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Wednesday,
August 22, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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Tough task ahead for depleted
India Saurav Ganguly writes Laxman hopes to be fit for
SA series
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Ammunition shortage, SAI turns to
shooters Land allotment kicks up
row BAI directive on new scoring
system
Chatwinder, Tushar
win Bagan, Churchill in last eight Reconsider decision, Milkha told Kahlon leads team to victory
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Tough task ahead for depleted India Kandy, August 21 But ask Saurav Ganguly, and he says: “We will come back in the series the way we did against Australia.” Brave talk indeed for the captain who is leading a side without Sachin Tendulkar and V.V.S. Laxman — two of the stars of the 2-1 victory over Australia in the home series earlier this year. Or for that matter, without Ashish Nehra and Javagal Srinath, whose services would have been vital on the fast and bouncy pitches that the Sri Lankans have prepared keeping in mind their predominantly pace attack. But the Indian team would require more than just brave words to see them through. For a team going into the match with just two experienced batsmen — Ganguly and his deputy Rahul Dravid — and only two mainline bowlers — Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh with Venkatesh Prasad looking a bit rusty after his long break from international cricket — it would be a herculean task to outplay the hosts who are on a high after their comprehensive victory in Galle. Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya has already turned on the pressure by announcing that he would continue with four fast bowlers in the second Test. The seamers, especially Dilhara Fernando who finished with match figures of six for 77, had done exceedingly well in Galle and Jayasuriya would obviously not like to disturb a winning combination although some doubts persisted over the inclusion of all-rounder Suresh Perera. Perera was reported for suspect action in the first Test but can continue to bowl during the review period when his action would be studied by a panel of experts. The Sri Lankan pace attack which included Chaminda Vaas and Ruchira Perera too had broken the back of Indian batting. Not that the visitors fared any better against Muthiah Muralitharan, the only spinner in the Sri Lankan attack who completed his 25th five-wicket haul in the second innings of the first Test. It would really be a test of strength and resilence for the Indian batsmen as they seek to make up for their poor performance in the first Test. The Indian batsmen need to take a cue from Dravid who was the only one to stand up to the Sri Lankan attack and be counted. Dravid was grit and determination personified as he kept the bowlers at bay. Such concentration and commitment would be required from all the other batsmen and especially from the captain who is woefully short of runs. The opposition seem to have studied Ganguly only too well and have executed their plans against him with perfection. The onus is now on the Indian skipper to outsmart his opponents with some improvisation in batting tactics. That brings one to the rest of the middle order which is packed with inexperienced youngsters. It was really a pity to see talented players like Hemang Badani not applying themselves and retreating into a shell against the likes of Murali. A more positive approach is required from these youngsters. Badani may find himself out of the team after a string of poor performances but whoever replaces him — Baroda batsman Jacob Martin is a possibility — needs to learn from the Tamil Nadu left-hander’s failures. These may be trying circumstances but are also fine opportunities for the youngsters to make a mark. Indian bowling too seems to lack the sting after Srinath became the latest casualty to injuries and had to return home. Srinath’s absence would put a lot of responsibility on Prasad who was nowhere near his best in the first Test. The lanky Karnataka seamer would have to up his performance by several notches. Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh would have to shoulder the burden of both attack and defence and it would really be a di-fficult job for them. Harvinder Singh is likely to be included in the side as the third seamer as the pitch conditions indic-ate some help to the fast bowlers. Harvinder had a fine outing in Zimbabwe but his skills would be put to severe Test here. With Jayasuriya back among runs in Tests, the Indian bowlers can look forward to some trying times over the next five days. Jayasuriya’s average against India is about double of what he averages against other teams and he has already cracked an explosive hundred in the first Test. Kumara Sangakkara’s maiden century in Galle makes him almost a certainty for tomorrow although both teams will announce the final teams just ahead of the match. Marvan Atapattu and Mahela Jayawardene would also like to make up for their lacklustre show in the first Test and Sri Lankan batting once again is all set to fire on all cylinders. Their bowling attack is formidable with all the four seamers maintaining a good line and length. With Muralitharan doing the job expected of him, the Lankans would hope to repeat their performance in Galle. The only thing playing back on the hosts’ mind would be their track record at Kandy. The Lankans have lost the previous two Tests — in the series against South Africa and England — and on both those ocassions they had come here enjoying a 1-0 lead after winning the first Test in Galle. While South Africa drew the three-Test series 1-1, England went on to carve out a 2-1 win. Jayasuriya today said his team was not worried about the previous results and would concentrate on getting the basics right. “If we bat and bowl well, I don’t find any reason why we should not win here,” he said. The next five days would show whether Kandy proves lucky to the beleagured Indian team or not. Teams (from): Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillekaratne, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Chaminda Vaas, Suresh Perera, Dilhara Fernando, Ruchira Perera, Duleep Liyanage, Muttiah Muralitharan, Thilan Samaraweera. India: Saurav Ganguly (capt), Rahul Dravid, Shiv Sunder Das, Sadagopan Ramesh, Mohammad Kaif, Hemang Badani, Sameer Dighe, Venkatesh Prasad, Zaheer Khan, Harvinder Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Dinesh Mongia, Rahul Sanghvi, Sairaj Bahutule, Jacob Martin. Umpires: Steve Bucknor (West Indies), Tyronne Wijewardane (Sri Lanka) Match Referee: Cammie Smith (West Indies). PTI |
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Saurav
Ganguly writes THE second Test begins at Kandy tomorrow. I have never played in Kandy in either a Test or a one-dayer, but from what I gather the wicket here has more bounce in it than the others in Sri Lanka. The wicket has some grass on it and seems hard beneath the surface. It looks like a good batting wicket that will take turn after the third day. Unless it rains a fair bit I don’t think there will be any devil in the pitch, so I don’t think the toss will be very crucial. We reached Kandy a few days ago to get used to the conditions. Today, being the eve of the match, we just had some light practice in the afternoon. On Monday too we opted for one session of practice. The boys seem relaxed and are not under any undue pressure. This is not the first time that we have been one down in a three-Test series and our recent record proves that we can come back from behind. I have full faith that the youngsters will come good when it matters most. For example it would be unfair to judge Hemang Badani’s caliber on the basis of the last two Tests. In fact, he got a dodgy decision in one innings and was pitchforked into the opening slot in another. To make him sit out from the next game would therefore be slightly unfair. It is reassuring to hear that some of our key players who are on the injury list are on the road to recovery. John Wright received an e-mail from Laxman in which he said that his knee operation has gone off well in Sydney. He has added that he should be fit in around three weeks. Srinath’s fracture on the little finger of his left hand should also heal well before the South Africa tour. Sachin has gone for treatment to South Africa and hopefully we will get some good news from there as well. Anil too has started playing domestic cricket and according to reports, his shoulder has healed well. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate England on a fine victory against Australia at Leeds. I saw the end of the match and thought Mark Butcher played a brilliant knock to help his team to a superb win. There is a lesson in his knock for all of us. It just proves that each and every player is just one afternoon away from greatness. I am sure we will take a leaf out of his book and play some high-quality cricket tomorrow.
Gameplan |
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Laxman hopes to be fit for SA series Sydney, August 21 Laxman, whose right knee was operated upon by one of Australia’s leading knee surgery specialists, Dr Michael Johnson, on Friday, was expected to be fully fit within four weeks. “I am looking forward to play the South Africa series in October,” he said. “It is my first experience with any kind of surgery. It is painful, but getting better,” he said. Laxman’s injury was detected during the triangular one-day series in Sri Lanka in the first week of this month. On his second day of physiotherapy under Mr Patrick Farhat, a physiotherapist of Australian and New South Wales cricket team, Mr Farhat told him that he was showing ‘steady progress’. Famous here as ‘very very special’, cricket lovers were surprised to hear him on an Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s radio channel in a chat show this morning discussing the India-Australia series.
PTI |
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Mark Butcher’s tryst with history Leeds, August 21 A year ago the Surrey batsman was considering his long-term future in the game and earlier this summer he was struggling to hold down a place in the Surrey first team. However, at Headingley, he found himself acknowledging the vocal crowd after his 173 not out set up a remarkable England victory in the fourth Test against Australia as the home side scored 315 for four to win. Never mind that the series had already been won by Australia after they outclassed their hosts in the first three tests. Monday was Butcher’s day. “We’ve waited all summer for a day like this,” said England captain Nasser Hussain. And Mark Butcher played magnificently.” Discarded by England a year-and-a-half ago, Butcher, 29 on Thursday, had all but decided to look for another career after a wretched 2000 season. “I didn’t actually decide to quit but mentally I wasn’t in the right place. I was worried about getting back into the Surrey side, let alone England,” he said. “I had a real downer and never thought I would get back.” But he decided to give it one more shot, overhauling his technique during the English winter with the help of his father Alan, a former professional who played one Test for England. “My dad talked me round and said I could be a better player than I had shown. I almost reconstructed my stance and grip,” he said. The left-hander was recalled for the Ashes in June only after England were hit by a string of injuries but the ‘Mark Butcher Mark II’ has held up perfectly against the best bowling attack in the world. Without setting the world on fire, Butcher nevertheless topped the England averages, including an 83 at Lord’s. But even another solid 47 in the first innings at Headingley gave no indication of what was to follow. Australia captain Adam Gilchrist said: “It’s got to be one of the great Ashes knocks. “When I declared, I didn’t know a guy who wasn’t even meant to be in their team at the start of the series was going to play the best innings of his life.” If Butcher’s career best score was unlikely, so was his 181-run partnership with captain Nasser Hussain. Hussain had spent most of the English season on the sidelines after breaking his thumb in May against Pakistan and his finger against the Australians a month later. Hussain has barely played in between, warming up for the fourth Test by playing with the Essex second 11.
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England recall Tufnell Leeds, August 21 Also called up was Leicestershire pace bowler Jimmy Ormond. Alan
Mullally, who played in England’s fourth Test six-wicket victory completed here at Headingley yesterday, is omitted because of a rib injury. There have been repeated calls for
Tufnell, the most successful English spin bowler in county cricket this summer, to win another Test cap. David
Graveney, England’s chairman of selectors, announcing the squad here yesterday said: “Phil Tufnell is an outstanding left-arm spinner.”
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Ammunition shortage, SAI turns to shooters New Delhi, August 21 Shortage of ammunition has forced a desperate Sports Authority of India (SAI) to turn to trap and skeet shooters, who also import cartridges and clay pigeons (used as targets) to keep the show going. The SAI has shot off letters to several shooters asking them to lend a part of their ammunition. The request, SAI officials say, is routine. But the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) says the SAI has not imported any ammunition for two and a half years, and this has led to shortages even during routine practice and at training camps. SAI officials claim their consignment has only been delayed and they are only borrowing ammunition because there is an emergency. Baljit Singh Sethi, Secretary-General of the NRAI, told IANS that the World Cup was held here last year without the SAI supplying ammunition to shooters. “For two to three years, the SAI has not imported any ammunition, and I must have sent about 15 to 20 reminders to the SAI on the issue,” he said. “Paucity of funds could be the main reason for this,” said Sethi, who will leave for Bisley Friday. The championships will be held August 24 to 31. “I hope the SAI gives me a letter of credit so that I can negotiate with dealers at Bisley,” he said. He said he had asked O.P. Bhatia, executive director of the Training of Elite Athletes and Management Sports or TEAMS, which is part of SAI, for a letter of credit. Bhatia was not available for comment, but another top official associated with shooting defended the SAI. He said it was not the first time shooters had been asked to lend ammunition. He said if there was a delay in receiving a consignment, the SAI always borrowed ammunition from players and returned it to them later. The official said a letter of credit could not be given to anyone. “It is a virtual draft given by the bank. How can we give it to NRAI? There is a proper procedure for all this.” Shooters are entitled to import, through NRAI, 10,000 rounds of cartridges every year at subsidised rates while the ammunition they get from the SAI is free. The SAI official said shooters’ personal quota was enough to practice with. He, however, agreed that ideally a SAI official could accompany Sethi to Bisley to negotiate with ammunition dealers. India’s ace rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra, who is among the 34-strong squad that will take part at the Commonwealth Championship, has also qualified for the World Cup final, the sport’s most prestigious event, which will be held in Munich from August 21 to 26.
IANS |
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Land allotment kicks up
row Faridabad, August 21 While a 'probe' into the matter is on, Sports Department officials are groping in the dark for a concrete solution. Recently, a senior functionary of the Sports Department visited the stadium and DCA Club complex for first hand information. The department officials termed the visit as a routine one. A former hockey player of the district, Sandeep Singh, had filed a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court alleging gross 'irregularities' in handing over the prime land to the DCA Club, a private body. According to Sandeep Singh, not only had the land been given to the club in an 'illegal' manner, but the club had 'encroached' upon more land of the Sports Department last year by constructing a wall in the sports complex owned by the District Sports Council for carrying out private and commercial activities. In his complaint he had alleged that 'no permission was taken from the District Sports Council or Director, Sports for setting up a 'club' on the land owned by it. It is reported that on directions of the high court, the Deputy Commissioner had conducted an enquiry into the matter and submitted a report, a few months back. The District Sports Officer in his reply to a query from the district administration had also confirmed that 'no permission was taken from him or the District Sports Council for setting up a club at the stadium. The club was set up in 1998 and since then it has been 'occupying' the land. The club, it is claimed had been using the land or 'premises' for holding marriage functions, Diwali fairs and other such programmes in the past, for which 'rent' had also been charged by the club, according to the complainant. It is also learnt that a former Deputy Commissioner had formally written to the NTPC here to construct a wall for the club, while any such decision required prior permission of the sport authorities. Sandeep Singh and some local players have demanded cancellation of the land allotment to the DCA Club and promotion of sports activities. |
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BAI directive on new scoring
system Chandigarh, August 21 According to Mr D.K. Mukerjee, who attended the BAI executive committee meeting at Delhi this month, the national-level junior prize money tournament of Rs 2 lakh will be organised at Thane (Maharashtra) from August 24 to 29 and then another prize money meet of Rs 50,000 at Pune from August 29 to September 3. Mr Mukerjee said as per the decision of BAI, the above tournaments will form the basis for selection of the Indian junior team for French, Toulose and Czech internationals meet to be held in November. The selection committee will meet at Pune on September 3. The BAI has also given provisional affiliation to three newly formed state units namely Uttaranchal Badminton Association, Jharkhand Badminton Association and Chhatisgarh Badminton Association. The draws for various zonal inter-state meets has also been announced. The North Zone Inter-state Meet will be held at Jalandhar from October 2 to 4. Delhi have got the top billing for the Rahimtoola Cup for men and Shafi Qureshi Cup for girls with Punjab being second seeds in both the sections. Chandigarh are top seeded in Narang Cup for boys while Delhi are second seeds. Delhi have also been accorded the top billing in Chadha Cup for women while Chandigarh will be second seeds. The BAI has also given grade umpire I status to Manoj Sabat (CWA), D.K. Mathur (Raj) M.J. Mohan Chandra Nair (Krl) and K.K. Mathur (Raj), the examinations for which were held during the Junior National Badminton Meet at Chandigarh in November. Raj Parmar of Chandigarh and Krishna Gopal of UP, who completed 15 years of grade II examinations, were accorded status of grade I umpire. |
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Chatwinder, Tushar win Bangalore, August 21 Chatwinder Singh did not face much resistance from wild Card J Jayanath of Karnataka during his 6-3, 6-3 win, while Harshit Sharma toyed with lucky loser R.K. Praveen of 6-3, 6-1. While most of the matches were one-sided, the encounter beween two lucky losers Vivek Reddy of Andhra Pradesh and Sujith Sachidananda of Karnataka was well contested and went into the decider. The Andhra player won 7-6 (8-6), 5-7, 6-2. Others to win the first round matches were Tushar Liberhan of Chandigarh and Aditya Madkekar and Saurab Kohli, both of Maharashtra. With most of the seeded players getting byes due to withdrawal of many entries in the last minute, the results were on the expected lines in the boys under-14 section in the draw of 64. Karan Medappa, Sujith Sachindanand, S Prateek, entered the second round.
UNI |
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Bagan, Churchill in last eight
Chennai, August 21 Bagan will now play Salgaocar, Goa, while Zee Churchill will take on Mahindra United, Mumbai, in the quarterfinals. For Bagan, Renedy Singh and Barreto Ramires scored while Naushad Moosa reduced the margin for Air-India converting a penalty awarded for a Bagan defender’s infringement inside the box. Despite bad underfoot conditions, Bagan held sway and possessed the ball most part of the game though Air-India, a youthful side counter-attacked and were not overawed by the situation of playing against a glamour team. Francis Coelho assured Zee Churchill, Goa, a berth in the quarterfinals with a solitary second half goal, helping his team win 1-0. The bankmen did enjoy an edge and had four corners compared to two by Churchill. But the story was different in the second half as the Goan team played true to their potential and were cohesive in their attacks. In between, a Goan counter-attack almost paid off but Denzil Ferrao, who received a through pass from captain Roque Barretto, shot wide. A little later, SBT’s Ashif Saheer missed a sitter. Saheer sped down the centre from top of the box, drew keeper Edward Ansah out but then shot straight to the custodian. Crossing over, Churchill attacked and scored in the 10th minute. Following a flag kick taken by Somatai Shaiza, Francis Coelho headed in past keeper Purushothaman and a defender.
PTI |
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Reconsider decision, Milkha told Patiala, August 21 In a letter written to Milkha Singh, copies of which were released to the press here today, Saini pleaded with the Flying Sikh to take back his decision. He said if Milkha did reconsider his decision it would be an unparalled act of sportsmanship and he would become a 'shining example' for future generations. Saini has requested Milkha Singh to be careful before speaking on the use of dope by Indian athletes. In the end, Saini writes that the athletic fraternity needs the guidance and motivation of Milkha Singh so that there is further improvement in Indian athletics. |
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Kahlon leads team to victory Bangalore, August 21 Kolkata's Indrajit Bhalotia and his team finished second while Vijay Kumar's efforts placed his team at the third spot.
UNI |
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