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| Wednesday,
March 21, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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India beat Pak by strokes
We can still win this Test match SA fight back after Walsh strikes |
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Walsh creates history Let Pak play in
India, urges Gray Yuvraj, Dharmani
prop up Punjab Anand beats Leko; Topalov triumphs Jacob compliments
Jeev, Abhinav India finish third PP, BSF in semis
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India beat Pak by strokes Dhaka, March 20 The two teams, clashing with each other after almost two years, were locked 2-2 at half time and 3-3 at the end of regulation time thanks to Dilip Tirkey who sounded the board just two minutes before the hooter to equalise for India. Daljit Dhillon converted India’s fifth and final stroke in the tie-breaker to make it 3-2 after the Pakistan forward Muhammad Nadeem failed to find the goal. Captain Baljit Dhillon and Arjun Halappa were the other scorers for India in the tie-breaker while Haider Hussain and Waseem Ahmed struck for Pakistan. Earlier, Radhakrishnan scored a brace within two minutes of each other to put India ahead in the 25th minute after Mohammad Sarwar had struck the first goal for Pakistan in the 17th minute. Sarwar equalised for Pakistan five minutes later as the two teams went into the break tied at 2-all. Nadeem’s 60th minute goal brought Pakistan
tantalisingly close to victory before Tirkey struck his decisive goal. The match between the two Asian powerhouses came alive after brief spell of inactivity in the first half. It was Pakistan who took the lead in the 17th minute. Following the first penalty corner which led to the second inside right Mohammed Sarwar scored for Pakistan tapping in a rebound following a poor clearance by the Indian defence. With Baljit Saini and Prabhjot Singh tightly marked it was Pillay who opened up the Pakistan defence with his speed. Indians equalised in the 23rd minute when a Baljit Saini pass found an unmarked Radhakrishnan near the post. The youngster from Tamil Nadu made no mistake giving no chance to Pakistan custodian Ahmed Alam. Following the equaliser the Indian attacks gathered momentum with Prabhjot and Radhakrishnan moving up in tandem. India took the lead two minutes later when Radhakrishnan and Prabhjot Singh played one to one and the former sounded the board with a diving effort. Pakistan restored parity five minutes
before half time with Sarwar scoring his second goal. Following an innocuous
looking move through the left the ball came to Sarwar who deflected it in a flash.
PTI |
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Masterly 126 by Tendulkar Chennai, March 20 Sairaj Bahutule (4) and Nilesh Kulkarni (0) were at the wicket after
Sachin, Dravid, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan fell in the space of 27 runs in 15
overs. Sachin, who came in at the fall of S.S.Das’s wicket in the morning, dropped anchor first and mastered an emaciated Aussie attack stroking at will and added 169 for the fifth wicket with vice-captain Rahul Dravid, who fell for 81 with 12 fours and a 6 in 178 minutes. While it was Sachin’s 25th ton and the 4th in succession at Chepauk here, Dravid missed out on his tenth. However, the Aussies snatched the advantage again when Sachin fell slashing Gillespie for 126 in 346 minutes with 2 sixes and 15 fours. It was drudgery for Australia in the intense heat. Except for the dismissal of overnight batsmen S.S.Das and Laxman in the space of 6.1 overs, and later the fall of captain Saurav Ganguly (22), the Aussies rare moments of dominance fizzled out into total submission to Sachin and Dravid’s technique and flair. As the battle of nerves continued after tea, the Aussies were further done in by ill luck. Sachin and Dravid struck Miller for 11 runs in the first over. They posted the 100-run stand in 101 minutes in 23.2
overs. Then Dravid took India past Aussie score of 391 driving Miller to the ropes. Then the Aussies committed “harakiri” when Michael Slater dropped sachin on 82 off Miller, wrongly positioning his hands to hold the ball against his face. India posted the 400 in 521 minutes off 123.5
overs. Sachin posted his 25th century in Tests lifting Colin Miller over long on for a six. His 100 came in 287 minutes , 195 balls with ten fours and two sixes. Of this, he hit 55 runs off the wicketless Aussie offie Colin Miller. The Aussies, however, had another success when Dravid edged an intended drive off Gillespie into Gilchrists gloves to see
India 5-453. Dame luck smiled on the Aussies as 15 runs later Sachin fell slashing at Gillespie (6-468) and leggie Warne trapped Samir Dhige (4) leg before two runs later to contain India’s lead in the innings. Miller had Zaheer Khan caught and bowled (4). India were caught on the wrong foot as overnight pair, opener S.S. Das and V.V.Laxman walked out to resume at the overnight score of 211 for 1 and build up the innings. Off the very first ball paceman Glen McGrath trapped Das leg before and ended the
Das-Laxman stand. Scoreboard Australia (Ist innings): 391 India (Ist innings): Das lbw g McGrath 84 Ramesh c Ponting b Warne 61 Laxman c M Waugh b McGrath 65 Tendulkar c Gilchrist b Gillespie 126 Ganguly c Gilchrist b McGrath 22 Dravid c Gilchrist b Gillespie 81 Dighe lbw Warne 4 Bahutule (batting) 4 Zaheer Khan c and b Miller 4 Harbhajan c M Waugh b Miller 2 Kulkarni (batting) 0 Extras (b 19, lb 2, w 1, nb 5) 27 Total (for 9 wickets) 480 in 154
overs. Fall of wickets: 1-123, 2-211,3-237,4-284,5-453,6-468,7-470, 8-475,9-477. Bowling: McGrath 31-12-69-3; Gillespie 31-9-82-2; Colin Miller 44-5-151-2; Shane Warne 42-7-140-2; Ponting 2-1-2-0; Mark Waugh 3-0-8-0; Hayden 1-0-7-0.
UNI |
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We can still win this Test match Chennai, March 20 As far as Australia are concerned, we still think we can win this Test and the series. There is no way that we can think of a draw at this stage. There are two days left and plenty of cricket remains to be played. Over the last three days we have seen how the game can change in just one session. First we got off to a wonderful start, then India came back, and today in the final session we too made sure that the Indian lead will not be as high as it seemed when Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were at the crease. Quick runs and quick wickets have made this match fluctuate from session to session and we know a couple of decisive sessions will swing things in our favour. As I mentioned earlier, things were not looking too bright for us yesterday thanks to our batting collapse. I think it had nothing to do with the pitch and was basically some indifferent shot selection. This pitch is quite good to bat on really. It is playing a lot easier than the pitches in Mumbai and Kolkata did at this stage. Sure, there is a little bit of turn when the ball hits the rough, but nothing that is unplayable as yet. I enjoyed my time in the middle and was disappointed about not getting a hundred. I guess I got too excited and went for a shot that was pretty unnecessary at this stage. I should have been patient instead, and I hope I can make amends in the second innings. Watching Sachin Tendulkar bat on this pitch was very interesting. He made batting look pretty easy and played well within himself. He did not play too many lofted strokes and avoided taking undue risks at a time when there was a fair bit of reverse swing for the bowlers. Instead, he played the ball into the gaps and accumulated runs. It was a more controlled, less flamboyant knock than the ones we have come to expect from Tendulkar. Both Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie bowled pretty well under trying conditions. Glenn was struggling a bit due to the heat, but took some crucial wickets. Gillespie bowled outstandingly and was responsible for breaking the Tendulkar-Dravid partnership. Tomorrow we have our work cut out. First we have to get the remaining wicket and then try to wipe off the deficit without losing a wicket. After that we need to get ahead by 200-220 runs and see what happens on the last day. We have no real gamelan against Harbhajan or any other Indian bowler. All one has to do is play each ball on merit and remain positive. These last two Tests have been among the toughest I’ve played in. I can’t even remember the last time we have had to field for more than one day. When that happens obviously the opposition is having a good time. However, you cannot have your way all the time and the team is aware that this is a test to their character. We are remaining positive, as we know that we are a side that has proved itself with 16 wins. All the players are very determined to win this game and today’s fightback after tea showed a great deal of courage. Hopefully that spirit will see us through the rest of this Test.
Gameplan |
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SA fight back after Walsh strikes Port of Spain, March 20 South Africa were 130 for two at the end of the third day yesterday, an overall lead of 74, with Herschelle Gibbs unbeaten on 57 — his second half-century of the series — and first innings centurion Daryll Cullinan was on 41. Walsh, who was playing in his 129th Test match which is also a record for a specialist bowler, took two wickets in three balls to become the first man to take 500 Test wickets — at an overall average of 24.67 runs — and plunge South Africa into trouble at 38 for two. That left the tourists still 18 behind after a fighting 93 not out by wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs had taken the West Indies to a 56-run first innings lead. Gary Kirsten was caught behind for 22, attempting a cut, and two balls later Jacques Kallis became Walsh’s 500th victim when he was lbw to a ball which cut back at him. Scoreboard South Africa (Ist innings): 286 West Indies (Ist innings): (overnight 250-7) Hinds c Boucher b Donald 56 Gayle lbw b Pollock 10 Samuels c Klusener b Donald 35 Lara c Kallis b Ntini 12 Sarwan c Cullinan b Donald 34 Hooper lbw b Donald 53 Jacobs not out 93 Mclean c Ntini b Pollock 3 Ramnarine b Pollock 2 Dillon b Ntini 21 Walsh run out (Ntini) 0 Extras: (b-9, lb-4, w-3, nb-7) 23 Total (125
overs) 342 Fall of wkts: 1-24, 2-94, 3-118, 4-123, 5-198, 6-235, -242, 8-250, 9-321. Bowling: Donald 30-6-91-4, Pollock 28-11-55-3, Ntini 16-4-56-2, Kallis 21-10-44-0, Boje 19-2-65-0, Klusener 11-5-18-0. South Africa (2nd innings): Gibbs not out 57 Kirsten c Jacobs b Walsh 22 Kallis lbw b Walsh 0 Cullinan not out 41 Extras: (b1, lb4, nb5) 10 Total: (2 wkts, 54
overs) 130 Fall of wkts: 1-38, 2-38. Bowling: Walsh 16-2-40-2, McLean 9-1-38-0 (4nb), Dillon 9-3-14-0, Ramnarine 12-1-19-0, Hooper 8-1-14-0.
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Walsh creates history Port Of Spain, March 20 The 38-year-old, playing in his 129th Test match which is also a record for a specialist bowler, reached the milestone when he took two wickets in three balls in South Africa’s second innings of the second Test. Opener Gary Kirsten was his 499th victim when he edged a cut to wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs, prompting police to move into position to prevent a possible crowd invasion. They did not have long to wait as Kallis became wicket number 500 when he was lbw to a ball which cut back at him to reach the magical mark at an overall average of 24.67 runs. Walsh ran down the pitch with his arms raised in triumph and was engulfed by his team-mates. It was yet another record for a player whose achievements owe as much to stamina as they do to natural ability. Although he hasn’t officially announced his retirement it is accepted the series against South Africa will be his last. His triumph ensured the remaining three Test matches, in Barbados, Antigua and his home country, Jamaica, will be an extended valedictory for one of the most respected men in cricket. Walsh took 28,833 deliveries, more than 1000 more than anyone else has sent down, to break into statistical territory that for generations was thought to be out of reach. When Walsh played in his first Test match in November 1984 he was a gangly 22-year-old who backed up the great fast bowling trio of the late Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner and Michael Holding. Walsh didn’t even get to bowl in his first Test innings as Australia were shot out for 76 on a bouncy pitch in Perth. He got a turn in the second innings, though, when Graeme Wood was caught in the slips by Richie Richardson, the first of a who’s who of international batsmen who have fallen victim to one of the most skilful practitioners of line and length bowling the game has known. Early in his career, Walsh was a workhorse, the man who bowled into the wind and kept the batsmen quiet while the strike bowlers attacked. But when the production line of West Indian fast bowlers dried up, Walsh became a kingpin. Throughout the 1990s, it was Walsh and recently-retired curtly Ambrose who carried the attack for their side. Walsh has never been an express bowler with the pace of a Marshall or a Holding but his height and an easy, rhythmical action enable him to generate steep bounce. His unremitting accuracy and ability to bowl long spells have become legendary. A vicious
in ducker has been his stock wicket-taking delivery. “I just try to look after myself,” he told journalists in January at the end of his fifth and final tour of Australia. “I try to listen to my body and work along with it. “One of the main things is that I enjoy competing against the opposition and I enjoy trying to do a job for the team. Once I’m enjoying both it makes the job a lot easier.” Walsh has gradually been clocking up the milestones which lead to cricketing immortality. It took him 80 matches to reach 300 wickets in England in 1995, making him the 10th man to join the “300 club”. AFP |
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Let Pak play in India, urges Gray Chennai, March 20 Gray will be meeting External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and Sports Minister Uma Bharati tomorrow in this regard. “The venue for the tournament has not been decided yet. I prefer India to host the tournament. Dr Muthiah (BCCI President) and myself will be meeting the ministers concerned in this regard,” Mr Gray told reporters here last night. He said, “The ICC cannot interfere with the respective governments’ external affairs policy”. He said the ICC had embarked on an ambitious project to lift the standard of umpiring and administration of cricket in the world. “Neutral umpires to do duty from both ends in Tests and other matters to curb sledging and behaviour of players are being addressed on a priority basis.” “We want to bring in professionalism in umpiring like in tennis and soccer,” he said adding “television and technology make it appear that there are more mistakes by umpires.” A complete system in this regard would be in place by April 2002. On allegations of match-fixing, Mr Gray said, “The BCCI has shown courage in their honest decisions in respect of punishments to indicted players and I congratulate Dr Muthiah for this.” Stating that Sir Paul Condon’s report would be placed before the ICC meeting in April next year, he said: “The commission has been closed and Condon’s report will be based on his investigations in countries other than India.” The ICC has appointed Malcom Speed as its Chief Executive and he will succeed David Richards, who has held the position since its inception in 1993. Announcing his appointment, Malcom Gray told a press conference that Mr Speed had been selected after an exhaustive search in all regions of the world for a replacement for Mr Richards, who is returning to live in Australia. Mr Speed, a lawyer by profession, will take charge in July this year.
PTI
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Yuvraj, Dharmani prop up Punjab Mumbai, March 20 Yuvraj Singh was unbeaten at 86 in the company of another youngster Reetinder Sodhi on 35. Pankaj Dharmani made a fluent 68 off 130 balls and crossed the ropes eight times apart from a six off leggie Rajesh Pawar. Punjab took the maximum advantage of Mumbai skipper Amol Muzumdar’s decision in inviting them to bat. Mumbai fielders also extended their generosity by giving a life each to Yuvraj and Sodhi. Yuvraj hit one six and 11 fours in his 189-minute knock facing 131 balls in an unbroken fifth wicket stand with Sodhi of 63 runs. Earlier, Yuvraj and Pankaj Dharmani took the score from 136 for three to 236 off 26.4
overs. Dharmani was also involved in 104 runs stand with one-down batsman Ankur Kakkar who made 46. Sodhi was dropped on 17 by Pawar off Shriram Kannan while Yuvraj was let off in the slips by Jatin Paranjpe off Paras Mhambrey when he was on 84. Scoreboard Punjab (Ist innings): Rickey lbw b Rajesh Pawar 24, Rathore b Mhambrey 14, Kakkar st. Rane b Ramesh Powar 46, Dharmani lbw b Mhambrey 68, Yuvraj batting 86, Sodhi batting 35. Extras: 26 (two b, seven lb, 17 nb). Total: 229 for four off 90
overs. Fall of wickets: 1/32, 2/68, 3/136, 4/236. Bowling: P Mhambrey 15-1-61-2 (9
nbs); S Saxena 13-1-41-0 (2 nbs); S Kannan 13-2-40-0 (6 nbs); Ramesh Powar 23-7-51-1; Rajesh Pawar 23-7-51-1.
UNI |
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Anand beats Leko; Topalov triumphs Monte Carlo, March 20 Anand was unfazed by the reverses in the blindfold game in the previous round against L.Ljubojovic of Yugoslavia and proved his superiority in the rapid game once again when he defeated Leko to go one-up. A draw in the blindfold game gave Anand a 1.5-0.5 win that took him to the joint second position with four points along with Leko who was in the joint lead till the previous round. Topalov continued to lead the 12-man field with an upset 1.5-0.5 win against Braingames match winner Vladmir Kramnik of Russia. Anand started the rapid game with a surprise on his first move with white pieces. The queen pawn opening was up against the Grunfeld Indian defence wherein Anand chose to play the Hungarian variation and got the upper hand with a positional pawn sacrifice in the middlegame. Leko got a slightly worse endgame and his pieces were confined to the defence of his kingside whereas Anand made decisive forays with a pawn roller on the other flank. Leko parted with a piece on his 36th move and Anand handled the technicalities in copybook fashion thereon. In the blindfold game the Indian stalwart employed the French defence and the pieces got exchanged in tandem. Anand equalised by the 15th move and, after the exchange of queens, had no difficulty in bringing his king over to the queenside from where it defended against a possible onslaught by white. Leko had to go for the exchange of rooks and the players arrived at a drawn king and pawn endgame where the peace treaty was signed after 33 moves. Topalov was the big winner of the day. Kramnik faced the Modern Benoni with white pieces in the rapid game and held the positional advantage for a long time. However, the game never really left the boundaries of a draw as Topalov managed to get his share of counterplay with his passed queen pawn. The truce was signed after 60 moves. In the blindfold game, both Topalov and Kramnik played the opening moves very fast and after 15 minutes, both had gained time on their clock in the queen’s gambit declined game where Kramnik was white. The Russian sank in a long thought immediately after but that did not solve any of his problems. Soon the game drifted into a rook and pawn endgame and Topalov gained a clear advantage thanks to his active rook. After driving kramnik’s king to the base rank, Topalov had no difficulty in converting his advantage. Defending champion Alexei Shirov of Spain struggled once again and settled for a 1-1 draw against Zoltan Almasi of Hungary, both games ending decisively. In the rapid game, Shirov faced the Sicilian Taimanov with white pieces and his position looked suspicious to experts before Almasi went awry with his plans and landed himself in a worse endgame. Once on top Shirov gave a fine display to romp home after 61 moves. In the blindfold, however, the Latvian born Spaniard was on the receiving end as Almasi got into the groove right from the word go. The English attack favoured by Almasi against the Sicilian Nazdorf had enough complications for Shirov to worry about and he was gradually outplayed. Ljubomir Ljubojevic of Yugoslavia continued to impress with an excellent 1.5-0.5 victory against Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine. In the rapid game Ljubojevic employed the Sicilian Scheveningen with black pieces yet again and it was an out and out tactical battle after Ivanchuk pushed his kingside pawns for the attack. An exchange sacrifice by Ljubojevic gave him ample counterplay and the draw was agreed to after 46 moves. The blindfold battle between the two looked like heading for a draw when Ivanchuk suddenly blundered on his 31st move and lost rather tamely. The games between Anatoly Karpov of Russia and Boris Gelfand of Israel ended in a 1-1 draw with both games remaining undecisive. The same result was achieved in an all-Dutch encounter between Loek Van Wely and Joroen Piket.
PTI |
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Jacob compliments
Jeev, Abhinav Chandigarh, March 20 General Jacob not only complimented the two youngsters for bringing laurels to the city as well as the country with their superb achievements in various international competitions the world over, but also evinced keen interest in their future plans and training. Abhinav Bindra, accompanied by his parents, also carried with him a number of medals and trophies he has won in the recent past in the events like World Junior Shooting Championship. General Jacob patted him for achieving so much at such a young age and wished him success in future international events. Abhinav’s father, Dr A.S. Bindra, and mother were also with him. General Jacob also asked Chiranjeev Milkha Singh about the golf circuit and wanted to know who was taller, he or Tiger Woods. Accompanied by his
father, flying Sikh Milkha Singh, and mother Nirmal Milkha Singh, Chiranjeev had a word of praise for sporting facilities in the city. General Jacob said that he was happy that Chandigarh was emerging as a nursery of international players and the administration would do its best to encourage sportsmen and women of every category. Also present on the occasion were the Adviser to the Administrator, Ms Neeru Nanda; Home Secretary, Mr R.S. Gujral; Finance secretary, Mr Rakesh Singh; Inspector-General of Police, Mr Bhim Sain Bassi; the Deputy Commissioner, Mr M. Ramsekhar and the Secretary to Governor, Mr S.C. Aggarwal. |
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India finish third Dubai, March 20 Ukraine defeated Tunisia 25-22, 25-19, 20-25, 25-20 for the title while India had to sweat it out as they were stretched by UAE before snatching a 17-25, 27-25, 17-25, 25-18, 15-8 win to finish third for the second straight year. India’s Tom Joseph ‘Tony’ was adjudged the best attacker which was some consolation for the team. The Indian setter Kapil Dev who stood in for captain Tulasi Reddy midway through the match and the young Abhijit Bhattacharjee who excelled with his effective blocking were instrumental in posting a win in the fourth and fifth sets. The plucky UAE cashed in on too many errors made by Indians through attacker Mohammed Rashi, the winner of the most promising player award and libero Mohsin al Attas. However, the five setter gave the packed crowd value for their money as the two teams bitterly fought each point. The Indians got a scare as the hosts took the first set rather easily 17-25 but came back strongly into the game to edge out the hosts in the second 27-25. The third set which Indians lost 17-25 was a replay of the first, the hosts giving glimpses of a upset win but the Indians got their act together to win in a rather
comfortable fashion. For champions Ukraine, Serhiy Sereda, who was adjudged best digger, put up a spectacular show cheered by the enthusiastic fans. The man of the tournament award of $1000 went to Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zhulla and the best blocker was also from Ukraine, Vladyslav Gryuk, who did very well with splendid blocks at the net. Essentially, Ukraine played a defensive game against the all attack strategy of Tunisians who had to play without one of their best players Nourddine Hfaiedh as he had to return home to sort out some domestic problem. It was small comfort for Tunisia that Ghazi Gidar was adjudged best setter.
PTI |
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PP, BSF in semis New Delhi, March 20 BSF meet Jammu and Kashmir Bank in the first semifinal, while Punjab Police take on Indian Nationals, Delhi, in the second match. BSF had a comfortable ride into the semis, trouncing Himalayan Tigers (Himachal Pradesh) 4-0, City Club, Haryana 2-0 and Indian Nationals 1-0 while the bankmen just about pipped Himalayan Tigers to the last four on better goal difference, as they had lost to Punjab Police 1-2 before edging past Chandigarh Police 1-0, and drew goal less with 39 Gorkha Training Centre, Varanasi, in group B. Punjab Police also had a smooth sailing into the semis, beating Jammu and Kashmir Bank 2-0, 39 Gorkha Training Centre 3-0 and Chandigarh Police 3-0, while Nationals made their way up beating City Club 2-0, Himalayan Tigers 8-0 before losing to BSF by 0-1. The two finalists will advance into the next stage. |
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ESIC in semis New Delhi, March 20 |
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IAF annex title New Delhi, March 20 |
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Chandigarh Open ladies golf Chandigarh, March 20 The association has accepted the request of Ms R. Minocha, Captain. Ladies Section, Chandigarh Golf Club, which is hosting the tournament, to meet the expenditure for the smooth conduct of this tournament in which leading lady golfers from all over the country are likely to participate. |
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Dempo qualify Margao, March 20 |
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