 |
|
| Thursday, August 3, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
|
Brett Lee’s bowling action cleared IT Dept awaiting Sharma’s reply Jones runs year’s fastest 100m |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Sampras survives first-round scare
Agassi for Olympics; Sampras says no Olympic squad to be announced
by month-end Maradona signs rights for $ 1 ms Top shuttlers for Bangalore meet Team selection for Toronto on Aug 10
3 new disciplines introduced CHANDIGARH, Aug 2 — Pistol shooting, korfball and rhythmic gymnastics are the new sport disciplines introduced in the all- India Inter-varsity sports calendar released by the Association of India Universities (AIU), New Delhi. The three disciplines will be hosted by Panjab University, Chandigarh while badminton — men and women — (both North Zone and inter zonals) will be held in February 2001. Another event allotted to PU was hockey (women) which will be held in December 2000 and kho-kho (both North East zone and inter zonals). B’desh cricket chief
threatens to quit
|
|
SA pull off thrilling win KANDY, Aug 2 (AFP) — South Africa pulled off a thrilling seven-run win over Sri Lanka in the second cricket Test to level the three-match series one-all here today. Sri Lanka chasing 177 for victory to take an unbeatable lead in the series fell short by eight runs as they were bowled out for 169 on a wearing pitch, 23 minutes after tea on the fourth day. The teams go into the third and final Test beginning at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds on Sunday to decide the series. Sri Lanka resumed after tea requiring 16 for victory with three wickets in hand but lost Upul Chandana for 16 off the first ball to Lance Klusener, and eight runs later Chaminda Vaas backed up too far and was run out for five taking Sri Lanka 169 for 9. Left-arm spinner Micky Boje, who turned the game South Africa’s way before tea by taking the wickets of Russel Arnold and Arjuna Ranatunga, ended the match when he had last man Muttiah Muralitharan caught behind for a first ball duck. Muralitharan was given out even as
television replays clearly favoured the batsman. As long as the fifth wicket stand between Arnold and Ranatunga flourished, Sri Lanka looked as if they would walk away with the Test. But Boje struck two vital blows by getting rid of both batsmen to leave South Africa with an outside chance of victory. Boje trapped Arnold lbw without offering a shot for 40 to end a fifth wicket stand of 109 with Ranatunga. He then struck the vital blow by having Ranatunga caught at forward short-leg by Jonty Rhodes in the last over before tea to leave Sri Lanka still 16 runs short of victory at the break. Ranatunga making his final appearance at this venue, struck 16 fours in a magnificent display of batting to score 88 off 103 balls. Lance Klusener took the other wicket to fall in the session by having Kumar Dharmasena also caught by Rhodes in the same position for one. Sri Lanka began their run chase disastrously losing openers Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya without scoring to be nine for three. Arnold and
Ranatunga staged a revival with a century partnership that raised hopes of a Sri Lanka victory. But Boje’s dismissal of Arnold saw the match swinging towards South Africa as the Sri Lankans succumbed to pressure. Earlier, South Africa resuming at 192 for eight, added 39 runs for their last two wickets before being dismissed for 231. A 45-run ninth-wicket stand between Boje and Paul Adams gave South Africa a total to defend. Lance Klusener was made joint Man-of-the-Match with Ranatunga. Klusener made an unbeaten 117 in the first innings. SCOREBOARD South Africa (Ist innings): 253 Sri Lanka (Ist innings): 308 South Africa (2nd innings): Kirsten b Dharmasena 13 McKenzie b Zoysa 1 Kallis b Muralitharan 87 Cullinan b Muralitharan 6 Rhodes c Sangakkara b Jayasuriya 33 Klusener c Sangakkara Boucher c Atapattu Pollock c Sangakkara b Vaas 20 Boje c sub (Dilshan) b Chandana 27 Adams not out 14 Hayward lbw b Chandana 0 Extras: (b-7, lb-1, nb-3) 11 Total: (all out in 93.5 overs) 231 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-37, 3-50, 4-121, 5-128, 6-153, 7-186, 8-186, 9-231. Bowling: Vaas 14-5-17-1, Zoysa 5-0-17-1, Dharmasena 16-2-47-1, Muralitharan 36-8-76-3, Chandana 9.5-0-21-2, Jayasuriya 13-1-45-2. Sri Lanka (2nd innings): Atapattu lbw b Pollock 0 Jayasuriya lbw b Hayward 0 Arnold lbw b Boje 40 Jayewardene c Boucher Sangakkara c Hayward b Kallis 5 Ranatunga c Rhodes b Boje 88 Dharmasena c Rhodes b Klusener 1 Chandana b Klusener 16 Vaas run out 5 Zoysa not out 2 Muralitharan c Boucher b Boje 0 Extras: (b-1, lb-6, w-2, nb-2) 11 Total: (all out in 50.1 overs) 169 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-5, 3-9, 4-21, 5-130, 6-133, 7-161, 8-161, 9-169. Bowling: Pollock 11-4-38-1, Hayward 5-1-15-2, Kallis 8-1-25-1, Adams 3-1-26-0, Klusener 13-3-34-2, Boje 10.1-4-24-3. |
|
Brett Lee’s bowling action cleared MELBOURNE, Aug 2 (AFP) — Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has been cleared of a suspect bowling action by the International Cricket Council, the Australian Cricket Board said here today. ACB Chairman Malcolm Speed said at a press conference the ICC’s illegal deliveries panel had given the all clear to Lee’s action after meeting by international phone hook-up for 75 minutes yesterday. The panel of former international cricketers had earlier scanned real time and slow motion video of his bowling action and ruled it was legal. “The panel determined Lee did not have a problem with his bowling action,” said Speed. The decision means Lee does not need to undergo remedial coaching ahead of this month’s three-match limited overs international series against South Africa here. The international panel included chairman Sunil Gavaskar of India, a member of each test playing country (10), and an umpires representative. Only Test-playing country members voted. Lee participated in the international hook-up and Australian great Dennis Lillee also gave evidence in his defence. Lee’s action was investigated following a report on him during Australia’s Test and one-day series in New Zealand last March-April. The two Indian umpires who officiated in the series — AV Jayaprakash and S. Venkataraghavan — made their report to match referee Mike Denness, who forwarded his concerns to the ICC. Mr Speed said it was still a possibility the same process could occur again. “That’s something which is an occupational hazard of being the world’s fastest bowler,” he said. Lee said he was busting to have a crack at Shaun Pollock’s South Africans in the
indoor one-day internationals at Colonial Stadium on August 16, 18 and 20 after finally being able to shed the anxiety of his “chucking” charge. “The most important thing is going out there and taking wickets and enjoying my cricket — I can’t wait,” Lee said. “The call (from the ICC) last night was probably the longest call I’ve ever waited for. “It was quite tough but I’m glad it’s all over.” He said he had fully recovered from surgery in May and was ready to bowl at full pace against the South Africans. “I’ve been training for the last two months and I’m back to full pace and will be ready to play in two weeks.” Lee topped Australia’s bowling averages during the Test series against New Zealand, which Australia won 3-0. He took 18 wickets at an average of 17.44. The New South Wales fast bowler had an outstanding debut Test season last summer, capturing 31 wickets at an average of 16.06. SYDNEY, (Reuters): Australia’s most senior cricket official attacked the International Cricket Council (ICC) over its handling of an inquiry that cleared Australian fast-bowler Brett Lee of having a suspect bowling action. Australian Cricket Board (ACB) Chairman Mal Speed, while pleased that Lee had been cleared of throwing the ball, said he thought a better method could be devised to deal with such cases. “Being on the receiving end of it, it’s apparent to us that this process is not ideal and needs to be changed,’’ he said. Lee was reported for throwing during Australia’s tour of New Zealand in March when he took 18 Test wickets at an average of 17.44, but the ACB was not informed of the move until last month. |
|
IT Dept awaiting Sharma’s reply NEW DELHI, Aug 2 (PTI) — Income Tax authorities have written to Delhi batsman Ajay Sharma, currently in London, to intimate about his arrival for assessment of his assets found during the recent country-wide raids on cricketers and others in the wake of match-fixing scandal. Highly-placed IT sources said the department had written to Sharma, who left the country immediately after the scandal surfaced to play for minor county in London. The department is awaiting his reply after which further action would be initiated, the sources said. The residential and office premises of Sharma, who is alleged to have some links with bookies, were raided and sealed on July 20 during the nation-wide swoop. A CBI team comprising Joint Director R N Sawani and Deputy Inspector General Y K Singh, which left for London soon after the
country-wide Income Tax raids, has already questioned Sharma in London on his alleged links with some bookies. Meanwhile, cricketer Nikhil Chopra has called the Income Tax (IT) authorities from London and informed them that he would be returning and filing a statement. “He (Chopra) has expressed desire to come and make all things clear and we are waiting for him”, the Income Tax sources said. As per law, his preliminary statement is necessary before further proceeding in the case, the sources said, adding such statements were recorded from Ajay Jadeja and Mohammed Azharuddin, who arrived back in the country yesterday. All of them had been out of the country during the raids to play a benefit match on July 29 in London. Meanwhile, Income Tax (IT) authorities have so far opened 10 out of 17 bank lockers, sealed during the massive searches conducted by the authorities at around 100 premises in the wake of match-fixing scandal. It sources said one more locker was opened yesterday by the IT authorities in Delhi. However, they refused to divulge the contents seized from these lockers. The IT authorities had found jewellery worth Rs 15 lakh from four lockers belonging to a cricketer and a bookie, opened on Tuesday and Wednesday last week. |
|
Jones runs year’s fastest 100m STOCKHOLM, Aug 2 (AFP) — Marion Jones, bidding for an outrageous five gold medals at the Sydney games, brushed aside a quality field to win the women’s 100 metres and a one carat diamond at a packed-to-the-rafters Olympic stadium here last night. Once the 24-year-old American track legend cranked her imposing frame up into overdrive she surged clear to clock 10.68 seconds, ahead of the Ukraine’s Zhanna Pintusevich (10.98) and America’s Chryste Gaines. In posting the best time this year Jones also lowered the stadium record for which she was presented with the $10,000 diamond by the IAAF Grand Prix meet’s organisers. Reflecting on her night’s work the former journalism student said: “This is a dream result. I’ve had technical problems during the season but this time I reacted quickly to the starter’s gun. “The stadium record and a diamond — it’s superb. I needed a result of this importance to have something to build on for the rest of the season. I couldn’t be more satisfied.” Jones’ dream of five medals (the 100m, 200m, long jump and two relays) in Australia looks bang on course to being realised as she reaches boiling point at the right time. In the men’s 100 metres Trinidad’s sprint ace Ato Boldon cheekily eased up with the race in the bag, the double Olympic bronze flashing across the line in unison with Obadele Thompson of Barbados. He was awarded outright victory though, with Britain’s Darren Campbell posting his second fastest time ever of 10.06 in third. Canada’s Olympic champion Donovan Bailey, the slowest qualifier for the final in 10.16 and fighting back from a long term achilles’ heel problem, trailed in seventh almost half a second off the pace. Mexico’s Alejandro Cardenas took the men’s 400 metres from South Africa’s Hendrik Mokganyetsi with the US duo of Jerome Young and Danny McCray in third and fourth, respectively. “It’s always good to beat the Americans,” he said impishly, adding: “I’m already selected for the games so I can now concentrate on this one aim. I’ll be competing next weekend in London.” Despite knocking down a cluster of flights Allen Johnson, arch-rival to Britain’s absent world champion Colin Jackson, kept his composure to take the men’s 110 metres hurdles. The American Atlanta gold medallist, wearing sunglasses to protect himself from the glaring evening sun, beat home the Netherlands’ Korving Robin with Dominique Arnold falling when in the runners-up spot just as he had done in the US trials in Sacremento — a nasty habit he is going to have to try to stamp out. It was an all Kenyan finish to the 3000 metres steeplechase won by Reuben Kosgei who got the better of world record holder Bernard Barmasai and Wilson Boit Kipketer. In the 5000 metres it was the 19-year-old Kenyan Richard Limo who shut out his near namesake Benjamin Limo. Norway’s Trine Solberg-Hattestad, winner of the women’s javelin and the night’s second diamond, was satisfied with her throw of 67.92 metres in the wake of her new world record of 69.48 metres at the Bislet Games Golden League meet in Oslo last Friday. The 34-year-old Atlanta bronze medallist and favourite to take gold this time said: “Technically I was good and mentally I’ve recovered well from my world record. The most important thing is to that I can throw between 65 and 68 metres in each competition.” Mozambique’s Maria Mutola impressed in the women’s 800 metres to put herself in the frontline to improve on the bronze she won in Atlanta. |
|
Sampras survives first-round scare TORONTO, Aug 2 (Reuters) — Pete Sampras survived a first-round scare as he narrowly claimed victory over French qualifier Michael Llorda at the tennis masters event in Toronto. After the match was delayed by more than three hours because of rain, second-seeded Sampras edged out a 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) win yesterday. But 15th-seeded Tim Henman of Britain was upset by Chile’s Marcelo Rios, losing 4-6, 6-3, 3-6. Sampras failed to break Llodra’s resistance in the first set, despite holding two break points to lead 5-3. Llodra then broke Sampras to love to lead 6-5 and served out the set with an ace, and although Sampras controlled the second set and built a 3-0 lead in the third the battle was not over. Llodra fought back to 3-3, and games then went comfortably with serve until the tie-break, which Sampras sneaked 7-4. “It wasn’t an easy match to play, because these young guys come out with nothing to lose and swinging away,” said Sampras. “I thought he played very well. He qualified, won a couple of matches and came in confident. He was used to the conditions and surroundings. I don’t think I played a bad first set. I just played one loose game, but he’s got a huge serve and I give him credit. Henman remained upbeat after his defeat by Rios, who was defaulted out of the Los Angeles event last week after swearing at the umpire. After a single break of serve decided each of the first two sets, Rios forced a backhand error to gain a vital break to lead 4-2 in the third. “It’s not the ideal start to the summer, but I’m not going to dwell on it,” said Henman. “I thought the standard of play was pretty high, and if I played like that against a lot of other players then I’d be playing again tomorrow. “The only period I would like to change was the first two service games of the third set, because I had 0-30 in one game and should have had 0-30 in the next, and I wasn’t able to take those half-chances.” In other seeded matches, Russia’s Marat Safin, the eighth seed, struggled to overcome Swedish qualifier Jonas Bjorkman, winning 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. But there were upsets when 10th seed Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador was beaten 4-6, 3-6 by Stefan Koubek of Austria, 13th seed Franco Squillari of Argentina lost 6-7 (6-8), 4-6 to South Africa’s Wayne Ferreira. CARLSBAD (California): Rebounding from her quarterfinal loss at Wimbledon, top seed Martina Hingis began preparations for this month’s US Open by winning her second-round match at the $ 535,000 women’s tournament in Carlsbad. Hingis opened defence of her title with a 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) victory on Tuesday over Dominique Van Roost of Belgium to advance to the quarterfinals. American Amy Frazier eliminated seventh seed Anke Huber of Germany 6-0, 7-6 (7-3) but two other seeded players secured berths in the second round. Sixth seed Nathalie Tauziat of France, at 32 the oldest player in the draw, beat Anne Kremer of Luxembourg 6-4, 6-3. |
|
Sydney countdown — 30 The world’s fastest women play mind games, too. They are just not as loud or obnoxious as their male counterparts. Marion Jones revealed her sisters are far more subtle in the way they try to mess with each other’s minds before a race. They are more sophisticated but, in terms of getting to her, less successful. Jones marvelled at the depths to which Maurice Greene and Michael Johnson stooped to undo each other, and ultimately themselves, at the US Olympic trials. “In the beginning when the trash-talking began, it was ok because they were talking about. Tve run this and you have run that,’” he said of the Greene-Johnson debacle. “But when they [got] personal about
each other’s appearance and hair, that was a bit much and people started to laugh.” The women, however, were not
faultless. They played their own manipulative tricks to unsettle each other, it was just less obvious to the observer. “It is a male-female thing,” Jones said. “We have psychological games that we play with each other. I try to stay away from them as much as possible. If you look close
enough, you will see there are little things going on among the women. “They are very subtle. There is no staring, mumbling (or) chucking. Little things, when you are in front of the blocks, a certain walk, where you walk, the intensity in warm-up, really subtle, but we can
definitely tell. Certain people have little gestures you have to get used to. I makes it fun-it keeps you on your toes. “I like to watch, stay away from that and focus on what I do. But at times it makes it more enjoyable, when you can sit back and watch all these weird dynamics going on among the women sprinters.” Jones knows much of the posturing and prowling is directed at her but she refuses to retaliate, preferring to channel her energies towards speed. “A couple of athletes at the (US Olympic) trials let themselves get into those games. Maybe that is why they didn’t do well. Jones said: “It is not important to have to walk around being loud and obnoxious. We just run fast jump far and make our performances speak for themselves.” When it is over and hopefully have won, it is time to play the games and I can smile and talk, but until then it is not for me.” Jones is in Sweden for the start of her final pre-Olympic competition phase, five meeting in Europe that will take her to Sydney and the five golds she wants. The world’s leading sprinter admitted she was “pooped” after the stress and strain of the US Olympic trials, where she qualified for Sydney by winning the 100m, 200m and long jump. Gould down memory lane Olympic queen returns to Munish and shows she’s still as Gould as gold. For
Shane Gould, this was an affirmation. Almost three decades on she had returned to the venue where, in the space of a week, she rose from being simply a talented teenage swimmer to a sporting icon,
forever etched in the history of Australian sport. It was 1972 in Munich when Gould, a 16-year-old from Sydney with abundant talent, won five Olympic medals-three gold-and broke three world records. This week she is back in Germany, back in the same pool in which she swam so superbly 28 years ago and back swimming internationally for the first time since a premature retirement just months after Munich. “To me, this is like an affirmation of Shane Gould the Olympian,” Gould told Channel 7 after winning the 400m freestyle yesterday at the eight World Masters Swimming Championships. It was the 43-year-old’s second success, following her 100m freestyle victory last
weekend in which she times 2.5 seconds more than her bronze medal timing 28 years ago. “My legs were burning, but I’m just happy to be back here where I made history all those years ago.” At the Munich games, Gould won the 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle and the 200m individual medley and set world records in each. This is the only time a swimmer has won three gold medals and set three world records. She also claimed silver
in the 800m freestyle and bronze in the 100m freestyle. Born in Sydney on
November 23, 1956, Gould moved to Fiji with her family at the age of 18 months. Her father worked for an airline company which meant many moves for the Gould family. They eventually settled in Sydney in 1970. Gould returned to Australia after the Munich Olympics as a national icon. The constant media attention, however, was uncomfortable for the teenager and her family. Seeking refuse, she quite the sport, sought an alternative lifestyle and was married at the age of 18. As quickly as she had arrived. Gould effectively disappeared. With husband Neil Innes, she began a “natural and simple Christian lifestyle” on a farm near Margaret River in Western Australia and raised four children. After she separated from her husband in the 1990s, Gould gradually made a welcome and warm return to the public arena. She is now expected to play a prominent role at the Sydney games both in the media and as an Olympic ambassador. Spectators will have to ‘train’ for marathon Olympic spectators living in the city area can expect to have to spend up to six hours or more to travel to and from events, according to a guidebook released today. The Official Spectator Guide makes no bones about the need for patience. The 44-page guidebook presents 300 travel options across the city from which spectators can route their to and from events through a series of tables. Travel times are given for each option, including the time to get to the start of the Olympic transport system, actual travel time and time for transport interchanges. It states
that travel times of between one and three hours will be common. “Travel during the games is expected to take considerably longer than normal. This is largely due to the massive increase in the number of people travelling,” a spokesman said. “People attending competition at Sydney Olympic Park will also need to take account walking times to venues from the station and bus terminals. We advise spectators to get to their venue at least one hour before the start of their competitive
session.” As well as the travel itself, organisers said spectators would need to allow time for walking to and from transport locations, a security check while entering a venue and finding their seat. —
PMG |
|
Agassi for Olympics; Sampras says no NEW YORK, Aug 2 (AFP) — Reigning Olympic champion Andre Agassi and Michael Chang, who won his first title in two years Sunday, are heading for the Sydney Olympics while Pete Sampras is opting out. The US Tennis Association named its men’s tennis line-up here yesterday with 1999 US Open finalist Todd Martin, former Wimbledon bad boy Jeff Tarango and the doubles team of Alex O’Brien and Jared Palmer completing the roster. Injury-prone Sampras, whose Wimbledon singles victory brought him a record 13th Grand Slam title, had said he would not play because the Olympics are so soon after the US Open. The last of the year’s Grand Slam events will be here on hardcourts from August 28 to September 10. His departure opened the spot taken by the controversial Tarango, who branded Wimbledon umpire Bruno Rebeuh a cheat five years ago in one of his celebrated tantrums. Tarango has not won an ATP title since Tel Aviv in 1992. Reigning Australian Open champion Agassi, who completed a career Grand Slam last year at the French Open, will journey to Sydney after trying to defend his US Open crown. “Winning the Olympic gold medal is one of the greatest things I have accomplished in my career,” Agassi said. “Competing in the Sydney Games will be very special to me. It’s not even about getting a second medal. It’s about the honour of being part of the Olympics.” Chang, whose lone Grand Slam crown was at the 1989 French Open, won at Los Angeles last weekend. He last reached a Grand Slam final at the 1996 US Open. Martin, a five-set loser to Agassi in last year’s US Open final, was edged by Mal Washington in 1996 for the final berth in the Atlanta Olympics. “I have always wanted to be on the Olympic team,” Martin said. “It will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” |
|
Olympic squad
to be announced by month-end NEW DELHI, Aug 2 (PTI) — The Indian contingent for the Sydney Olympic Games will be finalised by the month-end, Sports Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said today. Mr Dhindsa told PTI here that the last date for submitting entries by name to the organising committee was August 22 and all those who qualify for the Olympic Games, to be held from September 15 to October 1, will be automatically cleared. The Indian Olympic Association was expected to submit the final list of qualifiers by August 23 or 24 and the government would clear the list in a couple of days after that, he said. Turning to cricket, the Sports Minister expressed his satisfaction with the meeting he had yesterday with the top brass of the cricket board. He said the board officials had promised to send him a copy of the Code of Conduct after it is ratified at its working committee meeting in Bangalore on August 19. |
|
Maradona signs rights for $ 1 ms BUENOS AIRES, Aug 2 (AFP) — Argentine footballing legend Diego Maradona will pick up a cool $ 1 million for the rights to his autobiography which comes out in October, his editor Guillermo Schavelzon announced yesterday. According to Schavelzon, it’s the “first time in the history of publishing that an Argentine has received such a sum”. The 320-page book, which recounts the World Cup winner’s life from his childhood to his professional retirement, will be released by Planet Books on October 2 under the title “I am Diego”. Co-written by sports journalists Ernesto Cherquis Bialo and Daniel Arcucci with a little help from Maradona, the book will be released simultaneously in Argentina, Spain, Mexico and Colombia. Schavelzon is pumping the literary event for all it’s worth as he also holds the rights to an audio book version, press columns and a special Internet project. The book will see Maradona look back over his career and how a stellar start — he made his Argentina debut after a handful of first team matches — eventually descended into drug problems, suspensions and eventual retirement in disgrace. He stopped playing professionally on October 30, 1997, the day of his 37th birthday. Maradona recalls how “the first football I had was the best present anyone ever made me in my life. I was three years old and I slept with it cradled in my arms all night.” The former Argentine captain started writing the book in Havana, where he spent several months earlier this year following his latest brush with cocaine which had brought on cardiac problems. “I have finally decided to tell all. There remain things to say. With all the things I have already said I’m not sure I have yet recounted the most important aspects,” he said. Another of his memories is the infamous ‘hand of God’ goal he scored to help defeat England in the 1986 World Cup finals. Maradona also touches on his relationship with the corridors of power — his meetings with, among others, Argentine Presidents Raul Alfonsin and Carlos Menem, Cuban Dictator Fidel Castro, Spain’s King Juan Carlos and Pope John Paul II. Maradona insists that “everything I recount in the book is true, I swear that on the lives of my daughters.” |
|
Top shuttlers for
Bangalore meet BANGALORE, Aug 2 (PTI) — Top badminton stars in the country will vie for
honours in the Rs 400,000 prize money sixth All-India Open Badminton tournament which will take off here tomorrow. The
tournament would also be a ‘yard stick’ for selection for the European Tour in October - Dutch Open, German Open and the five star $ 2.5 lakh Danish Open, he said. Qualifying rounds for the tournament would start tomorrow and the final is slated on August 6. Seedings: Men’s singles: 1. P. Gopi Chand, 2. Abhinn Shyam Gupta, 3. Chetan Anand, 4. Nikhil Kanetkar (all PSCB). Men’s doubles: 1. Markose Bristow (PSCB) and Vijaydeep Singh (Railways), 2. Jaseel P. Ismail and Vincent Lobo (PSCB). Women’s singles: 1. Aparna Popat (PSCB), 2. B.R. Meenakshi (Kar). Women’s doubles: 1. P.V.V. Lakshmi (PSCB) and Madhumita Bisht (Railways), 2. G. Jwala and Shruti S. Kurien (Andhra). Mixed doubles: 1. Markose Bristow (PSCB) and B.R. Meenakshi (Kar), 2. J.B.S. Vidyadhar and G. Jwala (Andhra). |
|
Team selection for
Toronto on Aug 10 MUMBAI, Aug 2 (PTI) — The Indian cricket team to play against arch rivals Pakistan in the Sahara Cup series at Toronto in Canada next month would be picked on August 10. The Indian cricket board secretary Jaywant Lele told PTI today over phone from Baroda that the chairman of the selection committee Chandu Borde would decide the venue of the meeting on Friday. India and Pakistan had played West Indies in Toronto last time around after the Kargil conflict while Pakistan had won the series in 1998. |
|
England, Windies set to resume battle MANCHESTER, Aug 2 (Reuters) — England and the West Indies swap cricket “pyjamas” for traditional whites tomorrow to resume their five-Test battle that was left intriguingly poised at 1-1 a month ago. The break in the series was to allow the two teams and Zimbabwe to play a 10-match limited overs tournament, but the coloured clothing, white balls and black sightscreens now give way to the authentic version of the game. England, having won the triangular one-day series in style, may feel that they start the third Test at Old Trafford with a psychological edge. The West Indies, however, who recorded just one win in six matches during the one-dayers, would argue that the return of fast bowlers Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose completely changes the equation. Walsh, with 18 wickets in the first two Tests, is fit again after a foot problem and will be keen to add to his world record haul of 467 Test wickets. Ambrose, rested during the triangular tournament and fast approaching the end of his career, is just six wickets short of his 400. They will relish the chance to run in at England’s top order again, with left-handed opener Marcus Trescothick, selected for his Test debut in Manchester after an impressive one-day series, an inviting target. The 37-year-old Walsh, in particular, has barely missed anything that he has aimed at so far on tour, taking five for 36 and three for 22 to help win the first Test, then following that up with four for 43 and six for 74 in the second. England, however, contrived an unlikely two-wicket win in a gripping finish at the Lord’s after skittling Jimmy Adams’s men for 54 in the second innings. The home side, who have recalled Graham Thorpe alongside Trescothick after jettisoning Mark Ramprakash and Nick Knight, could try to remedy their batting fragility by packing the side with seven specialist batsmen. “We could opt to play seven batters or six batsmen, an all-rounder, a specialist spinner and three seam bowlers,” said Chairman of selectors David Graveney. If England opt for six batsmen, the selectors are likely to decide between Thorpe and Graeme Hick while recalling off-spinner Robert Croft. The West Indies, meanwhile, have as many batting concerns. The dependable Shivnarine Chanderpaul is ruled out with a torn tendon in his right hand, while Brian Lara, sidelined by a sore hamstring, is short of practice since his last appearance on July 16. Ramnaresh Sarwan, with two Tests to Chanderpaul’s 44, looks set to be selected for the first time in this series, and leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo could make his debut. Michael Atherton and Alec Stewart, in contrast, are in the twilight of their careers. Tomorrow will see both earn their 100th Test caps, emulating Graham Gooch, David Gower, Colin Cowdrey, Geoff Boycott and Ian Botham. Atherton and Stewart would relish a series victory over the West Indies, a feat England have failed to complete in 12 attempts, either home or away, since 1969. The recent West Indian away form — 11 defeats in the last 12 Tests — suggests England will rarely get a better chance. Dominic Cork, meanwhile, will also be another England player looking forward to tomorrow. With Andy Flintoff struggling with a back problem, Cork was recalled after a 20-month absence at the Lord’s and took seven wickets in the match with his right-arm swing bowling before securing a dramatic victory with an undefeated 33 not out, including a six and four fours. Cork, unusually for an Englishman, seems to enjoy playing the West Indies. On his 1995 debut, he took seven for 43 against them in the second innings. Two matches later, at Old Trafford, he took eight wickets in the match, including a hat-trick. Teams: England: Michael Atherton, Marcus Trescothick, Nasser Hussain (captain), Graham Thorpe, Graeme Hick, Michael Vaughan, Alec Stewart, Craig White, Andrew Caddick, Dominic Cork, Robert Croft, Darren Gough, Matthew Hoggard. West Indies: Sherwin Campbell, Chris Gayle, Adrian Griffith, Wavell Hinds, Brian Lara, Jimmy Adams (captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ridley Jacobs, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Franklyn Rose, Reon King. |
|
3 new disciplines introduced CHANDIGARH, Aug 2 — Pistol shooting, korfball and rhythmic gymnastics are the new sport disciplines introduced in the all- India Inter-varsity sports calendar released by the Association of India Universities (AIU), New Delhi. The three disciplines will be hosted by Panjab University, Chandigarh while badminton — men and women — (both North Zone and inter zonals) will be held in February 2001. Another event allotted to PU was hockey (women) which will be held in December 2000 and kho-kho (both North East zone and inter zonals). Punjabi University, Patiala, has been allotted gymnastics (November), volleyball-men (December) and basketball-men (December). GND University, Amritsar, will play host to softball- men and women-February 2001 and Yogasanas-men & women (January 2001). MD University, Rohtak, has been given kabaddi-men (November 2000), judo-men and women-(October 2000) and also boxing-for men (December 2000). Kurukshetra University will have handball-men and women-North zone and inter zonal (November 2000). Kashmir University, Srinagar, will organise canoeing and kayaking (men and women) in October this year. The rest of the disciplines and venues for North Zone and inter zonals are: basketball-women (inter zonal at Pondicherry-November 2000); kho kho-men (North East zone-Ouat, Bhubaneswar); tennis-men (North East zone-Roorkee); cricket (North zone and inter zonal-GB Pantnagar); football-men (HNB Garhwal); hockey- men (North zone, inter zonal-JMI, New Delhi); kabaddi (inter zonal-Shivaji -Kolhapur); TT- men and women ( North-one and inter zonal-JMI, Delhi); ball badminton-men (Mangalore), women-Bangalore); chess (men and women)-Magadh, Bodh Gaya); cricket-women
(Allagappa). |
|
B’desh cricket chief
threatens to quit DHAKA, Aug 2 (AFP) — Bangladesh cricket supremo Saber Hossain Chowdhury has threatened to resign over a wrangle with football authorities over use of the country’s premier sports stadium, it was reported today. Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), is furious that Dhaka’s Bangabandhu National Stadium has been leased to the Bangladesh Football Federation until October 31. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 120 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
