England crush fancied Pakistan

Wasim Akram celebrates after dismissing  England's Marcus Trescothick in Cape Town on Saturday. — Reuters photo

Total (for eight wickets, 50 overs) 246

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-45, 3-59, 4-110, 5-118, 6-160, 7-194, 8-223.

Bowling: Wasim Akram 10-1-37-1, Shoaib Akhtar 9-1-63-1, Waqar Younis 7-0-37-2, Saqlain Mushtaq 10-0-44-2, Shahid Afridi 8-0-36-2, Abdur Razzaq 6-0-28-0.

Pakistan:

Anwar lbw b Anderson 29

Afridi c Stewart b Caddick 6

Haq c Knight b Anderson 0

Youhana b Anderson 0

Khan c Stewart b Flintoff 5

Razzaq b White 11

Latif c Stewart b Anderson 0

Akram c Giles b White 7

Saqlain not out 12

Younis c Knight b White 2

Akhtar b Flintoff 43

Extras (b-4 lb-4 w-11) 19 Total (all out, 31 overs) 134

Fall of wickets: 1-13 2-17 3-17 4-52 5-59 6-59 7-71 8-78 9-80

Bowling: Caddick 7-0-27-1, Anderson 10-2-29-4, Flintoff 9-2-37-2, White 5-0-33-3 PTI, AFP

Emphatic 10-wkt win for S. Africa

South African captain Shaun Pollock celebrates with team mates after dismissing Al Sahariar of Bangladesh for a duck in Bloemfontein on Saturday. — Reuters photo

Bloemfontein, February 22
South Africa kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup’s Super Six stage with a crushing 10-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their Group B match today.

In reply to Bangladesh’s paltry 108 all out in 35.1 overs, South Africa coasted home with 38 overs to spare, openers Herschelle Gibbs (49 not out) and Gary Kirsten (52 not out) cashing in on some loose bowling at Goodyear Park.

Both batsmen were in flowing form and Gibbs brought up South Africa’s fifty in only the sixth over, hammering Khaled Mahmud through the covers for his fifth boundary.

Kirsten reached his own half-century in 30 balls with a swept six off Mohammad Rafique’s left-arm spin six and South Africa’s hundred came up off the first ball of the 12th over.

Earlier, Makhaya Ntini took four for 24 as the Bangladeshi batting collapsed for the third time in four matches. Captain Khaled Mashud (29) and Mahmud (23) were the only batsmen to offer some resistance.

South Africa gave little indication of missing the services of 36-year-old fast bowler Allan Donald, left out of the side in favour of 20-year-old paceman Monde Zondeki.

Donald has been struggling for form in the tournament and his omission could well signal the end of the road for South Africa’s most successful test and one-day bowler.

But Donald or no Donald, Bangladesh never looked likely to mount a serious challenge with the bat.

Their troubles began early when opener Al-Sahariar played a loose shot at Pollock and was comfortably caught by Robin Peterson at mid off to depart for a duck. Al-Sahariar’s reckless shot selection set the tone for the rest of the innings.

He was quickly followed by Mohammad Ashraful (six), who edged Ntini behind, and then Ehsanul Haque (three off 30 balls), who was undone by a Pollock slower ball, Zondeki taking a good catch diving forward at mid on.

When Sanwar Hossain edged Andrew Hall to third slip and Zondeki chipped in with the wicket of Alok Kapali, Bangladesh were 33 for five and in danger of complete humiliation for a third time at this World Cup.

However, a partnership of 23 for the sixth wicket between captain Mashud and Tushar Imran (nine) took the Bangladeshis past 50.

Mashud continued his defiance with Mahmud, the pair adding 35 before Mashud (29) was caught behind in the first over of Ntini’s second spell.

After Rafique (one) was run out after a farcical mix-up with Mahmud, Ntini had Manjurul Islam well caught by Boeta Dippenaar at third slip for a duck.

Mahmud (23) weighed in with some powerful blows to guide Bangladesh past 100, but handed Ntini his fourth wicket when he carved the fast bowler to third man to end the innings.

SCOREBOARD

Bangladesh:

Al-Sahariar c Peterson b Pollock 0

Haque c Zondeki b Pollock 3

Ashraful c Boucher b Ntini 6

Hossain c Kallis b Hall 11

Kapali c Dippenaar b Zondeki 2

Imran c Dippenaar b Hall 9

Mashud c Boucher b Ntini 29

Mahmud c Klusener b Ntini 23

Rafique run out 1

Islam c Dippenaar b Ntini 0

Jubair not out 4

Extras: (lb-4 nb-8 w-8) 20

Total: (all out, 35.1 overs) 108

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-14, 3-21, 4-33, 5-33, 6-56, 7-91, 8-93, 9-99.

Bowling: Pollock 6-2-8-2 (nb-3), Ntini 7.1-1-24-4 (nb-2), Zondeki 5-1-17-1 (w-4), Hall 6-2-15-2 (nb-2, w-3), Kallis 5-0-19-0 (nb-1, w-1), Peterson 6-0-21-0

South Africa:

Gibbs not out 49

Kirsten not out 52

Extras: (lb-1 w-7) 8

Total: (for no wicket, 12 overs) 109

Bowling: Manjural Islam 4-0-26-0, Talha Jubair 2-0-24-0 (w-6), Khaled Mahmud 2-0-20-0 (w-1), Mohammad Rafique 2-0-20-0, Alok Kapali 2-0-18-0. Reuters

Allan Donald still not finished
Chetan Sharma

AS I glanced through the starting line-ups of South Africa and Bangladesh, one prominent cricketer would be missing the action on Saturday. I am talking about Allan Donald. There have been a lot of activities centred around him pertaining to his presence in the team and I gather that the motive behind his omission from the match against Bangladesh was not to give the paceman some rest ahead of the crucial matches but to look for some alternative in his place.

Unfortunate but true. White Lightening, as he is widely known, is already in twilight of his illustrious career and this is the last thing he would want- dropped from the team for ‘lack of fire in his belly’.

For more than a decade, Donald has been the pillar of strength for South African cricket. Suddenly his credentials as a fast bowler are being questioned. No doubt, he has dropped considerable pace and batsmen are not afraid to come down the wicket, unimaginable not so long ago when he was thundering quick but having said this I yell at the top of my voice to say that Donald is still not finished yet. South Africa has not shown maturity for putting the blame squarely on Donald for their defeats. He remains, according to me, an important cog in Proteas’ scheme of things.

So what is common among Donald, Aravinda De Silva, Wasim Akram, Javagal Srinath and Shane Warne? There are all into their last dash in the game’s showpiece and undoubtedly great exponents of their own craft. While I pen this piece, the news filters that fans will miss Shane Warne for the next one year but the leg-spinner has already lived the nightmare having been dumped unceremoniously in the shorter version of the game. Nothing you and I can do about it. However, the same fate awaits Donald, albeit in the slightly different manner but the wounds will be no less deep.

Agreed, cricket is no longer the gentleman’s game, in literary sense. A young fast bowler does not flinch in mincing words to a veteran batsman nor does he think twice before going for his head with a vicious bouncer. One day cricket has so evolved that experienced hands like Steve Waugh does not ‘fit’ into this fast-paced game. However, I will not be alone when I say experience still makes a person saleable enough in this world of cricket. Not ready to take my words? Okay, let’s move over to Wasim Akram, Javagal Srinath and Aravinda de Silva.

They are old, not the same as, say ten years before, but still their teams depend a lot on them. And I can say having the confidence of the team behind you can really work wonders for ageing shoulders. Donald, sorry to say, is alone in that aspect. Here’s a message to Shaun Pollock — have confidence in Donald, put him back to where he belongs, in the middle with the ball in his hand and rest assured he will soon be on target for you. Remember new may be silver but old is gold.

Dronacharya Sports Promoters

Windies to show no mercy to Canada

Centurion, February 22
Carl Hooper says West Indies will show no mercy to Canada in tomorrow’s World Cup Group B match after their last game against Bangladesh was washed out.

West Indies lost two valuable points when rain cut short that game and Hooper said his side would take out their frustrations on the Canadians.

“We can’t afford to show them any sympathy,’’ Hooper said. “If we can win this game by lunchtime, then we’ll do it.’’

West Indies, twice World Cup champions, need to win their three remaining games to be assured of place in the Super Six stage.

The Canadians won their first ever World Cup match when beating Bangladesh in their opener but were bowled out for 36 against Sri Lanka, the lowest total ever recorded in a limited-overs international.

West Indies’ big test will come when they play Sri Lanka in Cape Town on Friday but Hooper said: “This game is important for us, not just because we need to win but also because we need to get our discipline back.

“We need to pick up some momentum.’’

Brian Lara, whose century in the opening game of the tournament set up an important victory over South Africa, said the team’s loss to New Zealand, followed by the Bangladesh wash-out, had helped West Indies refocus.

“We were on a high after the South Africa game because we were planning for that game for six months and maybe that’s a little bit to blame,’’ he said.

“We weren’t up to scratch in the second game but now we’ve settled down into the groove.

“The feeling in the camp is great. The mood is very upbeat, we’ve got Canada, we know they’re not playing good cricket, but we’re not going to be taking anything for granted.’’

Lara, run out for two against New Zealand before throwing his wicket away for 46 against Bangladesh, predicted a return to form for struggling opener Chris Gayle.

“A lot of people here haven’t seen Chris Gayle, but I think he’s a tremendous player. If he gets off from now on, he’s going to set the world alight.

“But I don’t think we, as a team, have batted well in all three games...there’s a lot of room for improvement.

“The critical game for us is tomorrow, then we’ll worry about Sri Lanka.’’

Canada, coached by former West Indies batsman Gus Logie, are desperate to bounce back against opponents they know better than most even though they have never before played a one-day international against them.

“Six of our squad have Caribbean connections,” Canada manager Karam Gopaulsingh told AFP.

“And we know some of their players because we’ve been participating in the Red Stripe Cup (the West Indies’ domestic one-day competition) as recently as last August.

“We always knew it would be tough when we played the major sides but we are determined to compete against them.”

The match promises to be an emotional occasion in particular for Canada captain Joseph Harris.

He played six first-class matches for Barbados in the 1988-89 season, primarily as an off-spinner, but made little impact and subsequently moved to Canada. Reuters

Shane Warne banned for 12 months

Australian legspinner Shane Warne and his wife Simone leave the Australian Cricket Board headquarters in Melbourne on Saturday.  — AP/PTI photo

Sydney, February 22
Star Australian leg spinner Shane Warne was today banned for 12 months from international cricket for taking banned diuretics, bringing a premature end to his World Cup hopes and jeopardising his illustrious career.

It is the first time an international cricketer has been suspended on drug charges.

The ban would be effective from February 10, the day the 33-year-old Warne came to know that he tested positive for the banned drug on January 22 in Melbourne.

The decision came after the Australian Cricket Board’s three-member doping tribunal deliberated overnight after hearing from seven witnesses and Warne’s lawyers across eight hours of proceedings.

The ban means Warne cannot join the team in its World Cup campaign in South Africa and will also stand to miss three Test series including one against India. Warne is also ineligible to play for his home state Victoria and English county side Hamspire.

Warne said he was “devastated” by the decision and would appeal against it. “I am absolutely devastated and very upset at the committee’s decision suspending me for 12 months and I will appeal,” Warne said in a statement.

“I feel that I am a victim of the anti-doping hysteria. I also want to repeat I have never taken any performance- enhancing drug and never will,” Warne said.

“I feel that a 12-month suspension is a very harsh penalty for not checking what I took with anyone,” said the bowler who is only 28 wickets short of world record 519 Test wickets of West Indies Courtney Walsh.

Warne said he felt it was important for him to clarify some facts in the wake of the ban.

“I have never blamed my mom. I thought it was important to clarify where the tablet came from. It had nothing to do with cricket or trying to mask anything. It had to do with appearance,” Warne admitted.

Warne, a key player in Australia’s World Cup winning performance in the 1999 edition bagging the man-of-the-match awards both in the semis and final, had comforting words for his teammates in South Africa.

“You (the team) don’t need me to win the World Cup. You have the talent, the passion and the desire to bring the Cup back to all of us here in Australia.”

ACB chief James Sutherland later told reporters the board had suspended Warne’s contract for 12 months and that there were “specific reasons” why the tribunal did not impose a two-year ban as was earlier believed.

“The anti-doping committee found that there were no exceptional circumstances which could justify the charge being dismissed,” Sutherland said.

“The committee confirmed that the mere presence of diuretics in the sample constituted the use of a prohibited method under the anti-doping policy,” Sutherland said adding the reasons why the two-year ban was not imposed would be made public later.

“The critical thing is that a decision has been made by an independent committee. We’re comfortable with their findings and the process of arriving at that finding,” he said.

The doping scandal is the latest in Warne’s list of scandals and his tryst with controversies has made him the most loved and hated cricketer in sports-mad Australia.

Warne, also Australia’s leading wicket-taker in one-day cricket with 291 scalps, was notified of the positive drug test a day before Australia were to start their World Cup campaign against Pakistan in Johannesburg.

The bowler, who had announced he would quit one-day cricket after the World Cup, left for home in a huff to await the result of the test on the ‘B’ sample and a subsequent hearing.

Warne maintained he was innocent and had not taken any performance-enhancing drug but admitted to taking a “fluid tablet” without knowing that it contained prohibited substances.

As the developments related to the scandal hogged media headlines overshadowing Australia’s World Cup exploits, Warne’s second sample also confirmed presence of diuretics hydrocholorothiazide and amiloride. Diuretics are banned in sports because of their ability to flush out performance- enhancing steroids or stimulants.

Amidst extreme reactions from sports administrators, fans and anti-drug campaigners, the tribunal set Friday as the day for hearing the high-profile case. PTI

Ban a wake-up call, says Ponting

Potchefstroom, February 22
Australian one-day international captain Ricky Ponting today termed Shane Warne’s one-year ban as a wake-up call not only to cricketers but to all sportspersons.

Australian Cricket Board (ACB) anti-doping committee today handed out the ruling to Warne, who flew home from the World Cup earlier this month without bowling a ball after testing positive for a diuretic.

Talking to reporters here, Ponting said, “Obviously he was very naive with it but I think it’s a big wake up call for not just cricketers but sportsmen around the world. We have to be very careful with the things we put in our mouth. Shane’s obviously learned a very hard lesson.’’

Reacting to Shane Warne’s ACB Anti-Doping Committee hearing, Ponting expressed his disappointment saying — “I think everyone is feels very disappointed for Warnie. We’ve always had a little belief he might be back for the World Cup and he might still be. But we’re all disappointed for Shane.

“Obviously it’s been a very tough time for him over the last week and a half. I believe he’ll appeal this thing and hopefully the suspension will be lessened, Ponting confided. Warne’s career was hanging in the balance in the greatest doping scandal to hit cricket. The ban leaves a huge question mark over Warne’s already controversial career, which has included him being punished for accepting money from an Indian bookmaker. He has also fought back from a string of serious injuries to his bowling shoulder and finger. UNI

Mixed reaction to Warne’s ban

Sydney, February 22
Shane Warne’s 12-month ban from international cricket sparked mixed reactions from various quarters here today with Test captain Steve Waugh saying it would be very difficult for the leg-spinner to force his way back in the national squad.

“It is the unknown question, I am sure that Shane will initially say to himself, ‘I want to get back in there and back on the field,’ but as time goes by his mind will be in different places,” said Waugh who was dropped from the one-day side last year.

“But it is really his decision, and he has got to have the motivation to continue.... To train for 12 months without playing, that has to be very difficult,” Waugh was quoted as saying on an Australian website.

For national chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns the anti-doping tribunal’s decision was something that “had to be lived with”.

“Twelve months - that’s the decision and everyone has to get on with it,” Hohns said.

The 33-year-old Warne was today banned for a year from all “organised cricket” for taking diuretics by an independent tribunal.

Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) president John Coates said Warne’s case should serve as a wake-up call to all athletes. PTI

Indians keen to pick up momentum

Indian captain Saurav Ganguly (C) smashes a ball as team mates Parthiv Patel (L) and Anil Kumble (R) look on. — Reuters photo

Pietermaritzburg, February 22
India are not taking minnows Namibia lightly in its World Cup Group A clash here tomorrow, with skipper Sourav Ganguly stating his team did not want to be trapped in a “surprise situation”.

The Indians brought their World Cup campaign back on track with a convincing victory against Zimbabwe in the previous game but Ganguly said the team still needed to improve on its batting.

“We need to keep our focus and improve in batting. Namibia are minnows but we still have got to be up against them. It’s a game and important for batters,” Ganguly said.

“There have been surprises before in the World Cup and we don’t want to get in a situation like that,” Ganguly said.

But the captain expressed confidence that India would be able to beat their opponents “comfortably”.

“I have followed their (Namibia’s) games and we should beat them comfortably,” he said.

However, what the Indians need from tomorrow’s game is not just a win, which looks assured, but an emphatic all-round performance that would put the team in the right frame of mind ahead of the two big games against England and Pakistan.

Clearly, instead of performing only to 80 per cent of their abilities, as Ganguly said the team did against Zimbabwe, the players would be required to give more than 100 per cent and come out with a comprehensive victory.

The Indians are currently in the joint second spot in Group A having won two of their three matches so far to garner eight points, same as Zimbabwe and England. Australia, who have won all their games so far, lead the pool with 12 points.

The Indians would be keen to pick up the momentum tomorrow and win their matches against Namibia and England in order to avoid a situation where they must beat Pakistan in their last league game to qualify for the Super Six.

The Indians must be relieved that Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, and to an extent Ganguly and Rahul Dravid too, were among runs in the previous game against Zimbabwe.

But the form of the young guns — Dinesh Mongia, Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif — continues to be a cause of worry. Tomorrow’s match gives the youngsters another opportunity to set things right and score some runs.

The pitch at Pietermaritzburg usually helps the medium-pacers and considering the form that the trio of Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra showed in the previous game, it should be another happy day for the Indian pacemen.

In all probability, the Indians would once again go in with only one spinner but this time it might be Harbhajan Singh’s turn to cool his heels. By all indications, the team management is relying on Kumble’s accuracy and subtle variations to torment the Namibian batsmen.

Namibians have had their moments in this tournament, most notably against England in the last game. Jan-Berry Burger was the pick of the batsmen, hitting an inspired 85, while medium pacer Rudie van Vuuren captured five wickets.

Namibia also have a good first-hand knowledge of local conditions as they share a border with South Africa. Located on the continent’s south-west coast, Namibia only achieved independence from South African rule in 1990.

From 1996, South Africa allowed Namibia to take part in the United Cricket Board Bowl, a competition for the second XIs of its provinces.

Namibia have also benefited from the advice and coaching of Bob Woolmer, who previously helped turn South Africa into a major force in world cricket.

As yet, Namibia have surprised no one. Easily defeated by Zimbabwe, they crashed to the pace of Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar in Kimberley before salvaging some pride against England.

Teams (from):
India: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Mongia, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Sanjay Bangar, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath.

Namibia: Deon Kotze (captain), Danie Keulder, J.B. Burger, Louis Burger, Sarel Burger, Morne Karg, Bjorn Kotze, Lennie Louw, Gavin Murgatroyd, Burton van Rooi, Melt van Schoor, Gerrie Snyman, Stephan Swanepoel, Rudi van Vuuren and Riaan Walters.

Umpires: David Shepherd (Eng) and Aleem Sarwar Dar (Pak).

Match referee: Wasim Raja (Pak). PTI

Srinath grateful to Ganguly for recall

Pietermaritzburg, February 22
For Javagal Srinath, a chance to play in the World Cup - his fourth in succession - is the fulfilment of a deep desire for which he is grateful to skipper Saurav Ganguly.

Srinath, who announced his retirement from Test cricket after the tour of West Indies last year, was left out of the one-day team also before being recalled in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka on Ganguly’s insistence.

And Ganguly’s trust was not misplaced. Srinath was India’s best bowler in New Zealand and has carried the same form in the ongoing World Cup.

“It was a call which I wanted (to hear). It was good of my captain to call me back,” Srinath said ahead of India’s group A league match against Namibia here on Sunday.

“I was very specific about my desire to play in this World Cup.”

Srinath was quite satisfied with his performance but said his batting needed some improvement.

“I am getting my line and length right. There comes a time when experience becomes confidence. That probably helps you in keeping your minds steady,” he said.

“(But) I need to give more thought to my batting before it is too late. My batting against West Indies (at home) cannot be taken too seriously.”

The veteran speedster was full of praise for his younger team mates who partner him in the bowling attack, especially left-arm medium-pacers Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra. He said they had the potential to serve the country for a long time.

“Nehra is a good talent but he hasn’t had many games under his belt in recent times. But he needs to work on his fitness. As for Zaheer, he is the new find of Indian cricket.”

While the team’s concentration now was on the Namibia match, India’s game against arch-rivals Pakistan on March 1 was bound to be an “emotional” affair, Srinath said.

“It will be a real high intensity game and the whole world will be watching it. Emotions will run high and all of us will be a little nervous.

“We need to make sure we do the right thing and don’t succumb to the pressure,” Srinath said.

Srinath said the sessions with Australian sports psychologist Sandy Gordon had made him realise the value of a full-time psychologist for players going through a bad patch.

“I had missed the meeting with Sandy in England (last year) but here, even I was curious to know what the inputs of a psychologist means. PTI

PROFILE OF THE WEEK
Namibian Van Vuuren makes an impact
Ashish Shukla

PIETERMARITZBURG: Just three matches old in the competition, Rudie van Vuuren has already fulfilled two of his biggest ambitions in cricket. He took five wickets against England the other day and in the previous game had taken a four off his idol Wasim Akram.

If this genial cricketer from Namibia looks a cricketer with modest aims, consider it again for he has represented his country in rugby World cup and is also a qualified doctor. Van Vuuren openly admits he is not talented enough in cricket but he gives it importance enough to miss two rugby qualifiers for the 2003 World Cup.

Come April, however, he intends to switch codes, pile on the pounds and go into training for his second rugby World Cup. “Sometimes you can take the passion and aggression of rugby on to the cricket field,” he said. “I don’t think I’m that talented at cricket but sometimes that gives me the edge. “And it is the same in rugby. I take the calmness of cricket on to the rugby field.” It was not so much calmness as a rush of blood by successive England batman that contributed to Van Vuuren’s historic bowling display. Nick Knight and Michael Vaughan pulled low to midwicket, while a final over that yielded two fours also brought three wickets.

But an opening spell of 6-2-10-2 was also memorable for its control. Bowling at little more than medium pace, Van Vuuren varied his length impressively, making the most of a slow pitch. Of his first 36 balls, 27 were scoreless. Former All Black Jeff Wilson played in two rugby World Cup matches and also represented New Zealand at cricket - but never at a World Cup.

Van Vuuren, who plays fly-half, said: “I should make it (the rugby World Cup in Australia later this year). Injuries are the only concern at this stage. “But I would never think of myself as a professional sportsman because I like it the way it is. I am very dedicated to my job. I have a big passion for medicine.”

For now though, Van Vuuren’s attentions are turned only on cricket, as they were last year when his two commitments clashed. “The guys from the cricket and rugby understand,” he said. “They have a gentlemen’s agreement and they try to accommodate me but it doesn’t always work out and I missed two rugby World Cup qualifiers.”

He also bowls the meanest long hop in the game. Earlier against Pakistan, Van Vuuren scored only 14 runs in his team’s total of 171-but the 30-year-old was beaming despite the margin of defeat. He said: “It’s an honour to play in both the World Cups, but hitting a boundary off one of my idols is a moment I will always cherish. “I will tell my children that I hit a boundary off the great bowler and they will also enjoy it.”

Van Vuuren, a doctor who treats AIDS patients, revealed why his Akram boundary had been all the more important. The Namibian, who had his bat signed by Wasim after the game, added: “I first saw Wasim at the 1992 World Cup taking two magic wickets in the final. And since then I have idolised him.”

Awesome Aussies eye world record

Johannesburg, February 22
Australia are just three matches away from scripting a world record.

Wins in their next three World Cup Group ‘A’ matches against Zimbabwe, Namibia and England will help Australia surpass the record of 11 straight one-day wins achieved by the West Indies team in the mid 1980s.

Australia, who have so far notched nine consecutive victories, started their winning streak beating England at Hobart on January 11.

Taking into account their current form, the world champions are all set to eclipse the previous record as they prepare to take on Zimbabwe at Bulawayo on February 24.

Opening batsman Matthew Hayden said he was confident of his side scripting a new record during the World Cup.

“I don’t think it’s out of our league, that’s for sure. We are playing really good cricket and I guess now it’s just playing the big matches - Zimbabwe is a big match on their home territory,” the left-handed batsman was quoted as saying by a website.

“I don’t think it’s out of our possibilities, we are playing well - we’re a great side when we’re playing with that momentum behind us,” said Hayden, who was expected to play a major role in Australia’s bid to defend their title in South Africa successfully.

The world champions have come within sniffing distance of the Windies’ record twice before, falling at the 11th hurdle in May 1990 and February 2001.

However, they hold the record for playing the most consecutive one-day games without defeat - a 14-match stretch between January and March 2000 that included a no-result when rain washed out play against New Zealand in Wellington.

The awesome West Indies side, boasting the likes of Vivian Richards, Desmond Haynes, Gordon Greenidge, Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner and Michael Holding, won 11 matches in a row between June 1984 and February 1985.

Though Hayden said Australia could make the record, he was unsure about an unbeaten World Cup for his side.

“We’ve won two of the biggest matches, against India and Pakistan, straight away and we kind of saw that as the key to our campaign and we’re just gathering a lot of strength from that,” said Hayden.

After the match against Zimbabwe, Australia will meet Namibia at Potchefstroom on Thursday and England at Port Elizabeth on March 2. PTI

Gillespie keen to be more consistent

Johannesburg, February 22
Australian quick Jason Gillespie has vowed that the years of injury-induced misery he has endured will serve as the ideal platform for his personal assault on the World Cup. In three games so far, the 27-year-old has snared six wickets including a fiery 3 for 13 of 10 overs that ripped the heart out of India’s batting at the Centurion a week ago.

His performances have also outshone those of fellow pacemen Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee, both of whom were widely touted to be the men causing the real damage at this tournament.

“With my past, I’ve missed a lot of cricket and I’m trying to make up for lost time, so to speak. I don’t want to have any bad games. I want to be very consistent,” said Gillespie who has endured extensive periods on the sidelines since making his debut in 1996. “I just want to play a big part in victories, obviously with the ball, but if I can contribute with the bat and in the field, that’s what I want to do,” added the man who spent almost a year out of the game after the 1997 Ashes series with stress fractures in his back. AFP

JCT subdue Churchill Bros
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, February 22
JCT Phagwara faced stiff challenge from Churchill Brothers of Goa before romping home victorious 2-1 in the 15th round of the seventh National Football League at the Guru Nanak Stadium here today. With this win, JCT accumulated 24 points while Churchill Brothers remained on 21 points.

After both teams muffed scoring chances, JCT turned on the heat in the 21st minute of the contest when, Hardip Saini produced a brilliant goal. Churchill Bros’ custodian Edward Ansah hit a long footer just at the half line from where Hardip sent a powerful kick which lobbed over the goalkeeper to sail into the net (1-0).

Midway through the first session, the visitors almost scored the equaliser when medio Roque Barreto popped up the unmarked JCT defence but his sizzler landed in goalkeeper Mansuru Mohammed’s safe hands.

In the second half, the two teams began with added vigour and made some forays but fumbled at the goal mouth. In a counter attack, JCT players weaved a good move, entered the striking box where Churchill defender Noel Wilson handled the ball which resulted in a penalty kick to JCT. Jo Paul Anchery made no mistake and rolled the ball into the net to consolidate the lead.

Trailing by two goals, Churchill Bros went all out. They made repeated attacks but failed to cut much ice.

In the 76th minute, JCT were taken aback when Yakubu of Churchill Bros sent a powerful shot that was stopped by Pawan Kumar with his hand and the referee awarded a penalty kick to Churchill Bros. Yakubu Yusuf succeeded in reducing the margin (2-1). The visitors pressed hard for the equaliser but success eluded them.

East Bengal edge past ITI

Kolkata, February 22
Soccer giants East Bengal came a step closer to the National Football League title when they edged past unfancied ITI from Bangalore 1-0 in their 15th outing at the Salt Lake Stadium here today.

The all-important goal for the red-yellow brigade was scored by their Nigerian striker Mike Okoro.

With this victory, East Bengal lead the league table with 37 points from 15 matches with the second-placed Mohun Bagan on 26 points from as many matches.

ITI continued to remain at the bottom of the table with four points from the same number of outings.

East Bengal, with three of their regulars Douglas, Sulleh Mussah and Sunil Malhotra not taking field due to injury, failed to dominate as expected.

ITI, however, put up a brave battle and was definitely unlucky not to get a point. Besides wasting a penalty, two of their goal-bound attempts by medio Dhanesh and Nazir were saved by East Bengal defenders M Suresh and Suryabikash from the goal-line, with custodian Sandip Nandy totally beaten.

East Bengal started in the usual fashion forcing two chances minutes from the word go. However, Okoro bungled up both the opportunities.

It was only in the eleventh minute when East Bengal got the all important goal to move a step further towards clinching the title. Mike Okero this time did not do any mistake to tap in a Kuluthwanga header off East Bengal defender Surya Bikash’s pass (1-0).

Salgaocar win

Bangalore: Salgaocar Sports Club, Goa, thrashed HAL 3-0 here. The Goans, with 27 points from eight wins and three draws, are now second in the overall points tally, trailing behind East Bengal, who have 37 points. The visitors, who scored all the goals in the first half, opened the account through a spot-kick earned and converted by Climax Lawrence in the sixth minute. HAL custodian Mark Mascarenhas was penalised with a yellow card for obstruction. UNI

A revolutionary step, says WFI chief
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 22
Mr M.S. Malik, president, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), has complemented Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for directing SAI to adopt 50 akharas. Mr Malik conveyed his gratitude to Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr Vikram Verma, and Secretary, Sports, Union Government, for taking such a revolutionary step. He said with this step mud wrestling would come to its end and help boost mat wrestling conforming to the international standards.

Wrestlers in mud are more prone to injuries and it slows down their movement. There is no mud wrestling in international matches. Indian wrestlers have carved but a niche for themselves with their performance. Adoption of akharas will attract more talent in the game, Mr Malik added.

It may be recalled that the Union Government had given SAI, a target of adopting 50 akharas and providing equipment to 100 more akharas in the 10th Five Year Plan. Most of these akharas stand to benefit from this scheme are located in Haryana, Punjab and Delhi, considered the cradle of Indian wrestling.

Patiala XI beat Rest of India by 93 runs
Our Sports Reporter

Patiala, February 22
Patiala XI notched up a 93-run win against Rest of India in the one-day Patiala Heritage Festival cricket match played at the Dhruv Pandove stadium here today.

Opting to bat first on a placid wicket, Patiala XI scored 254 for five against a mediocres looking attack in which medium pacer Yog Raj Singh stood out for his incisive bowling. Both new ball bowlers, Debashish Mohanty and Doda Ganesh, looked ineffective. Sunil Joshi also bowled without penetration.

For the hosts, skipper Reetinder Sodhi (60), and Harminder Jugnu (59) played good knocks with the former looking more impressive as he hit strokes almost at will. Towards the end of his knock, Sodhi unleashed a barrage of strokes that included three sixes.

In reply, Rest of India managed to score 161 for six in the stipulated 35 overs. Opener and former Punjab captain Vikram Rathore played very well. He flicked with silken grace and drove with power to score a brief but impressive 30 before getting out.

Hrishikesh Kanitkar chipped in with 47, while Mohinder Amarnath and Rajinder Amarnath, scored 22 apiece.

Brief scores: Patiala XI: 254 for 5 ( Reetinder Sodhi 60, Harminder Jugnu 59, Samrat Sharma 39, S.P. Singh 22 notout, Yog Raj Singh 3 for 32, Debashish Mohanty 1 for 24, Narender Hirwani 1 for 46)

Rest of India: 161 for 6 (H. Kanitkar 47, Vikram Rathore 30, Sunil Joshi 18, M. Amarnath 22, R. Amarnath 22, Navdeep Singh 2 for 32, R. Sodhi 1 for 37, S.P. Singh 1 for 13, Sandeep Sanwal 1 for 24).

SPORTS BRIEFS

AKHTAR CLOCKS FASTEST DELIVERY
CAPE TOWN: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar became the first bowler to officially clock 100 miles-per-hour in international cricket during Pakistan’s group A match against England on Saturday. Bowling in only his second over, Akhtar warmed up with a 158.4 kph delivery and gradually built up speed to finish the over with 161.3 kph (100.23 mph). It was a maiden over. The delivery remains the quickest recorded in an official cricket match — Test or one-day. England opener Nick Knight was struggling to middle the ball with Akhtar bowling at top pace, and in the next over an attempted hook by the left-hander sailed over the wicketkeeper for six off a top edge. Akhtar and Australian fast bowler Brett Lee are considered the fastest bowlers in world cricket. Lee’s top recorded speed is 157.6 kph during the Test against South Africa here last year. AP

Cricket fan Rama Krishnan prays in front of a collaged poster featuring Lord Ganesh and references to the cricket World Cup in Chennai on Saturday. Krishnan, 56, has created a unique temple where Hindu idols hold cricket bats and balls.  — Reuters

GANGULY FEELS SORRY FOR WARNE
PIETERMARITZBURG: Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly said he felt sorry for champion leg-spinner Shane Warne who was banned from the game for a year for consuming a prohibited substance. “I feel sorry for him. He’s a legend,” Ganguly said ahead of India’s World Cup group A league match against Namibia. “This is a big thing in his career and it has come towards the end of his career and in his last World Cup,” Ganguly said. “He’s a champion performer.” PTI

WAUGH SHOCKED
MELBOURNE: Australia Test captain Steve Waugh has said he was shocked by Shane Warne’s one-year suspension on Saturday for using a banned drug but hoped the leg spinner would make a comeback next year. Warne, one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the century, was suspended from cricket for 12 months by an Australian Cricket Board (ACB) anti-doping committee after testing positive for a banned diuretic. “I’m a little bit surprised and, in some ways, shocked,” Waugh told reporters in Perth on Saturday. Reuters

DONALD LEFT OUT
BLOEMFONTEIN: Alan Donald was controversially left out of South Africa’s team to play Bangladesh in the cricket World Cup on Saturday in a decision which could mark the end of his career. Donald, the only South African to take 300 Test wickets, has struggled for form in the two matches he has played at the tournament, but it was widely expected he would be given one more chance on his home ground and in front of his home fans. Donald’s exclusion would appear a terminal blow to the 36-year-old fast bowler, as the South African selectors have clearly decided to place their confidence and in youth and potential over experience. In the past week, Donald’s advocates have been calling for the veteran paceman to be given time in the middle as the best way to rediscover his best form. Reuters