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Saturday,
March 8, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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India overcome spirited Kenya Zaheer should bowl fuller length Ponting, Lee sweep Lanka
aside Jayasuriya escapes with
bruise
Indian plea rejected |
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Tendulkar ‘greatest threat’ to opponents Sachin ‘stands between’ Aussies and Cup Zimbabwe need to prove themselves Vermeulen suffers hairline fracture
Progress hollow, says Andy Flower UK businessman to Olonga’s rescue Cairns relishing challenge Pakistan face paucity of talent Pak players return home in batches ‘Tauqir should return to barracks’ Rhodes pondered South Africa loss for days Exit heartbreaking, says Klusener Slow pitches ‘didn’t help’ South Africa CONTROVERSY OF THE WEEK
Anand plays another draw Churchill crush Indian Bank Parminder wins Defence Cup Punjab powermen beat UP cops Top grapplers for Bharat Kesri Sr national judo at Patiala Karate squad
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India overcome spirited Kenya Cape town, march 7 Ganguly, who had been struggling for form recently, notched up his 21st one-day century, remaining unbeaten on 107, as India went past Kenya’s total of 225 for six with 13 balls to spare. Ganguly’s second century in this tournament — the first had come against Namibia — rescued the team from a precarious 24 for three in the 10th over and almost sealed a place for India in the semifinal. India, who carried over 8 points from the league stages, now have 12 points with matches against Sri Lanka and New Zealand to go. Kenya, making their first appearance at this stage of the World Cup, impressed with their overall performance and gave a very good account of themselves. They did extremely well after electing to bat to post a respectable score — thanks to a gutsy 79-run knock from Kennedy Obuya and some lethargic work in the field by the Indians — and then backed it up with disciplined bowling and superb fielding. In fact, they looked headed for a major upset when they sent top guns Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Mohammad Kaif packing by the 10th over with just 24 runs on the board. However, Ganguly, who struck 11 fours and two sixes in his 120-ball knock, came up with a magnificent innings and, in two crucial partnerships with Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh, saw his side through. Yuvraj, who had done extremely well in this tournament, played another brilliant knock under pressure situation and remained unbeaten on 58 from 64 balls. Earlier, Kenya got a very good start from Kennedy Obuya and Ravindu Shah, the pair putting on 75 runs for the first wicket. Both of them were dropped by the butter-fingered Indians and they took full advantage of the missed chances to lay a solid foundation for their team. It was not before the 21st over that India earned their first breakthrough, through the run out of Shah who made 34. Two overs later, India got the big wicket of Kenyan captain Steve Tikolo who played an irresponsible sweep shot against Harbhajan Singh and gave a simple catch to Zaheer Khan at the square leg boundary. Then came an important 76-run partnership between Kennedy Obuya and Thomas Odoyo. It was once again Harbhajan Singh who broke the partnership as he clean bowled Obuya with a beautiful delivery. Obuya hit six fours and two sixes in his 134-ball knock. Odumbe used all his experience to play a vital innings towards the end as Kenya comfortably crossed the 200-run mark to set a challenging target for Indians to chase under lights. India had a horrible start under lights with both openers — Tendulkar and Sehwag — returning to the pavilion by the fifth over. Sehwag scored three before edging a catch in the slips while Tendulkar, the top-scorer in this World Cup so far, managed just five runs before being caught at short square leg. Mohammad Kaif, who played such a crucial knock in the game against Pakistan, was once again sent to bat at number four but this time he could contribute only five runs before falling leg before wicket to Thomas Odoyo. At 24 for three, panic could have set in in the Indian camp but the captain and the vice-captain played sensibly in their 84- run partnership for the third wicket that brought the team back on rails. Dravid, who made 32 with three boundaries, got a little stuck up against leg-spinner Collins Obuya, who had claimed five wickets in Kenya’s shock defeat against Sri Lanka in the league stage. Unable to get the runs, Dravid got desperate and finally gave a tame return catch to Collins Obuya as the Kenyans bounced back into the game. Collins Obuya sent down a few really good overs against Yuvraj Singh too as the required run rate went above the six-run mark at one stage. Ganguly, who had reached his half-century by then, took on the responsibility and came up with a flurry of boundaries which broke the shackles. Runs began to flow easily for India after the 37th over and even Collins Obuya was punished by both Yuvraj and Ganguly.
PTI Scoreboard Kenya: K. Obuya b Harbhajan 79 Shah run out 34 Tikolo c Zaheer b Harbhajan 3 Odoyo lbw b Mongia 32 M Odumbe not out 34 C Obuya c Mongia Ongondo c Tendulkar M Suji not out 11 Extras:
(b-4, lb-8, w-4) 16 Total: (6 wkts, 50 overs) 225 Fall of wickets:
1-75, 2-81, 3-157, 4-165, 5-191, 6-206. Bowling: Zaheer Khan 10-1-53-0, Srinath 10-0-43-2, Nehra 10-2-30-0, Harbhajan Singh 10-0-41-2, Mongia 8-0-37-1, Yuvraj Singh 2-0-9-0. India: Sehwag c Tikolo b Odoyo 3 Tendulkar c T. Suji b M.Suji 5 Ganguly not out 107 Kaif lbw b Odoyo 5 Dravid c & b Obuya 32 Yuvraj not out 58 Extras:
(lb-5, w-8, nb-3) 16 Total: (4wkts, 47.5 overs) 226 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-11, 3-23, 4-108. Bowling:
M.Suji 10-3-27-1, Odoyo 7-0-27-2, Ongondo 5-0-31-0, A.Suji 7-0-25-0, Obuya 9.5-2-50-1, Odumbe 3-0-25-0, Tikolo 6-0-36-0. |
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Zaheer should bowl fuller length The highlight of this Indian team, apart from recently discovering a good measure of their batting potential, has been their bowling and fielding, two equally important areas in the shorter version of cricket. It was this above-mentioned fact that made people believe this bunch of 11 blue-clad cricketers could come back home with something other than their kit and baggage. One week of vacation after their exploits against the some of the stronger sides of the world, this Indian team gave an impression of being a touch complacent. The only other thing which was more bizarre than seeing some of the flag-bearers of Indian fielding drop sitters and adopt a lazy attitude was the lone German flag stuttering in an India-Kenya match. As I sit down and pen this piece, I am given to understand that team batting first has won on more than 90 per cent of the cases. Add to that the swing facilitating conditions in a day- night encounter and the Kenyans reputation of pulling the rug under their bigger opponents. Does it cause a concern? I hope not, but surely Ganguly would be not as relaxed as he was before the start of the match. Though, I will not shirk in giving the credit to the well thought-out Kenyan game plan, which they successfully adopted, I feel it was more of a generosity shown by Indian bowlers. Apart from that night in Durban against England, the whole of Indian bowling haven’t clicked together. Against Pakistan we were a bit patchy, allowing their non-performing batsmen provide some resistance to their victory hopes but thanks to Sachin’s swashbuckling innings, the post-mortem of the bowling was transferred to another date. Therefore, the Kenyans came calling and sadly, what was perceived to be an easy outing did not turn out to be one. Ashish Nehra was been the one standing tall and waiting to get noticed. The Delhi speedster has been outstanding with his speed and an accurate snorter he often serves the batsman with. Both Srinath and Zaheer are pitching just short of good length, tucking the batsman on the backfoot but Zaheer, especially with the natural in-swinger he is possessed with, should be bowling more fuller length. Harbhajan Singh has been good without being best but seeing the belter-tracks provided off late in this tournament, the fill-in bowlers have to be more effectively and judiciously utilised by Ganguly. Seeing the Indians bowl, I can’t but help giving the verdict that Indians were a bit rusty after a weeklong lay-off from serious business. Meanwhile, after seeing Australians butchering a Murali bolstered bowling attack before returning to perform the last rites, other teams will think twice before hitting the defending champions head-on. Sri Lanka will not be so bothered about the heavy defeat as they will be worried over Jayasuriya’s injury. Their skipper has been leading from the front in all the matches, both with the ball and bat and the thought of Lankans proceeding ahead without Jayasuriya in their ranks gives me jitters. After seeing Sri Lankans hiding for cover, I think that only one man can stop the rampaging Ausssie bowling now— Sachin Tendulkar. But for now, they have to think over Kenya with all seriousness.
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Ponting, Lee sweep Lanka
aside
Centurion, March 7 Ponting hammered his 12th one-day century to set the tone during Australia's 319 for five in their opening Super Six match. Strike bowler lee then laid waste to the Sri Lankan top order, sending Sanath Jayasuriya to hospital in the process as the world champions won by 96 runs. Sri Lanka at least ended the day with two consolations, Aravinda de Silva hitting a defiant 94-ball 92 while Jayasuriya's x-rays revealed bad bruising and a chipped thumb bone rather than the suspected broken forearm. Sri Lanka ended on 223 off 47.4 overs But Australia's victory, their 13th one-day success in a row and against the 1996 champions, confirmed their all-encompassing dominance in the tournament. They had reached the second round with a maximum 12 points after the first round and now, with 16 points, are guaranteed a place in the last four. At least two teams — Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe — cannot match that points total. Earlier Adam Gilchrist had set Australia on their way with an 88-ball 99 before becoming the 13th player in one-day internationals to fall one short of a century. Australia scored at six an over throughout their innings, completely dominating their opponents quicks and spinners. Sri Lanka, however, did not help themselves. Sri Lanka were forced to try seven bowlers by the 25th over. Ponting lofted Muralitharan for six over long on, then reached his hundred in the 43rd over off 96 deliveries. In reply, Jayasuriya was hit after making a single from five balls and the reply soon unravelled. Marvan Atapattu had the audacity to hit two boundaries off Lee in the 10th over but was then caught and bowled low down for 16 to make it 42 for one and Mahela Jayawardene was then caught for a three-ball duck while Hashan Tillakaratne was bowled by Glenn McGrath and Arnold, on one, fell lbw to Lee. At 48 for four, with three wickets falling for two runs, there was no way back. SCOREBOARD
Australia: Gilchrist run out 99 Hayden c Tillakaratne Ponting c Sangakkara Martyn b Fernando 52 Lehmann c de Silva b Fernando 10 Harvey not out 5 Bevan not out 1 Extras:
(lb-4, w-5, nb-7) 16 Total: ( 5 wkts, 50 overs) 319 Fall of wickets:
1-75, 2-181, 3-293, 4-313, 5-314. Bowling: Vaas 8-0-59-0, Gunaratne 6-0-46-0, De Silva 5-0-36-0, Muralitharan 10-0-47-1, Arnold 2-0-21-0, Fernando 9-0-47-3, Jayasuriya 10-0-59-0. Sri Lanka: Atapattu c & b Lee 16 Jayasuriya ret hurt 1 Tillakaratne b McGrath 21 Jayawardene c Gilchrist b Lee 0 De Silva c & b Hogg 92 Arnold lbw b Lee 1 Sangakkara run out 20 Vaas lbw b Hogg 21 Muralitharan Lee b Lehmann 4 Fernando lbw b McGrath 9 Gunaratne not out 15 Extras:
(b-6, lb-8, w-6, nb-3) 23 Total: (all out, 47.4 overs) 223 Fall of wickets:
1-42, 2-46, 3-47, 4-48, 5-100, 6-144, 7-149, 8-203, 9-223. Bowling: McGrath 9.4-1-25-2, Lee 10-1-52-3, Harvey 7-0-29-0, Bichel 7-1-32-0, Hogg 9-1-45-2, Lehmann 5-0-26-1.
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Jayasuriya escapes with bruise Centurion, March 7 Jayasuriya, the mainstay of the Lankan campaign who has been their highest scorer till the end of the initial round with 269 runs, was hit on the forearm by a Lee snorter and was immediately rushed to a hospital after wriggling in pain. However, x-rays showed that it was only a bad bruise, although the batsman had chipped a thumb bone. Sri Lankan team manager Ajit Jayasekera confirmed that Jayasuriya had been badly bruised, adding that he won’t be coming in to bat for the remaining part of the Lankan innings. “... The x-ray revealed a slight chip and he won’t be batting again today.” However, asked whether the skipper would be ready for the team’s next match against India in Johannesburg on Monday, he replied, “wait and see.” Earlier, just after Jayasuriya was rushed to the hospital, team physiotherapist Alex Kountouri had rung the alarm bells, saying, “... It’s not looking good, we suspect a fracture.”
Reuters
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Indian
plea rejected Cape Town, March 7 "I can reconfirm that the semifinal at Kingsmead, Durban will proceed as scheduled, as a day-night game," Executive Director of the World Cup Ali Bacher said here in a statement. He said he has conveyed the decision toBCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya, who had requested for the change as India are most likely to finish second or third after the Super Six engagements and could play the second semifinal at Durban on March 20. "I spoke to Mr Dalmiya over telephone from Cape Town this afternoon to inform him of the decision reached by myself and colleagues from the organising committee," Mr Bacher said in the statement. "Having explained the reasons behind our decision, Mr Dalmiya repeated the assurance given to me yesterday that he and the BCCI will accept this in good faith." Explaining the reasons, Mr Bacher said not only the list of fixtures were approved by the participating teams in advance, the day-night venues were also most popular from the spectator's point of view. Mr Bacher also claimed that contrary to impressions, teams batting second in Kingsmead have as much chance of winning as the team batting first.
PTI
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Tendulkar
‘greatest threat’ to opponents
Johannesburg, March 7 “Sachin holds great danger for the opposition. He started the tournament calmly with a few stable scores, but in his last two matches one can see he is full of confidence and has become accustomed to the conditions here. “India is going to depend heavily (on Tendulkar) for their next few games.” Tendulkar has already palmed in three gold watches, each worth more than 10,000 rands, which is awarded to the Man of the Match after each game. One of them was after India beat England. Before it got under way, Wessels had said Tendulkar should be the man England should watch out for. Wessels also said that Pakistan, who were on their way back home Thursday, had a few brilliant players but none of them had done anything right. “Inzamam
(ul-Haq) lost it completely!” he said. Wessels also questioned the ability of Sri Lanka to continue through the next round. “Sri Lanka has been depending on (captain) Sanath Jayasuriya right through the tournament so far. He is doing his bit, but the question is whether he can sustain this. “There is going to be a great dependence on him and on Muttiah Muralitharan to carry them through.” Sri Lanka made it through to the Super Six round after hosts South Africa lost by one run under the Duckworth/Lewis system in a nail-biting match Monday that was shortened by rain.
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Sachin
‘stands between’ Aussies and Cup London, March 7 “Now that South Africa, England, West Indies and Pakistan are out of the race, only India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand have a chance of upsetting the favourites,” The Times wrote. “With Sachin Tendulkar in such wonderful form and team momentum building, India are certain to be one of the semi-finalists. “If they should play Australia at the Wanderers on March 23, it is bound to be closer than the group match won so easily by Ricky Ponting’s team,” it said. Looking at New Zeland’s chances, the report said “for New Zealand to come from behind, carrying through eight fewer points than the leaders, would require a run similar to that of Australia in 1999.
PTI
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Zimbabwe
need to prove themselves Bloemfontein, March 7 New Zealand go into tomorrow’s second-round match at Goodyear Park as favourite, despite losing the last series between the nations 2-1 in Zimbabwe in 2000-2001. Of the 25 previous meetings since the 1987 World Cup in India, New Zealand have a 16-7 record, with one no result. To gain the respect of the top cricket nations, Zimbabwe must prove it deserved to advance beyond the first round. “In a way, I’m quite happy that we have to play really well if we want to go to the semifinals,” said veteran batsman Andy Flower. “We want to feel that we deserve to be here.” Zimbabwe’s got the benefit of four free points when England forfeited their match in Harare and also split the points with Pakistan in the last league match due to a washout in Bulawayo. Their losses were against defending champion Australia and India and its two on-field victories were against minnows Namibia and the Netherlands. The World Cup format was widely criticised when Zimbabwe and Kenya advanced, with the help of forfeits and rain-enforced abandonments, while two-time winners the West Indies, the hosts South Africa, 1992 champion Pakistan and England were eliminated in the first round. New Zealand just scraped in when South Africa were held to a tie by Sri Lanka after a downpour in Durban, although the Kiwis had wins over the West Indies and South Africa. “We can beat any Test team, we do believe we can beat these sides,” said Flower. “It’s up to us as the underdogs to upset them, but beating New Zealand last time certainly gives us a bit of a psychological edge.” The South African pitches have been somewhat slower and lower than anticipated during the tournament, meaning Zimbabwe could be difficult to beat. Working in New Zealand’s favour has been a steady improvement in form throughout the tournament, climaxed by a first-ever win over South Africa in South Africa in a thrilling match at the Wanderers. That match saw New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming at his imperious best, scoring a fluent undefeated 134 as rain helped New Zealand win by nine wickets. Also impressive with the bat has been Scott Styris, who clubbed a century in 104 balls off Sri Lanka, going on to score 141 with six sixes in a losing effort. With Chris Cairns running into form with the bat at the same time as Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle, New Zealand are looking stronger. Cairns knows the New Zealanders also need to win all their Super Six matches to guarantee a spot in the semis, and he’s relishing the challenge. He’s had a few scores in the 30s but says he hasn’t batted at his best, and also wants to chance his arm with the ball. “I enjoy playing when there’s a lot on the line,” said Cairns after practice at Bloemfontein, where, he added, “the tournament really starts for us.” He feels recovered from a long-term knee problem which has prevented him bowling. “Every day is better for me — the knee gets more stable, and I get more confident on it,” Cairns said. “I haven’t bowled internationally for a year now, so it’s a bit of a risk. (But) I have bowled in the nets, and I’m happy with the way the ball is coming out.” Since the South African victory, the New Zealand bowling attack has also looked increasingly solid, spearheaded by the pace of Shane Bond. One problem for the Kiwis might be the fitness backup bowler Jacob Oram, who has grabbed 11 wickets in the tournament but is struggling with the flu. Another problem is that left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori hasn’t been penetrative although he has been economical. Zimbabwe’s batting relies heavily on the fine left-hander Andy Flower, and if he doesn’t fire, there’s perhaps a lack of tenacity to push an innings toward higher totals.
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Vermeulen
suffers hairline fracture
Bloemfontein, March 7 ‘’It reared up just back of a length,’’ Vermeulen told Reuters. ‘’I tried to pull it but it got big on me. They say my skull is fractured just above the left eye. ‘’I’m down but not out and I should be able to play on Monday or Tuesday.’’ Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar missed his team’s opening group match after he was struck on the elbow in the nets by Shoaib Akhtar.
Reuters
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Progress
hollow, says Andy Flower Bloemfontein, March 7 “We can beat any Test team, we do believe we can beat these sides,” said Flower. “It is up to us as the underdogs to upset them, but beating New Zealand last time certainly gives us a bit of a psychological edge.” The bowling attack lacks penetration, the 34-year-old lefthander conceded. “It has been a problem for us recently, but we need to remember that Heath Streak is a world-class bowler, and he can take wickets against anyone.” Allrounder Andy Blignaut has contributed only one wicket but has scored two very fast half centuries, including one against Australia. “He's a very capable player, very exciting,” said Flower. “He's a special talent, and very young in cricketing terms. He could turn into one of our best.” Flower's own form has not been outstanding during the tournament, so he feels he owes his country a good innings. “I'm looking forward to resuming my battle with Daniel Vettori,” he said of the New Zealand left-arm orthodox bowler who got him out in the last two one-day internationals the teams contested. Flower, who made international headlines by wearing a black armband in the first match at Harare to protest alleged human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, is reportedly considering a move to South Australia to play in Australia's domestic competition.
AP
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UK businessman to Olonga’s rescue
London, March 7 Sussex businessman Lawrence Mallison has said that he is prepared to spend about £ 30,000 for sponsoring Olonga as an overseas cricketer for Essex or any other county, if the Zimbabwe Cricket Union continues to punish him by not picking him for matches. “It is important that Henry should not be abandoned after the World Cup is over,” Mallison said. He also said his business could at least afford to give him a well-deserved foot-up. “Getting him over here might also help him make contacts that could lead to something else,” he said. Though Essex liked the idea, they have doubts over giving opportunity to Olonga, as their two overseas players, including Andy Flower of Zimbabwe, are expected to be available the whole season. Olonga, who created a stir by wearing the armband in the initial stages of the tournament along with Andy Flower, reacted positively to the news of the offer. PTI
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Cairns relishing challenge Bloemfontein, March 7 Cairns said he relishes the pressure of international cricket, and believes his experience of dealing with that kind of pressure will help the Kiwis win their Super Six match against Zimbabwe at Goodyear Park tomorrow. He's also wants his place back in the bowling attack. “I enjoy playing when there is a lot on the line,” said the big hitting batsman and fast-medium bowler after a practice session at the stadium where, as he puts it, “The tournament really starts for us.” Cairns has battled a long-term knee injury, and has gradually been getting over the effects of the lay-off. “They say you take as long as you were injured to get back, and I was injured for nine months,” he said. “The good thing is that every day is better for me. The knee gets more stable, and I get more confident on it all the time.” He participated fully in a fairly relaxed session which included some bowling in the nets, and fielding and catching drills on the field. He also took part in some sprinting drills with every sign of relish. For all that, he is not sure whether he will be called on by captain Stephen Fleming to bowl. “I haven't bowled internationally for a year now,” he said. “So it's a bit of a risk for (Fleming), but I am ready to bowl for him. I have bowled in the nets, and I'm happy with the way the ball is coming out.” On the batting side, Cairns is happy that he has built up to a level where his explosive hitting could have a major part to play in the tournament. “I've had a few 30s, but not really gone on. I have had to come in and start hitting straight away,” he said. “I am happy with the way it has gone, but I think I am ready for a big innings.” He acknowledged that New Zealand was favoured to beat Zimbabwe, but cautioned against complacency. “If we let Andy Flower get away with a good innings, we could lose the game,” he said. “He certainly stands out as a potential match-winner.” Forfeiting the Kenya match due to security concerns about travelling to Nairobi and then losing to Sri Lanka put the Kiwis in a tight situation in qualifying. In the end, a rain-enforced tie between South Africa and Sri Lanka put the New Zealanders through to the second round. It all helped the team gel, Cairns said. “There's real cohesion in the side now, a great buzz,” he said. Now, the Black Caps need to get their game together on a flat wicket on which they lost to Sri Lanka. “We learn something new every game,” said Cairns. “We learnt from that loss.” New Zealand's other Super Six rivals are defending champion Australia and 1983 champion India, the two teams most favoured to win the tournament.
AP
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Pakistan
face paucity of talent We are on our way home after a very disappointing World Cup campaign. I'm writing this from a transit lounge in an airport. The players are in huddles all over the lounge, and there is an overwhelming feeling of anxiety about the reception that awaits us in Pakistan. Home should be the last place one would fear going to, but our past experience has led to a situation where everyone is dreading the backlash at home. It would be hard to convince our supporters, but we are even more disheartened about the way things turned out than they are. Personally, I am worried about the future of Pakistan cricket. We have been losing non-stop since August, 2002, which suggests that it's not a question of form but of ability. Critics back home may criticize the form of some players, but the worrying part is that this squad did comprise the best of Pakistani cricket. When your best isn't good enough, it means there is a shortage of talent. For the first time in my 18-year career, I see a paucity of talent in the country. Plenty of young batsmen have been tried out since August, but not one stands out as a special talent. Sometimes it's lack of ability, but most of the time it is lack of application. No one of the caliber of Inzamam, Saeed Anwar or Yusuf Youhana is on the horizon, and that is a poor comment on our domestic cricket. The other problem was that while the squad is more or less the same as the one that played in 1999, some of the youngsters who showed promise then have failed to deliver in the last 12 months. That's just too long a period to be out of form, and the selectors must take a long hard look at the likes of Shahid Afridi. When we spoke to Afridi about his seemingly endless run of poor form, he argued that he was in and out of the team too often. But that's the whole point --Afridi's approach would hardly inspire any captain to persist with him for any length of time. Abdur Razzaq, who did just about everything right in the 1999 World Cup, is the other major concern. He made his debut under me, and I thought he had it in him to become one of the best all-rounders in his generation. He is just not able to pick up his level of performance, and this has really hit the team hard. Perhaps a break from the game will do him some good. There were times at which Waqar would sit to pick the team, in consultation with some of us seniors, and we would be hard put to find eleven players since everyone was going through a lean patch. Personally, my aim was to ensure Pakistan did well in my last World Cup, and I failed in that. The only consolation was that apart from the India match, I was able to make a breakthrough with the new ball in every game. That game against India will remain with me as one of the greatest disappointments of my career. Many people have already jumped the gun and announced my retirement. I have to think about Pakistan cricket, consult my family and friends and only then will I come out with a statement about my future plans. Right now my judgment has been clouded by our disgraceful performance in South Africa.
(Gameplan)
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Pak players return home in batches
Islamabad, March 7 There was heavy security at the airport at the time of the players’ arrival and few people had information about their travel plans, state run newsagency APP reported. Other players were expected to arrive later in small batches, it said. The Pakistani players faced severe criticism from fans at home after they failed to reach the Super Six stage. They lost to arch-rivals India, Australia and England. They only managed wins against minnows Holland and Namibia while their last match against Zimbabwe was washed out. The team issued an unprecedented statement after bowing out saying they were “ashamed” and “heart-broken” about their dismal performance.
PTI |
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‘Tauqir should return to barracks’
Islamabad, March 7 Though the angry street demonstrations that followed Pakistan’s defeat to India and its subsequent performance in the match against Zimbabwe have died down, the outrage has not. The main targets are Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Tauqir Zia, a serving lieutenant-general, coach Richard Pybus and captain Waqar Younis. “This trio is certainly responsible for the debacle,” Pakistan’s former Test off-spinner Hasib Ahsan told IANS. “I wonder why all these three are still holding their jobs... they should have resigned.” And many others agreed with
Ahsan. Miandad also hit out at the three men chosen to head an inquiry committee that has been set up to investigate the team’s dismal performance. The members of the probe team are Naushad Ali, Aaqib Javed and Sultan Rana. “It’s a shameful exercise by the board...even a street boy could tell you what went wrong,” said an angry Miandad, calling the probe exercise “a joke”. Miandad said that the first person to go should be PCB chairman Tauqir Zia, “who was assigned the special task of destroying the Pakistani team, and he certainly did it with relish during his three-and-half-year reign”. Zia was a law unto himself and “no one dared question his measures, whether his own or inspired by his bunch of mediocre cronies, who had the time of their lives earning millions and roaming the globe as freeloaders”, Miandad said. Cricket commentator Rehan Siddiqui added that the PCB chairman’s obsession with foreigners was his biggest mistake. “To appoint a Richard Pybus, of dubious credentials, to coach highly strung individuals did not help the team’s cause.” The less said about the dozen foreigners inducted into the Pakistani camp for various tasks the better, said a bitter Siddiqui. He said considering the number of people who travelled with the team, it had become a “travelling circus”. Former medium pacer Sarfraz Nawaz said that coach Pybus had never played first-class cricket. “He is not known in England where he was born, and in South Africa where he resides is a mystery... What was the criterion to appoint him?” The choice of Waqar Younis as captain has also come under criticism. In South Africa, the differences between the players on this issue have surfaced as well. Reports say one camp of players is loyal to Younis and the other to Wasim Akram. Cricket enthusiast Shugufta Waheed said: “This (Younis’ captaincy) was the last nail in the coffin of Pakistan’s chances of performing well in the competition.” She said that even media reports had emphasised that a majority of the senior players were unhappy with Younis. “I wonder then why he was handed over the difficult task of leading the side. That could be the reason certain players did not perform to the best of their abilities.” Miandad said there were dozens of other wrongdoings by the board, including wasting precious foreign exchange on foreign coaches, on “spoilt brat” Shoaib Akhtar, and on attempts to buy favours from journalists sent on free trips. Former cricketer Shoaib Muhammad said that now that the World Cup dream lies in tatters it would be better for Tauqir to resign as PCB boss and return to the barracks, as his “present post has proved too hot for the general to handle”. Most experts said it was time someone well versed with the game was appointed for the onerous task of restoring the team and Pakistan’s sporting pride.
IANS
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Rhodes
pondered South Africa loss for days
Johannesburg, March 7 "Last month I had some excuse as to why my newsletter was late, so I am sorry that you have had to bear with me yet again!" wrote Rhodes, whose retirement was advanced prematurely three weeks ago when he injured a hand after playing in the first game of the tournament. "I really wanted to wait for the South Africa match against Sri Lanka to be over, so I would know what content my newsletter needed to contain. "Well, for two days after the tied match against Sri Lanka I was unable to put any thoughts down, as it was still too difficult to believe that our World Cup campaign had come to a rather damp ending, if you will excuse the rather weak pun!" Rhodes was referring to the fact that South Africa lost by one run under the Duckworth/Lewis system after the game was stopped in the 45th over and could not be resumed because of heavy rain. "Such was our position that we would either have ended top of pool B with all 8 points taken through to the next stage, or we would be eliminated from the Super Six if we failed to beat the Sri Lankans. "Needless to say it was a rather crucial game and I really thought that the team had got themselves back into the match with some fine bowling in the last six overs. "When they restricted the score to under 270 at one stage, it looked as if they would be chasing closer to 300 for victory. After another fine start to the innings (I think Herschelle Gibbs is going to become one of South Africa's finest players), the stage was set for a tight finish! Mark Boucher and Polly kept the scoreboard ticking over and had timed their charge perfectly until Shaun was unfortunately run out. "Please would somebody explain the Duckworth/Lewis system to me as I am still very confused - and I have been using it for the past few seasons! Mark Boucher had been informed that 229 was enough, so it was imperative that he did not lose his wicket on the last ball that was bowled, so he did the right thing by patting it back to the fielder. "Once the change room realized that 229 would tie the match, desperate attempts to inform Boucher that one more run was required to win the game came to no avail. "The rest is history and, in successive World Cups, a tied match has seen the South Africa team, my friends and team mates lose out on the chance for World Cup glory. "We can't blame the weather or anything else as it is always dangerous to leave your qualifying for the next stage, up to your final game." Rhodes, who with Allan Donald came under fire when they dedicated the World Cup to now deceased former captain Hansie Cronje, who had been banned for life for match-fixing involvement, referred again to his former colleague and hero. "One run can make a difference" was Hansie's motto for the '99 World Cup team and, four years later, nothing had changed!" said Rhodes. Commenting on his retirement, Rhodes wrote: "I joined the team for breakfast at their hotel on the day after the match and, as they were driving off in their bus to the airport, it suddenly hit me that my retirement from international cricket is now official and there is never going to be another day where I don the green-and-gold and run out on to the field to represent my country. "This was not quite the exit I had planned, but it has been a real privilege to play for South Africa and I am grateful for every one of the 245 ODIs I have played in. "Thanks to all of you, at home and around the world, who have supported me, and I hope that you have enjoyed watching as much as I have enjoyed playing this wonderful game!" Rhodes endorsed requests by cricket authorities and even South African president Thabo Mbeki that local fans should continue to support the World Cup even though the hosts were out of the running.
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Exit heartbreaking, says Klusener
Johannesburg, March 7 For the second successive World Cup, the 31-year-old was at the wicket when the last rites were performed on his team’s hopes. “When the whole thing was over and I realised just what had happened, I kept asking myself why it should have happened to me,” klusener told the Business Day Newspaper here. “I was just wondering whether I shouldn’t just give it up and go fishing.” But they were dumped out by Sri Lanka when chasing 268 for 9, they reached 229 for 6 in 45 overs when the durban rains appeared — under the Duckworth-Lewis method, the scores were tied with the points shared. Had Boucher scored even a single off what turned out to be the last ball of the match off Muttiah Muralitharan instead of meekly pushing it to midwicket, South Africa would have progressed to the Super Sixes. “We lost the whole thing before that ball,” said Klusener. “There were two macthes we should have won against the West Indies and New Zealand and there were other small things. “We should not have been in that situation by the time we played Sri Lanka.” Klusener also said that, like his team, the Sri Lankans too were in the dark about the required run-rate at that time. “They said afterwards they knew what the situation was, but if they did, why didn’t their field change,” Klusener said. “They should have had more men up guarding against a single, but the field did not change from the previous ball.”
AFP
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Slow pitches ‘didn’t help’ South Africa Johannesburg, March 7 De Villiers said the type of wickets on which South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 4-1 in November, and Pakistan by 4-1 in December, differed in character from the ones used during the World Cup. "When you play so called minnows like Namibia and Canada and they reach totals of 200 plus, instead of being bowled out for 120, it's an indication that the pitches were prepared in a way to favour the batsmen," De Villiers told SAPA news agency. "Usually you detect a superior team by the quality of its bowling, which in this case is neutralized by the pitches that were prepared."
AP
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CONTROVERSY OF THE WEEK Cape Town: No other team in this World Cup—including Shane Warne’s Australia—have brought attention on themselves with such damning regularity as have India. Sourav Ganguly and his men have fussed over television commentators for nearly a month now; every attempt is being made to undermine coach and the captain; there is still groping for settled batting slots and now there is this absurd request to shift the Durban semi-final into a day affair. India, it would appear, are trying their darnest best to derail itself from its campaign. The request on Durban is nothing but an attempt by the Indian board to embarrass the International Cricket Council (ICC). Board chief Jagmohan Dalmiya must have taken a perverse delight at the controversies surrounding this World Cup and now that it threatens to get into full-steam, this issue of shift in semi-final is an attempt to turn ICC defensive. The Indian board has hoped for support from a few other nations to put pressure on the ICC. The move also projects the Indian board as a body which cares for its cricket team. Only, it didn’t bother to take the captain into confidence or let him do the talking. The ICC found the request ludicrous enough not to deserve a reply and left it for Dr Ali Bacher, the chief executive of the 2003 World Cup, to put the issue firmly in its place. Dr Bacher mentioned the travelling schedule of sponsors and cricket fans from around the world as well as the broadcasters and sponsors’ concern to throw the request out of the window. Din has also grown in recent days about the continuation of John Wright as Indian coach. Before India embarked for South Africa, Wright was as good as history for the Indian board. Now the team is on a roll and if it reaches finals, Wright would take some shifting. Still murmurings about foreign coaches, such as Bob Woolmer, are being sounded every day. It would appear that everyone is keen to coach India without bothering to give the devil-in this case Wright-his due. Sourav Ganguly himself it seems can’t have any peace. Pages from the closed chapter of his personal life are being dug up with an intensity which only points to ulterior motives. An actress past her by-the-use date is gaining some cheap publicity during this highly hyped period of World Cup. Publications are quick to give her space rather than do the right thing to back the Indian team in its quest for glory. If Ganguly and his men win, there is a possibility Indian cricket might realize its full potential. Ganguly himself is unfazed but it’s only human his mind would wander on negative lines in the next few days. We can’t respect our heroes and this Indian team appears to be developing into one. The next few days will be riveting and not only from the cricketing point of view. Brace yourself for the resumption of the BCCI vs the ICC; Dalmiya vs Gray sideshow soon. |
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Anand plays another draw
Linares (Spain), March 7 Leko on 5.5 points from 9 games is the next man in standings while Anand and top rated Garry Kasparov of Russia trail him on 5 points from nine games. The next round will be crucial for Anand as he plays against Radjabov with white pieces. A victory will probably make him a joint leader and then he can work on a showdown with Kasparov in the final round on Sunday. With Kasparov having a bye in this round not much action was expected but Kramnik lit up the proceedings with a valiant attempt to outdo Anand. Playing white the Russian opened with the king pawn and was surprised early by Anand by the choice of the opening. A transposition led to a kind of Zaitsev variation where white launched an attack against the king with a pawn sacrifice on the king side. Anand’s active pieces gave him ample chances on the other flank to strive for the full point while Kramnik fell under time pressure with only 12 minutes to make as many moves. Radjabov faced the semi-slav defence from local lad Francisco Vallejo Pons and got a miniscule advantage in the middle game. The Spaniard showed his prowess in understanding the positions. Results (round 11): Vladimir Kramnik (Rus) drew Viswanathan Anand; Peter Leko (Hun) drew Ruslan Ponomariov (Ukr); Teimour Radjabov (Aze) drew Francisco Vallejo Pons (Esp) Leko 5.5/9, 3-4 Kasparov, Anand 5/9 each, 5-6 Ponomariov, Radjabov 4/10 each, 7 Vallejo Pons 3.5/9.
PTI
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Churchill
crush Indian Bank
Margao, March 7 Churchill, who drew against the bankmen in the first leg, played an attacking game from the start, with medio Roque Barreto linking well with strikers Benjamin Ansah and Yusif Yakubu. Churchill increased the lead in the 28th minute when Ansah relayed the ball to Yakubu, who volleyed home from inside the box. The goals demoralised Indian Bank, as their defence crumbled under pressure, allowing the opposition an opporutnity to pump in another goal before the breather. Yakubu, who was named the man of the match, picked up a loose ball from the rival half and raced into the box with a rival defender giving chase. On entering the box, he essayed a firm shot that beat the advancing keeper and saw Churchill leading 3-0 at halftime.
PTI
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Parminder
wins Defence Cup Chandigarh, March 7 The tournament was open to all the members of the Golf Club. According to Mr IPS Doabia, Chairman, Media and Publicity, Chandigarh Golf Club, 150 participants took part. Out of these there were seven lady golfers. The tournament was held under the aegies of the Defence Services Golf Brotherhood whose Chairman is Maj Som Dutt. Each player had to play on stableford format against ¾ handicap. The Defence Cup has been donated by Sqn Ldr Gurdial Singh for the best individual player of the tournament. The prize winners: 50 years and below:
Parminder Singh (39 points) 1, Parnita Garewal (34) 2. 65 years and below:
K.S.Bhattal 1, Col I.P.Singh 2. 65 years and above (18 holes):
Col Ms Narula 1, ;Maj Gen S.S. Grewal 2. 65 years and above (9 holes): Col Baljit Singh 1. 70 years and above (9 holes): Brig Jagjit Singh 1, Col A.S. Sandhu 2. Ladies: Mrs Madhu Brar 1.
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Punjab
powermen beat UP cops New Delhi, March 7 After a goalless first half, the powermen entered the field in the second session with recharged batteries, to slot home two goals, though these came at the fag end. Outside-left Jujhar Singh opened the account for the PSEB in the 85th minute, while skipper Kuldeep Shah cemented the lead six minutes later. In another match, Delhi League champions Hindustan Club drubbed Rewari Club of Haryana, 4-0. Both PSEB and Hindustan Club have ensured berths in the Super League that begins on March 14. Dominating the match with total territorial control, Hindustan Club scored twice in each half to author an authoritative victory. Nigerian import, Noel M. Fernandes, playing as inside-left, scored the first goal for the team in the 13th minute, while striker Sameer Jung added the second goal five minutes before halftime. Nigerian A. Seriki made it 3-0 in the second session, while Noel M. Fernandes completed the tally. Him Club of Himachal Pradesh meet the Chandigarh Police and Indian National take on Jammu and Kashmir Bank tomorrow.
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Top grapplers for Bharat Kesri Chandigarh, March 7 Prize money of several lakhs will be at stake in this annual event held in memory of 108 Sant Baba Hari Singhji
Naikiwale. Cash prizes will be given to every participant, with the Bharat Kesri winner pocketing Rs 1 lakh and the runner-up Rs 50,000. The grappler finishing third and fourth will get Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively. The woman Bharat Kesri and the Sher-e-Hind (86 kg) winners will get Rs 31,000 each.
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Sr national judo at Patiala New Delhi, March 7 JFI president Jagdish Tytler announced here today that over 500 judokas from 38 affiliated state associations and units were expected to participate in the nationals. He said the JFI, in association with the Indian Olympic Association and the International Judo Federation, will also conduct an IOC Solidarity Course at NIS, Patiala from March 10 to 15. The purpose of the course is to educate Indian judo coaches about the latest developments in international judo coaching. Thirtyfive judo coaches from India will participate in the solidarity course.
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Karate
squad Chandigarh, March 7 The followings will participate: Under 18 year: Subham Dave (Gujarat), Ankit (Chandigarh), Altaf Saiyed (Gujarat), Rajdeep (Gujarat), M. Anil Kumar
(A.P.), Dev Pandya (Gujarat), Mihir Panchal (Gujarat), Anil Kumar (Delhi), Vishal (Chandigarh), Sanjiv (Delhi). Above 18
year: Girls:
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Centurion, March 7
