S P O R T S

India tottering at 121 for 8
SYDNEY, Jan 2 — Notwithstanding a blazing 45 from skipper Sachin Tendulkar, Indian batting once again capitulated to Australia’s fast bowlers, particularly to new sensation Brett Lee, a few of whose deliveries were suspect.

• Glenn McGrath cautioned

4th successive first-ball duck for Agarkar SYDNEY, Jan 2 — India’s ‘all-rounder’ Ajit Agarkar today had the dubious distinction of being dismissed for his fourth successive first ball duck in Test after being claimed by new Australian pace sensation Brett Lee today.

SYDNEY : Sachin Tendulkar plays his shot in the first innings of the Third Test between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.— AP/PTI

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India tottering at 121 for 8

SYDNEY, Jan 2 (PTI) — Notwithstanding a blazing 45 from skipper Sachin Tendulkar, Indian batting once again capitulated to Australia’s fast bowlers, particularly to new sensation Brett Lee, a few of whose deliveries were suspect.

The visitors were tottering at 121 for eight at close of a rain-curtailed first day’s play in the third and final cricket Test after another pathetic batting display from the top and middle order, particularly Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly and V.V.S. Laxman, and Ajit Agarkar, who made his fourth consecutive first ball duck in the series.

Only Tendulkar counter-attacked hitting eight fours in 53 balls before being declared leg before in yet another doubtful decision for the third time in five innings in the series.

Tendulkar, who has ploughed a lonely furrow in the series, had blasted pace spearhead Glenn McGrath for three fours and a two off five deliveries before being hit on the top of the pad by the last ball of the over to be adjudged leg before.

The ball would have gone above the stumps, in the opinion of former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar, doing commentary on television.

Tendulkar won the toss on a damp and rainy day and elected to bat on a grassy pitch and the Indians showed little tenacity to counter the sharp Australian attack led by McGrath (3/34) and Lee (4/25).

Only two days after Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was banned by the ICC because of suspect bowling action, one delivery that Brett Lee bowled to Hrishikesh Kanitkar was described as questionable by Gavaskar as the television showed a re-run.

Lee had straightened his arm and elbow, the former Indian skipper observed after watching an extra quick yorker length ball that deflected off the batsman’s boots for four leg byes.

But Gavaskar added wryly, “but we know nothing is going to happen. Only players in the subcontinent are punished”.

Indian batting once again cut a sorry figure as they were left struggling at 69 for four at tea after about two hours of play was lost, close to 90 minutes in the post-lunch session, due to rain and badlight.

Tendulkar’s confidence in the Indian openers was clear as he asked wicketkeeper MSK Prasad to open rather than fall back on the listless Devang Gandhi, bringing in Vijay Bharadwaj in the middle-order for his first Test in Australia.

The openers Prasad and Laxman scratched around for 43 minutes, the longest tenure by Indian openers on this tour, before both fell in a tame fashion either side of lunch. Prasad, who managed to make only five runs, edged McGrath straight to Mark Waugh, playing his 100th Test, in the slips.

Laxman failed to reach double figures in his fourth successive innings on this tour, facing 60 balls in around two hours of stay to make seven runs to make it 2 for 27, three balls into the truncated afternoon session.

The tall Laxman showed poor technique as he fended a rising ball from Lee to be tamely caught by Slater moving in from gully.

Dravid, whose 35 in the first Test still remains his best effort in the series, reached 29 with a slightly more positive approach but did not cash in on a dropped chance when on 20, wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist not taking the edge off Damien Fleming.

Dravid wasted another good stay lasting 102 minutes before edging a well pitched-up McGrath delivery to Ricky Ponting at third slip.

Left-hander Saurav Ganguly was also a big disappointment as we fell to the part-time medium-pace of Greg Blewett for the second time after making just one.

In a tactic similar to Melbourne, Blewett was brought on by Aussie skipper Steve Waugh to bowl the last over before tea and Ganguly failed to tackle a short delivery trying to make room and Waugh himself at gully made no mistake.

Tendulkar, who made superb knocks of 116 and 52 in a losing cause in the second test, once again dominated the bowling before falling to a questionable leg before verdict.

The Tendulkar-McGrath confrontation had begun an over before as the maestro thrashed an overpitched delivery to the cover boundary to the ire of the lanky Aussie fast bowler.

In the next over, Tendulkar pulled a short ball for two and hooked the next two short balls for fours before straight driving a full length delivery to the straight fence.

Kanitkar (10) and Vijay Bharadwaj added 23 runs for the sixth wicket before Brett Lee once again struck telling blows to leave the innings in tatters.

Kanitkar was completely beaten by a late away swinger as he edged tamely to Gilchrist before Bharadwaj and Agarkar fell off successive balls to leave lee on a hat-trick.

Bharadwaj fell to an excellent catch by Gilchrist low to his Left as he shaped to play a rising ball off his hips and Agarkar edged the next delivery to Mark Waugh at second slip.

Javagal Srinath, who denied lee a hat-trick for the second time, was batting on two with Anil Kumble (batting one) when play was halted for the day due to bad light, with 30 of the day’s total number of overs yet to be bowled.

India (Ist innings):

MSK Prasad c M.

Waugh b McGrath 5

Laxman c Slater b Lee 7

Dravid c Ponting b McGrath 29

Tendulkar lbw b McGrath 45

Ganguly c S. Waugh b Blewett 1

Kanitkar c Gilchrist b Lee 10

Bharadwaj c Gilchrist b Lee 6

Kumble batting 1

Agarkar c M. Waugh b Lee 0

Srinath batting 2

Extras: (lb-11, w-1, nb-3) 15

Total: (for 8 wkts in 60 overs) 121

Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-27, 3-68, 4-69, 5-95, 6-118, 7-119, 8-119

Bowling: McGrath 15-6-34-3, Fleming 13-7-24-0 Brett Lee 17-9-25-4, Warne 12-4-22-0, Blewett 3-2-5-1.

4th successive first-ball duck for Agarkar

SYDNEY, Jan 2 (PTI) — India’s ‘all-rounder’ Ajit Agarkar today had the dubious distinction of being dismissed for his fourth successive first ball duck in Test after being claimed by new Australian pace sensation Brett Lee today.

Agarkar walked in after Vijay Bharadwaj fell to the 23-year-old New South Wales bowler and promptly edged the well pitched-up first delivery to Mark Waugh as the Indian innings headed for a disastrous end before bad light forced stoppage of the opening day’s play in the third and final cricket Test.

Considered an all-round prospect, Agarkar made 19 in India’s first innings in the first Test at Adelaide before being removed by paceman Damien Fleming, who had him caught by skipper Steve Waugh first ball in the second innings as India were routed for 110 to lose the match by 285 runs. It was perhaps the first time in Test history that a batsman was falling for a first ball duck in four successive innings, though the unwanted distinction of most number of Test ducks — 35 — is held by Courtney Walsh of West Indies.

In the second Test at Melbourne, the youngster fell leg before to Lee, and with India fighting to salvage a draw, lasted only one ball in the second innings as he was caught by Greg Blewett off Mark Waugh’s occasional off-spinner to hasten the defeat by another huge margin of 180 runs.

Glenn McGrath cautioned

SYDNEY, Jan 2 (AP) — Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath was today cautioned by the match referee Ranjan Madugalle for his over-the-top reaction at claiming the prize scalp of Indian skipper Sachin Tendulkar for 45 in one of cricket’s more extraordinary overs on the opening day of the third cricket Test here.

Tendulkar pulled McGrath’s first ball of the over in the air to fine leg and ran two before smacking a further two consecutive short balls to the square leg boundary.

McGrath delivered another bouncer which Tendulkar ducked before the Indian master produced an off drive for four from the next ball.

The paceman then trapped Tendulkar leg before with an in-dipper and ran down the pitch, glaring at the Indian skipper while shouting “yes”.

Astle fashions Kiwis win

AUCKLAND, Jan 2 (Reuters) — ‘Man of the match’ Nathan Astle produced another special innings at Eden Park today to guide New Zealand to a three wicket win in the first one-day international against the West Indies.

Astle made 77 on the ground he has a particular liking for and where he scored a century in a one-day match against South Africa in February. “You have your favourite grounds and I always seem to do well here,” Astle said.

Batting first, the West Indies scored 268 for seven off their 50 overs but a 20-minute rain delay after the 31st over reduced New Zealand’s victory target.

Instead of 269, the home side were asked to score 250 off 46 overs, which was achieved off the first ball of the final over to extend their winning streak after comfortably winning both Tests.

The wet ball made it difficult for the West Indian bowlers, particularly off-spinner Nehemiah Perry.

“Perry’s spinning was nullified by the conditions. New Zealand played well but I’m not that disappointed with our performance, which I think was creditable,’’ said captain Brian Lara.

Mervyn Dillon, playing his first match for almost three weeks, dropped Dion Nash in the final overs of New Zealand’s chase.

Lara defended Dillon, who earlier picked up a similar catch to dismiss Adam Parore. “Again I think you can blame the wet conditions. The ball slipped out of his hands. These things happen in cricket.”

The West Indies got off to a flyer, with Sherwin Campbell and Ridley Jacobs making an opening stand of 111 and when fielding restrictions ended after 15 overs they had knocked up 96.

Jacobs hit an enterprising 65 and the more sedate Campell, 51. Between them they laid a solid base for the West Indies.

The innings was becalmed from the 16th to 30th overs after Jacobs and Campbell were dismissed and as Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul struggled to keep the scoreboard moving.

After Chanderpaul was run out for 11, Ricardo Powell managed a bright 35 and helped ignite Lara’s innings.

Powell and Lara had a fourth wicket stand of 91 before Powell was caught by Roger Twose at backward square leg and his wicket prompted a flurry of West Indies wickets.

Lara went for 76, after being dropped on 59 by Twose on the backward point boundary, off just 81 balls with three fours and two sixes.

The West Indies innings stalled in the latter stages, but a hard-hitting 13 from Dillon helped them to a respectable 268 for seven.

New Zealand’s best bowling came from left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori, who gave away only 28 runs and took one wicket in his full complement of 10 overs.

Captain Stephen Fleming praised Vettori: “They were going along very well and we had to do something to stem the flow of runs. Daniel’s spell was just the trick.”

New Zealand started sedately, but exploded in the sixth over when Astle and Craig Spearman helped themselves to 15 runs off Franklyn Rose’s third over. But in the next over Spearman got an edge and was caught brilliantly behind the stumps for 25 with the score 44 for one.

West Indies:

Campbell st Parore b Vettori 51

Jacobs lbw b Harris 65

Lara c Nash b O’Connor 76

Chanderpaul run out 11

Powell c Twose b Nash 35

Rose c McMillan b O’Connor 2

Perry not out 2

Adams c Fleming b Astle 0

Dillon not out 13

Extras: (b-4, lb-6, w-3) 13

Total: (for 7 wkts in 50 overs) 268

Fall of wickets: 1-111, 2-131, 3-158, 4-249, 5-253, 6-253, 7-255.

Bowling: Nash 8-0-62-1, Cairns 5-0-29-0, O’Connor 8-0-62-2, Harris 10-0-40-1, Vettori 10-1-28-1, Astle 9-0-37-1.

New Zealand:

Spearman c Jacobs b Walsh 25

Astle b Rose 77

Fleming c Jacobs b Rose 1

McMillan c Rose b King 1

Cairns c Powell b Rose 75

Harris not out 22

Twose c Jacobs b Rose 6

Parore c Dillon b King 4

Nash not out 12

Extras: (lb-14, w-6, nb-7) 27

Total: (for 7 wkts, 45.1 overs) 250

Fall of wickets: 1/44, 2/48, 3/62, 4/198, 5/198, 6/211, 7/226.

Bowling: Walsh 10-0-48-1, Rose 9-0-71-3, King 8.1-3-24-3, Dillon 9-1-41-0, Perry 9-0-52-0.

Senior national TT from Jan 6

LUCKNOW, Jan 2 (UNI) — Preparations are afoot for conducting the 61st Sahara Senior National and Inter State Table Tennis Championship under the aegis of the UP Table Tennis Association (UPTTA) at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Stadium in Gomtinagar here from January 6 to 12 next.

Briefing newsmen here yesterday president of the UP Table Tennis Association and chairman of the organising committee of the tournament Prabhat Chaturvedi said it was one of the prestigious sporting events in the country. It had a special significance because it was the last national championship allotted to Uttar Pradesh in the last millennium and the first sports event to be held in the new one.

Originally the event was to be held in Cuttack in November last, but in view of the cyclone there, the venue was changed.

He said the championship would also help the players to hone their skills for the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship and the World Table Tennis Championship team events to be held in Singapore and Malaysia in February next. The Indian team would be selected on the basis of the performance of the players in this championship.

In all 350 players from 24 states and two sports institutions are expected to participate in the event. Last year the champions in the men’s events were the Petroleum Sports Control Board while the Railways were the women’s champions. Chetan P. Baboor (PSCB) and Poulomi Ghatak (Bangal) were the individual champions of the men’s amd women’s events, respectively.

Cash prizes worth Rs 1.75 lakh would be distributed among the winners, runners up and semifinalists of the single events.

Winners of the men’s and women’s singles events would get Rs 60,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively, while the runners up would pocket Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively. The semifinalists would get Rs 7,500 and Rs 5,000 respectively.

Organising secretary of the championship Arun Kumar Banerjee said the UPTTA had decided to honour Shri Ziaul Hasnain, the former secretary of the association and present advisor for his lifetime contribution in the field of sports specially in badminton and table tennis on January 11.

The annual general body meeting of the Table Tennis Federation of India will also be held here on January 11. All secretaries of the state units of the federation would also participate in the meeting.

Akhtar prepares to fly home

SYDNEY, Jan 2 (AFP) — Banned Pakistan quick-bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who is due to fly out of Australia today with his future in a cloud, said he felt sorry for the fans who will be deprived of watching the world’s fastest bowler.

‘‘I feel sorry for my fans,’’ Akhtar said. ‘‘I play for the crowd first and then for my team and then for my country.’’ ‘‘I create excitement for the crowd, I just let people know that someone can bowl fast after (former Australian speedster Jeff) Thomson. I have just put the speed gun into this game again.’’

Akhtar (24) was speaking two days after the International Cricket Council (ICC) slapped a ban on him for bowling with an illegal action.

The ruling bars him from the lucrative triangular one-day series against Australia and India, starting next Sunday, and rules out a fascinating duel with Australia’s new fast bowling sensation Brett Lee.

Pakistan team manager Khawaja Mohammed Nasir said Akhtar bowled in the nets today to his colleagues in order to prepare them for a possible confrontation with Lee.

‘‘He wanted to go and bowl to give the batsmen practice,’’ Mr Nasir said. ‘‘Australia have a battery of fast bowlers and we are looking forward to, and we accept, the challenge of Brett Lee.’’ Mr Nasir described Akhtar as ‘‘one of the finest speed merchants in modern cricket.’’ Akhtar said the ICC had told him his short-pitched deliveries caused concern.

‘‘I’m still confident there is nothing wrong with my action, it is totally fluent,’’ he said.

He says he accepts the ICC decision and has vowed to clear his name in time for next month’s three-Test home series against Sri Lanka.

When he arrives home, former West Indies fast bowling great Michael Holding, a member of the ICC panel which banned him, will work with him to try to eliminate any doubts about the legitimacy of his action.

JCT score 2-0 win over Tollygunge

CALCUTTA, Jan 2 (PTI) — With speed and stamina as their forte, JCT, Phagwara, blanked Tollygunge Agragami 2-0 in a fourth National Football League encounter here today.

Nippy striker Hardip Gill struck once in each half for the visitors as the limitations of the city outfit were exposed during the match at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium.

Tollygunge, on a roll prior to this exchange with three stunning victories under their belt, looked completely in the woods against their opponents, who were fitter and faster.

The first goal came in the 22nd minute when Tollygunge goalkeeper Bivas Ghosh was pulled up for handling the ball outside his box by referee B.K. Singh and Gill unleashed a left foot grounder from the resultant free kick which went into the near corner of the net.

It was a double blow for Tollygunge as Ghosh, who had a forgettable day under the bar, was also shown the yellow card by the referee. Ghosh, who had been booked against East Bengal, would now have to sit out his team’s next match against ITI, Bangalore.

Ghosh was also largely responsible for the second goal. The lanky custodian made heavy weather while trying to make a diving collection of a weak diagonal grounder unleashed by Gill following a fast counter, in the second half injury time. The ball went into the net off Ghosh’s hands.

The match saw a change of referee in the second half, as an indisposed Singh made room for K. Shankar.

Tollygunge now have 10 and JCT eight points from five matches. 

The match saw JCT domination the opening session, while Tollygunge attacked desperately for the elusive equaliser in the second half. However, the visitors’ defence stood like a rock, not giving the Tollygunge upfronters any leeway near the goal.

Though Tollygunge coach Amal Dutta put three Africans — Kenyan Moses Owira and Nigerians Abayomi Felix and Abdul Latif Serki — in the frontline in the second half, the city team failed to create positive chances, thanks to the packed JCT defence.

Nigerian Isiaka, however, played his heart out for Tollygunge, constantly moving up the right flank and feeding his forwards with incisive crosses. However, to add to Dutta’s woes, the Nigerian, who carried one booking into the match, would miss the ITI outing as he was shown the yellow card by Singh for an improper charge early in the first session.

In the 61st minute, he centred inside the box after dodging past a JCT defender, but in the ensuing Melee Moses failed to reach the ball, while Sasthi Duley’s weak shot went straight to Baljit Singh.

Eight minutes earlier also Isiaka had spelt danger for the JCT with a long centre from the right for an unmarked Seriki, who floundered in heading the ball and Baljit collected.

For the Phagwara outfit, the three Hardips — medios Saini and Sangha and striker Gill — were the stars of the day. The injured Sangha, however, had to be replaced in the second half.

Fazaluddin crashes out

CHENNAI, Jan 2 (PTI)—Indian Davis cupper Syed Fazaluddin was blanked 2-6 2-6 by top seed Jiri Vanek of the Czech Republic in a first round of the qualifying draw of the ATP Gold Flake Open Tennis Tournament here today.

Vanek, ranked 160 as per last year’s ATP list, turned on the power at the right time, to demolish Fazaluddin.

Second seed Jamie Delgado (GBR-162), who figured in the recent Lucknow and Jaipur ATP challenger events, accounted for another Indian, Avinash Arun, when he beat him 6-2 6-2 in the first round.

However, the talented Vijay kannan had an easy passage into the second round when compatriot Saif Syed retired after the first game in the second set. Syed lost the first set 3-6.

Kannan now takes on Vanek in the second round.

Experienced Nitin Kirtane had to fight hard to down fellow Indian Rishi Sridhar 6-4, 7-6 (9-7), while G Rajkumar lost to seventh seed Arvind Parmar (GBR) 6-1 6-0. Mustafa Ghouse (Ind) also lost in the first round 2-6 2-6 to Andy Ran of Israel.

Ganguly clinches chess crown

SIVAKASI (TN), Jan 2 (PTI) — S.S. Ganguly (GNCA) won the Junior National Chess Championship defeating S Kidambi (TN) in ‘lightning games’ after the two players were at level at the end of the final round and subsequent tie-breaker, here today.

As the total points and progressive scores for Ganguly and Kidambi were at level, a tie-breaker was resorted to by playing two 15 minutes matches where both scored 1-1. Another two lightning games were given which Ganguly won with a score of 1.5-0.5.

On the top board, Ganguly (Goodricke National Chess Academy), needing a win to clash for the title with Kidambi, employed the Tarrasch variation for the French defence adopted by P Mahesh Chandran (TN) who also needed a victory to be among the top four positions.

The Tamil Nadu player handled the opening badly and was forced to give up his bishop for counterplay with a return of three pawns. Thereafter, Ganguly had no difficulty in converting his plus into a win and Mahesh resigned on the 28th move when threatened of mate in two.

V Kamble (Mah.), who preferred to play the kings Gambit against Kidambi, had a slight advantage in the opening. Kamble pushed his central pawns to the fifth rank where Kidambi, in reply, made a killing knight move which forced Kamble to handover an exchange on the 16th move.

The Pune boy fought ferociously to get back his lost material. However, Kidambi employing his tactical skills, returned the exchange and scored a thumping win in the rook-pawn ending.

Mahindras drub Dempo

MARGAO, Jan 2 (PTI) —Mahindra and Mahindra of Mumbai defeated Dempo 7-1 to score their first win in the fifth round of the fourth edition of the National Football League here today.

Mahindras scored through M Najeeb (11th, 40th and 43rd minutes), Samshi Raza (59th and 72nd), Ramesh Raza (41st) and Abbas Rizvi (61st). Dempo, who suffered their third defeat, scored a consolation goal in the 84th minute off a penalty taken by Ahmadi S K Saiad.

Referee R Udaikumar awarded the penalty when Mahindras’ defender S Hussain brought down Dempo substitute Eusebio D’ Souza inside the box.

With this win, Mahindra collected six points from a win and three draws, while Depmo remained on two points from two draws and a defeat.

Dempo will play against East Bengal on January 10 at Calcutta, while Mahindras will meet SBT at Mumbai on the same day.

Mahindras played an attacking game from the start and shot to the lead in the 11th minute when Aqueel Ansari split the defence with a through pass to Najeeb, who beat the keeper Vikrant and placed the ball into the net.

Mahindras kept on the pressure and after missing three close chances, scored three goals within a span of four minutes.

In the 40th minute, Najeeb scored through an angular shot and in the 41st, Raza increased the lead through a powerful shot, which was deflected by Dempo defender Solatanabadi into his own goal.

Two minutes before the interval, Najeeb made it 4-0 when he headed home from inside the box off a cross from Khalid Siddique.

After the interval, Mahindras continued the pressure and pumped three more goals.

Dempo found the consolation goal through the penalty.

Pak crash to 52-run defeat

PERTH, Jan 2 (AFP) — Pakistan crashed to a 52-run defeat in a one-day clash they so desperately wanted to win to get their new Australian campaign off to a confidence-boosting start here tonight.

Seemingly dazed by the loss of banned fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram’s side went down to an Australia A team at the WACA ground.

Hungry for an early victory after their 3-0 Test drubbing by Australia in this country late last year, Pakistan failed despite a marvellous 100 not out by number six batsman Azhar Mahmood.

It was the first of three warm-up matches to be played by the tourists before the start next Sunday of a lucrative triangular limited-overs contest also featuring Australia and India.

Scoreboard

Australia A:

M. Hayden c Inzamam b Saeed Anwar 128

Fitzgerald c and b Shoaib Malik 85

Symonds c Azhar Mahmood b Razzaq 24

Hodge b Wasim Akram 12

S.Lee c Wasim Akram b Saqlain 13

Harvey c Wasim Akram b Saqlain 13

Haddin st Moin b Saqlain 0

Bichel st Moin b Saqlain 0

MacGill not out 1

Williams st Moin b Saqlain 2

Wilson not out 0

Extras (lb-2 w-3) 5

Total (for nine wickets, 50 overs) 281

Fall of wickets: 1-191 2-230 3-249 4-265 5-265 6-271 7-271 8-281 9-281.

Bowling: Wasim Akram 10-3-27-1, Abdul Razzaq 10-0-66-1 (w-1), Azhar Mahmood 8-0-55-0, Saqlain Mushtaq 10-2-40-5 (w-1), Shoaib Malik 10-0-68-1 (w-1), Saeed Anwar 2-0-23-1.

Pakistan:

Anwar b Bichel 16

Wasim lbw Lee 23

Ijaz c Haddin b Lee 13

Inzamam c Hayden b Wilson 5

Youhana lbw Lee 0

Azhar not out 100

Moin c Haddin b Wilson 2

Razzaq lbw Wilson 35

Akram b MacGill 1

Malik c Haddin b Lee 18

Saqlain c and b Harvey 3

Extras (lb-7 w-4 nb-2) 13

Total (all out, 41.5 overs) 229

Fall of wickets: 1-29 2-49 3-62 4-62 5-78 6-82 7-163 8-166 9-224.

Bowling: Williams 7-0-35-0 (nb-1 w-3), Bichel 6-0-50-1 (nb-1), Lee 6-1-32-4, Wilson 10-1-34-3, Harvey 6.5-0-32-1 (w-1), MacGill 6-0-39-1.

Jeev keen to break into top 100

NEW DELHI, Jan 2 (PTI) — Ace Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh, after an eventful 1999, has set his eyes on breaking into the top 100 in the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) rankings this year and winning a title on the European Circuit.

Twentyeight-year-old Jeev said he has improved a lot during the past one year that saw him winning a major — Lexus International — in Thailand at the fag end of the season.

“I want to break into the top 100 and win a title on the European tour,” Jeev told PTI before leaving for a five-week season-opening tour of South Africa and Australia.

Jeev said he was satisfied with his performance... “There was a definite improvement, but I want to do better.”

The only Indian on the highly competitive EPGA cricuit started 1999 ranked 321st and after the gruelling year he rose to 160.

The Indian, who failed to give finishing touches to his excellent opening on EPGA tournaments, said a win in Thailand has helped a lot in boosting his morale. The win in Thailand came after three barren years though he finished runner-up in many tournaments.

“The jinx has been broken in Thailand and I am confident of carrying on from there,” Jeev said.

Jeev, currently placed 50th on the European circuit after starting the year as 104th, said he was hopeful of doing better in the competitive atmosphere of the EPGA.

“Getting a chance to play alongside top level pros on the circuit has been immensely useful for me,” he said.

The Indian, who has so far failed to proceed beyond the penultimate stage of qualifying rounds for the USPGA, said he hoped the year 2000 will usher in good luck for him.

“I have been trying very hard to get into the USPGA. I’ll continue to do that this year,” Jeev said.

Out of 1000 competitors in the qualifying round, only top 40 make it every year.

Jeev rebuffed criticism that he was complacent and not serious when playing in India.

“On the contrary, the reason behind my poor performance (in the Delhi Hero Honda Masters) was because I had less experience of the course in India.

“Sometimes I come to India (to play) after a gap of more than a year. This has telling effect on my performance,” he said, adding that he planned to play more in India.

Jeev expressed disappointment at not being able to play more in India as his professional commitments in Europe were keeping him engaged.

“I have even been missing the Asian Circuit since 1995 owing to my busy schedule,” he said.

The Indian welcomed PGA’s decision to consider the points earned by players in the Asian circuit for world rankings and said it would be advantageous for the Asian players. The new system comes into force from this year.

Speaking about the growth of golf in India, Jeev said the game has gained a lot of following with more and more people starting to take interest. “After cricket and tennis it is golf in India. And it is a good sign,” he said.

While agreeing that there was a wide gap between him and the second rung Indian players, Jeev singled out Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa as bright prospects for the future.

He said India had been doing well in golf and is rated third in Asia behind Japan and Korea.

Jeev will open the European season with the Dunhill Cup that begins on January 10 followed by the South African Open. He then proceeds to Australia to play in the Heineken Cup and the Greg Norman Cup and round off the four-week tour with Malaysian Open.

Himachal varsity post 5-4 win
From Our Sports Reporter

LUDHIANA, Jan 2 — In an absorbing group ‘A’ encounter, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, edged out favourites University of Delhi 5-4 to score their second successive victory on the second day of the North Zone Inter-University Hockey Tournament for men at the astroturf stadium of PAU here today.

The match was decided through tie-breaker as both the teams were unable to score a goal in the stipulated 70-minute period.

In group ‘B’ Kurukshetra University defeated Aligarh Muslim University 4-2 while Lucknow University beat Jammu University 4-0. The match between Kurukshetra University and Aligarh Muslim University was an evenly poised. Kurukshetra boys went ahead in the very second minute of the game and added another goal in the 14th minute. Aligarh lads reduced the margin (2-1) in the 31st minute.

In the second half both the teams exhibited a fast hockey with the ball changing hands very quickly. Though both sides made determined attacks on each other’s territory, it were Kurukshetra varsity men who succeeded in enhancing their lead in the 61st minute and in the next minute they consolidated the lead (4-1) to seal their rival’s fate.

In another group ‘A’ match Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, thrashed Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, 10-1 after establishing 6-0 lead at the interval.

In Group ‘C’ Jamia Milia Islamia University, Delhi, demolished Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, 8-1 after leading 3-0 at half time while MJP Rohil Khand University, Barielly, outplayed H.N. Bahuguna, Srinagar, 3-0. The winners led 1-0 at the breather.

In a group ‘D’ match, the CSJM University, Kanpur, faced a tough resistance from Gurukul Kangri University, Hardwar, before emerging victorious 1-0. The all-important goal was scored by Santosh Kumar in the 55th minute.

In the last match of the day, the hosts Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, whipped Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Faizabad, 12-1 in a group ‘D’ match.

PAU lads proved too good for Avadh University boys in all departments of the game. The visitors failed to cope with rivals’ speed and conceded eight goals till the half-time. PAU pumped in four goals in the second.

PAU’s Yadwinder, Harpal and Sukhdeepak Singh scored three goals each while Jaswinder struck twice and Navdeep Singh found the target once. For Avadh University the consolation came in the 37th minute through Vijay Kumar Yadav.

India-SA one-dayer at Kochi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Jan 2 (PTI) — The third-one day international cricket match between India and South Africa will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, in mid-March.

The match was allotted to the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) by the Indian cricket board, according to a message received by the KCA.

KCA joint secretary S Ramachandran told PTI yesterday that a team of BCCI officials would soon inspect the stadium in this connection.

The BCCI executive committee had on December 19 provisionally allocated the match to Goa and had said that the final decision would be taken after its pitches committee inspected the Fatorda Stadium, being used more for football which has rendered it unsuitable for cricket.

Nagpur, Jamshedpur, Faridabad and Baroda were the other venues chosen for the five matches of the series to be played on March 9, 11, 14, 17 and 20. The exact venues would be decided on the basis of logistics of travel.

Baroda take lead over Haryana

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Jan 2 (PTI) — Baroda took the vital 147 runs first innings lead over Haryana on the penultimate day of the three-day pre-quarterfinals of the All-India under-16 cricket tournament for the Vijya Merchant Trophy here today.

Baroda overnight 269 for nine were all out for 273 adding four more runs in their first innings.

In reply, Haryana were bundled out for 126 runs off 51.3 overs. Off-spinner Yusuf Pathan claimed five wickets conceding 27 runs, Ananat Bochre three and Jayendra Zala took two. Deepak Jhora 25 and Kuldeep Diwan 25 were the top scorers for Haryana.

Brief scores: (pre-quarterfinals)

Baroda: (Ist innings): 273 off 92.5 overs (Hemal Shah 63, Yogesh Matroja 61, Jayendra Zala 12, Prakash Kahar 6 (n.o).

Second innings 100 for 4 off 35 overs (Yogesh Matroja 31, Kipal Desai 14) vs.

Haryana: (Ist innings): 126 (all out) off 51.3 overs (Deepak Jhora 25, Kuldeep Diwan 25, Bhuvanesh Sharma 21. Yusuf Pathan 5/27, Jayendra Zala 2/20).

Martinez starts with easy win

SURFERS PARADISE, AUSTRALIA, Jan 2 (Reuters) — Former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez started the new year with a 6-3 6-4 win over Australian Sylvia Plischke on the opening day of the Australian women’s hardcourt championship today.

The Spaniard, who is using the tournament as part of her build-up for this month’s Australian Open after sliding to 15 in the world rankings, overwhelmed her opponent to post a confidence-boosting win.

“Last year was a hard year for me because my ranking was the lowest in my career,” said Martinez, the 1994 Wimbledon champion.

“My goal is to get into the top 10 again. If I keep winning I’ll be happy.”

With the tournament’s top seeds, Julie Halard-Decugis of France and Russia’s Anna Kournikova, not scheduled to play their first-round matches until Monday, Germany’s Barbara Rittner sprang an early surprise by beating 10th seed Magui Serna of Spain 6-4 4-6 6-1.

Sunil Kumar may get sponsorship

CHENNAI, Jan 2 (PTI) — Sunil Kumar, the recent sensation in the national tennis scene, is all set for bigger things in his career as offers of sponsorship have come in a pair on a long-term basis.

IMG, a sports event management firm, and a public sector undertaking have offered to help Kumar, who had proved his worth, winning all age group events, including two ITF junior crowns on his way to the hardcourt national title in September.

Confirming the offer of sponsorships, the 16-year-old, who is tipped to be the successor to Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, told PTI here he was thrilled.

Paes is the only other Indian tennis player under IMG contract and should Kumar accept the offer, he would get to play in all IMG managed events in the ATP tour. Kumar has got a wild card for the coming Gold Flake Open here.

Kumar’s coach, Kamaljit Singh said: ‘‘The offers have come at the right time for Sunil to peak as he will get more scope to play abroad. But, either of us cannot decide on these, as the Chandigarh Association, which has been helping him, would take the final decision’’.

REGIONAL SPORT BRIEFS

Unity Club win

LUDHIANA, Jan 2 (FOSR) — Pardeep (43 n.o.) and Avtar Singh (2 for 21) enabled Unity Club to score a three-wicket victory over FTI Club in the seventh Veera Devi Memorial Cricket Tournament here today.

In reply to the FTI Club’s 129 for 6 in 20 overs, Unity Club made 130 for 7 with one ball to spare.

Brief scores:

FTI Club 129 for 6 (Harmeet Batra 38 n.o., Rajeev Sood 27, Happy Mukhi 2 for 34, Avtar Singh 2 for 21).

Unity Club: 130 for 7 (Pardeep 43 n.o. Pinky 28, Hitesh 2 for 1).

In the second match, Riat Club registered a 57-run win against Reliance Club.

Chasing a target of 140 runs set by Riat Club, Reliance Club could make 82 for 8 in the allotted overs.

Brief scores: Riat Club 139 for 5 (Manav Dhuppar 55, Varun Gupta 35). Reliance Club 82 for 8 (Raj Kumar 23, Bhagmal 22, Davinder Riat 2 for 14, Tarun Kanish 2 for 6).

TT squads

JALANDHAR, Jan 2 (FOSR) — A 14-member Punjab table tennis team (men and women) was announced here today to participate in the 61st Senior National and Inter-State Table Tennis Championships going to be held from January 6 to 12 at Lucknow.

According to Mr P.C. Budhia, secretary, Punjab Table Tennis Association, men’s team will comprise Deepak Thukral, N. Ravi Chandran, Vaneet Chopra, Vikram Aditya, Vikas Mahajan, Pankaj Sharma, Vikas Sharma and Ramakant while women team will have Meenu Dhawan, Shikha Ghai, Parminder Kaur, Nitika, Kuldeep Kaur, Ranji Gupta. Mr Rakesh Kaushal and Mr Sanjiv Sood would be coach and manager of the team, respectively.