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Tuesday,
March 4, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Rain devastates SA yet again Holland win battle of minnows Kiwis beat Canada by five wickets |
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Who said group B was easy, it is volatile
Hard to motivate boys, says Hooper Andy Flower set for sad Zimbabwe exit
The equation for Pakistan
Ban sought on
Pakistan’s participation
‘Faulty selection’ led
to Pak debacle India peaking at the right time
Ponting targets unbeaten World Cup run Hussain doesn't deserve a second chance
Michael Bevan made the difference for Australia Nasser Hussain assessing ruins ‘Shameful’ show by Bangladesh to be probed CONTROVERSY OF THE WEEK
Paes-Riki duo clinches Dubai Open title Anand held by Ponomariov Sonepat eves lift volleyball title J and K Bank to
meet Him Club
GND varsity women win Manoj adjudged best weightlifter
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Rain devastates SA yet again
Durban, March 3 Monday was almost as painful. With the umpires having already called for their rain coats, Mark Boucher and Klusener -- him again -- knew they had to pick up the scoring rate quickly. What Boucher did not know was that he would only receive two more deliveries from off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. He hit the first for six over mid-wicket to take the score to 229 for six. He did not know it, but a snatched single would have been enough off the next, final delivery. Instead, he pushed it to wide mid-on and stayed in his crease. Moments later, to the boos of a horrified Kingsmead full house, the players where heading off the pitch as the heavens opened. There was just time for one more twist of the knife. Around 40 minutes later, the rain began to stop, the umpires headed back on the pitch and ordered the covers off. As soon as they did so, the rain began to fall again and South Africa were heading for a door marked "Exit". The final image of the night was of the hosts' captain Shaun Pollock, sitting distraught on the players' balcony with his head in his hands. Earlier, Atapattu struck a solid 124 and put on 152 runs for the fourth wicket with veteran Aravinda de Silva before Sri Lanka slipped a bit in the final overs losing a number of wickets that halted their progress. Except these two batsmen, none of the other Sri Lankans contributed anything substantial to the score. Scoreboard Sri Lanka: Atapattu c sub b Hall 124 Jayasuriya run out 16 Tillakaratne c Boucher Jayawardene c Boucher b Hal l1 De Silva c Smith b Ntini 73 Arnold b Pollock 8 Sangakkara c Pollock b Kallis 6 Vaas run out 3 Murali b Kallis 4 Fernando not out 1 Extras:
(lb-2, w-11, nb-5) 18 Total: (9 wkts, 50 overs) 268 FoW: 1-37, 2-77, 3-90, 4-242, 5-243, 6-258, 7-261, 8-266, 9-268. Bowling:
Pollock 10-1-48-1, Ntini 10-0-49-1, Zondeki 6-0-35-0, Kallis 10-0-41-3, Hall 10-0-62-2, Klusener 4-0-31-0. South Africa: Smith c Gunaratne b De Silva 35 Gibbs b Murali 73 Kirsten b De Silva 8 Kallis b Jayasuriya 16 Dippenaar lbw b Jayasuriya 8 Boucher batting 45 Pollock run out 25 Klusener batting 1 Total:
(6 wkts, 45 overs) 229 Fall of wickets: 1-65, 2-91, 3-124, 4-149, 5-149, 6-212. Bowling:
Vaas 7-0-33-0, Gunaratne 6-0-26-0, Fernando 1-0-14-0, De Silva 8-0-36-2, Arnold 4-0-16-0, Muralitharan 9-0-47-1, Jayasuriya 10-0-49-2.
Reuters
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Holland win battle of minnows Bloemfontein, March 3 After piling up 314 for four off their 50 overs, the Dutch dismissed their opponents for 250 in 46.5 overs with Kloppenburg also starring with the ball as he finished his 10-over spell with figures of four for 42. It was the first ever one-day international win for the Netherlands and gave them their first - and last points in this tournament. Namibia, playing in their first World Cup, got their reply off to a solid start with openers Jan Burger and Morne Karg putting on 76 for the first wicket before Burger was out in the 14th over for 41. Karg was also dismissed for 41 before Danie Keulder and Gavin Murgatroyd both chipped in with 52 each taking the score to 209 for four in the 40th over. However, wickets then fell regularly as the Africans struggled to keep up with the run rate. Earlier, Van Noortwijk, (32) who had held the previous best Dutch score in a World Cup of 64 against England in 1999, went on to finish on 134 not out off 129 balls, hitting 11 fours and three sixes. "I have had a pretty poor tournament so today was a question of getting rid of all my frustrations," said Van Noortwijk who put on 228 off 243 balls with Kloppenburg for the second wicket. SCOREBOARD Netherlands: Kloppenburg c Van Schoor b Snyman 121 Schiferli b Van Vuuren 10 van Noortwijk not out 134 Zuiderent b L Burger 5 De Leede b L Burger 0 Van Troost not out 16 Extras:
(b-4, lb-2, w-18, nb-4) 28 Total: (for four wkts, 50 overs) 314 Fall of wickets:
1-25, 2-253, 3-270, 4-270 Bowling: Snyman 10-0-55-1, Van Vuuren 10-1-63-1, van Rooi 8-0-59-0, L Burger 10-1-49-2, J Burger 3-0-18-0, Kotze 4-0-29-0, S Burger 5-0-35-0. Namibia: Karg c sub b De Leede 41 Burger c sub b Kloppenburg 41 Keulder b Kloppenburg 52 Murgatroyd c Zuiderent b Mol 52 Kotze lbw b Raja 25 L. Burger b Kloppenburg 1 Snyman c De Leede b Kloppenburg 0 Burger st Smits b Raja 6 Van Rooi not out 9 Van Schoor b Raja 1 5 Van Vuuren c Mol b Raja 0 Extras:
(lb-5, w-2, nb-1) 8 Total: (all out, 46.5 overs) 250 FoW: 1-76, 2-87, 3-179, 4-209, 5-213, 6-213, 7-224, 8-237, 9-250. Bowling:
Schiferli 7-0-46-0, Esmeijer 7-0-43-0, de Leede 8-0-33-1, Kloppenburg 10-0-42-4, Adeel Raja 8.5-0-42-4, Mol 6-0-39-1.
AFP
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Kiwis beat Canada by five wickets
Benoni (South Africa), March 3 New Zealand had to await the outcome of the Sri Lanka vs South Africa match later today to learn whether they did enough against Canada to secure a Super Six place. New Zealand won with 27 overs to spare as Scott Styris, 54 not out off 38 balls, and Chris Harris, an unbeaten 38 off 29 balls, guided the Kiwis out of trouble. This was after John Davison had followed up his 62-ball 75 runs with 3 for 62. He opened the bowling and his breakthroughs had New Zealand struggling at 114 for five. Then Styris and Harris figured in a match-winning stand of 82 runs in less than 10 overs to clinch four important points for the team. If Sri Lanka beat South Africa, then Sri Lanka and New Zealand would qualify together with Kenya into the next round. But if South Africa win, four teams will end up with 16 points and qualification could be determined by run rates. New Zealand finished with a net run-rate of +0.99 but their progression in the tournament depended on the outcome of the game in Durban. Having hit the fastest ever World Cup century, his 67-ball hundred against the West Indies, Davison smashed the Kiwis for four sixes and nine boundaries after the Canadians had started by losing opener Ishwar Maraj in the fifth over. Davison, 32, hit Andre Adams out of the attack, taking 31 runs off the medium paceman's opening three overs. He clubbed 23 runs off Jacob Oram's first two overs. Two of those sixes off seamer Jacob Oram sailed out of the Willowmoore Park as Davison reached 50 off just 25 deliveries. But as the South Australian state player went for another big hit, he was deceived in the air by Chris Harris and lofted the ball straight to Chris Cairns on the long-on fence. It was enough for the Kiwis to sense an opening and allowed Canada to score just 116 runs more after they were happily placed at 80-2 in the 15th over. Oram fought back after the early battering from Davison to claim 4 for 52 while fast bowler Shane Bond finished with 3 for 29 from his 10 overs. New Zealand, who sent Canada to bat, need a big win to stay in contention for a place in the Super Sixes from Group B, but even that may not be enough to see them through. The Kiwis will be knocked out if Sri Lanka defeat hosts South Africa under the Kingsmead lights at Durban later today. Kenya, a non Test-playing nation, are the only team from the group to qualify for the Super Sixes, leaving Sri Lanka, South Africa and New Zealand battling for the other two spots. The Kiwis, who lost their opening game to Sri Lanka, played their best cricket to defeat both South Africa and the West Indies.
SCOREBOARD Canada: Maraj lbw b Bond 0 Davison c Cairns b Harris 75 Ifill c McCullum b Oram 7 Billcliff c Fleming b Styris 8 De Groot lbw b Oram 17 Harris c McCullum b Bond 26 Bagai b Oram 1 Samad lbw b Bond 12 Codrington b Oram 7 Patel b Styris 25 Seebaran not out 4 Extras:
(lb-1, w-12, nb-1) 14 Total: (all out, 47 overs) 196 Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-43, 3-80, 4-98, 5-123, 6-129, 7-152, 8-153, 9-173. Bowling:
Bond 10-3-29-3, Adams 6-0-38-0, Oram 10-1-52-4, Vettori 10-0-34-0, Styris 4-0-23-2, Harris 7-1-19-1. New Zealand: McMillan c Bagai
Fleming run out 5 Astle st Bagai b Davison 11 Cairns c Maraj b Davison 31 Adams c sub b Seebaran 36 Styris not out 54 Harris not out 38 Extras:
(LB-3, W-5) 8 Total: (5 wkts, 23 overs) 197 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-31, 3-32, 4-97, 5-114 Bowling:
Patel 3-0-32-0, Davison 10-0-61-3, Codrington 2-0-33-0, Seebaran 7-0-61-1, Ifill 1-0-7-0.
AFP |
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Who said group B was easy, it is volatile Cricket is a funny business. The present set-up of the World Cup means that your qualification might depend on others performance also in certain cases. Take for example, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and England. Even after Stephan Fleming dismissed Canada for 196, he was wearing that distinct frown on his face. Canadians, meanwhile, were reaping wickets, as Kiwis went wild after runs to up their run rate. For a period, wickets did not matter, batsman getting out to slogs in the first 15 overs were deemed heroes. And as soon as their match got over, surely the Kiwis would have cuddled around their TV sets, watching the South Africa-New Zealand match. The run rate system has it's own thrills. Imagine this proposition, if Pakistan need to qualify for the Super Six, they have to dismiss Zimbabwe for less than 250 and chase within 14.2 overs! The only way out from all these mess-- win all your matches and laugh at the proceedings like Australians are doing. This tournament, like I have mentioned time and again, is bizarre. Holland, after the dismal performance by their batsman throughout, came on their own creating a record second-wicket partnership and walloping Namibians for 314 in their 50 overs. Cricket lovers could not have asked more than this, they have had enough upsets, strokeplay and thrills within the first phase of the tournament. On the other hand, the hosts had everything to play for against the Lankans. This match was to finally decide the positions in the volatile group B. Any mention of this group being relatively easy, said at the start of the tournament, will have to be dismissed as a cruel joke. I am really sorry to say but South Africa, coming into this tournament as favourites, will have to bow out unceremoniously. Having allowed the Lankan batting to dominate and zip to a daunting total of 268 would not be the nicest of ideas Proteas thought of salvaging their position in the group, more so when they bat second. They will have to counter the swinging conditions, the in form Chaminda Vaas and the mounting run rate. Quite a Herculean task but cricket has seen stranger things. From Sri Lankan's point of view, I think they are peaking at the right time. The subtle middle order is pulling its weight and the experienced hands of De Silva add dazzle to it. Marvan Attapatu, Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakeratne has had a fabulous tournament. The only worry is with Jayawardene, but the 1996 champions have time to work it over. As I finish this article, South Africa will have to pull out a rabbit from the hat and cross over the line ahead of New Zealand or Sri Lanka. Luck has traditionally not been with them but they enjoy the home support and the calibre to pull it off! We will wait and
watch. |
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Hard to motivate boys, says Hooper
Kimberley (South Africa), March 3 The only hope for Carl Hooper’s West Indians, whose predecessors won the first two editions of cricket’s showpiece in 1975 and 1979, is if Canada upset New Zealand and South Africa lose to Sri Lanka today. It’s a remote possibility that even Hooper doubts will happen.
“It will be hard to motivate the boys. But we will still try and win. It’s still a one-day international and more importantly, it is a World Cup game.” Also, the West Indies would not want to suffer the embarrassment which Richie Richardson’s men went through in the 1996 World Cup when they lost to Kenya at Pune, India. The West Indies have slipped badly after a fine start in which they upset hosts South Africa under the Newlands lights at Cape Town in the opening match of the tournament on February 9. But they won just one of their next four games, against Canada, and were further handicapped when bad weather denied them a certain win against Bangladesh. The loss of those two points left them languishing at 10 points, two behind South Africa and New Zealand and six points adrift of Sri Lanka and Kenya. The Kenyans, on the other hand, are flying high after becoming the first non-Test playing nation to qualify for the Super Sixes. They deserved the spot after a shock win over Sri Lanka although their campaign was helped by New Zealand’s boycott of the Nairobi game on February 21, which gave Steve Tikolo’s team four easy points. Tikolo hoped Kenya’s performance in the World Cup will strengthen their case to be granted Test status by the International Cricket Council (ICC). “The ICC should take notice,” Tikolo said. “Our performances here have shown that we are worth more international matches and they will definitely be a boost for Kenyan cricket - as you can see from our shirts, we don’t even have a sponsor.” Teams (from): West Indies: Carl Hooper (capt), Ridley Jacobs, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Mervyn Dillon, Vasbert Drakes, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Wavell Hinds, Brian Lara, Jermaine Lawson, Nixon McLean, Ricardo Powell, Ramnaresh Sarwan. Kenya:
Steve Tikolo (capt), Maurice Odumbe, Asif Karim, Alpesh Vadher, Ravindu Shah, Hitesh Modi, Brijal Patel, Martin Suji, Tony Suji, Thomas Odoyo, Kennedy Otieno, Joseph Angara, Peter Ongondo, David Obuya, Collins Obuya. Umpires:
David Shepherd (Eng) and Simon Taufel (Aus). TV umpire: Kevan Barbour (Zim). Match referee:
Mike Procter (Rsa). AFP |
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Andy Flower set for sad Zimbabwe exit
Johannesburg, March 3 Zimbabwe has yet to call on Flower to surrender his passport following his World Cup protests against President Robert Mugabe’s government, but they have already disowned him. Nathan
Shamuyarira, information secretary for the governing ZANU-PF party in Zimbabwe, put it simply during an interview with a Johannesburg radio station earlier in the tournament. "Flower is...not a Zimbabwean," he said. "He is British." Flower, Cape Town-born, Zimbabwe-bred and with an English wife, could end up being just that — British — or even Australian. He seems set to divide his future between England and Australia, playing county — he was a big success at Essex last year — and state cricket. Rarely can a player have made such a stressful, unhappy exit from the international game, although team mate Henry Olonga — a Zambian, according to Shamuyarira — finds himself in similar circumstances. The two set their own agenda in protesting against human rights abuses and "mourning the death of democracy in our beloved Zimbabwe". They also wore black arm and wristbands for a couple of World Cup matches before being pressured to desist. Flower, in all probability, had accepted that his declaration would mean the end of his Zimbabwe career. Aged 34 and still at the top of his game, he might have played on for several years more, as a specialist batsman rather than wicketkeeper after agreeing to groom Tatenda Taibu as his successor behind the stumps. Flower will be remembered as a neat gloveman and a tenacious, flinty, formidable left-handed batsman who delved deep into the psychology of his art. No one sold his wicket more dearly. If he does not play again, he will retire with a test average of 51.54, his 4,794 runs coming from 63 matches. But there is still time to improve on his first-class statistics of 54.75 runs for each visit to the crease. Only four men currently playing Test cricket — Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden of Australia, India’s Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid — average more than Flower. Flower, an articulate man who has played alongside brother Grant for most of his international career — they often call in Afrikaans when batting together to confuse opponents — made an immediate impression for ‘his country’. He scored 115 on his debut as an opener at the 1992 World Cup against Sri Lanka in New Zealand while his test career began almost as impressively, with half-centuries in each of his first two games and a century in his fourth. His most notable exploits include an innings of 156 against Pakistan in Harare in 1995, when Zimbabwe recorded their first ever-Test win. He also averaged 270 in two Tests with India in 2001, making 183 and 232 not out as part of a series of seven consecutive Test innings where he passed 50. Later that year, Flower made 142 and 199 in a Test against South Africa in Harare. One more run and he would have become the sixth man in history to make a century and double century in the same Test -prompting former South African player Mike Procter to say: "He’s a machine." Zimbabwe, however, as so often when Flower hit the heights, still lost the game. His durability is also legendary. He made a record 174 consecutive one-day appearances before a finger injury ended the run. After the 1999 World Cup, Zimbabwe lost leading lights Murray Goodwin and Neil Johnson. To lose Flower after the 2003 tournament is certain to set the side back years. Sadly but understandably, he has not been quite at his best recently, despite two half-centuries during the World Cup. Defeat to Pakistan on Tuesday, in his 210th
one-dayer, will lead to Zimbabwe’s first-round elimination, leaving Flower without a chance to make amends. He will still, however, be remembered as one of the greatest players Zimbabwe — or Britain, depending on your point of view — has ever produced.
Reuters
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Waqar says Pakistan will go all out
Bulawayo, March 3 Australia’s last-over win over England at Port Elizabeth yesterday threw a lifeline to Pakistan who must now defeat Zimbabwe by a very big margin here tomorrow to sneak into the Super Sixes. If England had won, Pakistan would have been knocked out even before taking the field at the Queens Sports Club, and Waqar was grateful to the Australians for showing them the light. "Relief is hardly the word," Waqar said after Ricky Ponting’s men overcame England by two wickets to spare thanks to a 73-run stand for the ninth-wicket between Michael Bevan and Andy Bichel. "It has left the door open for us and we must go through it. Michael Bevan and Andy Bichel in particular have done us a big favour. "Now we must work even harder given this chance. It might have been meaningless to train hard but now we can see it as well worth the while. "There is a lot more work to do now, not least to get the disappointment of our defeat by India out of our systems." The entire Pakistan team watched the closing stages of the Australia-England game on television and leaped out of their chairs in relief when Australia won with two balls to spare. None cared that Zimbabwe only need a simple win tomorrow to qualify against a dispirited Pakistani side still recovering from a six-wicket defeat against arch-rivals India on Saturday. If Zimbabwe do not win, they can still knock Pakistan out of the competition by giving them a close fight. In that case England will join Australia and India in the Super Sixes. Pakistan face a huge task to win well and take their net run-rate beyond England’s. According to official calculations, Pakistan must win in 13.2 overs if they bowl Zimbabwe out for 200. If Pakistan bat first and score 250, they must dismiss Zimbabwe for 62 or less. But Pakistani coach Richard Pybus insisted his team will fight all the way. "They’ve pulled themselves together after losing to India and they know they can still make it if they play flat out. They will." Pybus said Pakistan may make "one or two" changes to the side that lost to India, but did not elaborate. Zimbabwe will be bolstered by the return of all-rounder Grant Flower who missed the last game against the Netherlands due to a finger injury. Either opening batsman Mark Vermeulen or spinner Doug Marillier will step aside to make way for Flower. There will probably still be no place for Henry Olonga, whose replacement in the side, Andy Blignaut, has had dazzling success with the bat. Olonga and Andy Flower, whose protest against "the death of democracy in Zimbabwe" caused such a furore, practiced with the team and are therefore available for selection. AFP
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The equation for Pakistan
Islamabad, March 3 If Zimbabwe win tomorrow’s encounter, they will make it to the next round by virtue of finishing third with 16 points. Even if there is a tie or the match is washed out, Zimbabwe will still end up on 14 points and qualify. If Pakistan beat Zimbabwe, there will be a three-way tie for the third qualifiers’ spot from the group between Pakistan, Zimbabwe and England, all with 12 points each. In such an event, the finishing positions will then be decided by net run-rate. For Pakistan to qualify for the next stage, they will need to ensure that their net run-rate is above England’s. For them to achieve this, the following margins of victory will be needed: If Zimbabwe bat first and score — 100, Pakistan must get the runs in 10.5 overs. — 150, Pakistan must get the runs in 12.1 overs. — 200, Pakistan must get the runs in 13.2 overs. — 250, Pakistan must get the runs in 14.2 overs. If Pakistan bat first and score — 200, they must dismiss Zimbabwe for 13 or less. — 250, they must dismiss Zimbabwe for 62 or less. — 300, they must dismiss Zimbabwe for 112 or less. — 350, they must dismiss Zimbabwe for 161 or less. England will qualify if Pakistan win but not with the required margin.
PTI
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Pak players involved in brawl
Bulayawo, Zimbabwe, March 3 Tempers flared when Younis Khan challenged fellow batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq for the ball. The pair squared up and when team mate Saeed Anwar tried to defuse the situation he was pushed to the ground by Inzamam. Coach Richard Pybus called off the game and led the players back to the dressing room. They re-emerged 20 minutes later to resume training in the nets, while Inzamam was driven back to the team hotel. Skipper Waqar Younis played down the incident: “It’s nothing new. We always have this problem when we play soccer.’’ Asked if any players would face disciplinary action, he replied: “No.’’ Pakistan must win their game against Zimbabwe to have any chance of staying in the tournament, although even then they are likely to go out on run rate. Inzamam, one of the world’s leading batsmen, has had a wretched World Cup, having made 16 runs in five innings, averaging 3.20. He was run out for six after a mix-up with Anwar in Pakistan’s key game against India on Saturday at Centurion. Anwar went on to make a century but India won by six wickets. Reuters
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Ban sought on
Pakistan’s participation New Delhi, Mar 3 In his missive to the ICC, Delhi Shiv Sena Vice-President Abhimanyu Gulati said Afridi, the Pakistani allrounder, made uncharitable remarks bordering on abuse, when his appeal for an LBW against Sachin Tendulkar was turned down by umpire Rudy
Koertzen. UNI
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‘Faulty selection’ led to Pak debacle
Islamabad, March 3 “After the debacle against India, Lt-Gen Zia has an overwhelming moral obligation to resign. He only deserves a chance, if Pakistan actually somehow win the Cup,” ‘The Nation’ commented editorially today. Taking a dig at the military-managed PCB, the paper said “military methods” might have performed “all sorts” of wonders for cricket which will have all sorts of amazing long-term effects, but the bottom line is that the 1999 finalists are barely a shadow of themselves”. “It is someone like Imran Khan, who knows the game and is not hung up on his supposed superiority in other field, who should be given the task of salvaging something from the debris for the next World Cup,” it said. The newspaper also blamed faulty selection for the debacle. “If one was to identify a single flaw, it is not so much the team as the selectors who are at fault. There is no longer any correlation between performance and selection. “Inzaman is woefully out of touch, Waqar and Wasim are spent forces. Afridi and Shoaib have serious problems of temperament. It is not as if Pakistan is short of talent. Many young players are waiting for a chance but selectors insists on sticking with wheezy old horses,” it said. Another daily ‘The News’ too said in its editorial that “big bosses” of the PCB should quit owning responsibility for the debacle against India. “Players must not be held solely responsible, the big bosses at the PCB must also face accountability. The best would be their replacement with those who know cricket.” The newspaper criticised the team management for dropping spinner Saqlain Mushtaq for the game against India which allowed the likes of Sachin Tendulkar to bat without any problem. PTI
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India peaking at the right time India’s superb performance against Pakistan over the weekend tells me that the team could be peaking at the right time for the big test ahead. Playing Pakistan was an itself a task filled with pressure but the manner of India’s triumph reflects the growing confidence of the team. One can praise Sachin Tendulkar to the skies and still not do justice to his batting in the match. I have watched Sachin for over 15 years now, and I cannot remember him having played a better innings. He was at his dominating best, and there was little the Pakistan bowlers could do against him in this mood. I hope that this performance will now quash all debates about Sachin’s status in Indian cricket. I can’t think of any other player in the history of Indian cricket who could have been so brilliant at both forms of the game. To me, he is a true global sports superstar. Any further assessment of Sachin Tendulkar should now be deferred till he finishes playing. India’s task was not easy after Pakistan had scored 273 runs even though the wicket looked lifeless. Pakistan’s fine attack, which relies so much on movement in the air and reverse swing, has humbled many opponents even when there is no help from the conditions. But Sachin had come out with a plan this time to subdue the fast bowlers with attacking shots, and he played this role to perfection. What I liked about India’s performance even more was that the team did not panic even when Tendulkar fell. True, he had almost won the match by the time he was dismissed, but if a couple of wickets had to fall quickly after that, India could have been in trouble. But Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh batted most sensibly, as had Kaif before them, and the target was achieved quite easily. The Indian team looked sharp and aggressive in the field too. I thought Zaheer Khan was the pick of the bowlers. He bowled with fire and heart, and got he important first wicket breakthrough. Srinath was bang on target again and difficult to score off. Nehra went for runs as he tried to do too much, but he will have learnt a lesson that success in cricket does not come as a matter of course, after having picked up six wickets in the previous match. From Pakistan’s point of view, this defeat was a setback. I don’t think they went into the game with any clear gameplan, or with the right composition. Run outs and misfields did not help their cause. I believe they should look ahead from here, and reconstruction must start at the top. Waqar Younis has been a very loyal servant of Pakistan cricket, but perhaps he should make way for a younger man. They also need to build up bench strength where batting is concerned. India in the meantime are on a roll, led by the inimitable Sachin Tendulkar. Their form makes them favourites for the semi-final, and if Tendulkar remains in this mood, who knows. Gameplan
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Seniors ready to shoulder extra load
Pretoria, March 3 Struggling batsman Mohammad Kaif was promoted to the No 4 slot against Pakistan because the team management decided to cushion a junior along with a senior player in the batting line-up on Saturday. As the thinktanks saw it, it would have been unfair to ask youngsters like Kaif, Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Mongia to handle the pressure situation of coming lower down the order when either a run-chase is on or experienced is required to step up the scoring. Also, final overs are a stage when the better bowlers of the opposition are back and field is strategically placed which can brutally expose the inexperience of a youngster. As Indians worked out their line-up — Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag; Saurav Ganguly and Mohammad Kaif; Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh — it translated into a senior and a junior cricketer bunched together. It also was a masterstroke on the part of India's strategy planners to ensure these combinations, except for the openers, have a right and a left-handed batsman playing in tandem. Rahul Dravid, ever the team man, is prepared to bat in the middle overs to hold the youngsters together and ensure they do not suffer from impetuosity. Dravid's contribution is well-illustrated in his scores of 62 and 44 against England and Pakistan where he shared 62 and 99-run fifth wicket partnerships with Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj was first to acknowledge Dravid's calming influence in the middle and skipper Saurav Ganguly was so impressed he termed Dravid's innings even better than Yuvraj's during that critical run chase against Pakistan at Centurion Park. Sachin Tendulkar has already gone on record stating he took the first strike against Pakistan because he wanted to shield Virender Sehwag from facing experienced Wasim Akram at the start of the innings. Saurav Ganguly, too, is throwing his weight behind the youngsters, defending the likes of Dinesh Mongia who had consumed too many balls coming at No 4 against Zimbabwe and England Ganguly, except for a hundred against Namibia, is not in the best of nick but he is not defensive when it comes to backing the young guns of the team. Ganguly has backed the likes of Kaif and Mongia to the hilt and also Ashish Nehra and Harbhajan Singh and rates Yuvraj Singh as the trump card among many aces in his hands. Yuvraj has reposed his captain's faith with some crunch scores and reads 37, 0, 1, 42 and 50 in his five innings for a total of 137 at an average of 34.25 and a stupendous strike rate of 82.03. Importantly, he made healthy contributions in India's key games in the league against England and Pakistan. Kaif, despite a string of failures, was delighted to find the seniors still behind him and a joint voice of support emerged from the dressing room when his house was painted black after the crushing defeat against Australia on February 15. Kaif, grateful for the support, carved out an elegant 35 and shared a century stand for the third wicket with the great Tendulkar to lay the foundation for India's successful chase against Pakistan. Mongia, also not in great form, still hears words of encouragement despite his 99 runs from six matches at an average of 24.75, with 42 being his highest. From time to time, Ganguly even asks the left-handed batsman to bowl his left-arm spinners to keep him involved in the game. PTI
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Ponting
targets unbeaten World Cup run
Port Elizabeth, March 3 "We're a good enough side to do that. With the determination and desire we have we'll give ourselves every chance. It won't be easy but the way we won yesterday says a lot about the team and the players in it," said Ponting. Victory saw Australia set a new world record of 12 successive one-day wins, surpassing the West Indies' mark posted in 1985. But having collapsed to 135 for eight chasing 205 to win it seemed as if England were about to end their 13 match losing record against Australia in one-day internationals. However, Michael Bevan, who came in at 48 for four, steered the side home with two balls to spare. The day belonged to Andy Bichel who was only in the side because of an injury to first choice paceman Jason Gillespie. He took seven for 20 - the second best figures in World Cup history - and then notched a one-day best unbeaten 34 batting at number ten. Ponting had been complaining in the run-up to the match that his side had yet to be given a thorough workout but admitted after the game that England had given Australia the test he wanted. "It's pretty fair to say that we have been tested. We were obviously nowhere near our best but the pleasing thing is that we still managed to sneak across the line and win the game. "I thought the bowling after seven or eight overs was good, the fielding was excellent all day, the top order batting wasn't great. But Michael Bevan, Darren Lehmann and Bichel played well enough at the end to get us through.
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Hussain
doesn't deserve a second chance The second consecutive day of grudge matches at the World Cup provided yet another death or glory struggle. First it was India out-performing Pakistan in a batting duel and then Australia outlasted archrival England in a dour bowler dominated arm-wrestle. Once again Michael Bevan enhanced his reputation as "the terminator" with the help of man of the match hero Andrew Bichel. Bichel is the ideal man to be a reserve player in a good side; he is always positive, works hard on his fitness and you know he'll be ready if an opportunity arises. He was ready for England even though their batsmen were on the attack. Bowling a fuller length than both Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee, Bichel got the ball to swing away from the right-handers and delivered two beauties to get rid of the dangerous Michael Vaughan and captain Nasser Hussain. It takes a bit of courage to keep the ball up when the batsmen are clattering it all round the field but Bichel, a quiet man with nerves of steel, was not put off by the threatening attitude of both Nick Knight and Marcus Trescothick. Seeing Bichel destroy England in taking the second best figures ever in a World Cup match it was hard to believe he was only playing because Jason Gillespie has an injured heel. Bichel utilised his outswing to home in on England's Achilles heel. Once the England batting line-up was in disarray courtesy of Bichel's outswing, Ricky Ponting cleverly introduced his spinners into the attack. He knew the burly Andrew Flintoff would be tempted by Brad Hogg's flighted chinamen deliveries but he was also aware the batsmen couldn't afford to make any more mistakes. Once England's progress had been even further slowed he then introduced the part-time spin of Darren Lehmann as the ball began to grip and turn a little. Ponting is a good judge of a pitch and he anticipates the flow of the game well but it does help when a class pace bowler like Gillespie drops out and he's replaced by a man who produces career best figures. Not content with ruining England's batting line-up Bichel came in with Australia in desperate straits requiring seventy to win and along with Bevan he conjured up a way to spoil the old enemy's celebrations. The pair collected runs like a squirrel gathers nuts for the winter, slowly but surely and then in the final moments they clouted a couple of boundaries. However, they were greatly aided in their search for runs by Hussain's inexplicable refusal to go for the kill and finish off the Australian innings. Craig White was making the ball talk on a difficult pitch and yet with lower order batsmen at the crease he didn't put fieldsmen in catching positions. Hussain sat back and waited for Australia to make mistakes and yet Bevan has regularly proved he doesn't make errors of judgement in tight situations. Now Hussain will have to rely on other teams to make mistakes for England to progress to the Super Six stage. On this showing Hussain doesn't deserve a second chance.
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Michael
Bevan made the difference for Australia Sunday's win over England ensures us that our all-win record remains in tact as we ready ourselves for the Super Six. At the start of the tournament I had mentioned that Australia could win the World Cup without dropping a game. I would not say that this is a team target, in the sense that we have not discussed it in a team meeting, but it's certainly something that most of us have at the back of our mind. We feel that going undefeated through the cup is a feat we are capable of. We also feel that it would give an accurate picture of the cricket we are playing at the moment. However, there was a point in yesterday's game against England, when things did look pretty bleak for us. At 135 for eight, with only yours truly padded up, not many would have given us a chance. But Michael Bevan got into his terminator act, and saw us through once again. I'm not sure what it is with England-Australia games - is it that the England team does not know how to win against us or is it our ability to win from just about any situation? I think the truth will be a bit of both. I was a little surprised when Nasser Hussain did not go all out and attack at the fall of Darren Lehmann's wicket. His decision to contain rather than go for the remaining two wickets was quite surprising. However, full marks to Bevan and Bichel for hanging in there to ensure that our successive wins record got better. What helped our cause was the presence of Michael Bevan. There may be better batsmen in world cricket, but when it comes to finishing off games, he is in a league of his own. He never panics, even when the asking rate crosses six - a moment when almost every player decides to go for his shots. He has an amazing ability to keep taking singles and twos, to score four to five runs an over. He then hits the occasional boundary, to ensure that everything is under control. He has often won games with the tail simply because of the calming influence he has on the batsman who is with him. He ensures that the guy on the other side does not do anything extravagant, and keeps the game pretty simple, even when the asking rate is sky-rocketing, and the changing room is running out of fingernails to bite. I have noticed that he chooses an area to score boundaries. If the ball is there to be hit into that area, he goes for it, otherwise he just takes a single. Yesterday, when there were around 50 runs left, I told Adam that I would not be needed, and fortunately for me, I was right. Andy Bichel, who has some big first class scores, also played sensibly to ensure that my batting prowess was not tested. I have never felt better bowling than I am right now. I have cut my run-up by around four metres, and am now hitting the crease a lot better. My rhythm has also improved, and the ball is coming out of the hand pretty well. While I was pleased with my seven-wicket haul against Namibia, I was equally happy when Andy Bichel came and took seven wickets. He was not supposed to have played the match, but Jason's Achilles tendon was giving him some trouble, so he had to opt out. This made Bichel's achievement even more noteworthy. I think the toughest job in Australia is that of the selectors. While some of the teams have a tough time getting 11 blokes out on to the park, our selectors have to toil hard to narrow the team down to 11. This is the best aspect of Australian cricket right now, and one of the reasons I consider an all-win record at this World Cup a realistic goal. The other great game on the weekend was between India and Pakistan. I watched the entire Indian innings, and thought Sachin Tendulkar was simply superb. It was amazing to see him just blocking the ball and sending it thundering to the boundary ropes. I don't think the Pakistan bowlers bowled a very good line to him, and Sachin really made them pay for it. When I bowl to Sachin, I try to maintain my off-stump line unerringly. During our game against India, Sachin did look ominous, but thanks to Jason and Brett, he ran out of partners. When you play India, the best way to keep Sachin quiet is by picking wickets at the other end. Pakistan did not attack Kaif enough, and paid the price.
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Nasser Hussain assessing ruins
Port Elizabeth, March 3 “We should not be ashamed of the way we have played so far,” Hussain said as he sought to salvage some positives for his crestfallen teammates staring at an early elimination from the premier event. “We got stuck on a dodgy wicket the other night (against India) and we came back here and became the first team to give Australia a run for their money,” Hussain said. England had the Australians pinned down at 135 for eight before they let the advantage slip and the gritty defending champions made most of the opportunity to scrape through with a narrow two-wicket win. Andy Bichel starred in Australia’s triumph coming good both with the bat and ball. “We played well also in Cape Town (against Pakistan) and in the warm-up games but it’s a shame we could not get one more wicket here as that would have made a vey good first stage,” Hussain said. “We had them there again at eight down for not very many and it was there to be won,” Hussain admitted. “We just needed one more wicket but whatever we tried we couldn’t get it. It’s very disappointing to walk off as losers and regardless of the tournament we have just been beaten by Australia again.” England’s progress to the next round hinges on Pakistan’s performance against Zimbabwe tomorrow. But Hussain was not humoured by the equations and calculations. “We don’t want to rely on other people’s results — we’d rather have taken four points through with us and ended that run so there’s not a lot of consolation having narrowly lost to Australia,” Hussain said referring to Australia’s winning stretch which extended to a record 12 on a trot yesterday. “It would have been so nice to have beaten them with all the support we had here and having played so well,” he said. Hussain was all praise for match-winner Bichel though. “To have someone like Bichel coming in at 10 is such a bonus for Australia..... the way he stuck at the end there was exceptional.” The England skipper also defended his decision to give the bowl to James Anderson in the 49th over instead of the more experienced Andrew Caddick. Anderson was hit for a six as the balance tilted completely in favour of Australia who were left needing two runs off the last six balls. “Variation and taking pace off the ball generally had Bevan in trouble and I thought Caddick would be a little one- paced in that over. I felt that those little slower balls getting stuck in the wicket from Jimmy (Anderson) would lead to a batsman slogging it up in the air but instead it went for a six.” PTI
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‘Shameful’ show by Bangladesh to be probed Dhaka, March 3 “A committee with a retired bureaucrat and army officer who have good cricket knowledge will be set up and they will talk with everyone from the coach, team members and even myself,” Ali Asghar Loby, president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCC), told the Bengali-language Prothom Alo daily. Loby, whose resignation was demanded during a demonstration in Dhaka yesterday, indicated the team’s Pakistani coach Mohsin Kamal and other officials would be fired. “We don’t need them as we want someone who can give results ... We gave them everything they asked for, but got nothing in return,” he said. Loby said Bangladesh had to work to uphold its Test status, which was given in 2000. Bangladesh have lost 15 of their 16 Tests so far and the only draw was against Zimbabwe in 2002 thanks to rain. In the World Cup, the team had hoped for a win over Kenya and minnows Canada, but will return to Dhaka Wednesday without winning a match. Kenya beat Bangladesh by 32 runs, while Canada surprised them with a 60-run victory. It could have been six zeros for Bangladesh, but rains saved them in the match against the West Indies. “What I have seen very closely is the lack of commitment which is responsible for the performance of our team, maybe there are other reasons too,” Loby said. “We advised them in one way and they played differently in the field.” Bangladesh’s captain Khaled Mashud made no attempt to find a scapegoat for his team’s performance. “We have failed and there is no excuse for that,” he told reporters in Johannesburg. Cricket fans and commentators did not hide their anger, calling their performance “a shame for the country.” “Bangladesh will remember this World Cup for all the wrong reasons,” said the Daily Star newspaper. In the last World Cup, Bangladesh beat Canada, Kenya and won an upset victory over Pakistan. Some commentators blamed the selection of too many young players with little experience, but skipper Mashud disagreed. “You cannot blame the younger members of the team,” he said. “The experienced players... (including) myself also failed.” He said the situation could get worse if the BCC failed to take immediate steps to prepare sporting wickets at home and provided outdoor training facilities all year round. “We need true wickets and good grounds to practice on,” he said. The Daily Star said it was time the BCC got pitch specialists from abroad to help train local groundsman. Mashud, 26, who earlier announced he would retire from international cricket after the World Cup, said he had not changed his mind, but would take a final decision after talking with the board. AFP
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CONTROVERSY OF THE WEEK PRETORIA: The dark deed of forfeits have cast a long shadow on this World Cup. Kenya is already in Super Sixes. Zimbabwe too could find itself in the elite six. New Zealand and Australia, in hurting the profile of the two African nations, have helped their national teams. The World Cup, in a way, has been cheapened. Kenya did cause an earth-rumbling upset when it shocked Sri Lanka in its backyard in the league stage. It then won its two games against the minnows but they still would have struggled to qualify had Stephen Fleming and his men decided to come to town. Now they are in second round, and celebrations haven’t stopped since then. In pool A, Zimbabwe should progress to the World Cup’s next round — most likely at the expense of England — if they are successful in upsetting Pakistan in Bulawayo on Tuesday. Without the four points from England’s much-publicised withdrawal, Heath Streak’s team would be out of contention. Australian coach John Buchanan agrees forfeits have made a huge difference in the profile of the tournament. “I don’t think there’s any doubt the tournament would have been better off without forfeits,” Australian coach John Buchanan said. “But you have to respect the decisions of some countries.” “They had reasons why they shouldn’t go through with certain games. Some teams are obviously going to benefit, or not benefit, from a forfeiture.” Shaun Pollock, whose South African squad faces elimination on the strength of Kenya’s four “free” points, said the World Cup had been affected badly by forfeits. “It’s not the kind of impact you’d want,” he said. “Kenya are through to the next round and I don’t think many people fancied them making it that far before the tournament. They were gifted four points.” Meanwhile, England captain Nasser Hussain said his squad stood by the decision to forfeit to Zimbabwe — even if that meant elimination from the play-offs. “In some quarters we got a little bit of stick for agonising about it, [people] calling us soft and things like that,” he said. “It could cost us a place in the next round, that doesn’t take away from the fact that what we did... will be stood by long after this tournament.” If successful in defeating Pakistan and qualifying for the super six, Zimbabwe coach Geoff Marsh said his squad wouldn’t hold the four points earned after England’s withdrawal in high esteem. “It’s obviously great to get the competition points, but all the boys will tell you that they would have much preferred to earn them,” Marsh said. “They were all disappointed when they heard England weren’t coming.” New Zealand and England can give themselves as many moral points as they want but millions of cricket lovers would miss out on a spectacle which comes every four years. At least three of the nine Super Six games, if not six, would evoke a yawn at best. Some teams, like India, are already planning out logistical details for second semi-final berth in Durban on March 20. The World Cup has been brought fast forward. Even bookies are feeling the pangs as there is not much competitive odds they could offer on Super Six games or the line-up for semi-finals. Cricket is a loser even if Kenya is a winner and it’s not meant to disrespect Steve Tikolo’s brave eleven men. At least one big team between South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka is going to have door shut on its campaign in the next 24 hours.
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Paes-Riki duo clinches Dubai Open title
Dubai, March 3 Ullyett pulled a muscle towards the end of the first set but overcame the injury to play good tennis. However, Paes and Riki proved too good in the end. The Czech association seems to be going well for
Paes. He won the mixed doubles at the Australian Open this year, pairing the legendary Martina
Navratilova, a US citizen of Czech origin. Only in their fifth ATP event as a pair, Paes and Riki made it to the last eight at the Chennai Open recently. The pair dominated yesterday’s game with superb service returns and down the line forehands which often caught their opponents on the wrong foot. “Playing with Paes is a pleasure and I am glad that I am into a partnership with such a good doubles player,” Riki said after the match.
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Anand held by Ponomariov
Linares (Spain), March 3 Peter Leko of Hungary crushed Azerbaijani wonder kid Teimour Radjabov for the second time in the 7-player double round robin tournament and jumped into joint lead with Braingames Champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia who drew top rated compatriot Garry Kasparov. Both Kramnik and Leko have 4.5 points each while Anand and Kasparov follow the duo half a point behind. Radjabov and Ponomariov share the fifth spot on 2.5 points apiece and local lad Francisco Vallejo Pons bring up the tail on 2 points with an extra game in hand. Anand failed to come out of the demoralising defeat against Kasparov in the previous round and missed out on a winning attempt but he nevertheless did well to thwart the champ. It was yet another Rossolimo attack game where the Ukrainian, white, played wildly in the vain hope of catching Anand off guard in the ensuing tactical complexities. But Anand thwarted all threats posed by Ponomariov and got a firm control with right deployment of forces. The Ukaranian, meanwhile, worked on the queen side and got two connected passed pawns for some counter play. Just when it looked like Anand was cruising through, a simple oversight cost him dearly. On the 39th move Anand missed out on a retreat that would have probably given him the full point.
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Sonepat
eves lift volleyball title
Rewari, March 3 Aditi, Asha and Kavita of Sonepat presented excellent show. Sirsa spikers defeated Rohtak girls 25-5, 25-11 to retain third position. Kurukshetra lifted the men’s volleyball title, defeating Karnal in straight sets (25-17, 25-20, 25-17). Vikram Batan, Mukesh, Tarsem, Rajesh and Gurcharan were the best players to lead Kurukshetra to victory. Mahendergarh retained the third position, defeating Panipat 25-23, 25-13. Rohtak girls snatched the women’s Kabbadi title as they overcame Bhiwani 37-32, while Jhajjar defeated Kurukshetra 30-20 to grab third position. Rohtak, however, lost the men’s Kabaddi title clash to Faridabad. Jhajjar beat Jind 27-20 to remain third. The followings are the other results. Athletics (Women): Long Jump:
1 Poonam-Jhajjar, 2 Renu-Hissar, 3 Anu-Panipat; (Men): 1 Umesh-Hissar, 2 Rinku-Bhiwani, 3 Vikram-Bhiwani. Discuss throw (women): 1 Babli-Hisar, 2 Indubala-Bhiwani, 3 Rinku-Bhiwani. 400 M heat (Women): 1 Manju-Sonepat, 2 Sudesh-Jind, 3 Mukesh-Jhajjar. 400 M (Men): 1 Anni-Bhiwani, 2 Rajesh-Panipat, 3 Ravinder-Sonepat. Wrestling (Women): 54 kg: 1 Poonam-Fatehabad, 2 Krishana-Hisar, 3 Rita-Jind; 63 kg: 1 Gitika Jhakhar-Hisar, 2 Sunita-Jind, 3 Anita-Bhiwani. 63 Kg plus: 1 Niru Pangal-Hisar, 2 Meenakshi-Jind, 3 Sharmila-Jhajjar. Wrestling (Men): 58 Kg: 1 Devinder-Sonipat, 2 Anurag-Bhiwani, 3 Ram Niwas-M.Garh; 67 Kg: 1 Anoop-Jind, 2 Sunil-Rewari, 3 Surender-Faridabad. 67 Kg plus: 1 Jaldeep-Sonipat, 2 Pawan-Jhajjar, 3 Surender-Faridabad.
UNI
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J and K Bank to
meet Him Club New Delhi, March 3 In the second match, Border Security Force (BSF), Punjab will take on Chandigarh Police. The All-India Football Federation has entrusted the job of organising the matches to the Delhi Soccer Association. Nine teams, divided into two groups, are
participating in the League. Group A comprises Delhi league champions Hindustan, Punjab State Electricity Board, Uttar Pradesh Police and HYC Club,
Haryana while Group B is composed of Indian National (Delhi), BSF (Punjab), J and K Bank, Chandigarh Police and Him Club. The top teams from each group will play in a four-team single leg league, with the two top teams from this league qualifying for the final phase to be held at Thiruvanathapuram (Kerala) from March 26 to April 6. P Sanches of Western India Football Association has been appointed the match referee. |
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GND varsity women win Patiala, March 3 BRA University, Muzzafarpur, bagged the second position while Calcutta University got the third position. As many as 22 teams from various universities participated in the tournament. The Registrar, Dr Param Bakshish Singh, gave away the prizes.
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Manoj adjudged best weightlifter Ambala, March 3 In women section, winners in different categories were Rama Saini, Paramjit Kaur, Rajni, Pooja, Sandeep and Amrita Kaushal. In men section, Manoj Kumar, Ankush Sharma, Gagan Deep, Gursewak Singh, Parveen Kumar, Ravi Kumar and Rakesh Kumar, were winners.
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Bloemfontein, March 3
Benoni (South Africa), March 3
