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Friday,
May 17, 2002, Chandigarh, India   |
Atapattu leads Lankan run
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Hooper, Chanderpaul thorns in India’s flesh |
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Gambhir, Kanitkar steady India
A Prasanna, Jayaprakash on ICC
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India to host SAARC cycling meet Favourites China crash out to Malaysia India juniors in quarterfinals Basketball player commits suicide
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Atapattu leads Lankan run spree London, May 16 At stumps opener Atapattu was 133 not out off 264 balls including 15 fours after Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya had won the toss. Aravinda de Silva was 24 not out. Jayawardene, batting on one leg after being hit facing Andrew Flintoff on 47, had earlier gone for 107, his last 50 runs made with a runner. Together with Atapattu he put on 206 for the third wicket, England’s frontline pace quartet all punished. Atapattu made five ducks in his first six Test innings but has converted five of his previous nine Test centuries into double hundreds and looks well placed for another. Sri Lanka have won their last nine Test matches and in those games they have an average first innings score of 523. England skipper Nasser Hussain may have wished for the variety of left-arm spinner Ashley Giles who was in the squad but not picked for the final XI. Sri Lanka began the final session well-placed at 217 for two and it was testament to the batsmen’s dominance that the first chance either of them gave was when Jayawardene was on 87. He leg-glanced Dominic Cork but veteran wicketkeeper Alec Stewart, recalled because of James Foster’s broken arm, could not hold on to the diving left-handed catch with the score on 224 for two. Both batsmen moved on to hundreds. Atapattu got there first with a pulled four off Matthew Hoggard, his runs coming from 177 balls including 13 fours. However, on 104, he was fortunate to survive an lbw appeal from part-time off-spinner Michael Vaughan’s fourth ball, former India off-break bowler S Venkataraghavan ruling in the batsman’s favour. Shortly afterwards Jayawardene, averaging over 50 in Test cricket, brought up his hundred with a cut four off Lancashire all-rounder Flintoff. He had faced 157 balls including 16 boundaries in his ninth Test hundred but first outside Sri Lanka. It was a fine innings but every attacking shot was now leaving Jayawardene visibly in pain. And on 107 he was caught at midwicket by Marcus Trescothick off Flintoff following a tired looking chip, Sri Lanka now 261 for three. The tourists, 110 for two at lunch, had a scare four balls after the interval when Atapattu was nearly run out by Vaughan’s direct hit. Vaughan had already combined with Stewart to send back Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya. Meantime Sri Lanka’s progress was interrupted when Jayawardene, on 47, missed an attempted pull off Flintoff’s first around the wicket delivery. In the morning session Sri Lanka’s batsmen helped England take their first wicket when, with the score on 38, left-hander Jayasuriya was run out for 18 following Vaughan’s throw from point to Stewart. And that became 55 for two when Hoggard had wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara well caught by Flintoff at second slip for 10. But it was the batsmen who finished the day on top. SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka (1st Innings): Atapattu batting 133 Jayasuriya run out 18 Sangakkara c Flintoff
b Hoggard 10 Jayawardene c Trescothick 107 b Flintoff De Silva batting 24 Extras: (lb-7, w-1, nb-14) 22 Total: (3 wkts, in 90 overs) 314 Fall of wickets:
1-38, 2-55, 3-261. Bowling: Caddick 17-2-62-0, Hoggard 23-2-99-1, Cork 19-4-58-0, Flintoff 20-3-52-1, Butcher 3-0-17-0, Vaughan 8-1-19-0.
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Hooper, Chanderpaul thorns in India’s flesh Kingston, May 16 Captain Saurav Ganguly has been trying different things to stop the run-feast of the two West Indian batsmen but has been unable to contain them so far and he is now hoping his gameplan succeeds in the series-deciding match here. “We had planned a few things against them but it didn’t come off in Antigua,” said Ganguly after the team arrived here last evening. “Hopefully, the wicket would be of greater assistance in this final game at Sabina Park.” The two teams are tied at 1-1 in the series after India won the second Test at Port of Spain and West Indies registered victory in the third Test at Barbados. Hooper and Chanderpaul have hit three tons each and together taken over a thousand runs off the Indian attack from four Tests. The two made light of India’s imposing total of 513 for nine declared in the fourth Test at Antigua by putting on 186 for the fifth wicket which was only their third best in the series following stands of 293 and 215 in the first and third Tests. They shut India out of Barbados Test when Ganguly had hoped to restrict the hosts to 200-225 runs after his batsmen had collapsed to a paltry 102 on the first day. He sincerely believed any chase in excess of 150 in the second innings would have tested the nerves of West Indies. Then in the last game at Antigua, they brushed aside the little matter of a crumbled wicket and held off Anil Kumble, bowling with a broken jaw, in a classic confrontation on the second day. “I must tell you they were very lucky to survive in the fourth Test,” said Ganguly. “If only we had a spinner we would have been 2-1 up in the series.” Hooper himself admits so even as he reveals, quite ironic-ally, he isn’t quite comfortable batting with Chanderpaul. “He doesn’t call out loudly between the wickets,” wrote Hooper in his column for PTI after he and Chanderpaul powered West Indies to their first 600-plus total against India in the Caribbean in 40 years. Hooper believes the difference in the style of the two batsmen probably upsets the rhythm of bowlers. “Somehow we have clicked together and it is not only in this series,” says Hooper. Ganguly believes besides their style, it is also the left-right hand combination of the two Guyanese which doesn’t allow bowlers to settle down. “It is also a classic case of right-left combination,” said Ganguly, ruefully shaking his head. Quite astonishingly, both have been under-achievers in their long careers and it is only now that their run-making is beginning to do justice to their talents. Hooper exasperated his fans and critics alike with his sudden dismissals which gave him an average in the 30s in his first 80 Tests before he made a triumphant return as captain in the last two years to average nearly 60 in his 14 Tests at the helm. Chanderpaul had made a habit of getting out in 50s an 60s in the early part of his career and suffered cramps in any innings which lasted more than three hours. It exasperated his then skipper Richie Richardson who publicly rebuked the little left-hander for his lack of fitness while touring the subcontinent during the 1996 World Cup. But he is now barely recognisable from his early days and hates to lose his wicket as his last three scores of 67, 101 and 136 {all unbeaten) would testify. Noted West Indian cricket writer Tony Becca believes it is the freedom Chanderpaul and Hooper feel about their batting in the middle these days which has caused the turnaround. “It is like what it was with Jimmy Adams - whenever Adams was given freedom to bat the way he wanted to, he did well for the West Indies,” Becca said. Hooper, a soft-spoken elegant batsman, always seemed to have superstars coming before him in the West Indies line-up while Chanderpaul’s position in the batting order was shifted at random by successive West Indian captains. Chanderpaul has batted from number one to seven but his performances at number six lend stability to the West Indian batting order, commented Ravi Shastri, former Indian all rounder and now a television commentator. But this is all in the past as Hooper with 556 runs and Chanderpaul with 445 from five innings each have taken a generous helping off Indian bowlers in this series. Their success has taken the home audience by storm but as is with most things, humour is only a comment away from a Caribbean cricket fan. “It is only natural that if Hooper succeeds Chanderpaul would succeed or vice versa. One is seen to represent the African and the other the east-Indian community in Guyana. If one succeeded and the other failed, there would be riots in Guyana,” said a wag in the stands.
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Kumble undergoes surgery Bangalore, May 16 “He (Kumble) will be fit for international cricket not later than in the next 10 to 15 days,” eminent maxillo-facial surgeon, Dr Kishore Nayak, who performed the 45-minute procedure at a city hospital, said. “Anil is fit and healthy. The injury will in no way have any long-term side effects nor should it in any way hamper his game or normal activities,” Dr Nayak told reporters. Using “rigid internal fixation” procedure, Dr Nayak performed the surgery, assisted by another maxillo-facial surgeon Dr Sanjiv Nair at Mallya Hospital. Two titanium mini plates, which are bio-compatible, were used to stabilise the fracture and the procedure was conducted very smoothly. “Treatment was successful and went as planned. We got the results,” Dr Nayak said. The bowler, who sustained a fracture on his lower jaw by a Mervyn Dillon delivery in the fourth Test against the West Indies on Saturday, should return to normal diet in two to three days. Dr Nayak said Kumble, who would be discharged tomorrow morning, can return to nets as early as Monday and to regular cricket in 10-15 days. Dr Nayak said he performed a similar surgery on India ‘A’ opener S. Sriram last Wednesday and the batsman played the side’s match against Sri Lanka on Saturday. Kumble had said he could not chew food and had been on liquid diet since the incident. In a heroic effort, he had, however, bowled 14 overs unchanged, with a terribly hurt jaw on Sunday, dismissing the West Indies great Brian Lara. Dr Nayak said Kumble would start taking semi-solid food from tomorrow.
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Harbhajan to replace injured Kumble
Kingston (Jamaica), May 16 The series is tied 1-1 and the Kingston match could decide if India clinch their first Test series win in the Caribbean since 1971 or the West Indies bounce back from two straight Test series losses. “There are likely to be hardly any changes in the team,” Indian captain Saurav Ganguly told Reuters today, “Harbhajan Singh will come into the side for Kumble.” The leg-break bowler had to return to India for surgery midway through the fourth Test at Antigua after a rising delivery from paceman Mervyn Dhillon fractured his jaw. The 31-year-old from Bangalore bravely bowled 14 overs on Sunday despite being wreathed in bandages but flew back home on Monday due to doctors advice. “We really missed Anil in the remainder of the Test,” Ganguly said. “He was bowling so well and could have certainly made a difference.” “Harbhajan is an excellent bowler, with lots of tricks up his sleeve. We know he can make a difference in the side,” Ganguly said. The 21-year-old bowler had shot into the limelight after grabbing 32 Australian wickets to lead India to a stunning 2-1 home series win last year. India, who have toyed with three different opening partners for Shiv Sundar Das in this series, have finally settled for Wasim Jaffer after his two consecutive half-centuries in Barbados and Antigua. The 24-year-old from Mumbai notched up a career-best 86 at the Antigua Recreation Ground last week to cement his place in the side. Teams: India:
Saurav Ganguly (captain), Shiv Sunder Das, Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Vangipurappu Laxman, Ajay Ratra (wicketkeeper), Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra. West Indies (from): Carl Hooper (captain), Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ridley Jacobs (wicketkeeper), Mervyn Dhillon, Pedro Collins, Dinanath Ramnarine, Cameron Cuffy, Adam Sanford, Ryan Hinds.
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Gambhir, Kanitkar steady India A
Colombo, May 16 The late middle order was set to consolidate on the recovery, with J.P. Yadav, going strong on 64, and wicketkeeper batsman Parthiv Patel adding 77 for the unfinished sixth wicket partnership. Kanitkar elected to bat after winning the toss under sunny skies at the SSC Stadium, but India were soon reduced to 14 for two, losing opener Akash Chopra and one-drop Sridharan Sriram cheaply. Chopra, the only right-hander among India’s top five, was surprised by one that rose on him from Pulasthi Gunaratne, as the ball flew off his bat to second slip Chamara Silva. Sriram was soon back in the pavilion too, his mistimed hook off Dulip Liyanage ending down the throat of fine leg, for only three. It was then up to skipper Kanitkar and in-form Gautam Gambhir to steady the innings. They added 101 for the third wicket, with Gambhir reaching his half-century in 95 balls. Kanitkar completed his 50 too, needing less than two hours and only 95 balls, and he seemed set for a bigger score when he played a rash shot to end his own innings abruptly. His attempted swing off a short ball proved to be a miserable mishit that landed in the hands of square leg. His 52 contained three fours and came off 100 balls. Rohan Gavaskar was soon back in the pavilion, after failing to keep his cut off a widish delivery down, and seeing Navid Nawaz snap him up at backward point. At 129 for four, India had lost the gains of a century stand. Gambhir played steadily, punishing the loose deliveries and being cautious against the better directed ones. He had added 43 runs for the fifth wicket with J.P. Yadav when Chamila Gamage made a vital breakthrough. India ‘A’ 1st innings: Chopra c Silva b Gunaratne 4 Gambhir b Gamage 79 Sriram c Gunaratne b Liyanage 3 Kanitkar c Daniel b Liyanage 52 Gavaskar c Nawaz b Liyanage 8 Yadav batting 64 Patel batting 31 Extras: (b-4, lb-2, nb-1, w-1) 8 Total: (for 5 wkts, 90 overs) 249 FoW: 1-5, 2-14, 3-115, 4-129, 5-172. Bowling: D Liyanage 14-4-34-3, Gunaratne 18-7-33-1, Gamage 18-4-61-1, Pushpkumara 25-4-54-0, R Herath 11-1-43-0, Tilak Dilshan 9-2-18-0.
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Prasanna, Jayaprakash on ICC panel London, May 16 Announcing details of the umpires and referees nominated by cricket boards around the world to form the new international panels of match officials here today, International Cricket Council (ICC) Communications Manager Mark Harrison said it would provide officials for all one-day international (ODI) matches. The new panels would also provide cover for the ICC’s elite panel of eight full-time umpires at peak times in the Test match calendar and during major tournaments, he added. Following are the nominations for international panel of umpires: Australia: Darrell Hair and Simon Taufel Steve Davis (third umpire), England: Peter Willey and Neil Mallender Jeremy Lloyds (third umpire), India: Arani Jayaprakash and K Hariharan, New Zealand: Doug Cowie and Brent Bowden Tony Hill (third umpire), Pakistan: Nadeem Ghouri and Aleem Dar, South Africa: Brian Jerling and Ian Howell Shahid Wadvalla (third umpire), Sri Lanka: Peter Manuel and T H Wijewardena, West Indies: Billy Doctrove and Ed Nichols, Zimbabwe: Kevan Barbour and Ahmed Esat Ian Robinson (third umpire. The world’s highest cricketing body said its main function would be to supplement match referees Ranjan Madugalle, Clive Lloyd, Wasim Raja, Gundappa Viswanath and Mike Procter where fixture congestion creates scheduling difficulties. Following are the nominations for international panel of referees: England: Chris Broad; India: Erapali
Prasanna; Pakistan: Sultan Rana; South Africa: Denis Lindsay; Zimbabwe: Ahmed
Ebrahim. UNI |
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England go all out to change image of fans Tokyo, May 16 That is the message UK officials are trying to get across to Japanese worried that the ‘’English disease’’ of hooliganism may accompany the thousands of England fans visiting the country for the World Cup. ‘’They will drink and sing and may become noisy, but they are not out to do violence or tear down shops,’’ said Stuart Jack, Minister at the British Embassy in Tokyo. ‘’The purpose of England supporters who come to Japan is to watch the matches and enjoy Japan, which many of them will be seeing for the first time,’’ Jack told a news conference yesterday. The embassy has printed pamphlets with these assurances and ‘’practical advice’’ on how to deal with the English visitors, planning to hand them out to restaurants, bars and other shops in Tokyo and at venues of England’s first round matches. The pamphlets urge shopkeepers to try to communicate with the fans, and in addition to daily phrases like ‘’Welcome’’ and ‘’Can I help you’’, it recommends trying: ‘’England are a great team’’. It also suggests restaurants issue menus written in English and display the back of the pamphlet —showing the English flag with the message: ‘’Welcome England supporters! — in their windows. ‘’Shopkeepers don’t know how to deal with the fans. So we are offering them practical advice to prevent a culture shock,’’ said Marie-Claire Joyce, Commercial Officer at the embassy. Embassy officials wasted no time after the news conference, taking to the streets in Tokyo’s bustling Roppongi entertainment district to pass out first of the 40,000 pamphlets at an English-style pub and other bars. British officials blamed the media for spreading the stereotype of English fans as hooligans and planting fears in residents of venues where England will play. ‘’TV news programmes talk about anti-hooligan measures and run file footages of hooligans every day. It does no good for the image of foreign supporters. It’s very sad,’’ Joyce said. Japanese media have dubbed the city of Sapporo, located some 800 km north of Tokyo, the ‘’most dangerous’’ venue due to the June 7 match between Argentina and England. Some shops in Sapporo’s Susukino area, the largest entertainment district in northern Japan, plan to close on the day of matches while others are considering serving drinks in paper cups to prevent the bottles from being used as weapons. Similar steps are being taken at Osaka and Saitama, the two other venues of England first-round matches, where some shopkeepers have banded together to buy ‘’hooligan’’ insurance. Violence at Japanese soccer matches is virtually unheard of. Fans are more likely to stay behind to pick up litter than get into fights with opposing fans. The embassy has also printed a leaflet for England fans coming to Japan, advising them how to behave. ‘’The Handy Guide for England Supporters’’, which will be handed out to the fans together with their tickets, tell them to avoid a ‘’cultural red card’’, such as taking shirts off in public, and advising that those with tatoos cover them up. It also warns that drunken fans will not be allowed into the matches, urging: ‘’Pace yourself!’’ Japanese police have said there will be zero tolerance for troublemakers and plan to mobilise the most manpower ever for the tournament which kicks off on May 31 in co-hosts South Korea. ‘’We don’t have figures for how many police will actually take part, but given the scale and the status of the tournament, security will be the heaviest ever in Japan,’’ an official at the National Police Agency said. In total, the Japanese government expects 443,000 visitors to enter Japan for the 30-day tournament. But British officials said they believed there will be hardly any troublemakers among the 8,000 England fans they expect to visit Japan. ‘’We know of a couple, over eighty, that will come from England see the England-Sweden match in Saitama to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary,’’ said Susan Kinoshita, Press and Public Affairs Officer at the British Embassy. England face Sweden on June 2, Argentina on June 7 and Nigeria on June 12.
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‘Avoid unrest during World Cup’
Seoul, May 16 His plea comes amid an influence-peddling scandal that has embroiled two of President Kim Dae-jung’s son and a day after the country’s largest union group said it could not guarantee there would be no labour disputes during the May 31-June 30 tournament.
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Talks on for World Cup telecast New Delhi, May 16 Replying to a spate of queries during Question Hour on what arrangements had been made for the telecast of football World Cup matches, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj said “seeing the mood of the members, I will keep the House informed about the negotiations.” Raising the issue, Vaiko (MDMK) wanted to know what arrangements had being made for the telecast of matches as there was a large audience for it. He was supported by members from other parties, including Mr Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi (Cong), Mr Hannah Mollah and Mr Ajoy Chakravarthy (both CPM).
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DYFI for telecast of World Cup Kochi, May 16 Addressing a Press conference here, he said the DYFI would organise a march to Doordarshan Kendra at Kakkanad here tomorrow to demand telecast of World Cup football matches. Eminent personalities, including sportspersons and sportsfans would participate in the march, he said. Pointing out that TEN Sports had the rights for the telecast of World Cup matches in India, he alleged that Doordarshan and Prasar Bharati had not taken any initiative in this regard. He said this was for the first time World Cup football, which had a larger audience, was being held in Asia. The state government and the Sports Minister should take up the matter with the Centre for the telecast of the matches to enable the majority of the people to view this mega event through Doordarshan, he added.
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India to host SAARC cycling meet Patiala, May 16 Mr J.S. Grewal, secretary-general of the CFI, at said Pusan the Indians, in the men’s section, will only be taking part in the 4000m team pursuit. On the distaff side, since there is no team event, the CFI will be sending just two cyclists who will take part in the individual events. Mr Grewal confirmed that the jinxed second SAARC cycling championship will be held at the Yamuna velodrome at New Delhi from June 8 to 12. Five countries, including Pakistan, have confirmed their entries for the championships which is being held after two postponement. The other countries which are scheduled to take part in the meet are hosts India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh, Mr Grewal said since both Bhutan and the Maldives were not affiliated to the world cycling body (UCI), the CFI could not invite them. Trials to select a 17-member squad, comprising 11 men and six women, for the SAARC event commenced at the NIS velodrome today. The CFI selection committee comprising Mr S.S. Dhindsa, president of the CFI, Mr J.S. Grewal (convener) and Mr Ashwani Kumar, SAI nominee will meet on May 19 to pick the final squad. At present there are 14 men and eight women attending the national camp at the NIS. Mr Grewal said necessary permission to invite Pakistan had been accorded by the External Affairs Ministry. The Pakistan Cycling Federation will be sending a 22-member contingent for the championships. The squad, which includes eight cyclists each in the men’s and women’s sections, will be accompanied by as many as six officials. Since there is no air or road link between the two neighbouring countries, the Pakistani cyclists will cross over at Wagah border from where they will be taken by bus to Amritsar railway station for their onward journey to New Delhi. Bangladesh will be sending a 16-member squad while the Nepalese squad will comprise five cyclists. Mr Grewal disclosed that since there was no velodrome in Sri Lanka, the island country had initially objected to the holding of track events. |
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Favourites China crash out to Malaysia Guangzhou, May 16 Malaysian doubles duo Lee Wan Wah and Choon Tan Fook clinched the winning tie to make it 3-1, but it was international newcomer Hashim Muhd Hafiz B who was the hero of the hour with a drama-packed five game victory over Bao Chun lai in the third match of a titanic four-and-half hour battle. Roared on a by passionate home crowd, the Chinese started out shakily against their old foes. China’s world No 1 Xia Xuanze was pushed to the limit by a pumped up Wong Choong Hann before emerging a 6-8, 8-6, 7-5, 8-6 winner. However, a fired-up Malaysian team seeking their first win in the elite eight-team event for a decade refused to lie down. The match was back on level terms after the under fire Chinese doubles pair of Zhang Jun and Wang Wei crashed to a 4-7, 5-7, 2-7 straight games loss to Malaysia’s top ranked doubles pair of Chan Chong Ming and Chew Choon Eng. Malaysian coach Indra Gunawan’s decision to field Hashim Muhd Hafiz B, playing in his first major international team event, ahead of the experienced Ong Ewe Hock paid dividends when he brilliantly overcame world No 3 Bao Chun lai1-7, 7-4, 8-7, 1-7, 7-5. Malaysian pair Lee Wan Wah and Choong Tan Fook powered back from two games down to snatch the deciding fifth game 7-3 to send the Malaysian fans wild. The final dead rubber was not played.
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India juniors in quarterfinals Hyderabad, May 16 With this victory, India have topped their pool and earned the right to play Thailand in the quarterfinals, according to a press note issued here. Ankita Bhambri gave India the lead with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over the No 2 player of Uzbekistan, Vlada Ekashibarova, India’s No 1 player, Sania Mirza then settled the issue with a 7-5, 6-3 win over the top ranked Uzbekistan player, Ivanna Israilova. Israilova, ranked No 64 in the world in the under-18 category, got off to a blistering start and led 3-0 before Sania quelled her challenge with big serves and powerful ground strokes. In the doubles, Sania Mirza partnered Kartik Bhatt and the Indian team kept its unbeaten record intact in this tournament with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Elina Arutunova and Israilova. The Indian girls had earlier defeated the Philippines and Indonesia by the identical margins of 3-0 to dominate proceedings in their pool. Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Taipei, Thailand and Korea are the other countries to have qualified for the quarterfinals apart from India.
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Basketball
player commits suicide Ludhiana, May 16 The deceased was serving as Sub-Inspector with BSF and posted at Jalandhar, the police said. Jasjit had come to his native place where he reportedly consumed some poisonous substance, the police said adding he was brought to the Dayanand Medical Hospital here where he died.
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