 |
|
Friday,
July 27, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
|
Laxman, Kumble on Wisden’s
top 10 list |
|
||||||
|
Centre cold-shoulders National Games India to
debut in Asian fencing
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Astro-Turf
donation kicks up row Cops’ stranglehold on PHA UT SAI centre to be shifted TT tourney
Jarnail Singh Award for Barreto
|
|
Batsmen let India down Colombo, July 26 The bowlers did a fine job in bowling out New Zealand for 200 in 46.4 overs after captain Saurav Ganguly, winning his first toss, deviated from the trend in this tournament so far by putting the opposition in to bat. But the batsmen yet again put up a pathetic show and got out to irresponsible shots as the Indian innings folded at 133 39.4 overs. The 67-run loss, the third straight in this series, means India have only a mathematical possibility of making it to the final. Even winning all the three remaining matches will not ensure them a berth in the final as their chances would also depend on the outcome of the last match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. It was another inept batting performance by the Indians who have looked quite out of sorts in this tournament. They did not have a huge total to chase but the manner in which they approached the job defied basic cricketing sense. As many as three players were run out with two of them — Sameer Dighe and Reetinder Singh Sodhi — falling to their own mistakes. Even senior players like V.V.S. Laxman and Rahul Dravid, not to speak of Ganguly, failed to apply themselves. Hemang Badani, Yuvraj Singh and Sodhi had a very poor performance to show and all the talk of their having tremendous potential looks meaningless in the light of such displays. The highest score for India came from Virendra Sehwag, who looked comfortable in his 30-run knock. But he was smartly run out by Daniel Vettori and the rest of the batsmen were dictated by New Zealand bowlers and simply caved in. New Zealand were outstanding in the field today, doing exactly what is required when one has to defend a low total. They put the pressure on the Indians right from the very beginning, denying them any easy run and the Indians obliged them by getting out to desperate shots. Ganguly was trapped leg before by Kyle Mills after making just four and Laxman (1) played wide off his body only to hit the ball onto the stumps. Sehwag and Dravid were associated in a 50-run stand for the third wicket, the highest for the innings, and looked to be on their way to make up for the loss of early fall of wickets when Sehwag, clearly the most comfortable of the Indian batsmen, was run out. Vettori dived towards his right to stop a straight drive by Dravid off his own bowling and rolled over to directly hit the non-striker’s wicket which found Sehwag, who had taken off for a run, out of his crease. Vettori dismissed Badani in the next over to leave India 66 for four in the 18th over. Badani had struck a well-timed boundary off the first ball of the over but Vettori frustrated him by bowling four dot balls. On the last ball, Badani came out and lofted him over the mid-off only to see stand-in captain Craig McMillan take a well-judged catch running backwards. Yuvraj Singh lived dangerously throughout his innings and was lucky that his edges and snicks landed in no man’s land early in his knock. He, however, ran out of luck when he offered a regulation catch to wicketkeeper Adam Parore off Chris Harris after making 28 runs. It was all but over for India when last hope Rahul Dravid was bowled by Jacob Oram, who had a very fine outing with the bat earlier in the day, for 27. The rest of the batsmen did not have anything to offer and India crashed to another ignonimous defeat.
PTI Scoreboard New Zealand: Sinclair c Dravid b Astle c Dighe b Nehra 5 Oram c Dravid
b Harbhajan 40 McMillan c Badani Vincent c Laxman Harris c Badani b Yuvraj 12 Parore b Yuvraj 0 Nash c Ganguly Vettori lbw b Sehwag 19 Mills c and b Zaheer 2 Tuffey not out 2 Extras: (w-5, nb-3, lb-1) 9 Total: (all out in 46.4 overs) 200 Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-85, 3-99, 4-108, 5-125, 6-126, 7-143, 8-186, 9-198. Bowling: Z. Khan 8-0-44-1, Nehra 7-0-36-1, Harbhajan Singh 8-1-42-1, Ganguly 9-1-32-3, Y. Singh 10-0-24-2, Sehwag 4.4-0-21-2. India Ganguly lbw b Mills 4 Sehwag run out 33 Laxman b Tuffey 1 Dravid b Oram 27 Badani c McMillan b Y. Singh c Parore b Sodhi run out 9 Dighe run out 0 H. Singh b Harris 6 Z. Khan not out 11 Nehra b Nash 2 Extras:
(nb-4 w-2) 6 Total: (in 39.4 overs) 133 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-9, 3-59, 4-66, 5-99, 6-111, 7-112, 8-114, 9-122. Bowling: Tuffey 4-0-15-1, Mills 4-0-20-1, Nash 7.4-0-25-1, Oram 4-0-18-1, Vettori 10-0-33-1, Aslte 3-0-13-0, Harris 7-3-9-2. |
|
Laxman, Kumble on Wisden’s
top 10 list Mumbai, July 26 Wisden on-line director Anthony
Bouchier, launching the Wisden 100, a new analysis to assess a Test cricketer’s individual batting and bowling performances spanning 138 years of cricket history, told reporters that Laxman’s 281 in the home series against Australia in Kolkata has a Wisden rating of 234.8 points and is placed sixth. The other five players above Laxman are Don Bradman’s 270 for Australia against England at Melbourne in 1936-37 series with a rating of 262.4, Brian Lara’s 153 not out for West Indies against Australia at Bridgetown in 1998-99 (255.2). Graham Gooch’s 154 not out for England against West Indies at Headingley in 1991 (rating: 252.0), Ian Botham’s 149 not out for England versus Australia at Headingley in 1981 (rating 240.8) and Don Bradman’s 299 not out for the Aussies against South Africa in 1931-32 series (rating: 236.8).
PTI |
|
Centre cold-shoulders National Games Chandigarh, July 26 Though the Punjab Government has created the required infrastructure, including renovation of existing stadia, and addition of a few more complexes, including a modern indoor basketball stadium at Ludhiana, yet the entire effort appears to be going haywire in the absence of moral, financial and administrative support from the Union Government. The Union Ministry of Sports has also reportedly expressed its inability to release financial assistance for the purchase of equipment to be used during the Games on the plea that all available funds have already been diverted for holding the first ever Afro-Asian Games in the Union Capital from November 3 to 11 this year. Upset at the developments, the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has called a joint meeting of the senior officials of both the Finance and Sports Departments at Amritsar tomorrow to take a final view in the matter. The Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who is also President of the Punjab Olympic Association, will also attend the meeting to be held immediately after inauguration of upgraded facilities at Raja Sansi International Airport at Amritsar by the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Sharad Yadav. The attitude of the Union Sports Ministry has been baffling. Sources reveal that in the past, the Union Finance Ministry, on the recommendation of the Union Sports Ministry, has been allowing exemption on payment of duty on the sports equipment imported for use during the conduct of National Games. Both Karnataka and Manipur have been beneficiaries on this account in the past. And 75 per cent of the total cost for purchase of sports equipment is reimbursed by the Union Ministry of Sports. But in the case of Punjab, the Union Ministry of Sports has not only conveniently backed out from meeting this 75 per cent reimbursement precedent, but has also failed to get exemption from payment of duty on the sports equipment from the Ministry of Finance. The Punjab Government had agreed to generate funds on its own provided it was allowed to import the required equipment on “no duty basis”. Instead, the Finance Ministry has been insisting that only the National Sports Federations (NSFs) are permitted to import sports equipment without payment of duty. And in the present case , if all the 28 national Sports Federations start importing the required equipment on their own and independently, the process may take much longer. The Games are due to be held in the middle of September. Initially, Punjab was asked to support its contention for duty exemption by bringing relevant documents from the organisers of previous National Games in Karnataka and Manipur. It took almost two months. Even if the Union Government relents and gives clearance for importing the required equipment without payment of duty, the chances of the Games being held on schedule are remote. “The placing of orders, import and subsequent release of the equipment will take more than two months. Hence there is little or no possibility of the Games being held as scheduled,” a senior official said. |
|
India
to debut in Asian fencing Chandigarh, July 26 Prior to their final selection the national ranking fencers, who were medalists in the last national Senior Fencing Championship held at Nasik (Maharashtra) in June, 2000, and the last National Games held at Imphal in 1999 attended a selection trial held at NIS, Patiala. The contingent comprises seven women and 12 men. While the women fencers will participate in epee and foil events, the men players will take part in epee, foil and sabre events, both in individual and team competitions. Coinciding with the Asian Championship, the Congress of the Asian Fencing Confederation will also meet on August 3 at Bangkok. The following is the team: Women: Epee: E. Gita Devi (Manipur), Yashoda (Karnataka), M. Prathibha (Karnataka) and Sarabjeet Kaur (Punjab). Foil: E. Gita Devi (Manipur), C. Rukmini (Karnataka) N. Usha Rani Chanu (Manipur) and Charanjeet Kaur (Punjab). Men: Epee: A. Dipak Meetel (Manipur), Parambir Singh (Punjab), N.S. Mathew (Kerala) and Rohit Gangadhar (Karnataka). Foil: A Chitaranjan Meetel (Manipur), Vijay Kumar (Uttar Pradesh) Vikramjeet Singh Dhillon (Punjab) and P. Lakshmi Kantha (Karnataka). Sabre: H. Manglemba Meetai (Manipur), D. Dilip Kumar (Karnataka), Narender Singh (Haryana) and Sanju Alesant (Karnataka). Manager: Dr B.K. Singh (Haryana); Joint Manager and Director: Mr T.K. Balasubramanian. coaches: Mr Mohit Ashwini (Haryana) and Mr Deban singh (Karnataka), and Refree: Mr Sanjay Pradhan (Uttar Pradesh). |
|
Aggressive Mexico enter final Pereira (Colombia), The Mexicans booked a meeting on Sunday with either hosts Colombia or upstarts Honduras, who meet in the other semifinal, after a furious-paced battle which deserved to be witnessed by more than a paltry 12,000 crowd at Hernan Ramirez Villegas stadium here. The result meant the Mexicans improved on third place finishes at both of the last two editions of the event in 1997 and 1999 to reach only their second ever final at the expense of opponents who have won the event 14 times. Mexican keeper Oscar Perez produced a top drawer save from a Richard Morales header on 10 minutes as Uruguay, who lost to Brazil in the 1999 final, began to find their rhythm following a cagey opening. But the “Aztecs” swiftly stepped up their game and drew first blood in the 15th minute. Alberto Garcia Aspe combined with Carlos Gutierrez, who clipped a high pass through to Jared Borguetti, just back from suspension. He jinked his way goalwards to unleash a superb strike past Uruguayan keeper Gustavo Munua for his second goal of the tournament. Christian Callejas tried a speculative effort on the volley as the Uruguayans tried to bounce back after 29 minutes but Perez was alert to smother and make the save. But the Uruguayans had their opponents on the rack in a purple patch and after 33 minutes they levelled when Morales headed in following a quick free kick routine. The Mexicans made the final breakthrough after 67 minutes from the penalty spot through the industrious Aspe — who then ruined his contribution by picking up a second yellow card two minutes from the end.
AFP |
|
Rivaldo’s ultimatum Madrid, July 26 |
|
Astro-Turf
donation kicks up row Amritsar, July 26 Immediately after assuming charge, the new Vice-Chancellor, Dr S.P. Singh, stopped implementation of the syndicate decision . Dr Singh said he would seek permission from the state government whether the Astro-Turf could be given free of cost to a private stadium. Interestingly, the university authorities did not form any committee before taking the matter to the syndicate for donating the Astro-Turf. This is the first time that the university decided to make a ‘gift’ to a religious sect ever since its inception in 1969. It is pertinent to mention here that many decisions taken by the syndicate at the fag-end of the five-year tenure of Dr Soch had already raised hackles in the corridors of the university. The imported turf was laid in 1989. However, Dr Harbhajan Singh Soch, the former Vice-Chancellor, and Dr R.S. Bawa, Registrar, claimed that the turf was unserviceable and was of no use. Dr Soch said nobody was ready to get the turf even for a song. He said Bhaini Sahib had a good hockey nursery where it would be used for promotion of the game. Dr Soch said Ludhiana, Patiala, Jalandhar and other major cities had already laid the turf and the same could be used for the stadium at Bhaini Sahib. Though the Registrar has already directed the authorities concerned to implement the orders of the Vice-Chancellor yet he claimed that it was extremely costly to relay the turf. Apart from this, the cost of constructing the surface would be around Rs 40 lakh, he said. University authorities said no item could be donated or gifted to a private institution. At least such a decision should be taken by a committee before taking the matter to the syndicate. There was no record in the varsity that the Namdhari sect had made any request for the Astro Turf either. Sources pointed out that a former Dean and head of the Namdhari chair had organised an international conference at Gurdwara Bhaini Sahib where the turf was offered free of cost. Subsequently, the turf was ripped off spending a considerable amount though it was to be given free of cost. The sources further said that as per university norms tenders have to be floated for sale of old items. The cost for laying the new turf would be around Rs 1.35 crore. Had the old turf been sold in auction, the varsity could have earned some money. However, the varsity has received a grant of Rs 50 lakh for laying
the new turf. The old turf could have been used in any of the 75 colleges, affiliated to the university. Meanwhile, the new Vice-Chancellor, Dr S.P. Singh, has said that during his meeting, the Governor-cum-Chancellor, Dr S.P. Singh, had pointed out that winning of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for the 15th consecutive year was not a big achievement. The Governor had specifically announced that the university would have to find a position at the national and international level. Dr Singh said special coaching camps at important sports centres would be held to provide intensive training to talented sportspersons. He said the varsity would pick up talented youngsters at school level so as to groom them in the field of sports. |
|
Cops’ stranglehold on PHA Patiala, July 26 The PHA, whose responsibility is to hold the mandatory state-level championships is top heavy with senior police officers reportedly more interested in clinging to their honorary posts in the association rather than making efforts to revitalise hockey in Punjab. The PHA constitution has been amended in such a manner that only top Punjab-based IPS officers will hold all important posts in the hierarchy of the PHA. The DGP, Punjab, automatically becomes the PHA president and at present Mr Sarabjit Singh, is its chief. The honorary secretary of the association is Mr H.S. Dhillon, DIG, Ferozepore Range, and the joint secretary is Mr Kuldeep Singh, who is SP, PAP. The PHA constitution envisages that all district police chiefs will automatically become presidents of their respective district hockey associations. The presidents of district units nominate other officer-bearers most of whom are police officials. The only exception is the PHA treasurer, Mr S.S. Saini, who runs the Ropar Hawks Academy at Ropar. The rule that SSPs will function as presidents of their respective DHAs is not applicable to the districts of Patiala, Bathinda, Faridkot and Sangrur. Hockey activity in all these four districts is controlled by the Pepsu Hockey Association which is directly affiliated to the IHF and has its own sets and norms of selecting teams. The secretary is Prof Gursewak Singh, a former Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor and who has served the IHF as its secretary for nearly two decades. The PHA held its annual general body meeting at Phagwara recently, but details are not known. |
|
UT SAI centre to be shifted New Delhi, July 26 Mr Ajay Singh Chautala, who deputed for his brother and president of the IABF Abhay Singh Chautala as the latter had to rush to the venue where some persons travelling in a bus had been electrocuted, said the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Ms Uma Bharati was so impressed with the sports facilities at the Rai complex that she immediately agreed to shift the SAI’s regional centre from Chandigarh to a venue between Rai and Sonepat. Mr Ajay Singh said the Haryana Government would
allot 80 acres for the setting up of the SAI centre, as the state was making an all outeffort to promote sports. Working president of the IABF R.S. Dalal announced that the federation was also planning to bring out a monthly bulletin covering all the activities of Indian boxing. “The Boxer” is edited by seasoned Calcutta-based journalist Ajit Banerjee, who is a student of “father of Indian boxing” P.L. Roy. |
|
TT tourney Chandigarh, July 26 All age groups (cadet boys & girls (U-12), subjunior boys & girls (U-14), junior boys & girls, senior boys & girls (U-19), men & women (above-19) are eligible to
participate. Entries close with the manager, City Club, Giddarbaha. Ties will be drawn on July 27 at 5 p.m. in the club. |
|
Beckham not ready for Thai spice Bangkok, July 26 Beckham and his team-mates, who arrive tomorrow in Thailand on the last leg of a three-nation Asian tour, have been ordered by manager Alex Ferguson to stay away from the local cuisine. “It’s just too hot and tough for them to handle. They’re afraid of getting diarrhoea,” said Chalong
Anunyaphisit, General Manager at Bangkok’s Radisson Hotel, where the team will stay for three nights. This means that not only will the footballers have to pass up standard but delicious fare such as somtam — raw papaya salad — and tom yam kung - hot and sour shrimp soup — but they also will not get to sample “Beckham noodles,” a novelty beef noodle soup sold at a street stall in Bangkok’s Chinatown. “Their nutritionist came here two weeks ago and cancelled our Thai menu. All the players will have their same old low-fat low-cholesterol English menu,” Chalong said today.
AP |
|
Jarnail Singh Award for Barreto Kolkata, July 26 The awards had been instituted by Mohun Bagan to felicitate the best India players and the best among all the players currently playing in West Bengal. Mr Mitra said the awards would be given as part of the Mohun Bagan Day celebrations to commemorate the club’s historic victory in the IFA Shield in 1911 against East Yorkshire Regiment.
UNI |
 |
| 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 | | 121 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
