Tuesday, May 29, 2001, Chandigarh, India






THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
S P O R T S

Dravid, Dighe lead Indian recovery
Mutare (Zimbabwe), May 28
Rahul Dravid and Samir Dighe pulled the Indians out of dire straits before the visitors declared their first innings at a healthy 336 for nine on the first day of their tour-opening three-day cricket match against Zimbabwe ‘A’ here today.

Don’t take so much liberty, BCCI told
New Delhi, May 28
Unhappy at the “unilateral announcement” Ihat India would play Pakistan at Karachi during Asian Test Championship in September, Sports Ministry has conveyed its displeasure to cricket board President A.C. Muthiah over the issue.

ICC allows floodlights in Tests
London, May 28
Bad light will no longer cut short play in Test cricket after the International Cricket Council on Friday allowed the use of floodlights. The ICC also agreed to the addition of five penalty runs to the opposition team for all discliplinary breaches, such as ball tampering and time wasting. 

India brush aside Wales 4-1
Seville (Spain), May 28
It was finally showtime in bullfighting country as India began their campaign in the Sudirman Cup badminton championships in style defeating Wales 4-1 here today. Placed in Group 3B, the Indians, led by All-England champion Pullela Gopichand are looking to reaffirm their status as an emerging power in the game and by winning against Wales, they took the first step in this direction.



EARLIER STORIES

 

Kuerten through; Mauresmo, Venus ousted
Paris, May 28

Spanish number four seed Juan Carlos Ferrero moved confidently into the second round of the French Open today with a 6-2 6-2 6-3 win over Stefan Koubek. Ferrero, one of the favourites for the title along with top seed Gustavo Kuerten, wrapped up the first two sets in 30 minutes each with a sparkling display.

Roma falter but stay on course
Milan, May 28
As Roma could only draw 1-1 with AC Milan last evening at the Olympic Stadium but stayed on course for the Italian first division title thanks to dramatic events elsewhere.

Decathlete Sebrle makes history
The new men's world record holder for decathlon, Roman Sebrle from the Czech Republic celebrates his victory at the international multi-discipline event in Goetzis, Austria, on Sunday. Goetzis (Austria), May 28
Olympic silver medallist Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic made history today when he became the first man to break the 9,000 points barrier in the decathlon. Sebrle (26) compiled 9,026 points to better the previous record of 8,994 set by his compatriot Tomas Dvorak on July 4, 1999.
The new men's world record holder for decathlon, Roman Sebrle from the Czech Republic celebrates his victory at the international multi-discipline event in Goetzis, Austria, on Sunday.  — AP/PTI  photo

Sasikiran takes third spot
Lausanne, May 28
India’s Krishnan Sasikiran defeated Andrei Volokitin in the second game of his mini-match to clinch the third place in the play-off, while Cuba’s world junior champion Lazaro Bruzon took the title beating Etienne Bacrot of France in the final of the Olympic Young Masters Chess International Tournament at the Olympic Museum here.

McGrath to target Atherton
Sydney, May 28
Glenn McGrath says he will target England opener Mike Atherton during Australia’s bid to win a seventh straight Ashes cricket series. McGrath is convinced that by demoralising Atherton he will hurt the entire England side, just as he did to the West Indies earlier in the year when he mastered Brian Lara.

Sridhar trounces Kimmerling
Chandigarh, May 28
Maharishi Sridhar of India today played valiantly, overpowering Ibrahim Kimmerling of Germany in a thrilling first round tie on the opening day of the $ 6250 ITF Satellite Masters Tennis tournament here today.

Chandigarh bag trophy
Chandigarh, May 28
Hosts Chandigarh bagged the overall trophy in team championship when they secured 47 points followed by Delhi with 42 points in the 2nd North Zone Wushu Championship which concluded here this evening at Sector 42 Indoor badminton hall.

Verma wins Naldehra golf title
Shimla, May 28
Jeet Singh Verma clinched the winners trophy in the Dry Weather Open organised by the HPGA at the heritage Naldehra Golf Course today. Played over 18 holes on stroke-play basis, the tournament was open to golfers belonging to Himachal Pradesh and the golf clubs of Naldehra and Annandale in Shimla.Top








 

Dravid, Dighe lead Indian recovery

Mutare (Zimbabwe), May 28
Rahul Dravid and Samir Dighe pulled the Indians out of dire straits before the visitors declared their first innings at a healthy 336 for nine on the first day of their tour-opening three-day cricket match against Zimbabwe ‘A’ here today.

Dravid and Dighe added 227 runs for the sixth wicket, after the Indians had collapsed to 71 for five in the morning session, to take their side to relative safety. Dravid played an aggressive innings of 137 while Dighe made a solid 87.

Dravid, who had taken 18 balls to score six runs before lunch, shifted gears in the very first over in the second session dispatching Travis Friend for two boundaries. He meted out the same treatment to Brian Murphy in the second over to start the turnaround for the Indians.

Never to miss an opportunity at cracking a boundary, Dravid was equally adept at stealing a single as the scorers were kept busy throughout the session. The Indian vice-captain completed his century off just 97 balls and hit 19 boundaries in his sterling innings. Dighe gave excellent support to his senior partner and reached his half-century in 76 balls.

Earlier, the Indians were off to a disastrous start with half of the full-strength batting order collapsing within two hours of the start of the game.

Both openers, Shiv Sunder Das and Sadgopan Ramesh, were back in the pavillion with the score just on 23. Das took 39 balls and 45 minutes for his four runs before being caught behind by Tetindu Taibu off Bryan Strang.

Ramesh followed soon after when he played on to his stumps a rising delivery by Friend. He made 13 off 23 balls with three fours. Bigger shocks awaited the Indians with in-form VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar and captain Saurav Ganguly being dismissed without contributing much to the total.

Tendulkar, who started with a characteristic flourish hitting Strang for two sweetly timed fours, was caught brilliantly by David Mutendera off his own bowling for 11. Laxman also fell to Mutendera after scoring 24 off 40 balls that included four boundaries.

Exactly four overs later, Indians lost their captain Ganguly, who edged Mutendera and was brilliant caught at third slip by Friend who dived full length to his right.

Scoreboard

India (1st innings):

Das c Taibu b Strang 4

Ramesh b Friend 13

Laxman b Mutendera 24

Tendulkar c and b Mutendera 11

Ganguly c Friend b Mutendera 12

Dravid c Friend b Murphy 137

Dighe lbw b Murphy 87

Khan c Tibu b Murphy 14

H. Singh c Taibu b Friend 17

Nehra not out 0

Extras: (lb-6, nb-8, w-3) 17

Total: (for 9 wickets, decl 84.3 overs) 336

Bowling: Strang 15-3-43-1 (nb-1), Friend 21.3-6-70-2 (nb-3, w-1) Mutendera 16-2-69-3, Evans 2-0-9-0 (w-2), Murphy 18-1-75-3 (nb-2), Viljoen 10-0-53-0, Rennie 2-0-10-0

Zimbabwe A (Ist innings):

Ebrahim not out 25

Rennie c Dighe b Mohanty 1

Masakadza not out 6

Extras: (lb-1) 1

Total: (for 1 wicket, 16 overs) 33

Fall of wickets: 1-10

Bowling: Khan 6-3-11-0, Mohanty 6-2-10-1, Nehra 2-0-9-0, Singh 2-1-2-0. Reuters 
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Indian tour a windfall for Zimbabwe

Mutare (Zimbabwe), May 28
To the cash-strapped Zimbabwe cricket administrators, the current 45-day tour by the Indian team is expected to be a windfall.

“It is good we have Indians here this winter. It will be better when they leave.”

The statement attributed to David Ellmann Brown, president of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) and Dave Houghton, former Test player and in charge of the National Academy, may or may not be true but it is doubtful if they would disagree with the sentiment.

The ZCU is expecting a windfall of $ 450 million (Zimbabwean) (approx US $ 900,000) from the television revenue in this series. The cricket body has never had a bigger bite than this pie in their history. And they can only earn it after the Indians are through with their fixtures and have boarded the home-bound plane.

In a cricket set-up where there are no sponsors and only a few hundreds play the game, the revenue is most welcome and would keep the game going in six provincial bodies and the academy.

The ZCU is so short of funds it has not been able to run a domestic one-day competition between the provinces. Apparently, the cost of running two competitions and footing the accommodation and transport bill is overwhelming.

Yet, the game is growing everyday as reflected in the overflowing cricketing engagements Zimbabwe is managing for itself. In the last season, Zimbabwe team left for Sharjah in mid-October, went to India, New Zealand, Australia and then played hosts to Bangladesh.

They played five Tests, winning two, losing one and drawing the remaining two. Of the 23 one-dayers, Zimbabwe won seven while losing 16 ties.

This winter, between May and September, they would play host to no less than four countries. After India and West Indies come and play two Tests each and a triangular one-day series with the hosts, South Africa and England are scheduled the fill the second half of the winter.

Zimbabwe have so far won five games from 50 Tests in nine seasons, two of them by an innings.

Their top players, contracted in three different categories by the ZCU according to their seniority and experience, earn around $1 million (Zimbabwe) (approx $80,000) a year.

In a country where economy is declining by nearly 10 per cent and the government has stopped repayments of all foreign loans, including those owed to the IMF, it is not an insignificant sum.

Indeed, Zimbabwe is in need of serious help because Canada has imposed penalties, Denmark has cut back and European Union is considering sanctions.

The government reportedly owes more than $ 4.5 billion (US) to several multilateral institutions and western countries. In the past four years about 1.4 million young people have left school with only about 100,000 finding some kind of work in the formal sector.

So high is inflation that the ZUC and its provinces have real problem in maintaining facilities, keeping nets in condition or to employ staff and manage irrigation of grounds.

The players’ condition though has improved after they forced their employers, the ZCU, in a corner in a pay dispute last year. The flashpoint to this simmering discontent was the incident involving its star player Andy Flower in an Asia eleven vs Rest of the World match in Dhaka last year.

The Rest of the World side, led by Mark Waugh of Australia, named Flower as its 12th man. Flower, quite the best batsman in Zimbabwean cricket, was not unduly worried. “As far as I get my 5,000 US dollars, I am okay,” he said.

It intrigued Waugh and on his asking, Flower explained the conditions of Zimbabwean cricket and its cricketers to the star Australian batsmen. “In that case, you shouldn’t be playing for Zimbabwe,” Waugh is quoted to have said.

It triggered a response among cricketers. The cricket board, worried at the loss of star players like Neil Johnson and Murray Goodwin on account of money, woke up in time to agree for improved conditions for cricketers.

Brown, the ZCU’s president, is credited with ensuring enough engagements for the national team to keep the game going in the country. At helm since August 1998, Brown’s stroke of genius for Zimbabwean cricket has been his achievement to ensure reciprocal tours with other Test-playing nations.

It has taken the load of guarantee money, to be paid to visiting teams, off the ZCU’s shoulders. Australia, for instance, command a huge guarantee money because of their star status.

This is also the first time Zimbabwean cricket has opened itself to cricket in winter. There has never been any international cricket in this country between May and September. It will assist Zimbabwe in maintaining a viable financial organisation. The 10-year reciprocal touring calendar which the ICC has made for Test-playing nations is also most welcome for Zimbabwean cricket.

Brown says the new programme will mean they would get at least one “icon” tour each season. Thus, Zimbabwean cricket can look ahead for still better times in coming years. PTI
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Indian players not to sport logo

Mumbai, May 28
The Indian cricket team, currently touring Zimbabwe, will play the series without any sponsors logo on their clothing.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) executive secretary Sharad Diwadkar told UNI here today that there will be no sponsors logo on the Indian players during their current tour of Zimbabwe.

BCCI recently made a lucrative all-round deal with TWI-IMG worth crores of rupees. However, the deal will come into force only from the Sri Lankan tour in July.

BCCI had announced that it would persuade former sponsors ITC to continue its hotel business logo for the current tour since the new law does not permit any mileage to tobacco products. The BCCI was hopeful that the matter would be sorted out by the first Test beginning from June 7.

However, with the ITC not showing interest, there would now be no commercial logo on the players nonleading arm (one not facing the telecast). UNITop

 

Don’t take so much liberty, BCCI told

New Delhi, May 28
Unhappy at the “unilateral announcement” Ihat India would play Pakistan at Karachi during Asian Test Championship (ATC) in September, Sports Ministry has conveyed its displeasure to cricket board President A.C. Muthiah over the issue.

Taking exception to the reported assurance given by BCCI to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on indian cricket team’s participation in the ATC, Sports Minister Uma Bharti said the Sports Secretary has already conveyed the Ministry’s displeasure on this to board president A.C.Muthiah.

“They (BCCI) should not take so much liberty in making such announcements,” she told reporters.

“To play in Pakistan, the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has to first give a written proposal to the Sports Ministry which in turn would forward it to the Ministry of External Affairs. The final decision rests with MEA,” Bharti said.

“No such proposal for the Indian cricket team’s tour to Pakistan in September to participate in the ATC has been received by the Ministry,” she said asking “where is the question of my reaction to the Pakistan board’s announcement that India will play against it’s team in Karachi.”

Asked about the reports about India making some sort of goodwill gesture on the eve of Pakistan CEO Gen Parvez Musharraf’s visit, Bharti said: “There is no such proposal with her ministry now.”

“MEA will take decision about bilateral ties in the changed scenario and obviously cricketing ties would also figure in that,” she said adding “when the ties through sports are to be discussed, the views of the Sports Ministry would be taken into account.”

“Beyond this, what ever is being written in the media is a matter of pure speculation,” she said.

However, she stressed that like arts and culture, sports too had a role in promoting bilateral ties of two countries.

Asked whether the government’s decision not to play cricket with Pakistan in bilateral series had contributed to the further souring of relations, the Sports Minister said: “The bilateral cricketing ties had nothing to do with the souring of the relations between the two countries.” PTI
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ICC allows floodlights in Tests

London, May 28
Bad light will no longer cut short play in Test cricket after the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday allowed the use of floodlights. The ICC also agreed to the addition of five penalty runs to the opposition team for all disciplinary breaches, such as ball tampering and time wasting. The rule, which will undergo a 12-month trial, will cover both Test and one-day matches.

An Australian proposal for discipline cards, like soccer’s yellow and red cards, was also discussed and will be debated further next month. The committee, chaired by Sunil Gavaskar, approved the use of lights in Test cricket. The decision would be made at the umpire’s discretion. Gavaskar said the ICC also decided to keep the existing rules on television technology.

Television replays help umpires make borderline decisions on stumpings, hit wicket, run outs and boundaries and can also determine if a catch has been taken cleanly by a fielder. “In reaching the decision to maintain the current level of technological assistance, the committee considered the merits of all options available to it. ANITop

 

India brush aside Wales 4-1

Seville (Spain), May 28
It was finally showtime in bullfighting country as India began their campaign in the Sudirman Cup badminton championships in style defeating Wales 4-1 here today.

Placed in Group 3B, the Indians, led by All-England champion Pullela Gopichand are looking to reaffirm their status as an emerging power in the game and by winning against Wales, they took the first step in this direction.

After Manjusha Kanwar lost to world No. 9 Kelly Morgan, 3-11 9-11, the pair of Markose Bristow and Jaseel P Ismail defeated the Welsh duo of Chris Davis and Mathew Hughes 15-9 15-8 in the doubles match.

Gopichand stepped in for his first match after winning the All-England title and defeated Richard Vaughan 17-16 15-3 to give India a 2-1 lead. The women’s duo of Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurien beat Joanne Muggeridge and Felicity Gallup 15-13 15-13 and Chetan Anand and Manjusha combined to outclass Chris Davis and Kelly Morgan in the mixed doubles as India completed a 4-1 win.

In the absence of its number one woman player Aparna Popat, the Indian team is not as strong on the distaff side as it might have been and Manjusha Kanwar, ranked a lowly 275th in the world found the going tough against world number nine Kelly Morgan.

It was the Indian’s first competitive match since he lifted the All-England title in March - a victory which triggered a huge boost in the country’s sporting morale.

His sights are largely set on next week’s individual championships but a clash with the ever-improving Vaughan served as a useful warm-up for the world number six.

Gopichand led 12-7 in the opening game but Vaughan, after saving a game point, battled back to 14-14. The Welshman then earned a game point of his own before being shaded 17-16.

The Indian raced into a 7-0 lead in the second game and, in the stifling heat of a venue without air conditioning, there was no way back for Vaughan.

“It is hot but, since we are from India, it’s a little better for us,” Gopichand said afterwards. “I think Richard was getting tired.”

Tomorrow, India play Austria while Wales meet Hong Kong. PTITop

 

Kuerten through; Mauresmo, Venus ousted

Paris, May 28
Spanish number four seed Juan Carlos Ferrero moved confidently into the second round of the French Open today with a 6-2 6-2 6-3 win over Stefan Koubek.

Ferrero, one of the favourites for the title along with top seed Gustavo Kuerten, wrapped up the first two sets in 30 minutes each with a sparkling display.

He then moved into a 4-1 lead in the third set, with two breaks of serve, before Koubek got one back.

British 11th seed Tim Henman motored into the second round beating German qualifier Tomas Behrend 6-1 6-4 5-7 6-0.

France’s Amelie Mauresmo became the first seeded casualty when she lost 7-5 7-5 to unseeded German Jana Kandarr in the first round.

The fifth seed, winner of four tournaments this season and one of the favourites for the title, was booed off the Centre Court by her home crowd after squandering a 5-1 lead in the second set.

“At 5-1 down in the second set I just thought I’ve nothing to lose so why not win this set,’’ Kandarr said.

Women’s second seed Venus Williams tumbled out losing 6-4 6-4 to Austrian Barbara Schett.

The Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion looked out of sorts throughout the match on court Suzanne Lenglen, spooning ground strokes wide, long and into the net.

Schett, 25th in the WTA rankings, had lost all four previous matches against the world number two, but always looked in control.

Defending champion Gustavo Kuerten eased into the second round of the Grench Open today, ousting Argentine Guillermo Coria 6-1 7-5 6-4 in just over 100 minutes.

The top-seeded Brazilian, who says he is fit enough to win a third title here in five years despite nagging back and thigh ailments which wrecked his challenge at the Hamburg Masters, sped through the first set in just 27min as Coria seemed awestruck by the occasion.

But the Argentine, nicknamed Mini Moya for his resemblance to Spanish 1998 titlist Carlos Moya, fought back gamely and made a match of it in the second before finally fading as the 24-year-old Kuerten stepped up his game and won as a Coria forehand return plopped into the net.

Kuerten, nicknamed Guga, will now face another Argentine in the shape of Agustin Calleri, who destroyed Dutchman John Van Lottum 6-3 6-0 6-4.

Joining Kuerten in round two was 1996 champion and seventh seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who shrugged off poor recent form to squash Italian lucky loser Federico Luzzi 6-3 6-3 6-4 in 1hr 47min.

Kafelnikov, currently ranked eighth in the ATP champions race but nowhere near the form which brought him the title here in 1996, attacked the net with gusto, but an unforced error count of 43 suggested he will have to improve significantly in order to be seen as a genuine contender this year.

Australian Lleyton Hewitt showed he is worth his sixth seeding — his highest ranking ever at a grand slam event — by marching into the second round with a four-set win over French wildcard Paul-Henri Mathieu.

Hewitt, buoyed by his run to the Hamburg Masters Series semi-final, took a while to find his bearings on the slow red clay — which was nonetheless quicker in the warm Parisian sun than its German equivalent - but moved through the gears to win 7-6 (7/2) 4-6 6-3 6-2.

Mathieu, 19-years old and ranked just 238 on the ATP entry system, fought doggedly for every point and slammed down ten aces — making Hewitt labour for three-and-a-half hours before the Aussie finally booked his passage.

The 20-year-old now plays 117th-ranked Russian qualifier Nikolay Davydenko, who surprised the experienced Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden, ranked 65, 6-3 6-2 6-3.

Earlier, Yugoslav Jelena Dokic got off to a scorching start crushing Adriana Gersi of the Czech Republic 6-0 6-0.

The 15th-seeded Dokic, who snapped up her first WTA Tour title in Rome eight days ago, was in no mood to give her opponent any quarter as she sped through in just 39min against a hopelessly outclass her opponent.

The Belgrade-born 18-year-old, brought up in Australia but who has switched her allegiance back to her native Yugoslavia, could face French fifth seed Amelie Mauresmo, her final victim in Rome, in the last 16 in what would be a potential classic encounter.

Dokic is playing Roland Garros for the third time. Last year she went out in the second round after a first-round exit on her debut — but this time she expects to hang around far longer.

Belgian 14th seed Justine Henin was also quick out of the blocks as she hammered Japanese opponent Shinobu Asagoe 6-3 6-2 firing down a steady stream of winners.

Germany’s Anke Huber, beaten finalist in Strasbourg at the weekend, joined Dokic and Henin in round two after swamping Sonya Jeyaseelan of Canada 6-2 6-1. Asa Carlsson of Sweden moved on after she beat Kristina Brandi of the USA 6-1 6-2. AFP
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Roma falter but stay on course

Milan, May 28
As Roma could only draw 1-1 with AC Milan last evening at the Olympic Stadium but stayed on course for the Italian first division title thanks to dramatic events elsewhere.

With two matches to play Juventus go second and narrow the gap to four points by virtue of a 1-0 win at home to Perugia, earned by French striker David Trezeguet.

But that would have been only three points were it not for a dramatic finish at Bari where Inter Milan’s French midfielder Stephane Dalmat scored a last-gasp equaliser to deny defending champions Lazio who had led through a Hernan Crespo goal but had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Now Roma only need win one of their two remaining games to clinch the Scudetto.

“I don’t know where we are, I know we have not won the championship,” said Roma president Franco Sensi. “But we need just one more win for the Scudetto.”

Roma, reduced to 10 men, were fortunate to manage a 1-1 draw against nine-man AC Milan with substitute Vincenzo Montella equalising a goal in first-half injury-time by Francesco Coco.

As news of Crespo’s goal in Bari filtered through the atmosphere in the Olympic Stadium quietened and when Coco headed Milan in front it was as silent as a morgue.

In the 59th-minute Roma’s French defender Vincent Candela and Milan’s Georgian midfielder Kakha Kaladze were sent off and five minutes later Montella equalised.

The balance tilted further towards Roma when Milan’s Brazilian winger Serginho was sent off but in the final seconds the crowd went wild with news of the Dalmat goal in Bari.

Roma coach Fabio Capello, after a match against the side he led to four Scudetti, said: “My team is very tired, nerves stretched to the limit but again we showed what we are made of.”

In Bari — Inter have been banned from the San Siro because of crowd misbehaviour — Crespo’s first-half header lit the touchpaper on a dramatic evening, the Argentinian’ joining AC Milan’s Ukrainian forward Andriy Shevchenko on 24 goals for the season.

But Dalmat’s late strike means not only do the defending champions stay five points behind Roma but they lose second place to Juve.

Lazio coach Dino Zoff did not hide his disappointment, saying: “I am particularly sorry because we played such a great match but football is like that and we failed to close out the match.”

Meanwhile, in Turin Perugia stifled Juventus in the first half but Trezeguet’s goal proved to be enough.

Juve coach Carlo Ancelotti said: “This is a result that allows us to continue hoping.”

In other matches Brescia’s veteran striker Dario Hubner put the hosts ahead from a penalty against relegation-haunted Vicenza and Lamberto Zauli was dismissed for contesting the decision.

Jonathan Bachini doubled Brescia’s lead before Gianluca Commotto pulled one back but it finished 2-1.

Reggina’s Jorge Vargas’ deflected goal — the only of the match — boosted his side’s survival fight against a Bari side condemned to relegation.

Lecce defender William Viali scored the opener against Parma but Yugoslav striker Savo Milosevic hit back.

Relegation-threatened Lecce were further hit by the expulsion of top scorer Cristiano Lucarelli and a goal by Cameroonian Patrick Mboma ensured a 2-1 win for Parma. AFP
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Decathlete Sebrle makes history

Goetzis (Austria), May 28
Olympic silver medallist Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic made history today when he became the first man to break the 9,000 points barrier in the decathlon.

Sebrle (26) compiled 9,026 points to better the previous record of 8,994 set by his compatriot Tomas Dvorak on July 4, 1999.

Dvorak missed the 9,000 points mark by less than a second in the 1,500 metres in Prague two years ago, the final event of the two-day 10-discipline competition.

Sebrle started yesterday by clocking 10.64 seconds in the 100 metres. He followed up with 8.11 metres in the long jump, 15.33 in the shot put, 2.12 in the high jump and 47.79 seconds for the 400 metres.

On the second day he clocked 13.92 in the high hurdles, threw the discus 47.92 metres, pole vaulted 4.80 metres, threw the javelin 70.16 metres and clocked four minutes 21.98 seconds for the 1,500. Reuters
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Sasikiran takes third spot

Lausanne, May 28
India’s Krishnan Sasikiran defeated Andrei Volokitin in the second game of his mini-match to clinch the third place in the play-off, while Cuba’s world junior champion Lazaro Bruzon took the title beating Etienne Bacrot of France in the final of the Olympic Young Masters Chess International Tournament at the Olympic Museum here.

The 20-year-old Sasikiran, who was seeded third, had drawn the first game in 40 moves yesterday, and needed to win with white pieces to justify his seeding in this unique event. Volokitin finished fourth.

India’s other player in the tournament Pentyala Harikrishna was unable to beat China’s Bu Ziangzhi in the second game of his mini match for the seventh place. Having lost the first game, Harikrishna finished eighth, while Bu was seventh.

In the other placement matches, Armenian Lev Aronian stunned top seeded Ruslan Ponomariov with white pieces and grabbed the fifth place. Their first game had ended in a draw.

In the final for the title, Bruzon and Bacrot drew their first two classical time control games. And then in the tie-breaker, Bruzon won the first after a struggle in 66 moves.

In the second game of the tie-breaker, Bruzon managed a draw in 58 moves and took the title.

Final positions: 1 Lazaro Bruzon (Cuba); 2 Etienne Bacrot (France); 3 Krishnan Sasikiran (Ind); 4 Andrei Volokitin (Ukr); 5 Lev Aronian (Armenia); 6 Ruslan Ponomariov (Ukr); 7 Bu Xiangzhi (China); 8 Pentyala Harikrishna (Ind)
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McGrath to target Atherton

Sydney, May 28
Glenn McGrath says he will target England opener Mike Atherton during Australia’s bid to win a seventh straight Ashes cricket series.

McGrath is convinced that by demoralising Atherton he will hurt the entire England side, just as he did to the West Indies earlier in the year when he mastered Brian Lara.

Atherton, a former England captain, is a veteran of 109 Tests (7,451 runs at 38.60), and his ability to see off the new ball attack of McGrath, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie will be crucial.

“Athers is still the key wicket, that’s the one I’m after,” McGrath said before flying off to England.

“It would be nice to continue to get him out — I’ve got him 13 times so far and I’m looking forward to renewing our rivalry.” AFP
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Sridhar trounces Kimmerling
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, May 28
Maharishi Sridhar of India today played valiantly, overpowering Ibrahim Kimmerling of Germany in a thrilling first round tie on the opening day of the $ 6250 ITF Satellite Masters Tennis tournament here today.

Sridhar was at his best and he won the first set at 7-6( 10-8) and in the second set, again Sridhar proved his mettle to down German player at 6-4 and the match.

Earlier the morning rain disturbed the day’s schedule and the matches which were to start at 8 am got delayed by seven hours.

The last match of the day played between Syed Fazaluddin and Manoj Mahadevan, both from India, was quite absorbing former won the first set at 7-6 ( 7-5) in 75 minutes and in the second set scores were level 3-3, when the match had to be postponed to the next day due to bad light.

Another interesting match of the day was witnesssed between German players Daniel Lesske and Giunior Ghedina which was extended to three sets with former winning at 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

Results:
Men singles (Ist round):
Timo Nigri (Ger) b Eliran Dooyev (Isr) 7-6, 6-0; Vinod Sridhar (Ind) b Alexander Brudermann (Aut) 6-4, 6-1; Kamala Kannan (Ind) b Shivang Mishra (Ind) 6-4, 6-2; Rohan Bopanna (Ind) b Anant Sitaram (Ind) 6-1, 6-1; Daniel Lasske b Glunior Ghedina (Ger) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2; Maharishi Sridhar (Ind) b Ibrahim Kimmerling (Ger) 7-6 (10-8), 6-4; Colin Bennett (GBR) b David Sherwood (GBR) 6-3, 6-1.
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Chandigarh bag trophy
Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, May 28
Hosts Chandigarh bagged the overall trophy in team championship when they secured 47 points followed by Delhi with 42 points in the 2nd North Zone Wushu Championship which concluded here this evening at Sector 42 Indoor badminton hall.

Earlier Mr Nusrat Ali Khan, State Sports Minister, Punjab gave away the prizes.

Krishan Kumar of Delhi was declared best player of the tournament in Sanshou event.

The results are: Sanshou: below 48 kg: Ramesh Singh (Chd) 1, Rajesh Kumar (Har) 2, Veer Kumar Rai (Del) 3. below 52 kg: Harinder (Pb) 1, Paramjeet (Chd) 2, Vijay Verma (Del) and Virender Rawat (Har) 3.

below 56 kg: Vijender (Chd) 1, Parmod Kumar (Har) 2, Chaman Lal (HP) and Surjeet Kaur (3).

Below 60 kg: Satish Kumar(Chd)1, Sahdev(del) 2, Laxman(Chd) and Jai Singh 3.

Below 65 kg: Vikinder Kmar(Chd)1, Jagjeevan (Del)2, Parithvi Singh (Pb) and Amar Kota 3.
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Verma wins Naldehra golf title
Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 28
Jeet Singh Verma clinched the winners trophy in the Dry Weather Open organised by the HPGA at the heritage Naldehra Golf Course today.

Played over 18 holes on stroke-play basis, the tournament was open to golfers belonging to Himachal Pradesh and the golf clubs of Naldehra and Annandale in Shimla.

Jeet Singh Verma, who represents the Navy Team in the nationals, returned a card of 75. DS Verma finished runner-up and Somesh Goyal and KD Verma were tied for the third place.

The Closest to Pin Trophy was bagged by KD Verma, while the Longest Drive Salver was earned by Dinesh Minocha.

The golf prodigy Irina Brar and her mother Madhu Brar who were in Shimla on a vacation were the surprise but welcome visitors to the Golf Course.

Mr Somesh Goyal, General Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Golf Association, invited the illustrious duo to the tournament. Irinia Brar, who has done the nation proud by winning several international tournaments, obliged the local golfers by exhibiting her golfing skills.

It was a proud moment for the golfers to interact with her and to receive prizes from the little champion.

It may be of interest to mention here that Irina and her mother Madhu, who is the captain of the Chandigarh Golf Club’s Women’s Team, have played in a tournament at Naldehra.

HPGA will organise an Invitational North Indian Inter Club and Association Tournament in June. 
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 SPORTS BRIEFS

EX-WORLD CHAMP JANSHER RETIRES
KARACHI:
Pakistan’s former world number one squash champion Jansher Khan will retire from the professional circuit from his 33rd birthday on June 15, he said today. “I have made up my mind to call it a day. It has been a difficult decision but considering a two-year lay-off because of injuries, I think it is better to forget about staging one last comeback,” Jansher told Reuters from the northwestern city of Peshawar. Jansher’s announcement came exactly two years after his last top flight match, when the lost the Dutch Open final in five games in Canadian Jonathan Power, the world number one. Jansher, who held the world’s top ranking for almost six years and also won the World Open eight times and took six British Open titles, has struggled with knee and groin injuries. He had a series of operations for kneecap repairs but failed to find the same agility, rhythm and court coverage which made him the heir to compatriot Jahangir Khan. Jahangir, seen as the world’s greatest squash player and who is now senior vice president of World Squash Federation (PSF), retired six years ago after winning 10 British and six World Opens. Reuters

GOA TROUNCE MP
SOLAN:
Goa trounced Madhya Pradesh 10-2 in the boys finals of the XIth Sub-Junior National Baseball Championships that concluded at the picturesque Thodo Ground here on Sunday. Emulating the performance of their male counterparts, Goan girls made shortwork of Bihar, beating them 12-2 in the other final. Both the finals proved to be lackluster affairs and greatly disappointed the spectators. However, the home crowd had some cause for satisfaction when, in an earlier play-off tie the home boys convincingly beat Madhya Pradesh 8-4 bag the bronze. Neenak and Rohit, both of Himachal, were declared the best pitcher and best fielder, respectively. Vijay of Goa was adjudged the best batter while Smith of Haryana bagged the best catcher award. The prize for best all round performance went to Vikas of Madhya Pradesh. Mamta of (Delhi) was awarded the best batter prize. The best catcher, best fielder and best pitcher awards were bagged by Swati (Bihar), Kusum (Haryana) and Sarvjit (Chandigarh), respectively. Governor Suraj Bhan gave away the prizes. FOC

RICARDO POWELL
KINGSTON (JAMACIA):
Former West Indies batsman Ricardo Powell, dropped from the Caribbean team before upcoming tours in Zimbabwe and Kenya, says he will instead play semi-professional cricket in England. “After not being invited for the (training) camp I realised that I was not going to make the tour to Zimbabwe so that allowed me to activate a standby arrangement to play league cricket in England, “Powell was quoted as saying in The Observer on Sunday. Powell turned down an opportunity to attend the Caribbean’s newly opened cricket academy in Grenada. He has offers from several English league English league teams, but has not chosen one yet, the newspaper said. The hard-hitting Powell has played in one Test. AP

SOCCER SQUAD
PHAGWARA:
A 23-member football team was selected here today to represent Punjab state in the 23rd sub-junior (under-16) national football championship for Justice Mir Iqbal Hussan Trophy to be held in Tamil Nadu from June 1 to 17. The team is: Simer Preet Singh, Vinod Kumar (Goalkeepers), Sunil Kumar, Harjit Singh, Manpreet Singh, Palwinder Singh, Bir Singh, Suraj Bahadur (Backs), Hardip Kumar, Parwinder Singh, Sukhbir Singh, Pradeep Singh, Jaswant Singh, Sandeep Singh (Halves), Randeep Singh, Amritpal. Satwinder Singh, Jatinder Singh, Satinder Singh Ubhi, Ajay Malhotra (Forwards). TNS

PUNJAB RETAIN NETBALL CROWN
AMRITSAR:
Reigning champions Punjab retained the men’s title for the fifth consecutive time while women team from Orissa claimed the top honours in the 21st National Netball (men and women) Tournament here last night. In a gripping final, Punjab team found U.P. a hard nut to crack. The see saw encounter was witnessed by a large crowd. Punjab had the backing of the crowd which also made the difference and Punjab managed to beat U.P. by 36/28. The women’s crown was claimed by Orissa team which thrashed Madhya Pardesh 33/19. TNS

SCHUMACHER WINS
MONTE CARLO (MONACO):
Reigning world champion Michael Schumacher of Germany drove his Ferrari to a welcome victory in the Monaco grand prix here on Sunday. The triple world champion took advantage of David Coulthard’s misfortune at the start of the race, the McLaren-Mercedes driver — who was in pole position — stalling on the grid prior to the parade lap. Rubens Barrichello of Brazil came in second to boost Ferrari’s hope in the Constructors championship standings, with Ulsterman Eddie Irvine in a Jaguar coming third. AFP

PATIALA WIN BY 194 RUNS
PATIALA:
Patiala defeated Bathinda by 194 runs on the basis of their first innings lead in a rain-marred match of the ML Markan Inter-District Cricket Tournament which concluded at the Dhruv Pandove Stadium here today.
Brief Scores: Patiala: Ist Innings: 240 all out Bathinda: Ist Innings: 47 for 6 (Varun Kumar 12, Ramandeep 10, Nirmal Singh 3 for 16, Hardevinder Singh 3 for 19). TNS

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