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Saturday,
April 27, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Pak
looking for a whitewash 'No
comparison between Sachin, Bradman' ICC to target bad
language, sledging |
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Damp bowling run-up
delays start of play St Lucia (Grenada), April 26 No play was possible in the first two hours on the opening day of the three-day game between visiting Indians and the Busta XI here today due to wet bowling run-up at one end. DOWN MEMORY
LANE — SOCCER WORLD
CUP Queen
concerned at Beckham’s injury Bhutia
set to return with new ideas
Chinese Taipei, Japan
move into final Air-India retain
hockey title Ludhiana, Faridkot
clinch crowns Haryana to change
gradation policy Jeev tied 4th Ankita Bhambri
wins ITF title Mercedes Golf
finals today YPS Patiala win Mukesh dominates
Mahindra rankings
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Pak looking for a whitewash Lahore, April 26 The Kiwis suffered a humiliating defeat in the first match, largely due to a devastating spell of searing pace from Shoaib Akhtar who took a career best six for 16. But they fought back bravely in the second match on Wednesday to salvage some pride, scoring 277 for five and making the Pakistanis work hard for the victory despite the absence of several senior players through injury. Ace all-rounders Chris Cairns and Dion Nash were ruled out of the Pakistan tour due to knee problems last month. Rookie pace bowler Shane Bond, who won respect on New Zealand’s tour of Australia last year, has been nursing a foot injury since December. Spinner Daniel Vettori, not named in the one-day squad, has made a quick recovery from back trouble and is likely to slot into the final one-dayer to boost the Black Caps’ badly depleted attack. “Vettori is in contention for the final one-dayer but we would announce the team on Saturday morning,” Fleming said. Among the batsmen, opener Nathan Astle is flying back home after tearing a ligament in his left knee in the first match in Karachi. The tourists also have been haunted by stomach bugs. Fleming, Robbie Hart and Scott Styris have recovered, but veteran allrounder Chris Harris remains doubtful for the final match. The New Zealanders play two Tests against Pakistan next month. Vetorri, opener Mark Richardson and pacer Chris Martin arrived yesterday to feature in the Tests. Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, leading a full-strength side, is looking for a whitewash. “We must win the final game especially after winning the first two and keep a clean slate,” he said. Pakistan managed a whitewash against Zimbabwe in 1998-99 but they have since been on the receiving end against Australia and Sri Lanka. “We have been losing home series so this 3-0 win may change our home fortunes,” Younis said. He said Pakistan’s top order needed to perform better. “Our top order is not clicking but hopefully if we have the experienced Saeed Anwar we will definitely consider him for the Tests,” he said. Anwar, who has been out of the game for most of the past year, has recovered from a wrist injury and doctors have cleared him to play. Off-spinning allrounder Shoaib Malik and pace bowler Mohammad Sami are likely to replace Saqlain Mushtaq and Wasim Akram.
AFP |
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'No comparison
between Sachin, Bradman' Chandigarh, April 26 This was the comment of India’s star allrounder of all times Kapil Dev, who in a brief interaction with TNS at the Chandigarh Golf Club here this afternoon, said for Indian cricket to prosper a player like Sachin Tendulkar must start enjoying the game. Agreeing with his former Haryana Ranji Trophy skipper Ravinder Chadha who was sitting with him, Kapil remarked that Sachin’s best was yet to come. But Kapil was quick to point out that it would be ridiculous to compare Sachin with Sir Donald Bradman, especially now that the Indian little master had completed 29 Test centuries in the recently concluded Port of Spain Test. ‘‘How can I talk of somebody whom I have never seen. I can compare Sachin’s batting with the likes of Sunil Gavaskar or Brian Lara,’’ was Kapil’s cryptic remark. ‘‘In any case it must be remembered that Sir Don made his centuries in just 52 Tests, a feat which is unparalleled in cricketing history.’’ But he was quick to remark that modern-day cricketers were under a lot of pressure, specially from the media, which tended to cramp one style. But he had no answer when asked how players could get out of this pressure Speaking on a nostalgic note, Kapil said he still remembered the time when Sachin, in keeping with the board’s then policy of asking the senior players to guide the youngsters in the squad, was his roommate during a tour of England. That was Sachin’s first tour of England, by which time Kapil was among the veterans in the team. The master batsman showed a ‘‘passion for cricket and food, as also music.’’ Even then, one could see that the batsman from Bombay (later Mumbai) was a ‘‘bundle of talent’’. Kapil recalled the fact that at the end of the day Sachin tried to catch up with his studies, without much success, as he was so tired ‘‘Many a time I had to remove the book from his hands as he fell asleep while reading.’’ But even then he was so focussed. While Kapil Dev refused to speak on the Indian team’s current performance in the West Indies, he was of the opinion that the Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly was exhibiting too much emotions on the field. ‘‘In my time when a bowler got a wicket the captain generally clapped from his fielding position or ran up and patted the bowler on the back. But now things on the field are more like rugby with players falling over each other in a show of emotion not associated with cricket everytime a wicket falls.’’ ‘‘Getting carried away on the field is not a good trait for the captain even if he is the most successful Indian captain,’’ the former Indian skipper said when asked to describe Ganguly in a few words. He had one question to ask Ganguly: ‘‘If you are not captain of the team will you still show your emotions in the same manner?’’ Commenting on his remark which he made recently in which he said that the top Indian players lacked commitment, Kapil was of the view that the Indian players were more bothered about their personal statistics that performing for the team. ‘‘With four players with an average of over 50 it is strange that India, as a team, still does not do well. What the cricketers must do is play for the country and not for themselves. And once they play for the team, the team is bound to do well.’’ |
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ICC to target
bad language, sledging
London, April 26 The panel has encouraged reporting offending players under four specific definitions, which have, for the first time, given clear guidelines to players and officials of what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable language and behaviour. “We want international cricket to be tough and competitive but we also want to improve its image with the public. Umpires have agreed to support this drive by clamping down on language and behaviour that falls below reasonable standards,” ICC CEO Malcolm Speed said today. “We are not trying to outlaw verbal exchanges between players, but spectators and viewers must not be exposed to crude, excessive language and gestures,” he added. The four categories covering obscene language and behaviour are included in the new Players Code of Conduct. Each is targeted at a specific offence, with Level 1 covering general use of bad language and obscene gestures, through to sledging (Level 2) and racial and ethnic abuse (Levels 3 and 4). There are few precedents of players being disciplined for these offences, but the new code adds weight to the ICC’s drive to improve the image of the game by allowing for both suspensions and severe financial penalties.
UNI |
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Damp bowling run-up
delays start of play
St Lucia (Grenada), April 26 Everything was set for the scheduled start of the game when Indian medium-pacer Tinu
Youhanan, running in to bowl his first ball to Darren Ganga, discovered a soft landing on the return bowling crease. Groundstaff rushed in, only to find the area was too soft for any dressing up. So the area was dug up and it was filled and rolled
again. Busta XI captain Ridley Jacobs had won the toss and decided to bat. The Indians left out as many as six members — captain Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul
Dravid, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan — of the side that won the second Test against West Indies and the team was being led by V V S
Laxman. Jaffer and Sanjay Bangar would open the Indian innings. Teams: Busta XI: Ridley Jacobs (captain), Ryan Hinds, Wavell Hinds, Devon Smith, Darren Ganga, Kerry Jeremy, Dinanath
Ramnarine, Darren Powell, Gareth Breese, Pedro Collins, Runako Morton.
PTI |
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DOWN MEMORY LANE — SOCCER WORLD CUP Rio de Janeiro, April 26 The year is 1950, and host nation Brazil need only a draw against Uruguay in the final match of the World Cup to lift the coveted Jules Rimet Trophy for the first time. As the Brazilians and Uruguayans lined up before kick-off at the Maracana Stadium in front of a world record crowd believed to be in excess of 200,000, Rio’s state Governor addressed the players: “You Brazilians, whom I consider victors of the tournament, you players who in less than a few hours will be acclaimed champions by millions — I salute you!” Brazil’s squad had already been presented with gold watches before the kick-off, each one bearing the inscription ‘For the world champions’. It was tempting fate on a grand scale. And fate found the triumphalism of the Brazilians too hard to resist, administering one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history in the form of a stunning 2-1 victory to Uruguay. The match started and everything appeared to go to plan for the hosts, the self-declared champions in-waiting who had averaged more than four goals a game going into the final match. The Uruguayan goal came under a furious onslaught as Brazil swept forward in search of, not a draw, but a stylish climax to their coronation. Two minutes after half-time and Uruguay’s defence, organised and inspired by the towering centre-half Obdulio Varela, was eventually breached. Ademir and Zizinho combined and Friaca finished: 1-0 Brazil, and the World Cup was heading to the hosts, or so it seemed. With Varela’s wise head calming the Uruguayans, the underdogs suddenly began to make a game of it. On 66 minutes, Schiaffino made it 1-1 with a ferocious shot. Though Brazil only needed a draw to be crowned world champions, they were unable to hold out. Uruguay pressed forward and with 11 minutes remaining. Ghiggia beat Brazilian keeper Barbosa at his near post, to make it 2-1. The unthinkable had happened and Brazil were unable to do anything about it. They attacked the Uruguayan goal unsuccessfully in the final minutes but the match was lost, and the silence inside the Maracana was deafening. Shocked officials, players and officials wandered around the pitch, digesting the result. In the confusion, FIFA president Jules Rimet had to improvise his presentation of the World Cup trophy. “I found myself alone with the cup in my arms, not knowing what to do,” Rimet said later. “I finally found Uruguay’s captain, Varela, and I gave it to him practically without letting anyone else see.” “I held out my hand without saying a word,” added Rimet, who had a now useless pre-prepared speech congratulating Brazil tucked away in his pocket. Varela, the first black man to captain his country and later renowned for his sense of social responsibility, spent the night of the final drinking quietly in a Rio bar, consoling fans. He later said that if he had known beforehand the misery Uruguay’s victory would cause to the people of Brazil, he would have preferred to have lost. Arriving back at Montevideo airport, Uruguay’s captain slipped away quietly from a victory party, raincoat lapels pulled up and a fedora covering his face. Varela brought a second-hand Ford car with his prize money from the tournament. It was stolen a week later. In Brazil, the 1950 defeat has continued to haunt beaten goalkeeper Barbosa, roundly condemned for conceding the two goals. Decades later, when the ageing keeper turned up to Brazil’s training camp to wish the team good luck ahead of the USA ’94 finals, he was refused admission. “In Brazil, the most you can get for any crime is 30 years,” he complained. “For 43 years I’ve been paying for a crime I did not commit.”
AFP |
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Queen concerned at Beckham’s injury London, April 26 Piers Morgan, editor of The Mirror, reported today that during a reception for the media at Buckingham Palace the previous evening, the Queen confided to him her concerns about Beckham’s injury. “I realise it’s very important for the country,” Morgan quoted her as saying. And she reportedly continued, “I don’t know enough about stress fractures to go into any detail, but I do know he is not doing the right things to get it fixed.” Morgan took that as a reference to Beckham’s car crash last week. He was at the wheel of his Mercedes at the time and escaped uninjured. Observers were quick to point out that the vehicle was an automatic, so Beckham would have been using his injured foot. Beckham broke his foot in Manchester United’s Champions Cup quarter-final win over Deportivoi La Coruna two weeks ago. He has said he expects to be back in time for England’s World Cup opener against Sweden on June 2. Beckham’s foot remains in a cast and news reports say he has been sleeping in an oxygen tent to speed his recovery. Morgan said when the Queen was asked if she knew any good physiotherapists, she replied, “I do actually. My grand-daughter has just qualified. She helped to get Richard’s leg fixed.”
AP |
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Bhutia set
to return with new ideas Kolkata, April 26 “I have terminated my contract with Bury FC and now look forward to playing in India again. But nothing can be finalised before June this year. I am talking to the teams in the country and Singapore is also an option. But nothing has been finalised,’’ Baichung said while talking to mediapersons.
Baichung was in the city as part of the tour of the World Cup trophy in the country. “East Bengal is always an option”, he said adding that he was open to other teams in the state, Goa or down south as well. Talking about his experience in Bury FC,
Baichung, in white sports shirt and a formal barmudas, said, “I don't
think I did justice to them or myself either. After my injury I played only five or six games where I scored some six goals but that is all. So I really don’t blame them after the efforts they had taken to rehabilitate me.’’ “For now I plan to be in a team where I will be in playing eleven. That can be anywhere. Europe is also an option, but I don’t want to warm the benches only,’’ he said. When asked if he was ready to face the Barreto challenge, he said he was ready to take on anybody in India . “I think the defenders are far bigger challenge that another striker. Talking about the condition of Bury FC, he said the club had run into some financial constraints also. “Since Bury is surrounded by clubs like Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers, which are just a few kilometres away, the youths like to grow up in that atmosphere rather than see Bury play. So a club that drew some 70,000 spectators before had some 4,000 odd supporters. As lesser number of people come, the revenue has also fallen, he said. Talking about his contribution to Indian football, Baichung said, “I have seen how things function in one of the top leagues in the world. I have the insiders point of view. I can help inject new ideas, plans and methods given a chance and asked for. They will also come handy when my playing career is over’’. “I have taken their rehab programme really well and have so many new ideas which I am willing to share,’’ he said. The governing bodies of football in India should contain a committee represented by two members of all the national clubs, he said. “They are in a better position to look into the intricacies of the game and handle it in a more professional manner. Mr Colaco is the best thing that happened to Indian football of late. He has big plans for the game. Loving the sport and thinking about it is more important,’’ he said. When asked to comment on whether he was hinting at the people involved with the federations just for political purposes, Baichung dodged the question with same elan as he dodges the defenders, “I only mean people who are interested in the game should be involved not the ones who are not.’’ He also brushed aside report of any ego problems while playing in India. “I can do anything that the game demands. Once I am in a club I have to follow their rules. There should not be any problems,’’ he said. He in fact felt that players in India were quite good and the infrastructure just needed a big revamping and the game run in a more efficient manner to see the standard rise. “I keep a close watch on how the game is played in India. “In fact I kept track of the fluctuating fortunes in the recently concluded NFL. The players are quality ones and need little more care and grooming,’’ he said. Commenting on the decision of AIFF to reduce the number of foreign players in India, he said, “Nothing can be said so soon. But it will obviously give an impetus to the home
players.’’ Bhutia feels that France is the “best bet” to retain this year’s World
Cup. Baichung, who is here today to promote the World Cup Champions Trophy, said France has been the most consistent side for the last four years. “They are a very balanced side and have players like Zidane and Vierra in their ranks. Besides, Barthes is one of the best custodians world football has presently,” he added.
Baichung, who will make his maiden appearance as a football pundit for a satellite channel for the World Cup football in Japan and Korea, has very strong opinions about the teams as well as the game. “I will keep France and Argentina right at the top. It will be a close fight for the honours. At the same time don’t count out Brazil. They are a different team altogether when it comes to the Cup,” he said. “England is a formidable side but in case they miss out on Beckham and Owen’s services, they will find it tough to go,” Baichung felt as the English team gets inspired by the duo’s presence. However, Baichung marked Portugal as his “dark horse”. “They are a very talented side and players like Figo can be
match winners by themselves,” he said. He praised Japan for their progress and hoped before long India would be able to emulate their success. “I really hope India plays World Cup very soon,” he said.
UNI |
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Chinese Taipei, Japan
move into final Margao, April 26 Earlier, in the first semifinal, Japan beat China 4-1 also via tie-breaker after both the teams were locked 1-1 in the regulation and extra time. Japan, who converted four penalties, emerged winners. Japan will meet Chinese Taipei in the final on April 28 while China and DPR Korea will play the same day to decide the third and fourth place. The match could have ended in the regulation time itself had Japan been quick in grasping the gilt-edges chances before them in both the halves. The match started with China move but Japan custodian brought off a brilliant save off — a shot from Han Duan following a flag kick taken by Zhang Na. Japan drew first blood as early as in the 5th minute of the contest with a fine combine move when Kanako Ito sent a crisp pass to Yukari Kinga, who headed the ball to well positioned Ayako Kitamoto inside the goal area, who made no mistake to tap it into the net 1-0. Stung by the debacle in the 10th minute of the first half, China’s captain Bi Yan came near scoring but Japan goalkeeper brought off a fine diving save. After this a major part of the play was restricted to mid field. Five minutes before the breather, Japan had a chance to increase their lead but China goalkeeper fisted over the bar, a header from Ayako Kitamoto off a well measured pass received from Yukari
Kinga. PTI/UNI |
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Air-India
retain hockey title Mumbai, April 26 Air India, who were trailing by a goal at half time, did well to equalise through former international Anil Aldrin’s penalty corner conversion in the 51st minute of the match. Earlier, the Delhi outfit who had as many as seven former and current internationals in their ranks, had opened the account in the very third minute when another forward Sameer Dad scored off a Virender Singh pass. The extra 15 minutes also failed to produce any goals forcing the tie-breaker. In the tie-breaker Air-India’s Vikram Pillay, Surinder Kundu and Tushar Khandekar were bang on target while defender Tarcius Kullu’s feeble push was saved by goalkeeper Ashish Ballal. For the losers, only Sameer Dad scored in the tie-breaker while Bimal Lakra and Virender Singh pushed out and Sanjay Bisht’s push was well saved by Air-India goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza. Three minutes after Sameer Dad scored for Delhi outfit, Air-India counter-attacked but Tracius Kullu’s try just missed the mark. With just two minutes to go for the breather Sameer Dad’s forward pass to Brojen Singh went waste when his feeble push was saved by D’Souza easily. In the 50th minute, Altaf-ur-Rehman failed to trap the ball off centre half Prabodh Tirkey pass. A couple of minutes later Prabodh Tirkey again gave a good pass to Sameer Dad from the left flank but the latter failed to trap the ball in front of an open goal. In the 56th minute, Air-India goalkeeper D’Souza effected a good save when Virender Singh tried to score off Y.S. Rawat pass. In the eighth minute of extra time D’Souza again came up with a good save when Altaf-ur-Rehman tried to score off Brojen Singh pass. The teams: Air-India: Adrian D’Souza (goalkeeper), Anil Aldrin, Gavin Ferreira, Vikram Pillay (capt), Tarcius Kullu, Kishore Kumar, Roshan Tete, Davinder Kumar, Conroy Remedius, Surinder Kundu, Madan Vishwanathan, Nitin Kumar, Tushar Khandekar, Manjit Singh, Khushmeet Singh and Edgar Mascarenhas. Indian Airlines: Ashish Ballal (goalkeeper), Dilip Tirkey (capt), Lazarus Barla, Irshad Ali, Bimal Lakra, Prabodh Tirkey, Altaf-Ur-Rehman, Sameer Dad, Virender Singh, Brojen Singh, Shakeel Ahmed, Sanjay Bisht, Y.S. Rawat, Suresh Kumar, Rajneesh Mishra and Jagdish Ponnappa.
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Ludhiana, Faridkot clinch crowns Chandigarh, April 26 Ludhiana boys playing fast and aggressive basketball stunned the fancied champions Bathinda by 69-45. Contrary to the expectations Bathinda shooters Prabhjot and
Harpreet totally failed. Rather they were closely marked by Ludhiana players without giving them room for scoring and
manoeuvring. Gurpal of Bathinda was not allowed to collect a single offensive rebound by Vinod Kumar of Ludhiana. Ludhiana playing fast attacks took lead of 12 points in the first quarter. The lead was increased to 18 points at the end of second quarter . After the break the Bathinda players were making hasty attempts at the basket but Ludhiana were unruffled as they were sure of victory. For Ludhiana Amit Prashar (27), Snehpal Singh (20) and Fatehjit Singh (18) and for Bathinda Prabhjot (17), Harpreet (8), Sukhdeep (8) and Gurpal Singh (6) were the scorers. In the girls section, Faridkot defeated Hoshiarpur with a big margin of 34 points, the final score being 51-17 in favour of winners. Faridkot having won all the three matches finished on top and Kapurthala with two wins and one loss finished second while Hoshiarpur with one victory and two losses finished third. Ludhiana having lost all three matches were fourth. |
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Haryana
to change gradation policy Chandigarh, April 26 While stating this here , the Sports Director, Mr M.S. Mann, said to avoid the inconvenience caused to sportspersons, the department had decided to deal with the sports gradation certificates in the offices of Deputy Director, Sports, at divisional level. Now the players would get the gradation certificates from the office of the Deputy Directors at the divisional level. Mr Mann said according to the new policy, the sportspersons would have to apply for gradation to their respective District Sports Officer which would be evaluated in the office of Deputy Director, Sports of their district by a specially constituted committee, which include one Deputy Director from headquarters, one Deputy Director of the division and the District Sports Officer of the district falling in that particular division. He said the new decision regarding the sports gradation certificates would be applicable from the first week of May. |
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Jeev tied
4th New Delhi, April 26 In the second round, the Chandigarh based pro added a three-under 68 to total five-under 137. Jeev was four strokes off the leader, Hiroyuki Fujita, who shot rounds of 67 and 66 to tally nine under 133. Kazumasa Sakaitani was
second last seven-under 135, while American Dean Wilson was third at six-under 136. Jeev could have finished as joint leader after the first day but for an unfortunate double bogey on the par-4 14th hole, where he missed the green in regulation and then three-putted. However, he made up the mistake with an eagle on the very next nine, a birdie on the 10th was negated by a bogey on the 11th.
UNI |
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Ankita Bhambri
wins ITF title Pune, April 26 She started the first set on a good note taking 4-1 lead but Goutam came back to take two games to reduce the lead to 4-3. Playing a well calculated game, Bhambri played good forehand strokes to take the set 6-3.
Bhambri played like a champion using a good variety of strokes on both flanks. She used the drop effectively to take an early 4-0 lead in the second set. Goutam tried hard to stage a come back and reduced the margin to 4-2. But Bhambri put an end to Goutam’s efforts serving two aces and firing two power-packed forehand cross courts to wrap up the match and ensure her first major title.
PTI |
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Mercedes
Golf finals today Chandigarh, April
26 The three lucky winners of the Mercedes Trophy Finals will be guests of DaimlerChrysler India at the Mercedes Trophy World Finals at Stuttgart, Germany, in September 2002. The Taj Group of Hotels, who are the co-sponsors of this prestigious event will be hosting a gala awards function on the same evening for all customers and friends of Mercedes-Benz. Lufthansa, who are the co-sponsors for this prestigious event, will fly the 3 lucky winners of Mercedes Trophy Finals in Delhi to the Mercedes Trophy World Finals at Stuttgart, Germany. |
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YPS Patiala
win Patiala, April 26 Bhavan’s Sawan Public School, New Delhi, chalked out a facile 4-1 win against Welham’s Boys School, Dehra Dun. Lucky slotted in two goals while Chitranjan and Vikram were the other scorers for the winners. For the losers, Namgyal scored off a penalty corner. Bhavan’s Sawan Public School notched up an 4-2 win against Dashmesh Academy and Doon School, Dehra Dun, beat Welham’s Boys School 3-0. |
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Mukesh
dominates Mahindra rankings Chandigarh, April 26 He leads by a massive 110 points over his closest rival Firoz Ali (Kolkata). In a fascinating scenario, Firoz averages 1.748 putts per hole, as against 1.750 by Mukesh. The winner will be rewarded with Rs 1.5 lakh as the ‘Mahindra Putter of the Year’. Rahil Gangjee (Kolkata) stands firmly to claim the ‘Mahindra Rookie of the Year’ Award and Rs 1.5 lakh. |
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‘‘Only when Sachin starts
enjoying the game can he get a big score. If one looks at cricketers
like Brian Lara or Vivian Richards, who have scripted some big scores
during their cricketing careers, one will notice the sense of enjoyment
on their faces whenever they batted. That sense of satisfaction is
missing from Sachin’s face, at least at this juncture.
