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Saturday,
February 15, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Lanka demolish Bangladesh Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas (centre) celebrates after
dismissing a Bangladeshi batsman.— Reuters photo Sri Lanka meant business All eyes on McGrath-Sachin duel |
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FACE TO FACE Playing against India a challenge Allrounders’ role may turn out to be crucial Today’s matches Pool
A: India vs Australia 1.30 p.m. (IST) Pool B: Kenya vs
Canada 6 p.m. England gear up for opener
Shane Warne faces minimum 2-year ban Rhodes announces retirement Experimentation, innovation
NFL NR eves reach hockey final Purewal memorial meet begins Haryana, CRPF joint winners
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Lanka demolish Bangladesh
Pietermaritzburg, February 14 Bangladesh, who ended that over on five for four, partially recovered from the shock but were eventually dismissed for 124 off 31.1 overs in the group B match. No man had ever taken three wickets with the first three balls of a one-day international or a first-class match. Fast bowler Vaas also claimed the final wicket as he ended with figures of six for 25 from 9.1 overs - at one stage he boasted five for eight off 16 balls - while Muttiah Muralitharan chipped in with three for 25. Bangladesh opener Hannan Sarkar, attempting an expansive drive at Vaas’s first ball of the day, was bowled through the gate by an inswinger before Mohammad Ashraful walked in and straight out again after chipping back a simple return catch. Ehsanul Haque then snicked the ball to Mahela Jayawardene at second slip to spark Sri Lankan jubilation. Left-arm swing bowler Vaas, who also has the best one-day international figures in history, saw his next ball dug out and somehow chopped through the covers for four by Sanwar Hossain. A wide, swinging away outside off stump, followed before Hossain shuffled forward on his leg stump and was trapped lbw. The ball rolled back down the pitch to the 29-year-old Vaas, who turned round before dismissively flinging the ball back over his shoulder as he walked away. Scoreboard
Bangladesh: Hannan Sarkar b Vaas 0 Al-Sahariar c De Silva
Ashraful c and b Vaas 0 Ehsanul Haque c
Sanwar Hossain lbw
Alok Kapali c Jayasuriya
Khaled Mashud lbw b
Mohammad Rafique c
Tapash Baisya c Arnold b
Mashrafe Mortaza c
Manjurul Islam not out 3 Extras:
(b-1 lb-4 nb-2 w-9) 16 Total: (all out, 31.1 overs) 124 Fall of wickets:
1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-5, 5-25, 6-70, 7-82, 8-88, 9-98. Bowling: Vaas 9.1-2-25-6 (w-2), Nissanka 5-0-22-0 (nb-2 w-2), Fernando 7-0-47-1 (w-5), Muralitharan 10-4-25-3 Sri Lanka: Atapattu not out 69 Jayasuriya not out 55 Extras: (nb-1 w-1) 2 Total: (for no wicket, 21.1 overs) 126 Bowling: Manjural Islam 6-1-22-0, Mashrafe Mortaza 5-0-38-0 (w-1), Tapash Baisya 3-0-21-0 (nb-1), Mohammad Rafique 4.1-1-22-0, Sanwar Hossain 2-0-14-0, Alok Kapali 1-0-9-0.
Reuters
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Chaminda
Vaas makes history
Pietermaritzburg (South Africa), February 14 Vaas also claimed a wicket off the fifth ball of the over for an amazing return of four wickets from his opening over. Never before has a bowler claimed more than two wickets in the opening over of the match. This was also only the second instance where a bowler had taken four wickets in five balls, the previous being Saqlain Mushtaq of Pakistan who achieved the feat against Zimbabwe in Peshawar in 1996. Vaas clean bowled Hannan Sarkar with his first ball, took a return catch against Mohammad Ashraful off the second and then had Ehsanul Haque caught by Mahela Jayawardene in the slips off the third to complete only the third hat-trick in the history of World Cup cricket. After being taken for a boundary and sending down a wide, Vaas trapped Sanwar Hossain leg before wicket in a
truly sensational over. India’s Chetan Sharma and Saqlain are the only bowlers to have taken a hat-trick in a World Cup match. Chetan Sharma did it against New Zealand in Nagpur in 1987 World Cup while Saqlain’s hat-trick came against Zimbabwe at The Oval in England in 1999. Vaas already holds the world record for the best bowling figures in a one-day international. He took 8 wickets for 19 runs against Zimbabwe in Colombo in 2001 which also included a hat-trick.
PTI
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Chaminda
Vaas:
factbox Pietermaritzburg, February 14 Born: Jan 27, 1974,
Mattumagala. Left-arm fast-medium, hard-hitting lower-order bat.
Holder of best one-day bowling figures in history — the only man to
take eight wickets in an innings. ODI debut: v India, Rajkot,
February 1994. 212 matches, 261 wickets, 27.81 av (includes Friday’s
game), best 8-19. 64 Tests, 206 wickets at 30.31, best 7-71. Sri
Lanka’s most successful fast bowler and Muttiah Muralitharan’s
main sidekick. Swings ball both ways. Devout catholic who once
considered becoming a priest. Helped Sri Lanka win the 1996 World Cup
but not been as effective in last couple of seasons. South African
conditions always likely to suit him. World record ODI figures of
8-3-19-8 v Zimbabwe in Dec 2001 in Colombo, removing top eight
(including a hat-trick) as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 38, the lowest
ever. Previous week at same venue took 14 wickets in a Test v West
Indies with consecutive personal bests of 7-120 and 7-71. Also had a
big part in the biggest-ever ODI victory in October 2000, taking 5-14
v India as Sri Lanka won by 245 runs in a triangular tournament
final. At 2003 World Cup took a hat-trick with the first three balls
of the match against Bangladesh, the first man to achieve the feat in
one-dayers or in first-class cricket, before finishing with 6-25.
Reuters
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Sri Lanka meant business What’s your idea of celebrating Valentine’s day? Sitting besides a TV and watching a cricket match — I wouldn’t reckon that to be a nice proposition. It was indeed nice of Bangladesh for having thought so deeply about everyone else though I am sure that Chaminda Vaas might feel a bit sour with me for not having started my introduction talking about his exploits with the ball, or rather his first six balls. It was a comedy of errors at the Pietermaritzburg. Chaminda Vaas taught fans world over that watching cricket matches other than their country’s is a great idea, or else the golden chance of seeing history would have been confined to replay motions. A hat-trick is a hat-trick, against any opposition, at any ground, on any kind of wicket. You need to bowl three real good deliveries but having said that nobody could have done it better than the Lankan left-armer. Producing a beauty in the first ball of the match reflected his genius character. A ball later, everybody was on the edge of their seats, he was not only on verge of a personal milestone but something which has not been recorded before in cricket. Chaminda Vaas took three wickets in the first three balls of the match and just as Vaas started his celebratory antics, I took a quick trip down the memory lane and relived my magic moments: when yours truly achieved the distinction of becoming the first bowler to achieve a hat-trick in the World Cup. Bangladeshis for sure, do not believe in wait and watch tactics. It was shocking to see them going for horrendous slogs when the need of the hour was to play out those allotted 50 overs. Bangla skipper Khalid Mashud found himself deserted by his soldiers but he gave a good account of himself, going down as a martyr in a losing war. I prefer to leave Bangladesh here, giving them time to lick their own wounds and concentrate on Sri Lankans. Vaas and Murali apart, Lankans’ rest of the attack would make coach David Whatmore work overtime. Both Fernando and Nissanka were woeful and were lucky to get away with this mediocre stuff on Friday. Batting, of course, could not get a decent match practice but it was good to see Sri Lanka playing a full side, an indication that they are here for some serious business. I would conclude by taking a peep into India’s next match against Australia. The Kangaroos would enjoy the psychological advantage, keeping both teams’ first game in mind. However, wickets here have been good for batting and spinners played a crucial role so far, it is some good news for Indians. I have this gut feeling that we might see something special from India!
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India meet Aussies today
Centurion, February 14 Still licking the wounds of their disastrous New Zealand tour, India made a heavy weather of part-time cricketers Holland to score a 68-run victory but skipper Sourav Ganguly and coach John Wright would rather not worry much about all that now. In what looked like a bit of bravado, Ganguly said it was actually a good thing that they start tomorrow as underdogs. “It’s not a bad thing really. The pressure is off and we can do our thing.” Coach Wright, who has been giving some tough message to the Indians, appears to share Ganguly’s views when he said “Sometimes it is better to go by instincts than worry too much.” He asked his wards to come out firing against the world champions who, overcoming the disgraceful exit of star spinner Shane Warne and the absence of Daren Lehmann and Michael Bevan, thrashed last edition’s finalists Pakistan in their opening match. India, who suffered the ignominy of being unable to last their full quota of overs against greenhorns Holland, will have to go the whole hog against the defending champions if they are to be in the reckoning. Australia look in unstoppable form with their batting and bowling machine working at optimum level and if anything, they are now strengthened by the return of Bevan and Lehmann in the side. But their game against India would be a sort of grudge match as they had been given the hiding in the finals of the Sharjah Cup in 1998, the ICC knock-out tournament in Dhaka the same year and then its next edition in Kenya in 2000 when Ganguly led a young side to put it across Australia. Australia too have had their share of success against the Indians, like in a Super Six game of the 1999 World Cup and triumphing in one-day series in India in the 2001 series. Australia would be wary of two key Indian players more than others as they look to maintain their winning momentum. Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh reserve their best against the world champions though one batsman who could have been another thorn in Australia’s flesh is missing from the squad — V.V.S. Laxman who made 281 in 2001 Kolkata Test. Tendulkar, who has scored 1626 runs from 33 games against the Australians with six hundreds at an average of 49.27, will open the innings tomorrow and Australia made it clear the little master would be their chief target. “We are definitely worried about a class batsman (like) Sachin Tendulkar. He is a kind of batsman who could spell trouble for a bowling side anytime,” Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said. PTI “If we knock out a few Indian batsmen early at the start of their innings, it would be a good start. More so if one of those wickets is Tendulkar’s,” he said. Ponting said Australia would not take India lightly despite their poor performances recently. “We respect everyone and India is no different. They have some wonderful batsmen and despite failures in New Zealand, they could come back into form anytime”. Ponting said the fact that his team had run into Pakistan in their very first game had been good for it. “It’s been good for us to play a quality side like Pakistan first. They are up and down like yo-yos. “They are sometimes really good, sometimes bad and India have fallen into the same category in the last six months,” Ponting said, an assessment that most would not argue with. India have been troubled by the opening blues besides other many problems afflicting their game but Ganguly hinted the side will stick to the same pair as against Holland and perhaps the same eleven. The decision means despite mounting criticism of Ganguly’s presence at the top, the explosive Virender Sehwag will again come at number three. “Let people say what they want to but we are sticking with the same order,” Ganguly said while warning that India must not be taken lightly. “Even if you were to ask Australia they would tell you how dangerous we can be on the field. I suspect they are more conscious of us than any other team in this World Cup.” If India’s batting has looked at best patchy, the bowling also needs great introspection. India will have to make early inroads into a talented batting line up which has Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden at the start of the innings followed by Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann and not the least Andrew Symonds who cracked 141 from a mere 125 balls against Pakistan. All these batsmen were in irresistible form in the triangular series against Sri Lanka and England at home with Hayden (458 in nine matches), Gilchrist (310 in eight) and Ponting (306 in eight) topping the show. If India manage to have an early look in at the Aussie middle order, Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble could hope for assistance from the pitch at a venue where India were twice able to beat South Africa on the strength of their spinners in the past decade. India are hopeful that rusty Zaheer Khan would strike form in time as the talented left-hand seamer looked out of sorts against Holland. Zaheer’s partner Javagal Srinath looked definitely better than ever as was reflected in his figures of 4 for 30 against Holland. India’s moment of truth has arrived as any slip up in the next two weeks could shatter their World Cup dreams. They need to beat at least two of the other four teams in their group — Australia, Pakistan, England and Zimbabwe — to entertain hopes of making it to the Super Six. Teams (from): India: Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Dinesh Mongia, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan. Australia:
Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan, Andrew Symonds, Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Brad Hogg, Damien Martyn, Jimmy Maher, Ian Harvey. Umpires:
David Shepherd and Asoka de Silva. Third umpire: BE Jerling. Match-referee: Clive Lloyd.
PTI |
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All eyes on McGrath-Sachin duel The controversy surrounding the England-Zimbabwe match has gone on for too long. The ECB and ICC would have done better to sort things out long ago. By the time you read this column England representatives should have met the ICC officials in Johannesburg and discussed various issues at length in that meeting. From England’s point of view, things will be not be easy for them from now on. This entire fiasco has made England’s job tougher and they must play exceptionally well to progress further in the tournament. Moving on to the matches that are being played, India will take on the world champions Australia in Centurion on Saturday. Both India and Australia come into this match, with victories in their earlier games against Holland and Pakistan, respectively. Like the wickets in other grounds, the groundsman at SuperSport Park, too, would probably have kept the wickets flat and batsman friendly. These wickets provided a lot of entertainment to the crowd and cricket lovers as lot of runs are scored on them. The opening match between West Indies and South Africa and the New Zealand-West Indies encounter were highly exciting games with plenty of runs scored by each team. The key to tomorrow’s match should be to make the new ball count and take early wickets. The batsmen on their part must stick around and amass a lot of runs. This brings to my mind the McGrath — Tendulkar duel, which will provide the extra spice to the match. Whenever it’s Glenn vs Sachin, it’s always a battle. It’s Glenn’s tendency to always target the best batsman in business and Sachin is undoubtedly the best batsman in the world. Should India bat first, Glenn would look to do the damage and claim early wickets with the new ball. Likewise Sachin would also definitely try to get on top of Glenn and put India early in the driver’s seat. The contest between the two will be a feast to watch. (Gameplan)
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FACE TO FACE CENTURION PARK: Sachin Tendulkar and Glenn McGrath go back a long-time. McGrath loves baiting the Indian batting maestro before any important clash. He did so before the 1999 World Cup Super Six clash; he missed no opportunity when Indians toured Down Under in 2000; and then during the Aussies’ return visit in 2001, McGrath made a huge issue of Tendulkar not playing a first class fixture before the first Test. “He is trying to avoid me,” was McGrath’s cryptic comment. Tendulkar, on his part, feels his competitive juices flowing against McGrath. He once smacked a six off the rangy fast bowler after having enough of latter’s verbal assault in Mumbai and then during the 2000 ICC knock out trophy in Kenya, he charged him down the track like a spinner to hit a straight six so mighty the ball rebounded off the sightscreen on to the middle of the ground. There is no love lost between the two this time around too as India and Australia look each other in eye before the mouth-watering Saturday’s clash. McGrath is on to his antics straightaway. “Tendulkar isn’t having the best of run lately-I wonder if he is in shape to take me on,” is McGrath’s opening salvo. A bowling legend in his lifetime, McGrath is also a champion sledger and mentions the special delivery he has planned for the little master. “You will know about that stuff when the match is over,” smiles McGrath mischievously. Tendulkar doesn’t waste time discussing his plans to win this battle of the superstars. He has worked out how he would take on each of the Australian bowler and not only McGrath. “It’s not only McGrath vs Tendulkar, there are other bowlers you have to face also,” says a tactful Tendulkar but there is little doubt in anyone’s mind he is looking forward to the meeting in the middle of the pitch. Tendulkar is mindful he wouldn’t be hanging his bat out limply beyond the off-stump. McGrath attacks only on and around the off-stump and makes the most of the extra bounce he extracts from his height and a straight-as-a-rod bowling arm. McGrath could also expect the wicket to offer generous bounce as Centurion Park has enjoyed the reputation of being the fastest in South Africa for sometime now. Hopefully umpires would not mar this classic confrontation between two modern greats. In Australia in 2000, Tendulkar was twice hacked by umpires against McGrath in controversial circumstances-once when umpire Darryl Harper ruled Tendulkar out leg before after the ball had hit the ducking batsman on the shoulder and then in Melbourne, Tendulkar was again given leg before out off a delivery which was missing the leg stump by miles. But this competition doesn’t diminish the respect the two have for each other. Tendulkar rates Glenn McGrath as one of the finest bowler he has faced in his time while McGrath, though grudgingly, has often termed the little master as the best batsman, along with Steve Waugh, of modern times. Hopefully, the clash will live up to its billing as this definitely is the last time the two would cross each other’s path in a World Cup match. It’s up to them to make it as memorable as they can.
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Playing
against India a challenge We go into tomorrow’s match knowing how important it is for us. If we play well and win this match, for all practical purposes we’re through to the Super Six.
Playing India has always been a challenge and particularly for me. They’ve in their ranks some high quality batsmen. Not just Sachin alone, you also find dangerous players like Sehwag and Dravid in their ranks. I could watch a little bit of Sehwag in the last ICC trophy at Colombo. He can get as destructive as Sachin, the shot making is similar. Though Sehwag doesn’t move his feet as well as Sachin. I still rate Sachin very highly. I do know that he went through a series of injuries and had to skip quite a few one day matches, yet in my book he’s still in the top three or four. Tomorrow I would like to see his back as early as possible. For me, the adrenalin flows a little more when I bowl at Tendulkar. This actually, provides an opportunity to judge your skills as a bowler, as to where do you stand currently? How good a bowler are you? Compared to Pakistan, Indians have always been quite consistent. Pakistan are a completely unpredictable side. One day they can be brilliant and next day play poorly. When we play India, we realize we have to be on top of their batting to take control of the proceedings. Yet, strictly, judging by the kind of form we are in currently and the sort of display they came up with in the New Zealand series, we clearly start off as the favourites. I didn’t watch the Holland match as we were traveling but subsequently was given to understand their batsmen didn’t cover themselves with glory. Indians love to play and dominate us in the typical low bounce subcontinent tracks. But the moment they come to our shores or played on a wicket which offered additional bounce, looked all at sea. At times I felt some of the Indian teams gave up even before hey reached Australia. Additional bounce had done them in at The Oval which otherwise was a good batting track. I accounted for Sachin, Rahul and Azhar and Ganguly got out early as well. And it was all over for them at the World Cup. This Centurion track is somewhat like the ones we get in our country. May be slightly slower but it would definitely offer some bounce. Our game plan should be no different than the past. Get on top of their batting, apply pressure and seize control. The toss would be an important factor though. Because towards the end ball might get slow and keep low. Whoever wins the toss, will definitely take first strike. The key strategical factor in this World Cup has been the last 10 overs. Unlike the subcontinent, teams aren’t going for a bang-bang style in the first 15 overs and only preserving the wickets for the slog. These overs are very crucial. There has been a theory, I think put forward by Bob Woolmer that slow or medium pace bowlers should begin against Gilchrist and Hayden. As they love the ball to come on to the bat and in the process might lose their
rhythm. Well, Sri Lankans had successfully employed the theory against us at the Champions trophy. But remember, there the ball turned right from the word go. This is a different kind of wicket. So good luck to the team trying to employ this strategy. I take leave with a short message to that team — You’d still come second best!
(Gameplan)
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Allrounders’ role
may turn out to be crucial The genuine allrounders could be the decisive players at the 2003 World Cup as there are some well-credentialed performers. South Africa lead the way with the most talented combination in Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock. With the ability to bat in the top three and act as a genuine opening bowler Kallis has the skill to turn any match. It probably only requires Kallis to adopt a more domineering approach to his batting and he could make the difference between South Africa being a good side and winning the Cup. Pollock has the skill to bat higher in the order as indicated by his two Test centuries but coming in late in the One Day game as he so often does he’s still a very dangerous player with an excellent strike rate. He’s also a miserly new ball bowler who not only impedes scoring in the first fifteen overs but also has a good strike rate. Pollock’s overall bowling record is almost identical to Glenn McGrath, a front line performer without the South African’s batting ability. If both Kallis and Pollock fire together in this tournament it will greatly enhance the hosts chances of winning their first World Cup. The next best of the batting and bowling all-rounders is New Zealand’s Chris Cairns, provided he is fully fit to perform both tasks. With Shane Bond’s improvement as a pace bowler there’s not quite the same pressure on Cairns with the ball but he is still a potential wicket-taker in the middle overs and has the experience to bowl at the “death”. His crucial century in Nairobi in the 2000 final of the ICC knock out displayed his dangerous stroke making ability in a big game. If New Zealand are to improve on their four semi-finals reached, no finals played at the World Cup then Cairns has to be at his best as both batsman and bowler. A player who is often overlooked as an all-rounder but shouldn’t be is the highly dangerous Sanath Jayasuriya. With almost two hundred and fifty wickets to go with the eight thousand runs he’s plundered there’s no doubt Jayasuriya deserves to be classed as not only an ODI all-rounder but also a very dangerous one. Sri Lanka will probably struggle to make the Super Six stage of the tournament but if Jayasuriya really turns it on then they could be a dangerous dark horse. There are a number of other all-rounders with the ability to perform spectacular deeds but probably only in one facet of the game. The Indian pair of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag are definitely in this category but their bowling probably isn’t going to count for much under South African conditions. Pakistani Abdur Razzaq’s bowling has slipped since his early spectacular wicket-taking deeds and it’s doubtful if Lance Klusener can repeat his 1999 heroics with the bat. Two players who come into a different category of allrounder as wicket-keeper and batsmen are the amazing Adam Gilchrist and South Africa’s Mark Boucher. Gilchrist gets more opportunities to be spectacular with the bat as he opens and has a strike rate that is marginally better than Jayasuriya. He can be a match winner, as he showed in the first final of the VB series with six dismissals and a hurricane half-century. Boucher is in the same class as Gilchrist with the gloves and whilst his batting isn’t as spectacular he does have a habit of making valuable runs in a hurry in the late overs. Gilchrist is likely to have the better tournament but Boucher could have the satisfaction of finishing on the winning side if he successfully complements any good deeds performed by Pollock and Kallis. If that trio succeed on a regular basis then South Africa will be hard to beat.
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England
gear up for opener Cape Town, February 14 England’s refusal to travel to Harare for their scheduled Group A match against Zimbabwe yesterday means they are the only team in the tournament yet to play. A session with the team’s sports psychologist in Cape Town on Thursday was intended to switch their attention back to the cricket. The match at Buffalo Park should at least provide England with a gentle Cup opener, offering them a chance to display the unity that captain Nasser Hussain believes has been forged over the recent difficult days. Two warm-up victories against South African provincial sides suggested England were in good shape following their arrival in South Africa from a disappointing tour to Australia. That was quickly overshadowed, however, by the lengthy battle of wills between the International Cricket Council (ICC), which wanted the Harare fixture played, and the England and Wales Cricket Board, which feared for its players’ safety in Zimbabwe. The ongoing Zimbabwe issue has clearly had a draining effect on the players and all rounder Craig White’s on-going injury problem has complicated the naming of England’s likely line-up against the Netherlands. White is still facing the threat of being cut from the squad but, with England confident of opening wins against the Netherlands and Namibia, he has been given extra time to recover from the side strain he sustained during the Boxing Day test in Melbourne. England have trained just three times since their warm-up victory over provincial side Border but, with the majority of the squad having left home on October 14, rustiness should not be an issue on Sunday. ‘’We are getting to the stage now where we are thinking about the World Cup,’’ said left-arm spinner Ashley Giles. ‘’At the opening ceremony, it was all going off and very enjoyable but we had other things on our minds. ‘’The first game started the following day but, for us, it didn’t feel as if the World Cup had got underway. Whatever happens over Zimbabwe is not in our hands now and we are working towards beating Netherlands and Namibia. ‘’We have to win every game. We have been through tough times and there have been some emotional meetings which, if anything, will have brought us closer together.’’ The Netherlands have enjoyed some unlikely success against England elevens in the past, beating an England side featuring Hussain in Amsterdam in 1989.
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Shane Warne faces minimum 2-year ban
Sydney, February 14 It was earlier thought that if Warne, whose ‘B’ sample will be tested today, could prove “mitigating circumstances” he could escape with a three-month ban but the ACB has now hardened its stand. Warne could have been charged in two ways by ACB — using a “prohibited substance” which, in the case of diuretics, would have attracted a maximum ban of three months or using a “prohibited method” which has a minimum two-year ban for the first offence. The ACB’s decision to take a hardline stand and charge Warne with a “breach of clause 4.1b of the ACB anti-doping policy - use of a prohibited method”, was taken after the approval of its chief executive James Sutherland, ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ reported today. The charge is severe because it considers that the diuretic was used to alter the integrity and validity of Warne’s drug sample. Under the ACB policy, the mere presence of the diuretic is enough to constitute an offence and Warne’s motive for taking the drug is irrelevant. Warne was forced to return home from the World Cup in South Africa this week after it was revealed that the ‘A’ sample of his urine, tested last month, had tested positive for a banned diuretic. Last night, Warne’s lawyer Ian McCubbin said Warne would be unable to challenge the imposition of the more serious charge. “We have to fight the charge that has been imposed,” the lawyer said. Warne has denied taking the diuretic for masking other drugs, but he has not yet explained why he did take it. All that he has confirmed is that his mother Brigitte gave him the tablet on January 22 before he announced his decision to retire from one-day cricket after the World Cup. The bowler had earlier said he was hopeful of returning to South Africa to play a part in the World Cup, but that seems increasingly unlikely. The drugs hearing, which will determine his guilt and the length of the ban, was to start today but now it appears, it may not be held for another week. The Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA) said it was ready to take part in the hearing as early as tonight if Warne wanted it to, but it appears Warne is now carefully considering his strategy. Warne has the option of taking another seven days to prepare his submission before the drugs hearing. Along with his reputation, Warne’s ACB contract, believed to be worth $ 400,000 a year, hangs in balance and if proved guilty, he will have to forfeit $ 60,000 to 70,000 in World Cup match payments. Meanwhile, details of how Warne took the “piss pill” are now emerging. The ‘“Daily Telegraph” today reported that his mother Brigitte and father Keith flew here on January 22 to be with the leg spinner when he announced his retirement from one-day cricket. A conversation between Warne and his 56-year-old mother is believed to have prompted the cricketer to take a tablet to make him “look nice” during the televised press conference.
PTI
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Rhodes
announces retirement
Johannesburg, February 14 Rhodes, however, said that he could still play for the country if he recovers in time and the need arises during the tournament. “Unless something (injury) happens further down the line in the team, and hopefully that won’t be the case, that’ll be it,” Rhodes told a press conference here. Rhodes, arguably the world’s best fielder and a key figure in the South African one-day team, is likely to be replaced by left-hand batsman Graeme Smith after the 33-year old broke his right hand while attempting to take a catch against Kenya at Potchefstroom on Wednesday. His hopes of retiring from international cricket holding the World Cup aloft suffered a serious setback yesterday when doctors ruled him out of action for at least three weeks. “Don’t cry for me. It’s time to get back to the real world. I have had a great ride. I played in 245 one-day internationals and have participated in four World Cups.” Rhodes said he would be playing for Gloucestershire before taking any decision on his future. “I’m going to play cricket in England for six months. I’m going to take it one season at a time but I have no definite plans.” The South African, who played the most number of one-day internationals for his country, retired from Test cricket in August 2000. In the 52 Tests he played for South Africa, Rhodes scored 2532 runs at an average of 35.6 and hit three centuries. But he was more successful in one-day matches accumulating 5,935 runs from 245 matches at 35.11. He scored two centuries with 121 as his highest. Rhodes, who had a special liking for the backward point region as a fielder, took 105 catches - most of them breathtaking - and saved a lot of runs for his country with his agile and acrobatic fielding.
PTI
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Experimentation, innovation The one-day game lends itself to experimentation and innovation because of the fact that teams have to look for every angle to get an advantage in these fifty over innings. New Zealand over the years have not been afraid to do the unexpected as they did when they opened the bowling in the 1992 World Cup with Dipak Patel the off spinner. It was against Australia no less, with his first wicket being none other than Alan Border. That move proved a success. The surprise move in this 2003 World Cup game against the West Indies wasn’t quite as successful. Daniel Vettori walked out to the middle with the captain Stephen Fleming, both left handers but only one with a record with the bat. I suppose the thought was the two left-handers might throw off the line of the West Indies opening bowlers and then Vettori would free his arms and bash away the resultant ill directed deliveries. His return of 13 runs from 25 deliveries illustrates the failure of the experiment. You have to hand it to New Zealand to try something a bit different after the batting failed and they lost the first game but the percentages were against them. In 1992, Dipak Patel was a recognised bowler although obviously not a new ball bowler but Vettori by the wildest stretch of the imagination can only be described at best as a reasonable tail end batsman. The tactic didn’t work but the end result was what New Zealand were looking for. After losing the first game against Sri Lanka and with doubt surrounding their participation in Kenya, a win here was imperative or they would be on their way home after the preliminary rounds. This win hasn’t guaranteed their progress into the next round but it has kept their hopes alive. Fielding has always been an important aspect of cricket, the old adage “catches win matches” has been around for a long time and will never die. New Zealand showed that not just catches win matches but outstanding ground fielding win matches as well, they were brilliant. In these limited over games where the difference between winning and losing can be just one run or can hinge on just one brilliant performance in the field they were exemplary.
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NFL
Kolkata, February 14 With this draw, Mohun Bagan earned 22 points from 13 matches while Mahindras had a tally of 14 points from as many matches. Mahindras
maintained their first half 1-0 lead till the 89th minute against the green-maroon brigade when Barretto converted the penalty for Bagan which referee P.K. Bose awarded after punishing a Mahindra defender for handling the ball in the box. The Mumbai men protested against the referee’s decision and even chased Bose following which the match remained suspended for a couple of minutes. The first leg tie between Mohun Bagan and Mahindra United had also ended in a 1-1 draw. Inspired by their first half lead, Mahindras played an allout game in the second half. Their defence line did not allow the Bagan strikers, led by Brazilian star striker Jose Ramirez Barretto and substitute Baichung Bhutia much. In the 30th minute of the second half, Mahindra frontliner Samson’s header missed the net by a whisker. Minutes later, his rightfooter again edged past the right post. Despite Mohun Bagan’s domination in the first half, Mahindra United fought neck and neck and took a 1-0 first half lead through a penalty kick conversion. Bagan defender Satish Bharti tripped Nahindra frontman Mongba Samson when the latter was heading for a clear goal with Bagan custodian Rajat Ghosh Dastidar being caught on the wrong foot. Ednei Jose Damasio converted the penalty. Bagan upfront comprising Barretto, Sunil Khetri, Nigerian George Ekeh and supported by medios Ranjan Dey and Basudeb Mondal was constantly attacking the Mahindra box. However, the defence line of the Mumbai team put up a valiant show repeatedly thwarting the Bagan attacks. In the 33rd minute, Ekeh missed a sitter well inside the box off a Barretto push from a melee. However, in the very next minute, Mahindra’s Samson missed a header off a James Singh flagkick. Sunil’s rightfooter was saved by Mahindra goalie S Rajan while in the early first half Samson’s header was fisted over the bar by an acrobatic Rajat. The ‘man of the match’ award went to Mahindra defender Anthony Pereira.
UNI
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NR eves reach hockey final Ludhiana, February 14 Western Railway, Mumbai, and Sri Guru Nanak Pritam Girls Senior Secondary School, Shahbad Markanda, too, recorded victories in their respective matches. WR eves
edged out Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala 2-0 while Haryana girls proved too good for Air-India whom they defeated 4-1. The second finalist will be decided tomorrow after the match to be played between Western Railway and Shahbad Markanda. On the third day of the tournament today, SGNP School, Shahbad Markanda girls, after wasting four penalty corners went into the lead in 24th minute when Jasjeet Kaur successfully converted a penalty stroke. Balvinder scored a field goal in the 46th minute to consolidate the lead (2-0) Four minutes later, Air-India reduced the margin through Priya Singh (2-1) but Balvinder again struck in the 53rd minute to make it 3-1 in favour of Haryana XI. Jasjeet Kaur scored her second goal to enable Haryana to clinch the issue 4-1. In the second match, RCF Kapurthala, after waging a spirited battle against Western Railway, Mumbai, lost 0-2 to make an exit. Both the goals were scored in the second session by Sangyai (65th minute) and Jyoti Dodrai (68th minute). In the match between NR Delhi and CR Mumbai, the former earned the lead in the 12th minute through Neha while Pritam Siwach (15th and 21st minute) made it 3-0. Midway through the second half, B M Geeta of CR found the target to make it 1-3, Binder Kaur of NR sounded the board in the 55th minute to complete the rout.
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Purewal
memorial meet begins Nawanshahr, February 14 The festival features wrestling and kabaddi competitions. In kabaddi, teams from the USA, Canada, Norway, Germany besides India, are participating while in wrestling, international wrestlers Rakesh Indore, Amandeep Sondhi, Harjit Canada, Harvinder Alamgir, Kirpa Shankar, Sarvar Mohali and Anil Chaudhary will be seen in action. In the women’s section, junior Asian gold medallists, Sonika Kaliraman of Delhi and international Gursharan Preet Kaur of Amritsar will compete for the title. Competitions in traditional sports will also be organised. Results (wrestling):
Bharat Kesari: Harjit (Canada) b Ravi (Ludhiana). Jasdeep (Phagwara) b Lakhbir (Ludhiana), Hardeep (Australia) b Jatinder (Patiala). Baljit (UK) b Bikram (Patiala) Bharat Kumar: Manjot (USA) b Parmidner (Phagwara) Parminder (Phagwara) b Hanif Mohammad (Raipur Dabba). Bharat Kesari (women): Seema (Delhi) b Navdeep (Faridkot). |
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Haryana, CRPF joint winners Thiruvananthapuram, February 14 In the losers finals, BSF outclassed CISF 35-11 in an one-sided match. In the handball event, Punjab beat CISF 30-28 and CRPF trounced Jammu and Kashmir 16-7 in the semis to set up a title clash. Punjab would meet BSF in the finals of the basketball event. In the semi-finals held today, Punjab trounced Haryana 90-49 while BSF beat Uttar Pradesh 102-54. In volleyball, Punjab would meet CISF and BSF would play against ITBP in the semi-finals.
PTI
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