conditions". "The Indian team has accepted the decision in good spirit. We will get on with the game," manager Brijesh Patel told PTI in Taunton. "There was a certain ambiguity in the wording of the rule which the organisers, England and Wales Cricket Board, have clarified. The same ruling which was done in Leicester will apply henceforth," Patel said. The Indians had filed a protest last Thursday against the reduction of number of overs during which the fielding restrictions had to be in place - from 15 to 13 overs - after India had exceeded the time limit of three and a half hours to complete their quota of 50 overs. Following the decision of West Indian match referee Cammie Smith to dock India four overs and the two-over reduction in the number of overs when field restrictions were to be in place, India had lodged the protest. Indian bowlers accounted for 21 wides and 16 no balls in conceding 51 extras leading to the delay in completing their quota of 50 overs and eventually lost the tie by a narrow three-run margin. A terse statement issued by the World Cup organising committee said the technical committee had also clarified that the net run-rate calculated for the Indian team’s innings was based on 46 overs and not 50 overs. "The playing conditions state that the net run-rate is calculated on the full quota of overs to which the team would have been entitled to receive, which in this case was 46," the statement said. Following the meeting at Lord’s, the technical committee said it had also been agreed that a further note of clarification would be sent to all officials and competing teams in regard to the regulations. The decision to recirculate and clarify regulations was obviously taken after Indian cricket officials said at the meeting that they were protesting because there was certain ‘ambiguity’ in the playing conditions. The statement said the Indian officials had asked the ICC technical committee to clarify the match officials’ interpretation of clause five of the playing conditions. It says: "In the circumstances where the number of overs for the team batting first is reduced the number of overs in regard to the above fielding restrictions shall be reduced proportionately in a ratio of 15:50 (30 per cent)." "Where the number of overs for the team batting second is reduced, the aim will be to maintain the above fielding restrictions for the same proportion of the second innings that they were maintained for the first innings". The clause pertains to a situation where the overs have been reduced at the very start of the match.
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Bangladesh record first win EDINBURG, May 24 (PTI) — ICC Trophy champions Bangladesh rode to their first World Cup victory beating Scotland by 22 runs in a clash of two debutants in an insignificant World Cup group ‘B’ tie here today. Put in to bat, Bangladesh notched up 185 for nine in 50 overs and then bowled out Scotland for 163 in 46.2 overs at the picturesque Scottish venue. Gavin Hamilton hit a strokeful 63 off 71 balls as Scotland carried out a fine chase but was run out at a crucial juncture before Bangladesh completed the win. Medium pacer Khaled Mahmud (2/27), Hasibul Hossain (2/26) and left-arm spinner Monjural Islam (2/33) shared the spoils to give the Asian newcomers much to celebrate after two disappointing defeats. Veteran middle order bat Minhajul Abedin struck a career-best unbeaten 68 to resurrect Bangladesh after they were tottering at 26 for five. Abedin and Naimur Rehman (36) carried out the fine rescue act putting on 69 runs for the sixth wicket which finally saw Bangladesh show some character in batting demanded by their West Indian coach Gordon Greenidge. Scotland were given the early advantage as pace bowlers John Blain (4/37) and Asim Butt (2/24) struck at regular intervals as opener Khaled Mashud, skipper Aminul Islam and Akram Khan all fell without opening their account. Bangladesh, who beat Scotland in the final of the ICC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur in 1997, maintained their winning record against the "Tatran Army" in the closely contested tie here. Reduced to 49 for five, the Scots, who were docked one over due to slow over-rate, made amends to their shaky start with Yorkshire pro Gavin Hamilton giving them a flicker of hope of pulling off their first international one-day success. Hamilton shared a 55-run partnership with Alec Davies (32) for the seventh wicket before he was run out in an unfortunate way in the 42nd over. Davies drove straight to the bowler Monjural, who got his hands to the ball before it struck the non-striker’s stumps with Hamilton inches out of the crease. That made it 138 for seven and Scotland’s hopes departed with their star player. Davies put up a brave fight before he Monjural took a stunning catch at mid-on to get rid of him, and virtually put an end to the Scotland innings. Twenty-four runs were still needed off 18 balls with two wickets in hand, but Enamul Hoque who came in to bowl the 48th over removed the last two batsmen. John Blain was run out when he attempted a non-existent second run and Pakistan-born Asim Butt top edged the next ball to be caught by Bangladesh skipper Aminul Islam at square leg. The 34-year-old Minhajul, who was drafted in the team as late selection, was declared man-of-the-match for his characteristic unbeaten 68 that rescued Bangladesh from shambles. Scoreboard |
Mohanty has always given his
best BRISTOL, May 24 — Sachin Tendulkar’s was undoubtedly a masterly innings but by sending him to bat at number four against Kenya, the Indian team management has sent panic signals. Tendulkar opened for India for the first time in the one-dayers at Auckland in New Zealand in 1994. He scored 82 off only 40-odd balls. It still remains one of his very best one-day innings. It saw Tendulkar establish himself at the top of the batting order. It eventually turned out to be a great move, hugely successful for Indian cricket as well as for the man himself. So, I reasoned there had to be a good reason for reversing that decision here yesterday. I spent the whole morning searching for reasons that could have prompted the Indian team management to send the master at number four. Could it be travelling fatigue? Or was it because of the success of S. Ramesh at the opening slot? Or was it to protect India’s most valuable player? None of these, to my mind. Are huge factors or major enough reasons to retrace one of India’s significant steps forward in one-day cricket. Cricket decisions are best taken with a simple mind. India today complicated matters by changing their phenomenally successful opening pair, and that too without any convincing reasons. Just in one game in the World Cup did Saurav Ganguly and Tendulkar open together and I don’t think they failed against South Africa. In fact, the early nerves of that match were pretty much calmed by the presence of these two accomplished batsmen at the crease at the start of the tie. In a nutshell, only consistent failures of Tendulkar and Ganguly as the opening pair of India should have necessitated a change. By not sending Tendulkar to open, the Indian camp has sent clear signals that it has panicked. Panic was the reason that saw India lose that close game against Zimbabwe and the same seems to be the reason to do away with the best opening pair in the world in one-day cricket. It is easy to get carried away by the success of decisions taken yesterday. You must accept the fact that most decisions taken against a side like Kenya would come good. India would like to think that the move to push Tendulkar down the order has worked wonders. But, I would look at it in a different way. If Tendulkar had opened yesterday, who knows may be the highest scorer in one-day cricket would have been threatened? On to the most positive side, the biggest Indian contingent so far in England which came here went back pleased, having watched India register their first win in the World Cup. A few changes were effected in the side yesterday. Debashish Mohanty was allowed a look in and yet again it came good. It is not easy for a player to be on the sidelines most of the time and then be called upon to play the odd game. This seems to be the feature of Mohanty’s career so far. To his credit, the 23-year-old seamer has given his best everytime. He is always trying, sometimes with success, sometimes without, and this has been the quality that has impressed me most in this simple cricketer from Orissa. Yesterday was a good day for him, good comeback. He picked up four wickets and the point to note, especially for Ajit Agarkar, was that all four wickets he got were to balls that were pitched up to the batsmen. Agarkar, on this trip, has not yet found the right length, one that he could make his stock length. Mohanty has given him clues. His success would just tempt the Indians to think on the lines of including four genuine seamers in their eleven. Having played a lot of cricket, I also spent time off the field with that man, Sachin Tendulkar. It was no surprise to see him return to England, after that unfortunate journey back home, and immediately be at his best. Among all of Tendulkar’s great qualities, I have always admired his ability to give nothing less than 100 per cent once he steps out on the field. Nothing affects him once he is out there in the middle. It is true even in unofficial, exhibition matches and this was a World Cup game. Masterful innings, one he will remember for obvious reasons. He looked skywards on reaching the landmark. No doubt, who he dedicated this innings to. Rahul Dravid got 104 off 111 balls but such is the dominance of Tendulkar, that his looked like a supporting knock. Dravid’s consistency, even in one-dayers these days, is pleasing to see. There will be much better atmosphere now in the Indian dressing room, I am sure after yesterday’s game. It’s important for the Indian thinktank now to take a look at the game realistically and not draw exaggerated inferences from the success. It is important to take
the right decision before the next game — an
all-important one against Sri Lanka — at Taunton on
May 26. |
We've got to dig deep: Waugh LEEDS, May 24 (AP) — Skipper Steve Waugh has refused to concede that Australia were virtually out of the World Cup contention and said his side was still in with a chance to qualify for the next stage. Australia, hit form but were still beaten by 10 runs by a better Pakistan side in a crucial group B match at Headingley. Australia, world champions in 1987 and finalists in 1996, have to secure seven successive wins to win the Cup. "I haven't thought that far yet." Waugh said after yesterday's defeat, this second in successive matches after losing to New Zealand by five wickets in Cardiff. "We're looking at Bangladesh first up," he said. "We played a lot better today, that's a good sign. We're capable of winning the next two games, and if we get through to the next round anything is possible." "A lot of people have written us off already, which is good because it can motivate players. It's up to us now. We've got to dig deep and come out and see what lies ahead of us." "The last 15 overs weren't good with the bowling side of things, 145 off the last 15 has never happened to us before," Waugh added. "I must admit the hitting was fantastic from the Pakistan players towards the end." Australia were handicapped by a lack of a quality fifth bowler as Waugh, Darren Lehmann and Damien Martyn went for 75 runs in 10 overs between them, after all-rounder Shane Lee was ruled out with a sore knee. "I fancied my chances of getting a few wickets out there," Waugh said. "I thought I bowled okay. Hindsight is always good..that the fifth bowler went for few." "Our main bowlers went for a few in the last 6-7 overs as well. So I won't put it down to the fifth bowler being the problem." Australia also lacked the hitting power of their opponents managing a solitary six in the last 10 overs to Pakistan's 11 fours and five sixes. "It was always going to be difficult for any new batsman coming in," Waugh said. "They bowled well and looked much sharper compared to us." "It is pretty hard to hit those opening bolwers when they are swinging that far in those conditions. It was a good effort to get so close." The last time Australia failed to qualify for the semifinal was when they hosted the World Cup in 1992. We've tried hard to get ourselves up for the game. We've been a little bit flat, which everyone can see from the outside," Waugh said. It comes down to, you've
got to do it yourself. You've got to lift yourself out in
the middle, you can talk a lot off the field. We were
much improved today, which is a good sign." |
Top three batting slots for India LONDON, May 24 (Reuters) — Indians occupy top three batting positions while in the bowling department one gets into the top ten after yesterday’s matches at the World Cup tournament (*denotes not out):
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England go gaga over Tendulkar LONDON, May 24 (UNI) — England has gone gaga over Sachin Tendulkar. "Tendulkar finds inspiration to hit new heights," says the Guardian. "Tendulkar's sparkling diamond in the rough," screams The Times while taking a line from the banner writer who proclaimed at Bristol that "Sachin is a modern Koh-i-noor" the diamond the British acquired from India. "Tendulkar inspired to new heights," said the Daily Telegraph as Sachin came up with a performance that has sent a buzz through the World Cup. "It was a day of idolatry, rather than a mere cricket match. The experience was nearly spiritual, certainly as near as one is likely to come to it within the pragmatism of a World Cup," writes David Foot in the Guardian. "At times he seemed to be toying with the inadequate Kenya attack, as if dallying prankishly in a public park on the way home from school. He placed his shots with minimum effort, through mighty gaps that he had instinctively spied. The body was small, the forearms muscular, the wrists wondrous. Successive bowlers were dispatched fours clipped to leg with the merest movement, even a reverse sweep sped to the boundary like a missile," so waxed eloquent Foot. "Tendulkar's place in Indian folklore will be even greater after the events of yesterday (Sunday). Notwithstanding the low quality of the bowling, this was an innings without fault and of total command, an innings that gave batsmanship its due," writes Geoffrey Dean in The Times. "Tendulkar's ton was all for dad," says a surprisingly sober headline from the Sun. When headline writers around Britain are looking for the pun to drive the point home quickly, the best selling tabloid quoted the Indian super star more than praised him. "Tendulkar's 140 serves as tribute to his father and platform for victory," was the headline in the Daily Mail. "With Tendulkar back, providing more motivation than anyone could have imagined, there may be hope yet for India and reason for England to worry at Edgbaston on Saturday," writes Martin Lipton. So overwhelming were the circumstances in which Sachin returned to the World Cup to play the innings at Bristol that Rahul Dravid's contribution to a World Cup record stand was drowned. But then Sachin's role in inspiring Dravid to a century in his first World Cup which he got in the final over at Bristol is not forgotten. "Rahul Dravid, his partner, had to stand back and watch," said a report. "But not even Tendulkar win matches by himself. This time he was royally aided and abetted by Rahul Dravid," writes Bryan Butler. The net result is India's positive net run rate is already better than England's negative rate but given the latest twist in form. Both teams can get into the super six at the expense of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
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A day of records NEW DELHI, May 24 (PTI) — A grief-stricken Sachin Tendulkar who struck a dazzling unbeaten 140 against Kenya compiled his highest score in the World Cup and also emerged joint highest century-maker in the tournament’s history with three. Tendulkar, who emerged the first century maker of the seventh World Cup with his majestic knock surpassed his own previous best of 137 made against Sri Lanka at New Delhi in 1996 and joined West Indian master blaster Vivian Richards, Australian Mark Waugh and Pakistan’s Rameez Raja as the scorer of the most number of World Cup hundreds. Tendulkar’s 84-ball hundred was the third fastest in the tournament, only behind the 82-ball century by former West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd against Australia in the 1975 final at the Lord’s and the 83-ball effort by his countryman Brian Lara in the 1996 quarterfinal against South Africa at Karachi. The 237-run unbeaten third wicket stand with Rahul Dravid, who made a classy unbeaten 104, also broke the record for partnership for any wicket in World Cups. The 207-run third wicket stand between Australia’s Mark Waugh and twin Steve Waugh against Kenya at Visakhapatnam in 1996 was the previous best. India’s massive
total of 329 for two wickets was also their highest in
the tournament, improving upon the 289 for six they had
made against Australia in New Delhi in the 1987 edition. |
Madan Lal backs Mohanty MUMBAI, May 24 (PTI) — National cricket selector Madan Lal today publicly came out in support of playing swing bowler Debashish Mohanty in India’s remaining matches in the World Cup. Taking part in the "Cup Special" of "Zee News" along with another ex-India medium-pacer Chetan Sharma, Madan Lal said Mohanty bowled well against Kenya yesterday by keeping a good line and length and should be included by the team management in the remaining matches. Chetan Sharma supported the North Zone selector’s views saying India needed a bowler who could take wickets at the beginning and Mohanty had shown that capacity. But he said the Indian bowlers continued to be extravagant in the number of wides and no-balls they bowled and said some-thing had to be done immediately to curtail this bad habit. Madan Lal’s public support for Mohanty was a surprise in view of the cricket board’s constitution which stipulates that only the selection committee chairman can air his views in public and not any other selector. Recently another selector Shivlal Yadav was rapped on the knuckles by the board and had to express regret for coming out openly in support of Mohammed Azharuddin as captain for the World Cup at a press conference in Hyderabad. It is not known whether the board has decided to take a lenient view of Madan Lal’s actions as he has not been stopped from appearing in the TV programme. Meanwhile, team coach
Anshuman Gaekwad is writing a column in "India
Today" for which he has taken permission, board
sources have revealed. |
World Cup notebook Zimbabwe's ‘schoolboys’ choking: Houghton London: Zimbabwe’s World Cup cricket coach David Houghton turned on his men against by branding them "chokers" and saying luck had played a large part in their success here. Houghton, who had criticised his team for playing like "schoolboys" during their warm-up matches, yesterday said the team would need to stop freezing under pressure if they wanted to reach the second stage of the tournament. Zimbabwe, who came here as underdogs, have won two of their three group ‘A’ matches but Houghton said: "We have been choking in this World Cup. Our boys don’t like to admit that but I will admit it for them. "It’s not as if we are not used to playing in front of big crowds in big games. On the sub-continent you are nearly always doing battle in front of 40,000 and 50,000 crowds. "But because we are doing well, because people are expecting us to qualify and it looks as if we might go somewhere. We are showing nerves." Zimbabwe beat Kenya and India before losing to defending champions Sri Lanka at Worcester on Saturday. They take on hosts England at Trent Bridge on Tuesday. Houghton, however, said the team had been lucky to beat India. "We beat India, when we got with it because of a lucky over by Henry Olonga, but the worrying thing is that we still haven’t played well in this World Cup. "We can undo all the good work by not getting to where we should be — and that’s the super six. We’ve caused surprises down the years but we haven’t done anything yet." (AFP) First century BRISTOL: Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday became the first batsman to score a century in the seventh World Cup when he struck a glorious unbeaten 140 against Kenya. The 26-year-old compiled his 22nd one-day century which was studded with 16 fours and three sixes. Tendulkar, dropped to number four slot from his normal position as opener in the crucial match. It was a heroic performance indeed from the world’s best batsman who rushed back here just a day after his father’s funeral putting duty for the country ahead of personal grief. As if that was not enough, he helped stylish Rahul Dravid score 104 not out as India piled up a mammoth 329 for two. (PTI) "Don't lose hope" BRISTOL: The "don’t lose hope" fans of India were in good attendance for the match against Kenya here today despite reports of tickets being sold at half the rates. The cold and chilly winds wafting across the ground did not dampen their spirits as every shot from the Indian batsmen was lustily cheered. The big ones were, however, reserved for master blaster Sachin Tendulkar who took to the field despite the hour of grief. But the underlying current of the Indian defeat against Zimbabwe was sedately visible as banners with pungent words against India were displayed. One of them read: "India can atleast beat Kenya ... miracles do happen". (UNI) World Cup left-handers SOUTHAMPTONS: New Zealand’s cricket World Cup clash with the West Indies here will see the two best left-handed batsmen on the planet facing each other. Well, according to Roger Twose anyway. When Brian Lara, widely regarded as the world’s best left-hander, was signed by English county side Warwickshire in 1994, shortly after scoring a world Test record of 375, he was greeted by a sign on his changing room clothes peg that read: "Welcome to the second best left-hander in the world." Twose’s tongue-in-cheek joke was soon put in perspective when, a few weeks later, Lara scored 501, the highest individual innings ever made in first-class cricket, against Durham. However, Twose, who later emigrated to New Zealand after failing to make his mark with England, may yet end up with the last laugh at the World Cup. Lara has yet to shine in
the tournament, with two knocks of 11 and 25, while Twose
has scored 110 runs for New Zealand without being
dismissed, including an undefeated match-winning 80
against Australia. (AFP) |
Tendulkar's class was evident ENGLAND came down to earth with a bump against South Africa. Two easy wins versus Sri Lanka and Kenya gave them a false impression of how good they are! There was no pressure in those two games but against the excellent fast bowling attack from South Africa all the old failings came back to haunt them. The batting has been known to collapse often in Test cricket and it has been this undoing far too often. Anytime you play the favourites on a good batting pitch and have only 226 runs to get to win you must take it! The Oval is usually a high scoring surface, so England were aware that their bowlers had done a tremendous job to stifle the South African batsmen after a century opening partnership. England won't get many better opportunities than that. It was an awful display when the bowlers had done all the hard work. Hussain was strangled out down the leg side — Stewart is in poor form and just played down the wrong line. Hick pulled a short one straight to mid-wicket, Thorpe and Fairbrother's footwork let them down as they didn't get forward and Flintoff batted like a club player playing forward to a short ball and poking it to backward point. Last year Alan Donald did Flintoff for a pair in his first Test match and he can probably get him out every time. For my money Flintoff is a destructive hitter of slow to medium ordinary bowling not quality fast bowling. England were short of class batsmen and South Africa had an array of quality seamers. Really can one man put a smile on the face of a nation and lift the spirits of a team with one innings but that is what Sachin Tendulkar did against Kenya. India's World Cup was in tatters, spirits were down, confidence low and a number of reputations on the line. If the team had lost against Kenya then the players would have been wise to take a sabbatical and not go home! After the loss against Zimbabwe, then another loss against Kenya would have been unacceptable. With pressure on everyone Tendulkar's presence and ability shone through as he massacred the weak bowling. Sachin's class was evident from the beginning as he played technically correct strokes. Once he got in, he toyed with the bowling smashing them to all parts. He was dismissive and destructive to the point of being contemptuous with the minnows. At times he treated the bowling as if he was having net practice. Rahul Dravid batted nicely to make a hundred but he was always in the shadow of the great batsman. Neither player will rate their centuries as the best they have ever played because of the modest bowling but in the context of this World Cup it has kept India in the competition. The Indian bowling was
ordinary and should be of concern to the management. I
never got the impression that they were going to bowl
Kenya out cheaply. The cheaper Kenya were bowled out
would help the Indian net run-rate i.e. the difference
between the runs India scores and the runs the opposition
score. If two teams are level at the end of these group
matches then run-rate will decide whom goes though to the
super sixes. So every run made or saved can be priceless.
The main thing is India got the monkey off their back and
are still in with a shout. Roll on Sri Lanka at Taunton
— it doesn't get any bigger and it's a PRESSURE
— PRESSURE — MUST-WIN GAME! — PMG |
Boycott threat by Australia SYDNEY, May 24 (AP) — Australian players might boycott World Cup matches if a player is hurt in a crowd invasion, their chief representative Tim May warned today. Australian captain Steve Waugh is livid at security arrangements for the Cup and Australian Cricketers' Association chief Tim May said he could not rule out a boycott. As the last Australian wicket in Sunday's loss to Pakistan, hundreds of Pakistan fans overwhelmed a large security presence to storm the field. "I don't think there's any doubt that we are getting closer to that stage where the players are going to say, that's it, we are not going to go on to this ground," May told Australian Television. He also said the failure of cricket authorities to act to provide proper security at the matches was "totally and absolutely irresponsible." "It's more than disappointing," May said. "I think it's bordering on disgraceful and it's out of (the players') control so all the players can do is say 'OK, we're not going to participate'." May blamed the continuing unruly behaviour on authorities defending the lack of security by saying fans traditionally ran onto the ground after exciting games. "You're promoting ground invasion, why in your proper mind would you come out and say that?" May said. Australian authorities imposed hefty fines for fans caught trespassing on the playing arena. Earlier in the tournament Indian player Rahul Dravid was attacked by an irate fan after his team lost to South Africa. Indian captain Azharuddin, who called for increased security after the incident, said the Indian man, who seemed intoxicated, rushed onto the field. Before the World Cup started, Australia's tour of the West Indies was twice clouded by crowd trouble. One match was declared a tie after fans stole the stumps, shoulder-charging Waugh and Shane Warne in the process. Then fans in another match forced Australian players off the field by throwing objects. Waugh was nearly hit by a bottle thrown from the stands but brought his team back on the field to finish the game.
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Cash bonanza awaits Indian
team NEW DELHI, May 24 — The Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Ms Uma Bharti, today announced a cash award of Rs 7.5 lakh to each player of the Indian team if they win the World Cup, 1999, being played in England. The minister made this announcement under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s scheme for encouraging sportspersons. Ms Uma Bharti said the
cricket World Cup was being considered an international
event at par with the Olympic Games and hence the cash
award was being extended to the team. |
Zimbabve not scared of England: Campbell TRENT BRIDGE, May 24 (PTI) — Battered and bruised against favourites South Africa, hosts England will hope their World Cup ambitions are not cut down prematurely when they take on a tough Zimbabwe in a group ‘A’ tie here tomorrow. After a stunning upset over India gave them their second win, Zimbabwe have emerged serious contenders for a place in the super six and the hosts need to win to be in the race. Such a result would also delight India, who have only one win and meet England in their final group tie. But England, who crashed to a 122-run defeat against the Proteas in their previous outing, will be up against the African side which fears none and has won five of the last six encounters between the two. Alec Stewart’s men beat defending champions Sri Lanka and Kenya, but their batting collapsed in a heap against the pace arsenal unleashed by South Africa at the Oval. But Zimbabwe are confident they can once again pull off a victory against England, who were skittled out for just 110 against South Africa. Alistair Campbell’s has gained much after his team held its nerves in their three-run win over India and are aware that England would be a bit nervous meeting them. The Flower brothers, Grant and Andy, have come good and all-rounder Neil Johnson and Campbell himself are capable of handling the four-pronged pace attack of Darren Gough, left armer Alan Mullaly, Mark Ealham, Angus Fraser or Ian Austin. Zimbabwe will also pin faith on leg spinner Paul Strang and Stewart, Hussain, Graeme Hick and company will have their task cut out. AFP adds: If any cricket World Cup team can claim to have a psychological edge over an opponent, then it must be Campbell’s Zimbabwe over Stewart’s England. The African side, who only joined the Test-playing nations even years ago, are England’s jinx team, having won five of their six one-day confrontations. Worst still for the hosts, they go into the crunch match fresh from being decimated by South Africa. That defeat — or "Hammering", as chief selector David Graveney put it — was so bruising that England have asked sports psychologist Steve Bull to set up his couch in case the players feel they need help to cope with the trauma. Campbell played on England’s fears, reminding them of their record against his men and adding: "We will have the psychological edge ...we are not scared of them. "England batted badly on Saturday after playing well in the previous two games and they will realise they have to get their aspect right against us." Zimbabwe coach David Houghton, meanwhile, has been indulging in some reverse psychology of his own, lambasting his team for lacking the killer instinct. After accusing his side
of playing like "schoolboys" in their warm-up
campaign, Houghton branded them "chokers" when
losing to Sri Lanka, adding: "Our boys don’t
like to admit that — but I will admit it for
them." |
Bookies evince keen interest in toss LONDON, May 24 (PTI)
— When India take on defending champions Sri Lanka
in a crucial World Cup group ‘A’ tie at Tounton
on Wednesday, bookies and punters would not only be
watching for the outcome of the match but also that of
the toss. A little piece of cricketing history was made this year on March 22 when Ranatunga officially became the biggest ‘tosser’ in world cricket by winning a record 100 tosses in one-day internationals. The Lankan captain has
won 105 tosses out of 189 calls till date. Though Azharuddin, who has so far won the toss 96 times with a win rate of 54.54 per cent, is not quite in the ‘lucky’ Ranatunga’s class, he comes close enough to cause concern. The portly Sri Lankan is
also on the top of the pile when it comes to winning
consecutive tosses. Between November 1998 and till the
start of the World Cup, he has won 10 in a row, breaking
the record of nine held by his rival Azhar. |
World Cup fever claims one life SAMBBALPUR, May 24 (PTI) — World Cup cricket fever claimed its first victim in Orissa while India was demolishing Kenya in distant Bristol yesterday. A crowd of excited fans watching the tie on television at a ‘pan’ shop at Remed, about 10 km from here, protested when the owner wanted to close for the day, the police said. An altercation ensued, which culminated in one of the angry spectators stabbing two relatives of the shop owner. The two, who were
brothers, were rushed to V.S.S. Medical College Hospital
at Burla, where one of them died this morning, the police
said. |
French
Open PARIS, May 24 (AFP) — With half a dozen former champions in the draw and Yevgeny Kafelnikov hanging on by his fingernails to the world number one spot, this year’s French Open men’s singles is set to be one of the most enthralling ever. Kafelnikov sneaked up on and then overhauled Pete Sampras, whose perennial aim it remains to lift the Roland Garros crown, after the Russian snatched glory at the Australian Open while an exhausted Sampras took a break after ensuring he would finish 1998 as top-ranked player for a record sixth straight year. Despite his ascension to the summit, becoming only the 16th number one since men’s rankings started in 1973, Kafelnikov has given the impression the lofty position is a hot cake nobody should try to handle. Yet despite his best efforts to rid himself of his exalted status, comprising six straight first round defeats this year before scraping a third round berth in Rome, the 1996 French title winner has held on to it amid the uninspiring form of other contenders. "It’s very depressing...losing six times in the first round and having all the newspapers in the world saying ‘who is this Yevgeny Kafelnikov’?" said the 25-year-old right-hander from the Black Sea resort of Sochi. "But once I get my confidence back, it’s going to be difficult to stop me." Defending champion Carlos Moya, who briefly went to number one in March after a semifinal victory at Indian Wells over 1997 French champion Gustavo Kuerten, is one who can stop the Russian and will draw on the experience of last year’s final win over fellow Spaniard Alex Corretja. The same goes for Brazil’s in-form Kuerten, seeded eight and looking good after wins in Monte Carlo and Rome, as well as Chilean former world number one Marcelo Rios. As Kuerten and Rios both look to rise to the occasion, Moya, heading the big Spanish claycourt Armada, has slid back to fourth in the world after a premature loss in Rome to Argentine Franco Squillari, in the Hamburg semi to eventual winner Rios and at the Indian Wells final to big-hitting Aussie Mark Philippoussis. One of the features of an extraordinary 1997 tournament, coupled with Kuerten’s wholly unexpected triumph, was a semifinal berth for Aussie favourite and world number three open champion Patrick Rafter, who proved you can play serve and volley even on clay - a lesson there, maybe, for a certain Pete Sampras. And Rafter was at it again in Rome, reaching the final before succumbing to Kuerten. But if Rafter is acclimatising to clay, one of the most- asked questions in tennis has to be dusted down and asked once again: when — if ever — will Sampras lift the title and prove beyond doubt that he deserves the title of greatest ever? His 11 Grand Slams and six successive end-of-year finishes as world number one already arguably make him the greatest player of the modern era. And the 27-year-old American’s five Wimbledon titles, four US Open titles and two Australian Open victories leave him tantalisingly close to the record 12 slams achieved by Roy Emerson. Sampras has also spent a mammoth 263 weeks in total at number one — closing in on Ivan Lendl’s record of 270. And yet Roland Garros refuses to be happy hunting ground for the American, who last year lost in the second round in straight sets to unheralded Paraguayan Ramon Delgado. Sampras knows that whatever happens over the coming fortnight, Kafelnikov, who took over top spot on May 3, will still be there until the end of the tournament. But a French title would put Sampras, who missed Monte Carlo with a lower back injury, right on the Russian’s tail -and more importantly assure him of that 12th slam and surely with it due recognition as the greatest ever. Sampras did make the French semis two years ago and wants to do justice to the prediction of former coach Tim Gullikson, whose death three years ago hit him so hard, that he would eventually triumph on Parisian clay. This week Sampras found his clay feet at the world team cup and he insists that having lightened his recent load by skipping Melbourne, he can confidently target the elusive French crown. "The key for me to play on clay is to really try to cut down on the errors and to play aggressive but under control," he said after beating Karol Kucera to help secure victory over Slovakia. "Confidence is what you need coming into a slam and I’m starting to feel like I’m getting there," said Sampras, notwithstanding his second round Italian Open exit to Brazilian qualifier Fernando Meligeni. South American hopes rest firmly with Kuerten and the moody Rios, victorious in Hamburg after beating Moya in the semifinal and Mariano Zabaleta of Argentia in the final. Last year, world number nine Rios was a quarter-finalist here, going down to Moya. And he enjoyed a brief spell at number one after beating Andre Agassi at Key Biscayne before back trouble meant he had to miss Australia. The left-handed Chilean’s fiery temperament has earned him the sobriquet of the "new McEnroe". But if he can concentrate purely on his game and show the form which brought seven titles last year, he could well carry off his first Grand Slam, having fallen at the last hurdle in Australia last year. Greg Rusedski and Tim Henman carry British hopes, although neither enjoys the clay, Henman having suffered three straight first round exits to date while Rusedski is 3-4 for the event in four appearances. And the Canadian-born Rusedski is not optimistic about improving on that sequence, even though he beat Sampras to win the Paris indoor event last November for his first super 9 title. "Realistically I have as much chance of winning the French Open as seeing a UFO land. If anybody puts any money on me winning the French, they should be shot!" he said only half-jokingly after a straight sets loss in Monte Carlo to Jiri Novak. Henman will be seeded seven at Roland Garros and Rusedski 12, but they will be many bookies’ favourites as the first seeds to fall. The field is reduced
with the withdrawal through injury of fancied American
Todd Martin and 1997 semifinalist Felip Dewulf of
Belgium. |
Moya advances; Ivanisevic out PARIS, May 24 (Reuters) — Defending champion Carlos Moya of Spain fought back from two sets down in a shaky start to his campaign to retain his French Open title today before battling past Austrian wild card entry Markus Hipfl. Hipfl, ranked 85 in the world, made his first appearance at Roland Garros a memorable one when he jumped to a two-set lead over the fourth-seeded Spaniard. But he was unable to hold his nerve, falling 3-6 1-6 6-4 6-2 6-4 in just under three hours. Moya, who has not won a singles title since lifting the trophy last year, looked set to make an early exit as he struggled to find his form on a grey, overcast day. But with the vocal backing of the opening day crowd, Moya dug deep into his reserves and started his comeback by breaking Hipfl’s serve at the start of the third set. Moya, who briefly held the number one ranking earlier this year, grew in confidence as his opponent grew more desperate. Moya finally broke the 21-year-old Austrian’s resolve with a decisive break to go 3-2 up in the fifth set and then held his next three serves for the match. Croatia’s Goran Ivanisevic became the first seed to fall, going down 6-4 1-6 6-3 6-1 to Morocco’s Hicham Arazi. It was the third
consecutive year that Ivanisevic, seeded 15th, has
stumbled at the first hurdle of the Paris Grand Slam
tournament. |
Guru Hanuman dies in road mishap NEW DELHI, May 24 (PTI) — The patriarch of Indian wrestling and Dronacharya awardee, Guru Hanuman, died in a road mishap this morning at Meerut, 60 km from here. The 99-year old Guru was on his way to Hardwar for a holy dip along with his disciple Balkishan and his family when the Maruti car in which they were travelling dashed against a tree following a tyre burst near Rithana village on the Grand Trunk Road at 6.30 am, Senior Superintendent of Police (Meerut) Dinesh Chandra Vashisht told PTI. While Guru and Balkishan’s wife Rupa died on the spot, the disciple’s 12-year-old son Gaurav succumbed to injuries at a local nursing home, the SSP said. Balkishan was seriously injured in the accident, Mr Vashisht said adding his other son Saurabh (6) escaped unhurt in the mishap while driver Sunil sustained minor injuries. Guru Hanuman's mortal remains were taken to the Meerut Sports Stadium after post-mortem where senior district officials, admirers and disciples paid floral tributes to him. The body would be sent to Delhi later by road. Guru Hanuman, a coach par excellence and winner of the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 1987, had produced several disciples of national and international repute. Expressing grief at his
demise, Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee said he had become
synonymous with wrestling and will be long remembered for
his untiring efforts in the promotion of the traditional
sport of wrestling and for inspiring many youngsters to
take to it. |
H
Boxing trials on May 26 CHANDIGARH, May 24 (TNS) — Trials to select the Chandigarh Senior boxing team for participation in the All-India Invitation Boxing Championships to be held at Nainital (UP) from June 3 to 6, will be held at Boxing Coaching Centre, Sector 46, here on May 26 at 5 p.m. Only Union Territory Chandigarh boxers above 17 years of age and up to 34 years are eligible to appear for trials, according to a press note issued by Mr CK Jerath, secretary, Chandigarh Amateur Boxing Association. Amritsar cricket tourney AMRITSAR, May 24 (FOSR) — The district cricket league and knockout championship being organised by the Amritsar Games Association will start here from May 29 at the Gandhi Grounds, the Honorary Secretary of the association, Mr J.P. Shoor, said. The entries should be
forwarded to Mr Harbans Singh at the Gandhi Grounds
Complex. |
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