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Wednesday,
June 12, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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France make shocking exit A fitting end to France’s abject campaign |
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Senegal owe it
to Metsu Germans tame Cameroon, enter second round
England a point away from 2nd round
Argentina wary of rugged Swedes Spain determine to win
Lanka look to Murali to square series
Australia take on Pak today Australia may host Pak Test series
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France make shocking exit Incheon, June 11 PSV Eindhoven forward Dennis Rommedahl scored in the 22nd minute and AC Milan recruit Jon Dahl Tomasson netted his fourth goal in three games to ensure Denmark reached the second round for the second consecutive World Cup. France, needing to win with a two-goal margin to advance from group A, couldn’t manage its first win of the tournament despite the return of star midfielder Zinedine Zidane. “We didn’t play as we should have. We must accept it as it is. There were lots of little injuries which means we were never 100 per cent in good health,” said France coach Roger Lemerre. Zidane was sidelined with a thigh injury when the French were stunned in a 1-0 upset by Senegal in the tournament opener and were then held to a 0-0 tie by Uruguay. The Real Mardid star, who scored the first two goals in France’s 3-0 win over Brazil in the final at Stade de France four years ago, couldn’t inspire the struggling French to score a goal. “Zidane was back and that was a very big stimulant for them but we marked him very well and it was difficult for him to come into the game,” said Denmark coach Morten Olsen. French skipper Marcel Desailly hit the woodwork with a powerful header in the 51st minute and Zidane drove a shot into a defender three minutes later as the French launched raid after raid on the Denmark goal. Danish goalkeeper Thomas Soerensen came up with two brilliant, diving saves to stop the equaliser before halftime and he tipped Sylvain Wiltord’s strike over the crossbar in the 62nd minute — the French forward was called back for offside in any case. The Danes, who opened with a 2-1 win over Uruguay and then were held to a 1-1 tie with Senegal, started the match without striker Ebbe Sand and veteran defender Jan Heintze, the captain for the last two matches. Denmark got the go-ahead goal when midfielder Stig Toefting floated a cross over from the left side for Rommedahl, who got his right boot to a half volley and drove the ball wide of Fabien Barthez’ left, outstretched hand. “It was a goal that we trained for, and it was nice to see some work from the training ground,” said Olsen. In the 67th minute, Tomasson took a pinpoint cross from Jesper Gronkjaer on a Danish counter attack and drilled a right-foot strike under Barthez to put the result beyond doubt. Zidane walked off the field with his head hanging down, followed by the rest of the French team. Thousands of travelling “Les Bleus” fans fell silent and mournfully waved the French tricolour. Danish fans in the opposite corner of the stadium beat on drums and sang “Ole, Ole, Ole.” Wild cheering from the crowd met the announcement that Zidane would play. Spectators roared when the face of the French No 10 face flashed up on a giant TV screen during the national anthem and again when he took the kick off to start the match. His upper left leg heavily strapped, Zidane didn’t look match fit but produced a few neat back-heel passes and quick free kicks that sparked attacking raids. France had a chance in the 18th minute when a Danish defender tripped and David Trezeguet found space on the right flank and lashed a right foot drive at Thomas Sorensen. Patrick Vieira lobbed up a chance two minutes later for Zidane, who threw out his right leg to try and control the ball and only succeeding in losing his balance and tumbling face-first into the ground. Zidane’s curling shot from 25 metres sailed just wide of Sorensen’s left post, splitting two fine saves by the Danish ‘keeper. He got both hands to a Trezeguet header near the left post on the half hour and was at full stretch again to stop a Wiltord strike from close range a minute before half time. Lemerre was forced to make changes to his lineup due to suspensions and injury. Christophe Dugarry replaced Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, who was red carded against Uruguay, and midfielder Claude Makelele made his World Cup debut filling in for Emmanuel Petit, also suspended after collecting two yellow cards in previous games.
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A fitting end to France’s abject campaign
Seoul, June 11 It was a fittingly abject end to a three-match opening round campaign which never really took flight, largely due to the absence of Real Madrid playmaker Zinedine Zidane with a thigh injury. But now that the inquest into France’s elimination begins, someone will have to address the question of why the squad was involved in a highly competitive match with hosts South Korea barely a week before their opening game against Senegal. It was in that match which the side’s inspiration Zidane picked up the injury, just 36 hours after he arrived in Asia, which eventually cost France the refinement and incision his presence brings in the crucial games against Senegal and Uruguay. By the time he was back in action for the Denmark game, it was already too late. Even without
Zidane, this French squad looked stronger on paper than the one whose victory four years ago on home soil brought one million people on to the streets of Paris in wild celebration. Three of Europe’s most prolific strikers had been added to the 1998-winning squad that had lacked a recognised scorer. The combination of Thierry Henry, the leading scorer in the English Premiership last season with 24 goals for Arsenal, and David
Trezeguet, who was joint top-scorer in Series A for Juventus, seemed potent enough. But just three short weeks ago, all the pre-World Cup talk in France was about the impact 20-year-old Auxerre striker Djibril Cisse could make after he earned a surprise call-up by finishing as the French league’s top scorer. In the end, Cisse showed he is not yet the finished product although his day on the world stage will surely come again. The real failure lay at the expensive feet of his more experienced team-mates. David
Trezeguet, who scored the golden goal which killed Italy in the final of the European championships two years ago, failed in front of goal and the leading scorer in the English Premiership this year, Thierry Henry, was sent off against Uruguay and so was suspended for the clash against the Danes. But in retrospect France’s failure to properly replace central defender Laurent Blanc after his retirement from international football also proved crucial. Frank
Leboeuf, who took the suspended Blanc’s place in the 1998 final, is now 34 and visibly slowing. He was given a torrid time by the pace of Senegal’s African Footballer of the Year
El-Hadji Diouf in the opening-day disaster and then limped out of the Uruguay match with a groin injury. Yet Philippe Christanval of Barcelona, just 23 and hungry to taste World Cup action, was kept permanently on the bench. It is also true that luck had deserted the French. Long before Zidane’s injury, Robert
Pires, another potential match winner, was ruled out of the tournament after requiring surgery on knee ligaments. But that in no way exonerates the decisioin to persist with Christophe Dugarry up front when he was so clearly out of his depth, once again fuelling the rumour mill that he owes his place to the friendship forged with Zidane at Bordeaux all those years ago.
Zidane’s so-called “gang of four”, which also includes Vincent Candela and Bixente
Lizarazu, is said to constitute a sort of ruling elite within the squad and may well lead the calls for the scalp of coach Roger
Lemerre. AFP
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We weren’t good
enough: Lemerre Incheon, June 11 Lemerre said his side had never managed to fire on all cylinders during the tournament and could have no complaints with an early exit. “You have to tell it like it is .. we failed to get to grips with this edition of the World Cup. We just weren’t up to it,” Lemerre said after his side finished bottom of Group A. Denmark and Senegal advanced at their expense. “There’s nothing to say — we don’t deserve to qualify for the last 16.”
AFP
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Nightmare
for French fans
Paris, June 11 Thousands of fans stood in wretched misery in front of a vast screen in central Paris as their national heroes lost 2-0 to Denmark — a humiliating fall from grace for the country that had revelled in its 1998 victory. “It’s a nightmare. World champions and this is all we could manage,” said 16-year-old Eddy Remy, who had sneaked off school to watch the match dressed in a France strip. Even before the Denmark game, the World and European champions dished up a dismal World Cup campaign, with a shock 1-0 defeat to Senegal and a disappointing goal-less draw against Uruguay that left them languishing at the bottom of their group. “It’s shameful. We are the champions of the world and we couldn’t even manage a goal,” said Raphael Bordes, 16, another student taking a break from his studies. With the prospect of an early exit looming heavy, many fans had organised to arrive late at work to watch the crucial match, praying that the return of star playmaker Zinedine Zidane from injury could yet save the team and national pride. “Zizou, Zizou,” the crowd had chanted to encourage the hero of France’s 1998 cup final victory against Brazil. Pleading for goals, fans groaned at every missed French opportunity and shrieked in horror when Denmark striker Dennis Rommedahl scored a goal in the first half, and again when an unmarked Jon Dahl Tomasson clinched the second in the 67th minute.
Reuters
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Defending
champions’ dubious record Incheon, June 11 France, the third defending champions to go out in the first round after Italy in 1950 and Brazil in 1966, last scored in the 89th minute of a 3-2 friendly win against South Korea on May 26. France also became the first defending titlists to finish bottom of its first-round group. Italy placed second of three teams in 1950, while Brazil finished third of four in 1966.
AP
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Wave of joy in Danish capital
Copenhagen, June 11 Some Danes mingling good-naturedly with rival fans in a French cafe jumped and screamed when Jon Dahl Tomasson scored Denmark’s second goal in the 67th minute. Later as the end of the game neared, a French fan at the cafe shouted, “We’re still the world champions ... for two more minutes,” causing laughs and applause from both sides. “I didn’t think they would be eliminated,” said Mikkel Christensen, a 31-year-old unemployed Dane. “The French were technically better and have great players but they ran into bad luck.” Dozens of fans in the squad’s red and white jerseys walked down Copenhagen’s pedestrian Stroeget street, cheering and waving flags - many getting a late start on the working day. “Isn’t it great? We beat the world champions,” said Jonas Rohde, a 23-year-old businessman wearing a suit and tie. “I have to rush. I’m late for work.” Many windows in office buildings were open because of the warm weather and the otherwise busy streets around the Kongens Nytorv square were unusually empty during the game. When Dennis Rommedahl scored in the 22nd minute, a roar echoed in downtown Copenhagen. The driver of a garbage truck pressed his hand on the horn. “Go Denmark, go Denmark,” he shouted out of the window. “We can do it again.” He was referring to 1992 when Denmark stunned the soccer world by defeating the then-German world champions in the final of the European championship and grabbed the title.
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Draw sees Senegal through Suwon, June 11 The eliminated Latin Americans were furious after a controversial penalty aided their downfall, while even the third Senegalese goal had more than a hint of offside about it — and Uruguayan officials had to be kept from jostling the match officials as they walked off at half-time. Incredibly, after trailing 0-3 at half-time, Uruguay saved a point with a furious fightback which had Senegal striving to batten down the hatches. But they just held on to take their points tally to five — enough to advance behind Denmark, who eliminated reigning champions France by beating them 2-0 at Incheon. Khalilou Fadiga opened the scoring with a spotkick on 20 minutes, firing nonchalantly past Fabian Carini, who had brought down the onrushing El-Hadji Diouf after Paolo Montero’s underhit backpass. But Diouf appeared to make a meal of the challenge — and the Uruguayans looked hard done by. Six minutes later they could have no complaints as Papa Bouba Diop, their hero in their opening-day win over France, netted a beauty following a flowing counter-attacking move created by Henri Camara. Diop then smacked home a third on the volley before the break — though he looked to be fractionally offside when Camara teed him up. The Senegalese needed only the draw to reach the second phase after shocking France and drawing with the Danes while two-times champions Uruguay had to win by at least two goals to have a hope of advancing. But stepping off the accelerator in the second half proved almost fatal for the west Africans. Richard Morales, on as a substitute, pulled one back for Uruguay less than half a minute after the re-start when Senegalese keeper Tony Sylva beat out Dario Silva’s initial shot. Clutching at the straw that seemed to have provided, Uruguay piled on the pressure — though Silva fired wide when gifted a wonderful opportunity by Recoba’s crossfield pass. But Manchester United striker Diego Forlan had joined Morales in the fray and hit a right-foot screamer past Sylva for 3-2. In a nailbiting finish Senegal should have gone 4-2 up when Diouf fired straight at keeper Fabian Carini with 14 minutes remaining — before Forlan dragged an effort wide with just Sylva to beat at the other end. But there was still time for more drama as substitute Habib Beye brought down Morales and Uruguay claimed a consolation equaliser through Alvaro Recoba’s confident penalty on 88 minutes. Morales then squandered a late opportunity and Senegal held on for the result they needed after an entertaining epic which featured a mass of bookings.
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Senegal
owe it to Metsu Suwon, June 11 As reigning champions France were eliminated after losing 0-2 to Denmark today, Metsu can look forward to the knockout phase having led his men past the country of his birth in the opening game and then steering them to draws against Denmark and Uruguay. The 48-year-old Metsu took over just 20 months ago — but under his tutelage Senegal have risen from being African also-rans to one of the continent’s — and now the world’s -best teams. “It’s really something extraordinary that we are through, showing we are one of the best 16 teams in the world. This is a wonderful thing for African football,” said Metsu after his men survived a furious second-half comeback to draw 3-3 with Uruguay after having led 3-0 at half-time. “We played superbly in the first half. But their goal just after the restart hurt us and we lost our heads a bit and it turned into a heart-stopping encounter,” said Metsu.
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Germans tame Cameroon, enter second round
Shizouka (Japan) June 11 But the group E match very nearly descended into farce as an ill-tempered encounter saw both sides finish up with 10 men as the Germans had Carsten Ramelow sent off in the first half while Cameroon’s Patrick Suffo went for an early bath in the second. Cameroon had been chasing a historic win which would have seen Africa have a second representative in the last 16 for the first time, Senegal having marched on after an earlier draw in group A with Uruguay. But despite the ill-discipline on both sides, the Germans kept their heads enough to avoid crashing out in the first phase for the first time since 1938. Klose’s fifth goal of the tournament sent him back to the top of the goalscoring charts ahead of Denmark’s Jon Dahl Tomasson - and also ensured Germany won their group.
A greasy pitch after heavy afternoon rain made the conditions far from perfect - but that was no excuse for the welter of red and yellow cards dished out by Spanish referee referee Antonio Lopez. Ramelow was dismissed five minutes before the interval for pulling down Samuel Eto’o just two minutes after receiving a first yellow card, while Suffo went 13 minutes from time for tripping an opponent. The slippery pitch was no excuse for Klose earlier treading all over Cameroon defender Rigobert Song, which left the latter with a bloody nose. But the class moments came from the Germans as well. Klose turned provider on 50 minutes, playing a pinpoint through ball to Bode, on at half-time for the lumbering Carsten Jancker, and he slid the ball low past keeper Boukar Alioum and inside the far post. Cameroon’s German coach Winfried Schafer reacted by sending on Daniel Ngom Kome for Salomon Olembe - but to no avail as Klose nodded in from a Michael Ballack cross with 11 minutes remaining. His other four goals at the event were likewise headers. Lauren had hit the woodwork in the 73rd minute for the African and Olympic champions but they showed little imagination up front. Ballack should have made it 3-0 in the closing stages but sent a header straight at Alioum. German midfielders Dietmar Hamann, Christian Ziege and also Ramelow will all be suspended for their second-round match. AFP
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Irish dream run continues
Yokohama (Japan), Jun 11 Goals from in-form striker Robbie Keane, defender Gary Breen and winger Damien Duff secured a deserved win for Mick McCarthy's Ireland side at a rain-lashed Yokohama International Stadium. Qualification capped a superb first-phase performance for Ireland, left in turmoil after talismanic skipper Roy Keane was kicked out of the squad on the eve of the tournament. Ireland now face a second round match against the winner of Group B, either Spain or South Africa. Keane's second goal of the tournament following his equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Germany last week came after Ireland poured forward from the whistle. A looping Gary Kelly cross from the right flank fell invitingly to Leeds striker Keane just inside the penalty area, who angled his body perfectly before thumping in a ferocious right-foot volley. But although Ireland controlled possession they struggled to seriously test Saudi Arabia keeper Mohammed al-Deayea for much of the first half. Midfielder Kevin Kilbane tried an ambitious shot from just outside the area which skidded along the sodden turf, but al-Deayea gathered safely. AFP
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England a point away from 2nd round
Osaka, Japan, June 11 With four points on the board after Friday’s thrilling 1-0 win over Argentina, England should secure a place in the second round against a side already condemned to an early exit. Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has repeatedly warned England not to let their guard down against the Nigerians, who have played some wonderful football yet still been beaten twice. England believe complacency will be their biggest enemy as they seek to finish the job of qualification against Nigeria. With spirits soaring following a 1-0 victory against bitter rivals Argentina, England’s management and senior players are increasingly anxious that the unpredictable Africans could be a banana skin waiting to happen. Nigeria, already eliminated from the competition after two defeats, have nothing to play for but pride. Defender Rio Ferdinand has urged his team-mates to forget the heroics of the Sapporo Dome. “Just because we beat Argentina does not mean that everything is going to be rosy from here,” he said, adding that Eriksson had been busily chiding the squad about the dangers of complacency. “We can be brought back down to earth with a bump if we get complacent. “Our main aim is to go out there and produce the goods against Nigeria and qualify for the next phase of the tournament and to do that we have to be on our guard.” With Liverpool marksman Michael Owen rediscovering the kind of form which won him the European ‘Footballer of the Year’ award, Ferdinand believes England are a good bet to advance to the second round. “Michael’s proved throughout his career he can score goals on the big stage. He can score goals against the best,” Ferdinand added. “He’s able to produce something in a split second and that’s definitely a bonus for us.” England’s previously unsung hero Nicky Butt is expected to keep his place in midfield against Nigeria after a superb display in the defeat of Argentina. So often a peripheral figure at club and international level, Butt showed that he can live with best. After shackling club colleague Juan Sebastian Veron for 45 minutes, Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa substituted the ‘little witch” for the start of the second half. One of Butt’s biggest fans is United team-mate David Beckham. The England captain believes Butt is worthy of a place in the starting line-up after keeping Veron, arguably one of the best midfielders in the world, quiet. “I’ve always said that Nicky can play for England for many years, he just needed the chance,” Beckham said. “He had the chance against Argentina and he definitely took it.” Beckham said Butt’s performance as a holding player was pivotal to England’s win as it allowed Paul Scholes the freedom to play in a more attacking role. “Nicky sat back and was the rock in midfield. For me he was the man of the match,” Beckham added. England have three players who are a booking away from a one-match ban — Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell and Emile Heskey. But despite walking a suspension tightrope, Cole insisted he would not be shirking any tackles against Nigeria. “If I have to foul to win the game then I’ll do it,” said the 20-year-old Arsenal defender. Reuters, AFP
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Kanu out Osaka, June 11 The lanky Arsenal striker picked up the injury at a training session while preparing for their final group F clash against Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men. “I know most of the England players so I would like to play but I’m not going to be on the pitch — I can’t take that risk.”
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Argentina wary of rugged Swedes
Sendai, June 11 Having sailed through the south American qualifiers while Brazil struggled it is they who are looking shaky while their arch rivals have progressed serenely through their group. A first round exit will only add to the gloom back home which had seen the World Cup as a chance to restore some pride after the financial crisis in the country. Beating the Swedes which is what they realistically need to do with England favoured to beat tailenders Nigeria will be no easy task. The Scandinavians have looked rock solid in defence thanks to the outstanding captaincy of Johan Mjallby, but there is little indication that Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa is going to change his tactic of playing a lone striker up front. However, with scoring legend Gabriel Batistuta carrying his poor form from the Serie A season into the finals and looking a yard slower than in 1998 and both wingers Claudio Lopez and Kily Gonzalez not impressing there is a lot of pressure on Bielsa to put Hernan Crespo alongside ‘Batigol’. The 33-year-old Batistuta, however, is not one of those lobbying Bielsa to change the system. “It would be irrational to change the system that Marcelo Bielsa has deployed for the past four years,” said Batistuta. Batistuta, veteran of the 1994 and 1998 finals where Argentina were beaten in the second round and quarter-finals respectively, said tomorrow’s match would be like the final and for him defeat would also mean the end of his splendid international career. “I don’t want Wednesday to be my last cap for the side. I want to stick around. Carrying on is the only thought which occupies my mind. We don’t want it all to end after three games - we have something much bigger in mind,” said Batistuta. “We came over here to get to the final and if we don’t win Wednesday it’s all over - so you can say this is our final. “We have all to stand up and be counted and no-one is to shirk their responsibilities.” One position where Bielsa is almost certain to make a change is dropping Juan Sebastian Veron to the bench and keeping Valencia star Pablo Aimar in the starting line-up. Aimar impressed in the second-half of the 1-0 defeat by England while Veron had been virtually anonymous snuffed out by his Manchester United team-mates Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt. AFP
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Spain determine to win Daejeon, June 11 The Spaniards - eternal dark horses at the World Cup - have galloped through the first phase at a canter, already securing their place in the second round with 3-1 wins over Slovenia and Paraguay. With a place in the last 16 looming, coach Jose Antonio Camacho can afford to rest some of his players - and it is an option he intends to take against a South Africa team dreaming of a place in the last 16. "I expect to make three to five changes but I'm not going to tell you who the players are," Camacho said. "But regardless of who is going to play, we will still be playing all out for a win. We don't want to lose the habit," added the former Real Madrid player and coach. Spain have now won their last five matches. A sixth victory would leave the South Africans, who need at least a draw to progress, sweating over the result of the other group B match between Paraguay and Slovenia. Camacho is keeping his cards close to his chest but the buzz going around the Spanish camp is that he might revert to the tried-and-trusted 4-4-2 formation that was used during Spain's unbeaten qualification campaign. In matches leading up to the World Cup Camacho had experimented with a 4-3-2-1 line-up. Fernando Hierro, who has a history of back problems, is likely to have a breather and hand over the captain's armband to his Real Madrid colleague Raul Gonzalez. Up front, Raul is expected to be accompanied by Real Mallorca's Alberto Luque, who was a surprise inclusion in the squad last month and will make his debut in a Spanish jersey. The other surprise Spanish squad member, Deportivo La Coruna's Enrique Romero is expected to start at left back for his fourth cap, 15 months after he gained his last one. Valladolid goalkeeper Ricardo Lopez could play in just his second international, taking over the gloves from Real Madrid's Iker Casillas. There may also be room for Lazio's Gaizka Mendieta, either in the centre or right side of the midfield. Mendieta has cut a forlorn figure in Korea, refusing to talk to anyone until yesterday, when his brief appearence at the Spanish Press conference indicated that he will finally get his chance to play in the World Cup after just missing out on selection four years ago. Twelve months ago, Mendieta was an automatic first choice for Camacho and many considered him to be among the best players in Europe, after two seasons of success at Valencia. However, the move to Italy last has turned out to be a nightmare for the Basque, who is openly negotiating a return to Spain, with injuries and lengthy spells on the bench contributing to a drop in form. South Africa are set to make changes as well but, like Camacho, Sono is not disposed to reveal them. "I've got horses for courses. There might be a couple of alterations to the team," Sono told AFP. "We are going for the win as well, and not just content ourselves with a draw or rely on Slovenia beating Paraguay. We've got to do the job ourselves" added Sono. Sono tacitly admitted that his biggest problem had been bringing his players down to earth after their 1-0 win over Slovenia on Saturday, their first ever win in the World Cup finals. "We are not in the second round yet and still have a job to do," said the former New York Cosmos player. However, Sono said that all his players were fit and set up the possibility of a cagey counter-attacking game which could easily be decided by a single goal. AFP
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Lanka look to Murali to square series
London, June 11 Sri Lanka face the final game of the series starting at Old Trafford on Thursday needing victory to salvage a 1-1 draw and they know even a half-fit Muralitharan offers the best chance of achieving that objective. What gives the touring team genuine cause for optimism is the fact that Murali will be playing at the Manchester ground where he bowled so successfully for Lancashire during his two seasons with the county in 1999 and 2001. Muralitharan captured 35 wickets in his four county championship matches at Old Trafford and is eagerly anticipating his first Test there. A left shoulder injury delayed his appearance in the series until the second Test at Edgbaston, where he played despite being less than 100 per cent fit, taking five for 143 in a marathon 64 overs as England won by an innings and 111 runs. That took his tally of wickets to 417 in 74 Tests, compared to the record 519 set by West Indies paceman Courtney Walsh before retiring last year, and afterwards Muralitharan outlined his aim of reaching the 600 landmark. Muralitharan, who is 30 and expects to continue at the top level until he is 35, said: “If I play another 50 Tests over the next five years, taking four or five wickets a match, that would give me 200 wickets and take me to 600.’’ At the same time, the off-spinner acknowledged the heavy burden he carried as the head of the attack. “There is so much pressure on me because I have to take all the wickets. I can’t bowl a miracle spell every time.’’ Nursing Muralitharan through the deciding test is just one of the problems facing Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya. He is short of runs in his role as opener and that has contributed to a measure of vulnerability at the top of the order. Jayasuriya’s scores in the series have been 18, 8 and 12 while his number three batsman Kumar Sangakkara has made 10, 6 not out, 16 and one. The effect of this was underlined at Edgbaston where Sri Lanka were 23 for two in the first innings and 30 for two in the second. England’s rejuvenated pace bowlers did the damage. Casting off their lack lustre form of the drawn first test, Andy Caddick and Matthew Hoggard fired their side to a comprehensive victory with more than a day to spare. Caddick, having recovered the rhythm that is such a crucial element of his bowling, and Hoggard, with confidence restored, are primed to lead England to more success in Manchester. There might be an added dimension to the attack, however, in the shape of Simon Jones. Coach Duncan Fletcher has hinted that the raw pace of the Glamorgan fast bowler could be unleashed on the touring team. Jones, having been in the squad for Edgbaston but omitted from the final XI, has yet to make his test debut but won high praise from Rod Marsh, director of the English national cricket academy, when he worked under the Australian in his home country late last year. Reuters
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Australia take on Pak today
Melbourne, June 11 Ticket sales are reported to be slow for the two games in wintry Melbourne — tomorrow and on Saturday — and for the June 19 match at the Gabba in Brisbane, which will be outdoors. In the corresponding series against South Africa two years ago, an average of 31,000 fans attended the three games at the 48,000-capacity Colonial Stadium. It will be the Australian one-day team’s first games since its successful tour of South Africa earlier this year. Both teams will finalise their lineups tomorrow morning. Teams: Australia (from): Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Andrew Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shane Watson. Pakistan (from): Waqar Younis (capt), Inzamam-ul Haq, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar, Younis Khan, Rashid Latif, Azhar Mahmood, Shoaib Malik, Imran Nazir, Mohammad Sami, Yousuf Youhana. Australia play an aggressive style of cricket but their sledging of opponents is no cause for concern, according to Pakistan captain Waqar Younis. “I think they’re perfect,” Waqar told a news conference in Melbourne today. “They play very aggressive cricket and I think this is very good for the game.” “I find them very aggressive and very competitive cricketers. I don’t see anything wrong with that.” One-day captain Ricky Ponting, though, said Australia needed to improve some of their on-field behaviour. “There’s always going to be sledging in cricket or gamesmanship, whatever you like to call it,” he said. “But I won’t accept guys in the Australian side getting too personal with things they say.” Earlier this month South African batsman Graeme Smith had complained about the Australian sledging during their one-day series in South Africa in April. AP, Reuters
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Australia may host Pak Test series
Sydney, June 11 ACB Chief Executive James Sutherland will meet Pakistan Cricket Board officials this week to discuss the possibility, an ACB spokesman said. “Playing in Australia will be one of a number of options,” he said. Pakistan Cricket Board officials are here for a three-game limited overs series starting tomorrow in Melbourne. Pakistan remains hopeful of staging a one-day series against Australia and New Zealand, followed by the Test series against Australia, but the volatile security on the subcontinent seems certain to force the matches to be played elsewhere. AFP
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Incheon, June 11
