Monday, August 5, 2002, Chandigarh, India






National Capital Region--Delhi

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
S P O R T S

Madasamy tests positive, stripped of 3 medals
Manchester, August 4
Indian weightlifter Krishnan Madasamy was stripped of his medals last night after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug nandrolone. Madasamy (28) won three silver medals in the men’s up to 62-kilogram competition on Tuesday.

India grab two more medals, finish fourth
Manchester, August 4
India capped their stupendous show in the 17th Commonwealth Games grabbing two more medals in wrestling but slipped back to the fourth position in the overall medals tally as the 10-day extravaganza drew to a close here today.

Indian players celebrate with a flag after defeating England Indian players celebrate with a flag after defeating England in the women's hockey final at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, on Saturday. — AP/PTI

India’s performance historic: Kalmadi
New Delhi, August 4
India’s performance in the Manchester Commonwealth Games, where they have reaped a rich medal harvest, was described as historic by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi here today.

Rich haul by wrestlers
Manchester, August 4
Indian grapplers further boosted the country’s overall medals tally by bagging three gold, one silver and one bronze in the wrestling event of the 17th Commonwealth Games here.
Canada's Eric Ronald Kirschner grimaces as he is held down by India's Palwinder Singh Cheema
Canada's Eric Ronald Kirschner (L) grimaces as he is held down by India's Palwinder Singh Cheema in the men's upto 120 kg wrestling final at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester on Saturday. — Reuters photo


Canada's Carol Montgomery celebrates as she runs to the finish line to win the women's triathlon
Canada's Carol Montgomery celebrates as she runs to the finish line to win the women's triathlon at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester on Sunday.
— Reuters


EARLIER STORIES
 
Anju B. George,  the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in long jump, being felicitated on her arrival
CHENNAI: Anju B. George,  the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in long jump, being felicitated on her arrival from England by Tamil Nadu amateur athletic  officials and fans on Sunday. — PTI photo

Hockey: Aussies claim gold, Pak bronze
Manchester, August 4
Jamie Dwyer scored a spectacular hat-trick as favourites Australia retained the Commonwealth Games men’s hockey title with a 5-2 rout of New Zealand here today. What was expected to be a keen tussle between the trans-Tasman rivals fizzled out into a one-sided encounter after Australia took a commanding 4-0 lead at half-time.

Pak exults at boxing win over India
Karachi, August 4
Pakistan sports fans today rejoiced in a bitter boxing win over India in the Commonwealth Games and said it would help them overcome a shock result in hockey.

Matt Welsh halts Ian Thorpe’s golden run
Manchester, August 4
Ian Thorpe’s charge towards a record seven Commonwealth Games titles came to an end at challenge number six when world champion Matt Welsh asserted his authority in the backstroke.
Australia's Ian Thorpe (L) poses for pictures with his silver medal with gold medal winning team mate Matt Welsh (R) after the men's 100 metres backstroke swimming final at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester on Saturday.
Australia's Ian Thorpe poses for pictures

Atapattu steers Sri Lanka to victory
Colombo, August 4
Marvan Atapattu slammed a superb 83 to guide Sri Lanka to a five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first one-day international here today. The 31-year-old opener hit one six and eight fours in his 101-ball knock as Sri Lanka surpassed Bangladesh’s total of 226 for 8 with 32 balls to spare to gain a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

Contrasting reviews of Sachin Tendulkar
London, August 4
India’s master batsman Sachin Tendulkar today came in for contrasting reviews in the British media with one suggesting that he is not the force he is at home while another describing him as the finest cricketer since Don Bradman. “India’s master batsman is not the force he is at home” wrote Jon Henderson in the Observer in his article headlined “tourist Tendulkar a mere mortal.”

Harmison replaces Jones
London, August 4
Durham fast bowler Stephen Harmison has replaced the injured Simon Jones in the England squad for the second Test against India starting at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Jelena Dokic, Williams reach final
San Diego, August 4
Sixth-seeded Jelena Dokic fought off two match points and roared from behind to eliminate unseeded Anna Kournikova of Russia 6-7 (6/8) 7-6 (7/2) 6-0 to advance to final of the WTA San Diego event.



Jelena Dokic of Yugoslavia serves to Anna Kournikova of Russia in the third set of their semifinal match at the Acura Classic in Carlsbad, Californian on Saturday. Dokic defeated Kournikova 6-7 7-6 6-0 to advance into the finals. — Reuters photo
Jelena Dokic of Yugoslavia serves to Anna Kournikova

AAFI rests top athletes
Patiala, August 4
The Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI) has rested 36 of its top rung athletes and has decided to field a depleted 48-member squad, comprising mostly of juniors athletes, in the 14th Senior Asian Athletic Championships scheduled to be held at Colombo from August 9 to 12.

Minor Dist Sr, U-19 teams selected
Chandigarh, August 4
A joint camp was organised by Punjab Cricket Association for Minor District Senior and Under-19 teams under PCA coach Manjit Singh from July 28 to August 3. The players have been selected to represent PCA President XI for Senior and Under-19 inter district teams for the season starting from September 2002.

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Madasamy tests positive, stripped of 3 medals

Manchester, August 4
Indian weightlifter Krishnan Madasamy was stripped of his medals last night after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug nandrolone.

Madasamy (28) won three silver medals in the men’s up to 62-kilogram competition on Tuesday.

He tested positive for 19-norandrosterone, a metabolite of nandrolone, the Commonwealth Games Federation said in a statement.

Madasamy was summoned to a CGF court and told he was being disqualified. He was ordered to return his medals.

“This is the most comprehensive anti-doping program ever undertaken at the Commonwealth Games and sends a clear message to any athlete contemplating the use of prohibited substances,” the statement said.

The CGF altered the competition results.

Australia’s Yourik Sarakisian retained his three gold but Marcus Stephen from Nauru was given the silver for snatch, clean-and-jerk and combined.

Malaysia’s Roswadi Rashid received bronze for the snatch while Terry Hughes of New Zealand got bronze for the clean-and-jerk and combined.

Madasamy’s positive test has shamed an Indian team which has won more medals — goldmedals especially — than ever before at the Commonwealth Games.

The punishment taken against Madasamy — taking his medals away — is the first of the games although he was not the first to test positive. AP 

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India grab two more medals, finish fourth

India's Shailaja Pujari poses with her three gold medals
India's Shailaja Pujari poses with her three gold medals after the women's 75 kg weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England on Saturday. Pujari won gold in the clean and jerk, snatch and overall categories. — AP/PTI photo

Manchester, August 4
India capped their stupendous show in the 17th Commonwealth Games grabbing two more medals in wrestling but slipped back to the fourth position in the overall medals tally as the 10-day extravaganza drew to a close here today.

The experienced Shokinder Tomar fetched a silver medal in the 60 kg wrestling event while Anil Kumar had to be content with a bronze in the 96 kg category to boost India’s overall haul to 32 gold, 21 silver and 19 bronze medals.

But with Indian participation limited to these two events on the concluding day of competitions here, the flow of gold medals stopped after a deluge of 10 first podium finishes yesterday. India, who had jumped to the third place yesterday, had to once again yield that position to Canada who claimed the majority of the gold medals in wrestling today.

Tomar made a valiant effort to scoop up the fourth gold in the event for the country but could not prevail over his strong Canadian opponent Guivi Sissaouri in the final.

In the 96 kg category, Anil Kumar Mann defeated Pakistan’s Muhammad Bashar Bhola to clinch the bronze medal with the gold going to Canada’s Dean Schmeichel.

The Indian grapplers had a rewarding day yesterday with Krishan Kumar, Ramesh Kumar and Palwinder Singh Cheema winning the coveted gold medal in their respective categories. Anuj Kumar had also chipped in with a silver medal.

With the addition of two more medals, India’s wrestling medal collection went up to three gold, two silver and a bronze medal.

Star shuttler Aparna Popat and paddler Chetan Baboor, who were far from impressive in the Games, also chipped in with a bronze medal each having reached the semifinal stage of their respective events.

Although the semifinal contests in both badminton and table tennis were held yesterday, the medals were presented today after the final.

Popat had lost to England’s Tracy Hallen in the women’s singles semi-final with a 3-7 3-7 1-7 scoreline, hardly doing justice to her awesome reputation.

Chetan Baboor made a more valiant effort to quell the challenge of Canada’s Johnny Huang before going down with a 1-4 margin. Baboor lost 4-11 12-14 11-8 7-11 9-11 in a match which lasted nearly an hour.

The Indian party was somewhat spoiled as the news of weightlifter Krishnan Madaswamy being stripped of his silver medals spread. Madaswamy, who won three silver medals in the 65kg category, tested positive for a banned drug yesterday and was stripped of his medals.

Madaswamy, who claimed not to have taken any banned drug, has filed an appeal for a second test of his B sample. PTI

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India’s performance historic: Kalmadi

New Delhi, August 4
India’s performance in the Manchester Commonwealth Games, where they have reaped a rich medal harvest, was described as historic by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi here today.

Kalmadi said that Indian sportspersons’ dream performance in the 17th edition of the game, in which they had already claimed 32 gold, 20 silver and 16 bronze medals, will give big boost to the Olympic sports in the country.

“From mere seven golds in the last editions of the games at Kuala Lumpur, the Indian athletes catapulated to the unimaginable heights to be behind only Australia and England on the leaderboard. It is just a fantastic showing”, the IOA chief said.

Kalmadi said India took part in 10 of the 17 disciplines and won medals in nine events. “We did not win any medal in gymnastic, We had sent gymanasts to get the International exposure”.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi today congratulated the Indian women’s hockey team for their gold medal winning performance in the 17th Commonwealth Games at Manchester.

“These young women have done every one of us proud as have our other sportspersons who have won laurels for themselves and the country in the game,” Gandhi said in a statement.

Terming the victory as “a matter of great pride for the entire nation”, she lauded their determination and tenacity and added “their skill was evident throughout the tournament.”

India defeated England 3-2 in the women’s hockey final yesterday to take the gold.

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala today congratulated the women’s hockey team for winning the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games. Chautala expressed pride in the fact that the player responsible for achieving this historic victory for the nation, Mamta belonged to Haryana.

He reiterated that the cash awards were being given to the sportspersons who excelled in their respective fields. PTI, UNI

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Rich haul by wrestlers

Manchester, August 4
Indian grapplers further boosted the country’s overall medals tally by bagging three gold, one silver and one bronze in the wrestling event of the 17th Commonwealth Games here. Krishan Kumar provided the tempo by clinching the coveted yellow metal in the up to 55 kg category while Ramesh Kumar also had his moment of glory by defeating his Canadian opponent by a 3-2 margin to bring the second gold in the up to 66 kg category.

In the upto 84 kg category, Anuj Kumar had to be content with the silver medal failing to get the better of his canadian rival Nicholas Agoalah. Both the grapplers were tied 1-1 after the regulation time but the Canadian tilted the scale in his favour in the extra time. Palwinder Cheema had no difficulty in brushing aside the challenge of his Canadian opponent K Koester with a convincing 10-o margin to fetch the third gold for the country in the upto 120 kg category. Anil Mann (94 kg) won bronze. Luck did not favour Surjit Mann in 74 kg section as he lost after putting up a bronze fight, a Wrestling Federation of India press note quoting Mr M.S. Malik, WFI President said. PTI
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Hockey: Aussies claim gold, Pak bronze

Manchester, August 4
Jamie Dwyer scored a spectacular hat-trick as favourites Australia retained the Commonwealth Games men’s hockey title with a 5-2 rout of New Zealand here today.

What was expected to be a keen tussle between the trans-Tasman rivals fizzled out into a one-sided encounter after Australia took a commanding 4-0 lead at half-time.

It was Australia’s second win over the Kiwis in the competition, having convincingly won the league match 6-1.

The Aussies responded with four quick strikes in the space of 12 minutes.

Troy Elder opened the scoring with a stinging shot from the top of the circle that beat Woolford’s outstretched right pad.

Australia had their second goal in the 25th minute when Michael McCann broke through on the left flank and Dwyer dived in front to push in a cross.

Three minutes later, Craig Victory deflected a penalty corner shot to make it 3-0 with his eighth goal in the competition.

Dwyer’s second goal just before half time, beating an advancing Woolford from the top of the circle, ensured Australia were well in command at the break.

Phillip Burrows pulled one back for New Zealand 10 minutes into the second half, but the Kiwis were reduced to 10 men when Ryan Archibald was sent off for a stick-check on Victory. Sensing another opening, Australia pressed on the pedal and were rewarded with their fifth goal when Dwyer beat Woolford with a powerful shot from close range to achieve the hat-trick.

Assured of victory, Australia brought in reserve goalkeeper Stephen Lambert for the last five minutes, only to see him face a penalty stroke after a goal-mouth melee. Hayden Shaw cooly pushed home to emerge the competition’s leading scorer with 13 goals.

Earlier, Pakistan took the bronze medal by thrashing South Africa 10-2 in the play-off between the losing semi-finalists.

Penalty corner ace Sohail Abbas slammed five goals to finish with nine in the competition. AFP

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Pak exults at boxing win over India

Karachi, August 4
Pakistan sports fans today rejoiced in a bitter boxing win over India in the Commonwealth Games and said it would help them overcome a shock result in hockey.

“Our boxer Haider Ali made us proud and the win over an Indian boxer is a double delight and would soothe the shock in hockey,” an overjoyed Ali Akbar Shah, secretary of the Pakistan Amateur Boxing Association, told AFP.

Haider Ali downed India’s Som Bahadur Pun in the featherweight category of the games held in Manchester yesterday.

“Losing to India under the current scanario would have let our heads down but Haider has made us proud,” Shah said. Pakistan’s shocking 1-7 hockey defeat against New Zealand in the semi-finals of the Games on Friday had left sporting fans in mourning.

“Winning against India will make Ali a hero and we hope that his fortunes in general and boxing’s state in particular will change in the country,” Shah said.

Ali was originally not selected for the Games as Pakistan Sports Board had allocated only three spots for boxing but was included a week before the contingent’s departure. AFP

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Matt Welsh halts Ian Thorpe’s golden run

Manchester, August 4
Ian Thorpe’s charge towards a record seven Commonwealth Games titles came to an end at challenge number six when world champion Matt Welsh asserted his authority in the backstroke.

Thorpe had carried all before him in his five previous finals, sweeping to a unique treble in the 100, 200 and 400 metres freestyle and anchoring two victorious Australian relays. But fellow Australian Welsh wanted no trespassing in his 100 metres backstroke domain and repelled the interloper, winning by more than half a second in a Games record 54.72 seconds, with Thorpe content to take the silver in a personal best 55.38.

“That’s my best time. That’s a good result for me. I’m more than happy to come second,’’ Thorpe said yesterday.

“There’s no disappointment...I congratulated Matt. He’s world champion, he’s an excellent backstroker and a great swimmer.’’

Australia romped away with seven of the 11 titles on the busiest night at the pool but James Gibson and Sarah Price led England to two rousing medal sweeps and Rebecca Cooke added a third gold for the host country, while Alison Sheppard claimed Scotland’s first Commonwealth swimming title since David Wilkie in 1974.

Australia now have 21 gold out of 35, with seven more titles to be contested today’s closing day. England, though, have had every reason to celebrate, having collected 10 gold, twice their total from the last Commonwealth Games in 1998.

Welsh, who won the 50 backstroke but was disqualified in the 200 backstroke heats for allegedly moving at the start, said he had probably been a bit too relaxed and had wondered if he was ahead. “In the last five metres it felt like a grand piano had been dropped on me,’’ he said. “The hardest thing is trying to deprive him (Thorpe) of that gold medal. But he came to my party, it’s been my speciality for a few years now. I love the 100 backstroke.’’

Australia’s Justin Norris completed a unique treble of titles by adding the 200 metres individual medley to the 200 butterfly and 400 individual medley golds already in his possession.

“Winning the first two gold medals made me want to top it off, so I am really satisfied with myself,’’ Norris said after winning the 200 medley in 2:01.32 from England’s Adrian Turner and James Goddard, winner of the 200 backstroke in Welsh’s absence.

But the home crowd had two English medal sweeps in successive races to cheer to the echo at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.

Gibson banished the disappointment of bronze in yesterday’s 100 breaststroke with a driving win in the 50 breaststroke ahead of Adam Whitehead, the new 100 breaststroke champion, and Darren Mew. Gibson touched in 27.72 and a mere 0.08 seconds separated the three.

“I performed horribly in the 100 but I’ve shown great resolve to win gold here tonight,’’ Gibson said.

Price, the 100 backstroke already in her possession, then added the 200 backstroke gold to her collection, hitting the wall in a Games record 2:10.58 to win by more than a second from team mates Joanna Fargus and defending champion Katy Sexton.

“I’m over the moon,’’ Price said. “I was so nervous because these girls are so tough. It’s great we’ve got the 1-2-3.’’

Just over an hour later she was denied a golden treble when Australian rival Dyana Calub won a desperately tight 50 backstroke in 28.98, with world short-course champion Jennifer Carroll taking the silver in 29.05 and Price the bronze in 29.08.

Cooke claimed her second gold for England in 24 hours when she won the 400 metres freestyle as emphatically as Friday’s 800 freestyle, clocking 4:09.49 in the 400 final to win by nearly two seconds from Australia’s Elka Graham. Sheppard was equally dominant in the 50 freestyle, winning the shortest sprint by more than half a second in 24.76 from Australia’s Jodie Henry, the new 100 freestyle champion.

Petria Thomas, 50 and 100 metres butterfly champion, won her third gold of the Games as third swimmer in the victorious Australian 4x100 metres freestyle squad which clocked a Games record 3:40.41.

There were also Australian golden doubles for Geoff Huegill, the new 50 butterfly champion who retained his 100 butterfly crown in 52.36, and Leisel Jones, who added the 100 breaststroke in 1:08.74 to the 200 crown already in her possession.

Fellow Australian Ben Austin, who has no left arm, won his second multi-disability title in the 100 metres freestyle, breaking the S8 category world record in both the heats and final. Despite failing in his ambitious bid to win seven golds, Thorpe still has a great chance of winning a sixth when he teams up with Welsh in Sunday’s 4x100 medley relay, the last event of the commonwealth Games.

Six golds would equal the record for the most in a single games, jointly held by Australia’s Susan O’Neill and Canada’s Graham Smith, as well as O’Neill’s record total of 10 Commonwealth career titles after Thorpe won four in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.

“I’ve never focused on just getting seven golds, I just concentrated on seven races,’’ Thorpe said. “If I hit the wall and I’ve done my best, I can be happy with the result.’’

Welsh’s victory gave him his second gold of the Games after his win in the 50 backstroke and also helped ease the disappointment of his controversial disqualification from the 200. Reuters

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Thorpe happy

Manchester, August 4
The world’s greatest swimmer Ian Thorpe said he was happy just to come second after his bid to win seven gold medals at the Commonwealth Games was sunk on Saturday. The 19-year-old had to settle for silver after he was beaten into second place by fellow Australian Matt Welsh in the final of the 100 metres backstroke, his weakest event.

But Thorpe, who had won gold in each of his five previous events and should win a sixth in Sunday’s concluding medley relay, said he was satisfied with second place. Reuters

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Atapattu steers Sri Lanka to victory

Sri Lankan batsman Marvan Atapattu looks back
Sri Lankan batsman Marvan Atapattu looks back after glancing a ball to fine-leg in the first one day match against Bangladesh at the SSC Grounds on Sunday. 
— Reuters photo

Colombo, August 4
Marvan Atapattu slammed a superb 83 to guide Sri Lanka to a five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first one-day international here today.

The 31-year-old opener hit one six and eight fours in his 101-ball knock as Sri Lanka surpassed Bangladesh’s total of 226 for 8 with 32 balls to spare to gain a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

The loss was Bangladesh’s 48th defeat in 51 one-dayers.

Earlier, off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan equalled Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne’s haul of 278 one-day wickets with two vital blows as Sri Lanka restricted the tourists to a modest total on a good batting pitch.

Muralitharan dismissed well-set opener Mohammad Ashraful (36) and Tushar Imran (61) to finish with 2 for 44 off 10 overs and become the joint-fourth wicket-taker with Warne.

Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram heads the list with 463 wickets in one-day internationals, followed by compatriot Waqar Younis (377) and Indian Anil Kumble (295).

Imran and skipper Khaled Mashud (54) hit half-centuries to help Bangladesh post their highest total in seven one-dayers against Sri Lanka, but their efforts were still not good enough to put pressure on the hosts.

Sri Lanka got off to a brisk start as skipper Sanath Jayasuriya struck a 32-ball 40 in a 56-run stand for the opening wicket with Atapattu off just 7.4 overs.

Jayasuriya fell immediately after pulling seamer Tapash Baisya for a six over mid-wicket. He tried a similar shot off the next delivery, but mistimed it to be caught by Ashraful at square-leg.

There was no respite for Bangladesh as Kumar Sangakkara (29) added 56 for the second wicket with man-of-the-match Atapattu.

Mahela Jayawardene (18) fell at 151, but Atapattu continued to dominate the Bangladeshi attack with rich stroke-play during his 41st half-century.

In contrast, the Bangladeshi batting never flourished despite half-centuries from Imran and Mashud as seamers Chamila Gamage (2-34) and Dilhara Fernando (2-33) provided valuable support to Muralitharan.

The tourists were 86-4 after electing to bat before Imran steadied the innings with a 90-run stand for the fifth wicket with Mashud.

Imran, 18, reached his second half-century in five matches with a lofted drive over mid-off for a four from off-spinner Aravinda de Silva, who returned to the one-day squad after a year.

The Bangladeshi teenager hit six fours in his solid 85-ball knock before sweeping Muralitharan straight to Russel Arnold at deep square-leg.

Ashraful also batted well, pulling Dilhara Fernando and Gamage for sixes in his 53-ball knock.

Gamage and fellow-seamer Hasantha Fernando made debuts for Sri Lanka, while Bangladesh also included two newcomers in Tapash Baisya and Alok Kapali.

Scoreboard

Bangladesh

Al-Sahariar c Sangakkara b D.Fernando 25 

Ashraful c H.Fernando b Muralitharan 36

Habibul Bashar b Gamage 2

Kopali c Jayawardene b H.Fernando 2

Tushar Imran c Arnold b Muralitharan 61

Khaled Mashud c Jayasuriya b Gamage 54

Naimur Rahman run out 3

Khaled Mahmud b D.Fernando 9

Mohammad Rafique not out 11

Tapash Baisya not out 4

Extras: (lb-12 nb-3 w-4) 19

Total: 226 (for eight wickets, 50 overs)

Fall of wickets: 1-38 2-52 3-62 4-86 5-176 6-192 7-209 8-209

Bowling: Vaas 8-1-30-0, D.Fernando 10-1-33-2 (nb-2 w-2), Gamage 8-1-34-2 (nb-1), H.Fernando 5-1-24-1, Muralitharan 10-0-44-2, Jayasuriya 7-0-34-0 (w-1), De Silva 2-0-15-0 (w-1)

Sri Lanka

S.Jayasuriya c Mohammad Ashraful b Tapash Baisya 40

M.Atapattu run out 83

K.Sangakkara c Naimur Rahman b Khaled Mahmud 29

M.Jayawardene c Mohammad Rafique b Khaled Mahmud 18

R.Arnold not out 29

A.de Silva c Khaled Mashud b Mohammad Rafique 1

H.Fernando not out 16

Extras: (b-1 lb-3 nb-3 w-5) 12

Total: 228 (for five wickets, 44.4 overs)

Fall of wickets: 1-56 2-112 3-151 4-203 5-207

Bowling: Manjural Islam 6-0-37-0 (w-1), Tapash Baisya 5-0-43-1 (nb-3 w-1), Khaled Mahmud 10-0-41-2 (w-1), Mohammad Rafique 10-0-37-1 (w-1), Alok Kopali 10-0-37-0 (w-1), Naimur Rahman 3.4-0-29-0. AFP, Reuters

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Contrasting reviews of Sachin Tendulkar

London, August 4
India’s master batsman Sachin Tendulkar today came in for contrasting reviews in the British media with one suggesting that he is not the force he is at home while another describing him as the finest cricketer since Don Bradman. “India’s master batsman is not the force he is at home” wrote Jon Henderson in the Observer in his article headlined “tourist Tendulkar a mere mortal.”

Concurring with Sunil Gavaskar’s observation that Sachin Tendulkar is an underachiever for the team overseas, Henderson observed: “It is, of course, understandable for a player to be more prolific in conditions he is familiar with, and in this Tendulkar is no exception. He clearly copes well with the extraordinary adulation at home - even in Tests.”

Describing him as the best batsman in the world, Tim Adams wrote in the Observer Sport Monthly: “Sachin Tendulkar was a handy player at the age of five. He’s even better now.”

He said: “In India, Sachin Tendulkar is the brightest of stars, a hero whose epic deeds have stirred a nation and whose status is close to deity. To the rest of us, he is the finest cricketer since Don Bradman.”

Analysing Tendulkar’s batting, Henderson said: “He is a wonderfully destructive batsman against spin. Of the 15 bowlers who have dismissed him three times or more only three are slow bowlers - Shane Warne, Saqlain Mushtaq and Zimbabwe’s Raymond Price - and none of them has exactly dominated Tendulkar. Even Warne has given away 39 runs for each of his three successes. “Right-arm quicks are the men most likely to undo him - and if it’s grassy pitch it helps. The now-retired Allan Donald turned him over five times, and four of these were in South Africa. His average against Donald was a most unTendulkar-like 12.

“Partly because of his record against Donald, and against Glenn McGrath, who has also claimed him five times, Test captains and their bowlers no longer seem to regard Tendulkar as the daunting proposition on tour that he is at home, particularly against quicker bowling. PTI

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Harmison replaces Jones

London, August 4
Durham fast bowler Stephen Harmison has replaced the injured Simon Jones in the England squad for the second Test against India starting at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Kent’s Robert Key will open the batting with Michael Vaughan while Surrey pace bowler Alex Tudor returns after injury in a squad of 13 named today.

Jones made an impressive Test debut at Lord’s on a lifeless pitch but picked up a side strain during England’s comprehensive 170-run victory.

He will undergo another scan tomorrow. Harmison’s county career has been repeatedly interrupted by injury but, like Jones, he has the raw pace that captain Nasser Hussain has been seeking.

England — Michael Vaughan, Robert Key, Mark Butcher, Nasser Hussain (captain), John Crawley, Alec Stewart, Andy Flintoff, Craig White, Dominic Cork, Alex Tudor, Ashley Giles, Matthew Hoggard, Stephen Harmison. Reuters

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Under-19 match ends in a draw

London, August 4
With rain playing spoil sport, the three-day match between India under-19 and England Cricket Control Board team, DOE South under-19 ended in a tame draw at Arundel, Sussex yesterday.

India under-19, resuming their second innings at 119 for one, lost wickets at regular intervals before rain halted play when the visitors were 156 for four an hour after lunch - an overall lead of 187 with six wickets in hand. PTI

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Jelena Dokic, Williams reach final

Anna Kournikova follows through with a backhand shot
Anna Kournikova follows through with a backhand shot during her semifinal match against Jelena Dokic at the Acura Tennis Classic in Carlsbad on Saturday. Dokic won the match 6-7, 7-6, 6-0. — AP/PTI photo

Venus Williams of the United States returns a backhand
Venus Williams of the United States returns a backhand to compatriot Lindsay Davenport in the second set of their semifinal match in Carlsbad, California on Saturday. First seeded Williams defeated third seeded Davenport in straight sets 6-2 6-1 and will face Jelena Dokic in the final. — Reuters photo

San Diego, August 4
Sixth-seeded Jelena Dokic fought off two match points and roared from behind to eliminate unseeded Anna Kournikova of Russia 6-7 (6/8) 7-6 (7/2) 6-0 to advance to final of the WTA San Diego event.

“Of course I’m disappointed to lose it, but the tension is out,” said Kournikova, who has reached four semifinals this year. “I kind of feel down, but I’m really happy with the results in general and with the way I played.”

“The good thing is there is something to work on. I can always improve.”

The 19-year-old Yugoslavian advances to her first San Diego final where she will face American Venus Williams who beat Lindsay Davenport 6-2 6-1 in yesterday’s other semifinal.

Dokic, who is ranked fifth in the world, will also compete in her 11th career WTA singles final.

She improved her 2002 match record to 39-14, while Kournikova fell to 22-21.

Dokic was coming off a hard-fought quarter-final victory over two-time former champion Jennifer Capriati on Friday night.

At the start, Kournikova clearly was lighter on her feet and handed Dokic her first loss in eight tiebreakers this year.

“I didn’t sleep great,” Dokic said. “I had 12 hours to sleep, practise and recover. It was very hard. I was physically very drained and mentally also.”

Kournikova had an incredible run at the San Diego tournament but she couldn’t solve Dokic who has won both times the two have met.

After battling inconsistency and an abdominal strain for much of the season, Kournikova has shown improved play of late.

The ravishing Russian reached the quarter-finals last week in Stanford.

“I think it’s a huge difference from the last tournamets I played,” Kournikova said. “Last week and this week have been great. Obviously I’m getting better and better. Obviously I’m getting more tired and tired.”

Williams got off to a quick start and rolled to an easy victory over Davenport, who is coming off a serious knee injury.

Williams, the two-time defending champion, needed only 59 minutes to advance to her fourth consecutive San Diego final.

“That was definitely a great match for me,” Williams said. “For me right now, the most important thing is this Acura Classic. I’ve arrived in the finals and I don’t want to stop there.”

Her last loss here came in the 1999 tournament final and she fell to Martina Hingis 6-4 6-0. Since then, Williams has won 13 consecutive matches. AP

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AAFI rests top athletes
Our Sports Reporter

Patiala, August 4
The Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI) has rested 36 of its top rung athletes and has decided to field a depleted 48-member squad, comprising mostly of juniors athletes, in the 14th Senior Asian Athletic Championships scheduled to be held at Colombo from August 9 to 12. This has been done to preserve senior athletes for the Asian Games to be held in September-October. Interestingly, the AAFI selection committee has refrained from naming anyone for the individual 400m in both the men’s and women’s sections and athletes for these events will be drawn from the relay squads.

It may be recalled that the failure of Indian athletes at the 2000 Sydney Olympics was attributed to the athletes ‘peaking’ prematurely during the Asian Track and Field Championships that was held at Jakarta just three weeks prior to the Olympics and then fumbling at Sydney where none of them, barring quarter miler K. Beenamol managed to ‘peak’ for the second time.

The AAFI has scheduled a series of camps in Belarus, Moscow and Ukraine for its senior athletes. Out of the five athletes — Neelam J. Singh, Anju Bobby George, Bobby Aloysius, Hardeep Kaur and Navpreet Singh — who competed in the Commonwealth Games at Manchester, three have been selected for the Asian meet while Neelam J. Singh and Anju Bobby George have been ‘rested’ for the Busan Asian Games.

Both Anju George and Bobby Aloysius have yet to attain the qualifying norms for the Asian Games.

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Minor Dist Sr, U-19 teams selected
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 4
A joint camp was organised by Punjab Cricket Association for Minor District Senior and Under-19 teams under PCA coach Manjit Singh from July 28 to August 3. The players have been selected to represent PCA President XI for Senior and Under-19 inter district teams for the season starting from September 2002. Kamal Thakur from Amritsar has been appointed as manager of the senior team while Ravinder Verma from Jalandhar will be the Manager of U-19 team.

The teams: Minor district senior team (PCA President XI): Harpreet Singh (Mohali), Manjit Singh (Bathinda), Kamal Walia (Mohali), Kailash Sawal (Mohali), Balraj Sharma (Hoshiarpur), Harkrishan Kali (Bathinda), Ranjit Bholla (Bathinda), Navdeep Singh (Mohali), Vikram (Hoshiarpur), Manpreet Singh (Mohali), Jagdish Kumar (Mohali), Lalit Garg (Nawanshahr), Sachin Kumar (Ropar), Preet Johal (Moga), Sarabjit Singh.

Standbys: Kuldeep (Hoshiarpur), Arun Devgan (Faridkot), Gaggandeep Singh (Kapurthala), Bharat Sharma (Ferozepore), Gurdeep Singh (Kapurthala).

Minor district under-19: Kuldeep Dhami (Hoshiarpur), Harpreet Singh (Mohali), Ajay Gill (Hoshiarpur), Harnit Singh (Mohali), Deepak Kumar (Hoshiarpur), Gagandeep (Kapurthala), Gurdeep Singh (Kapurthala), Saravjit Singh (Mohali), Deepak Gatta (Hoshiarpur), Manpreet Singh (Mohali), Lalit Garg (Nawanshahr), Dharminder Kumar (Faridkot), Sunil Kumar (Ropar), Mandeep Singh (Mohali), Jagdeep Kumar (Faridkot), Parshant Dogra (Moga).

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‘Ronaldo not on sale’

Rome, August 4
Massimo Moratti, the owner of Inter Milan, has no intention of selling Ronaldo to Real Madrid and said he would not believe the Brazilian wanted to leave until he heard it from him face-to-face. “I haven’t spoken to him recently. But I know from experience that whenever he is in Brazil confusion is created,’’ Moratti told La Repubblica newspaper in an interview published on Sunday.

“I’m accustomed to not believing what’s reported. I believe only what I see and hear with my own ears. That’s why, above all, I’m waiting to speak to Ronaldo one-to-one.’’ Reuters

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 SPORTS BRIEFS


Tommy Haas of Germany reacts after a line call went against him
Tommy Haas of Germany reacts after a line call went against him during his semifinal match against Guillermo Canas of Argentina at the Tennis Masters Canada in Toronto, on Saturday. Canas defeated Haas 6-4 3-6 7-6. 
— Reuters

INDIA MODERATE TEST TEAM: ATHERTON
LONDON: India are a moderate team in Test cricket and their batting frail, according to former England captain Michael Atherton. “Nasser Hussain continually talks up India’s batting line-up. The truth is that India are a moderate team in Test cricket and their batting frail. Even with injuries, England are good value to keep their successful spell going,” Atherton wrote in the Sunday Telegraph analysing England’s chances in the second Test starting at Trent Bridge on Thursday. He also opined that the injuries to key players helped the English selectors to shed their conservative approach. “In the long run the injuries may even be a good thing, forcing the selectors out of their inherent conservatism. PTI

‘NO CONFRONTATION’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Tauqir Zia has ruled out any confrontation with Australia, if they failed to tour Pakistan for a three-match Test series in October. Pakistan would use all the channels before taking any decision on boycotting cricket relations with Australia, if they pulled out of the planned tour, The News quoted Zia as saying on Sunday. The PCB chairman stated: “We have issued no direct threat to Australia. As far as the talk about leading a boycott of Asian countries is concerned, it is an option before us.’’ But he made it clear that Pakistan would first have to talk to the full members on the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and find out their views before taking any decision. Zia noted: “The basis for this is a resolution passed by the ACC earlier this year in Sharjah where it was decided that countries would support each other if faced with similar situation. UNI

NAGA ARCHER
KOHIMA: Naga woman archer Kezeingunuo Theunuo, currently representing Jharkhand, has been selected for the World Junior Archery Championship to be held in Czechoslovakia from Monday. Ms Theunuo accumulated 1206 points in the selection trails held at SAI, Eastern Centre, Kolkata to come out first in the single FITA round and secure her berth in the seven-member Indian squad. The seventh World Junior (under-18) Archery Championship would be held at Myumburk in Czechoslovakia from August 5 to 11. Meanwhile, the Archery Association of India felicitated Chekrovolo Swuro, who represent Jharkhand, in the second grand prix held at Chongzhou in China and was placed third with 1300 points. UNI
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