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Wednesday, January 8, 2003,
Chandigarh, India  
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Sachin will make a difference Sunita Rani to get medals back Challenger Trophy
postponed Army XI stun Mohammedan Sporting ‘Vaughan can achieve anything’ |
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Carlos Moya through; Capriati ousted New hockey rules from January 16 Football prodigy honoured Navy, Punjab cops taste defeat Club closed
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India look for morale-boosting win Wellington, January 7 Skipper Sourav Ganguly insisted there was still a lot left for his team to play for in the remaining matches, most important being the need to return to winning ways ahead of the World Cup. The Indians have lost everything on this tour and are a dejected lot but Ganguly said winning the rest of the matches would enable the team to go to South Africa in a proper frame of mind. “There is still a lot to play for in the three one-day internationals. We have got the World Cup ahead and must get back to the winning streak which we had last year,” Ganguly said ahead of tomorrow’s day-night game. “We had won almost everything last year before we came to New Zealand. Now we have lost both Tests and four one-dayers but its all past and we want to go to World Cup in a confident mood,” he said. Fanning India’s optimism is the return of Tendulkar, who is likely to play his first match of the one-day series tomorrow. The news on Tendulkar, who sprained his right ankle ahead of the first one-dayer in Auckland on December 26, is a big boost to the beleaguered Indian side which is desperate to make amends for its disappointing batting performance so far on this tour. “He is a great player and his addition will definitely strengthen the side,” Ganguly said. “But at the end of the day it depends on each individual to do his job and the rest to do theirs.” The return of Tendulkar will see India fielding a full- strength side after a long time and both spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh have been included in the 12 for tomorrow’s game. “We are going to play to our strength. We are going to play the team which has won us games in the past,” Ganguly said. “There are going to be times when you lose and we have won more than most teams in the past 11 months. We will go with our best eleven.” The captain has also decided to come back to his regular batting slot and open the innings with Virender Sehwag with Dinesh Mongia, Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid to follow. “We have to make sure we don’t lose early wickets. We have to stay till the end and look to bat 50 overs which we have not done,” said Ganguly listing the priorities of his team. “The important thing on these wickets is to get a total of 160 to 200 which can be a winning total considering the New Zealand batters have not had much runs under their belt.” He reiterated that the reasons for his batsmen’s failures on this tour lay more in their minds than in the nature of pitches or their techniques. “I think it’s more for the mind to adjust to these wickets. We have done it in the past and there is no reason why we can’t do it again.” The Indians were also pleased to know that turf manager Trevor Jackson had prepared a batsman-friendly pitch at the Westpac Stadium here for tomorrow’s game. Jackson said the pitch was drier than normal and would have medium bounce. “There should be a little bit of movement with the new ball but it’s looking very good,” he said. Like India, New Zealand were also welcoming a few stars in their team with celebrated all-rounder Chris Cairns and fast bowler Shane Bond all set to play tomorrow. Cairns, who had struggled to recover from his knee injury in the last few months, could play in the side only as a batsman and a fielder, according to New Zealand’s chairman of selectors Sir Richard Hadlee. Bond, who suffered from a side strain after playing in the first game at Auckland, is fit to have a bowl against the Indians while Chris Harris, named in the World Cup squad, also gets a game tomorrow after being the 12th name in the previous match at Queenstown. Home captain Stephen Fleming said he would be using the next three games as a tune-up to the World Cup and try out a few new ideas. “We have got to look at the way we introduce players and the way we use them in the next three games,” Fleming said. “It’s not experimentation. We are just looking at shuffling the systems and putting ourselves under pressure in different scenarios,” he said. Fleming thought his players had not been tested enough by India and said his team would like to bat first to give an opportunity to all the batsmen to score runs. India: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Mongia, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra. New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Matthew Sinclair, Scott Styris, Chris Harris, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Andre Adams, Kyle Mills, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Daryl Tuffey. Umpires: Daryl Harper (Australia) and Brent Bowden (New Zealand). Timings (IST):
6:40 am to 10:10 am and 10:50 am till close of play.
PTI |
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Sachin will make a difference
Batting has been India’s worry without Tendulkar. I would rather say that Tendulkar’s injury came at a wrong time because the Indian team must have been looking to fine tune themselves before the World Cup. But what has happened in the one-day series has shocked even the most optimistic of Indian supporters. In my memory I haven’t seen such meek performance by an Indian cricket team. In fact, this team was being hailed as the best one-day side to have come out of India. If you look in terms of results, yes, they indeed had done very well and the fitness level had also increased. We thought, finally, our team was world class and had big hopes from them in the World Cup. Unfortunately, the New Zealanders have exposed that myth. Before writing them off, we have to concede that this series has been played on sub-standard pitches where even the home batsmen have struggled to put bat to bowl. And since New Zealand have mostly been lucky with the toss, the Indian bowlers have come on to defend only small totals. I dare say that had the Indian batsmen managed about 170-180 runs in some of the matches, the team would have even won those games. Tomorrow the Indians need to stop with their experimentation and just stick to the tried and trusted basics. Virender Sehwag and Saurav Ganguly should open while Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar should follow in the middle-order. Our openers should concentrate hard in the first 15 overs and if India don’t throw away too many wickets early, it will give Dravid and Tendulkar a chance to consolidate in the mid the overs. India haven’t been able to do that so far in the series but as I said earlier, the return of Tendulkar can give them a much-needed victory. At least it will do good to the morale of the side even if the series has long been lost. |
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Sunita Rani to get medals back New Delhi, January 7 The OCA had received an official communication from the International Olympic Committee’s medical director stating that it had come to the conclusion that there was a “serious discrepancy” in the drug test carried out by the laboratory in Seoul and that no further action should be taken in the case a top OCA official said here. The IOC sub-commission on doping and bio-chemistry together with world anti-doping agency (WADA) experts had reviewed the samples of distance runner Sunita Rani and recommended that no further action should be taken in the case and appropriate measures should be taken against the laboratory. Subsequently, the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) also cleared Sunita Rani of all charges. “Therefore, the OCA declares that Sunita Rani won a gold medal in the 1500m and a bronze medal in the 5000m during the 14th Asian Games in Busan. “The OCA is now pleased to confirm that it has cleared Sunita Rani of all charges and is extremely pleased to reinstate her and return her medals,” the official said.
PTI |
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Challenger Trophy postponed Kolkata, January 7 “It has been decided to put off the tournament in view of the World Cup in South Africa. It will now be held after the Cup is over,” BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya told PTI here today. The three-team annual tournament — played in a league format among India Seniors, India A and India B — was this year billed as the final warm-up event before the quadrennial showpiece in South Africa. But with the Indian team members, now battling it out against New Zealand, getting very little time for rest and relaxation between the Kiwi trip and the Cup, it was decided to hold the tournament after the February-March event, board sources said. “Coach John Wright, physio Andrew Leipus and physical trainer Adrian le Roux felt that the intervening period of two weeks between the New Zealand trip and the team’s departure for South Africa, could be best utilised in rehabilitating the injured players,” the sources said.
PTI |
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Army XI stun Mohammedan Sporting
New Delhi, January 7 Mohammedan Sporting, who were making their appearance in the Durand Cup after a gap of five years, will, forever, curse themselves for conceding the equaliser to Army XI during injury time, after taking the lead in the 86th minute through striker Dipendu Biswas. Army XI pulled off the equaliser through Saroj Gurung. Extra time play was fruitless, and in the tie-breaker, Pradip Debnath took a casual, angular shot which crashed into the corner of the net with Mohammedan Sporting custodian Imran Khan remaining rooted to his position. And then, Army goalkeeper Abun Gobi Singh effected a remarkable save to baulk Aman Deep Singh’s spot kick. The Kolkata team just could not recover from the mortal blow thereafter. The Army “shooters” showed considerable innovativeness in taking their ‘spot’ kicks as Saroj Gurung, S. Ignatious, Irudayaraj and skipper Raghu Kumar all hit the bull’s eye in varying styles, giving no chance to Imarn Khan under the bar to thwart them. Mohammedans converted their next three spot kicks through Abdul Latif Seriki, substitutes Arjan Ali and Arunava Sarkar but did not take their last kick as by then, Raghu Kumar had given Army XI the winning lead. The jubilant Army team chaired their hero, goalie Abun Gobi Singh, on their shoulders and made a victory dance for making their maiden entry into the Durand Cup final. The Durand Cup, incidentally, is hosted by the Services. On a day when the sky was grey, gloomy and dull, and the weather chilly beyond tolerance, the soccer played out in the middle was no great sight either. Mohammedan Sporting held the edge, though, but the Army boys put up a doughty defence to baulk the rival attackers, who failed to cash in on the numerous chances they forced. Sporting forwards Amit Das, Rahim Nabi, Dipendu Biswas and Abdul Latif Seriki all came close to scoring on several occasions, but the Army XI were well served by goalie Gobi Singh who brought off many remarkable saves. When the match looked like heading for a goal-less draw, Mohammedan Sporting hit the mark through Dipendu Biswas, who outjumped his marker and other defenders to place the ball home following a free kick taken by Biswanath Mondal from the right. Just seconds before the final hooter, Army XI were awarded a free kick from the top of the box. Medio Pradip Debnath took the kick, and the ball sailed over the defensive wall and landed in the six-yard area, which was quickly flicked in by an unmarked Saroj Gurung to take the wind out of the Mohammedan sails. The triumph in the tie-breaker shootout gave Army XI a final scoreline of 6-4. Army XI will take on the winners of the second semi-final match tomorrow between East Bengal and Salgaocar Club of Goa, in the final on Friday. |
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‘Vaughan can achieve anything’ Sydney, January 7 He was right about the baptism of fire but he needn’t have worried about doing well. After a slow start, the Yorkshire opener finished the series as the leading runscorer and the brightest prospect in English cricket for years. England captain Nasser Hussain said Vaughan had shown he had the makings of a future test skipper while Australia captain Steve Waugh said he had the potential to become one of the all-time great batsmen. ‘’He looks an excellent player, he can achieve anything,’’ Waugh said. ‘’As long as he doesn’t get too carried away, he can do anything he wants.’’ Hussain said, ‘’Michael Vaughan is a very, very solid character. Sometime in the future, he’ll probably make a very good England captain.’’ Despite playing in a side thrashed 4-1, Vaughan was a unanimous choice as player of the series after making 633 runs at an average of 63.30. He made 177 in the second test in Adelaide, 145 in the fourth test in Melbourne then a masterful 183 in Sydney to lead England to a consolation win in the final Test. Just as importantly, he scored his runs quickly and efficiently and was never overly troubled by the likes of nagging accuracy of Glenn McGrath and the potency of Shane Warne. Waugh was highly impressed: ‘’To get three big hundreds in a losing side against probably the best attack in the world, and playing away from your own country, that’s a great performance and one of the best probably in Ashes history.’’ Vaughan had come into the series with a big reputation after making a mountain of runs in the homes series’ with India and Sri Lanka. But the quietly spoken 28-year-old said he was unsure of how he’d stand up to the fearsome Australian attack on the faster, bouncier pitches. He started slowly but was into stride by the second Test, making centuries at the Adelaide Oval and then in Melbourne to finish 2002 as the world’s leading runscorer with 1,481 runs as well as breaking Dennis Amiss’ long-standing record for the most runs in a year by an Englishman. The new year began badly when he was out for a duck in the first innings in Sydney.
Reuters |
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Carlos Moya through; Capriati ousted
Sydney, January 7 The Spaniard world No.5 powered to a 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 win over 28-ranked Blake in one hour 47 minutes to set up a second-round meeting with American qualifier Mardy Fish, who knocked out former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek in straight sets. Moya is approaching the form that made him world No.1 in March 1999 and says he has added a stronger backhand to his formidable forehand armoury. The 26-year-old Spaniard, runner-up to Pete Sampras at the 1997 Australian Open, has beaten Hewitt in their past four meetings and his confidence is high should he encounter Australia’s best hope of winning the National Open in more than 28 years. “I have a lot of confidence when I play Lleyton,” Moya said on Tuesday. “I haven’t dropped a set to him in our last four matches. “He has trouble with my forehand and he finds it difficult to find my backhand." “I’m able to move him side to side and finish the point. I feel comfortable when I play him.” Hewitt ranks with seven-time grand slam winner Andre Agassi and former US Open champion Marat Safin, as the players to beat at the Australian Open, beginning in Melbourne on Monday. Two-time defending Australian Open champion Jennifer Capriati was knocked out of the Sydney International Tennis Tournament in a second-round upset to Russian Tatiana Panova. The No. 3-ranked Capriati won the first set before Panova rallied to win the next two sets in a 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 shocker. It was the fourth consecutive year Capriati had failed to proceed past the second round at Sydney, her final tune-up for the January 13 to 26 Australian Open. Last year, she lost to fellow American Alexandra Stevenson before defending her Australian Open title two weeks later in Melbourne. Capriati, who was seeded No. 1 here, said it was difficult to get a gauge on how her game was progressing in her first match back after a break because of the spiraling breeze on center court. She served 14 double faults and had 64 unforced errors. “Overall I’m hitting the ball well, I’ve just got to be more consistent and get the rust out a bit,” Capriati said. “I’d rather lose here than,” at Melbourne. AUCKLAND: Former world No. 1, Gustavo Kuerten advanced to the second round of the Heineken Open today but Wimbledon runner-up David Nalbandian lost to Argentinian compatriot Mariano Zabaleta. Kuerten, a three-time French Open champion and seeded fourth in Auckland, won 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 over Martin Verkerk of the Netherlands. The match was Keurten’s first since his opening-round losses in Rome and Paris in October which saw his world ranking drop to 37 by the end of last year. Nine-time Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova lost her first doubles match in Australia in 22 years at the Sydney International today. The former world number one’s unbeaten streak came to an end when she and Alexandra Stevenson were beaten 6-3, 6-2 by Evie Dominikovic and Myriam Casanova. Navratilova’s last doubles loss in Australia was at the 1981 Australian Open final. She won every Australian Open doubles title after that until her last appearance in 1989. She retired from tennis in 1994 but made a comeback in 2000, playing doubles only, and returned to Australia for the first time this year.
AP/AFP |
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New hockey rules from January 16
Chennai, January 7 The FIH had also left it to the discretion of the national hockey associations to decide on when to implement the changes in their respective domestic leagues and competitions. Consequent to this, the IHF had instructed all the states and its affiliated units to implement the changes in all tournaments and events from January 16. One new rule allows a defender to save a shot at goal above shoulder height. At present only goalkeepers were permitted to play the ball with any part of their stick above shoulder height. “This will continue to apply to general play throughout the field but the change means that defenders can use their sticks to stop or deflect a high shot at goal as long as they do so safely.” The other rule pertained to taking shots off a penalty corner under which the attackers no longer need to stop the ball before taking a shot at goal. “But the ball should still have to travel outside the circle before a shot was taken.” On the new experimental rules, FIH secretary general Peter Cohen has this to say: “This is all part of our aim of making the game easier to understand. The penalty corner change will make the game more enjoyable to play and watch without altering the overall nature of the penalty corner,” he added.
UNI |
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Football prodigy honoured
Chandigarh, January 7 Mr Ramsekhar was happy to meet and interact with Aita Ram and other soccer players. The Deputy Commissioner said the city had enough of talent in football. Mr D.P. Vaed, General Manager of IOC, told the gathering that they felt privileged in honouring such youngsters. Mr M.L. Toora, Chief Manager and a keen sports lover praised the efforts of Mr Harold Carver in laying emphasis on football. Aita Ram was given a blazer and every employee of the regional office of the IOC came to the stage to garland him. His coaches, Bhupinder Singh and Surinder Singh, were also honoured. Aita Ram is a son of a watchman of St Stephen’s School. In May 2000, he was declared the best player in the All-India Lightning Cup in Goa. In May last year, he accompanied the St Stehpen’s Academy team to a tour of England and Italy. Last November he attended a coaching camp at Tata Football Academy, Jamshedpur, alongwith another school player, Jashandeep Singh Bains. Finally, he was selected to represent India in the Asian (under 14) football meet organised by the Asian Football Confederation in Nepal. The other countries included Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal. India finished runners-up. |
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Navy, Punjab cops taste defeat
Kota, January 7 Although both the teams from services exhibited fast paced hockey and made good moves, they floundered their chances in penalty area as they were locked goal-less even after the end of scheduled time forcing the match to be decided via the tie-breaker. While EME got five penalty corners, Indian Navy got two but neither teams could convert any of them in regulation time. EME goalkeeper Rao saved a crucial stroke in the tie-breaker which eventually led EME to a 5-3 victory. In another keenly contested match CRPF beat Punjab Police 1-0. The teams made impressive moves right from the start but failed to give the finishing touches as the first half ended goal-less. CRPF wasted three while Punjab Police messed up two penalty corners. It was Jalen who scored the winner through a field goal in the second half to push his team through.
PTI |
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Club closed Yamunanagar, January 7 According to the spokesman of Yamunanagar Club the authorities received notice on December 14, 2002 to vacate the premises within three days as they have not renewed the lease. He said they approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court for relief but were directed to approach the lower court or department authority for appropriate relief. |
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Much will be expected of Sachin Tendulkar when he returns to the Indian playing eleven. I am sure he will make a difference to the mood and attitude of the team but how much of it can be translated into a result will only be known once the fifth one-dayer is played tomorrow.
