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Tuesday,
April 8, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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‘A tour of opportunity’
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Zimbabwe to meet Pak in final SARS could hit Kiwis tour of Sri
Lanka
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Hogg, Gillespie press for Test selection Inzamam ‘not out of picture’ Ranji semis from April 25
Mohun Bagan arrive in Ludhiana Phelps breaks 400m medley record Total Tennis from April 9 Zelezny focusing on Olympics Col Raminder Singh
chief of PSA Police meet
results
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‘A tour of opportunity’ Kolkata, April 7 The BCCI
decided to send the city-based coach as replacement for John Wright,
who could not make it to the series owing to his father’s death back
home. However, if Wright makes it back to the tournament, Malhotra will continue to function as the assistant coach, another first for the Indian squad. Talking
to UNI here today, this swashbuckling batsman from the early 90’s
said, ‘’This is a tournament of opportunities for young players.
There are as many as four uncapped youths who had been knocking at the
door.’’ The beefy Kolkatan added, ‘’It is also an
opportunity for comeback-man Sarandeep Singh, besides World Cup bench
warmers Parthiv Patel, Sanjay Bangar and Ajit Agarkar. It is also a
moment of truth for Dinesh Mongia who surely did not have a memorable
World Cup.’’ Brushing aside any motivation problems, he
said, ‘’Since most of the players are not yet permanent members of
the senior squad they will try their best and playing for India is
motivation enough. Besides, South Africa are also on a rebuilding
process and they will come hard on us.’’ Bangladesh on their home ground are no pushovers with more than 50,000 people egging them on. The
appointment of Malhotra comes as a reward after India A’s creditable
performance in the Caribbean, where they reached the semifinal stage
competing against the A teams of Sri Lanka and England besides a host
of teams from West Indies. Asked about the four youngsters Gautam Gambhir, Avishkar Salvi, Amit Mishra and Avijit Kale, Malhotra did not stop heaping praises on them. Talking
about Gambhir, he said ‘’Gambhir has a great potential as an
opener. Not only him, I thought Akash Chopra was very good in West
Indies. The two of them were very solid adding stability to the
batting. Besides being a good stroke player, he is also a great
fielder. He has the ability to tear apart attacks. Whether he will
open in Dhaka or not will depend upon Saurav. But in case he does, I
think he will do good at the tour.’’ About Avijit Kale,
Malhotra said he was a confident character. However, he did not do
much in West Indies. There is a question mark over his credentials as
a limited overs player. Though he is technically very sound and can
deal with most types of bowling, the problem is he does not have a big
throwing arm.’’ ‘’I may be sounding like tom-toming
about Salvi but I think he is the best thing from the West Indies
tour. After a long time I saw a near complete fast bowler. He bowls
from close to the wicket and is quite sharp and most importantly he
has a big heart and a yorker at will. Amit Mishra also did a great job
in West Indies. He flighted the ball well. He can bat a bit and is a
decent fielder. I think he will be an asset for the one day team.’’ Asked
how comfortable was he in the new role of a coach, the former national
selector from east zone said it was more of man-management. ‘’Sometimes
you let them have their own will and sometimes your decision prevails
but most importantly players should be comfortable with you,’’ he
said adding ‘’This team has players like Yuvraj, Kaif and Sehwag
who not very long ago played along with the youngsters so I think the
trip is also a kind of reunion.’’ Meanwhile, it was
confirmed that Saurav was accompanying the team as captain though
senior pros like Dravid, Sachin, Kumble, Srinath and Nehra had opted
out. Of these Sachin and Nehra would be undergoing surgeries. It will
be a new challenge for Saurav to lead this 15-man squad short on
experience. UNI |
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Bangladesh to tighten security Dhaka, April 7 Bangladesh face India in the tournament’s opening match on Friday. “The authorities have accepted our appeal to deploy adequate security forces during the series,” Nurul Kabir Shaheen, a Bangladesh Cricket Board official,
said. Reuters |
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Zimbabwe to meet Pak in final
Sharjah, April 7 Zimbabwe, with two wins out of three matches will take on Pakistan in the final on Thursday. Unbeaten Pakistan have already booked their place in the final, reducing their Tuesday match against Kenya to a formality. Zimbabwe, spearheaded by skipper Heath Streak and Andy Blignaut who shared six wickets, bowled out the World Cup semifinalists for a paltry 193 and then, riding on a solid innings from Grant Flower (61 not out), achieved the target in 48.4 overs. They lost Craig Wishart (14) early, but Douglas Marrilier (32) and Gavin Rennie (26) stablised the innings with cool-headed batting. After their exit, Flower took over. The experienced batsman, in the company of Tatenda Taibu, prospered in a 55-run stand to take the score to 158. Sri Lanka threatened to halt a Zimbabwe cruise by taking three wickets in quick succession with the addition of only nine runs. Taibu (31) fell to Kumar Dharmasena while off spinner Kaushal Lakuarachchi quickly got rid of Sean Ervine and Dion Ebrahim to reduce Zimababwe to 167 for six. Man-of-the-match Flower held firm, however, and guided his team to victory. Sri Lanka never recovered after losing Sanatha Jaysuriya to the second ball. The Sri Lankan skipper, playing his 300th match, edged an incoming delivery from Heath Streak for a duck. Hashan Tillekaratne, playing in his 200th match, was the top scorer with 31. Sri Lanka needed two decent partnerships to build their stuttering innings. After the fall of Jayasuriya, Avishka Gunawardene (24) and Marvan Atapattu (29) put on 51 runs for the second wicket and then Kumar Sangakkara (25) and Tillekaratne featured in a 48-run stand for the fourth wicket. Sri Lanka expected another big contribution from Sangakkara, who made unbeaten scores of 100 and 103 in the previous two innings. SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka Jayasuriya b Streak 0 Gunawardene c Ebrahim b Blignaut 24 Atapattu c Taibu b Ervine 29 Sangakkara c Flower b Price 25 Tillekaratne c Rennie b Streak 31 Lakuarachchi c Ebrahimb Hondo 28 Jayawardene c Taibu b Blignaut 4 Fernando not out 14 Murali c Taibu b Blignaut 0 Nissanka lbw b Streak 11 Extras (lb-1 nb-1 w-9) 11 Total (all out, 49.1 overs) 193 Fow: 1-0, 2-51, 3-58, 4-106, 5-129, 6-158, 7-163, 8-168, 9-168 Bowling:
Streak 7.1-1-36-3, Blignaut 10-0-33-3, Hondo 10-0-43-1, Ervine 8-1-20-1, Price 10-0-43-1, Rennie 4-0-17-1 Zimbabwe Wishart b Nissanka 14 Marillier c Tillekaratne b Murali 32 Rennie c .Jayawardene b Lakuarachchi 26 Flower not out 61 Taibu c Jayawardene b Dharmasena 31 Ervine b Lakuarachchi 0 Ebrahim lbw b Lakuarachchi 1 Streak not out 19 Extras (nb-4 w-6) 10 Total (6 wkts, 48.4 overs) 194 Fow: 1-36, 2-65, 3-103, 4-158, 5-165, 6-167 Bowling: B.Fernando 2-0-20-0, Nissanka 6.4-0-40-1, Dharmasena 10-0-33-1, Muralitharan 10-3-27-1, Lakuarachchi 10-2-37-3, Jayasuriya 10-1-37-0.
Reuters
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SARS could hit Kiwis tour of Sri Lanka Sydney, April 7 “We’re going to have to watch it. If it progresses, as expected, we might have a problem getting there. When you take into account insurance complications and the already tight security measures, it’s definitely something to watch,” New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming was quoted as saying by News24. New Zealand Cricket is unlikely to make a decision until the team’s departure date gets closer, with Sri Lanka’s long-running civil conflict also a factor. “The NZC is watching developments, talking to the various authorities, and assessing the entire picture in terms of security and safety, as it does with all overseas tours,” said spokesperson Simon Wilson. Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket Players Association has fielded some concerns from players. “We’ve certainly been following it and some of the players have asked for information so they can learn more about it, so there’s definitely some increased awareness out there,” said Heath Mills, the association’s executive manager.
ANI |
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Hogg, Gillespie press for Test selection Georgetown, April 7 Leg spinner Hogg, who is battling with Stuart MacGill for the spinner’s job in the absence of the disgraced Shane Warne, captured four wickets for 23 as the Guyana Board President’s XI collapsed to be all out for just 132. Fast bowler Gillespie, playing his first match for Australia since being sent home from the World Cup with a heel injury, collected two for nine from 13 tight overs, enhancing his chances of a recall after Glenn McGrath went home to be with his sick wife. Steve Waugh declined the chance to enforce the follow-on after their opponents finished 245 short of Australia’s first innings total of 377-3 declared, deciding instead to give his lower order some valuable batting practice ahead of the first test. Reversing the order, the Australians made a slow start but managed to finish the day in a commanding position at 180-8, an overall lead of 425 with a day to go. Darren Lehmann followed up his first innings of 44 with a tidy 42, while Martin Love — who will be promoted to number four in the test after Damien Martyn was forced out with a broken finger — posted his second half-century of the match to finish unbeaten on 55. Scoreboard Australia (first innings): 377-3 declared Guyana Board XI (first innings):
D. Smith c Gilchrist b Gillespie 0, I.Jan not out 42, S. Joseph c Gilchrist b Bichel 6, D. Bravo c Gilchrist b Bichel 0, N. Deonarine c Gilchrist b MacGill 13, A. Kanhai c Langer b MacGill 4 O. Banks lbw Hogg 14, C. Baugh c MacGill b Hogg 32, D. Mohammed c Hogg b Gillespie 8, M. Black c Langer b Hogg 0, A. Sanford lbw b Hogg 0. Extras (b-8 lb-5) 13. Total (all out, 35.3 overs) 132. Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-17, 3-17, 4-35, 5-47, 6-76, 7-117, 8-128, 9-132, 10-132. Bowling:
Gillespie 9-2-13-2, Bichel 6-2-10-2, Noffke 6-1-24-0, MacGill 8-1-49-2, Hogg 6.3-1-23-4. Australia (second innings): B. Hogg c Jan b Sanford 16, A. Gilchrist c Jan b Sanford 8, A. Bichel b Black 7, A. Noffke b Bravo 20, D. Lehmann c Joseph b Mohammed 42, M. Love not out 55, J. Langer c Joseph b Banks 1, S. Waugh c and b Banks 2, J. Gillespie lbw Mohammed 7, S. Macgill not out 17 Extras (b-4 nb-1) 5 Total (for eight wickets) 180 Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-27, 3-33, 4-54, 5-126, 6-129, 7-139, 8-150. Bowling: Sanford 6-1-19-2, Black 6-1-24-1, Banks 20-2-62-2, Bravo 6-1-26-1 (nb-1), Mohammed 14-3-45-2.
Reuters |
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Inzamam ‘not out of picture’ Sharjah, April 7 “Yes definitely I see an important role for Inzi in the coming months. I don’t think he is ruled out for future selection. We shall require his experience for the tougher matches,” Rashid told ‘The News’ on Sunday. Interestingly, Rashid’s comments came just hours after Inzamam- ul-Haq said he plans to get back into the national team and play for another five years. “He remains our best player of fast bowling and he can also help groom young batsmen,” Rashid added. Inzi recently moved from his hometown to Lahore with his family and has started training there for a comeback. But Rashid had a word of caution for his friend and colleague. “We are trying to create a culture in this team where every player only plays on the basis of performance and not reputation and that includes myself. Inzi will also have to contribute a lot with his batting.”
ANI |
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Ranji semis from April 25 New Delhi, April 7 The Delhi selectors have called 24 players for a short coaching camp, to be held under the supervision of chief coach Bishan Singh Bedi from April 9. The probables are: Vijay Dahiya, Akash Malhotra, Gautam Gambhir, Varun Kumar, Salil Oberoi, Mithun Manhas, Siddharth Verma, Sarandeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Sanghvi, Sanjay Gill, Amit Bhandari, Kuldeep Rawat, Arun Singh, Pradeep Chawla, Premvir Nagar, M Diwan, Raju Sharma, Vivek Khurana, Rajeev Rathore, N S Negi, Sohail Rauf, Harender Chaudhary and Sonu Vaid. |
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Bhupathi hints at reunion with Paes Kolkata, April 7 Bhupathi, slated to team up with Max Mirnyi of Belarus after a brief stint with Briton Tim Henman, said Paes had a talk with him on coming together again in the circuit. “It may happen sooner or later... but we have not decided anything so far,” Bhupathi said after the Davis Cup tie against New Zealand at the Calcutta South Club yesterday. Paes, however, preferred to remain silent. The pair, who reunited on the court today after two months to demolish the Kiwis in the doubles of the Cup tie, were recently urged by Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly to try a reconciliation for the third time. Both the players had earlier maintained a diplomatic silence about their reunion. The former world number one pair in doubles had severed ties for the second time last year and now have individual doubles rankings of 5 (Bhupathi) and 13 (Paes) respectively. Lee-Hesh had last teamed up two months back while playing for India in the Davis Cup tie against Japan in Delhi, that they won in style. Meanwhile, veteran tennis stars, enthused to see the ‘Indian Express’ in action today, advocated a reunion, but only after they “sorted out their differences”. “The on-court understanding is still very much there. They should team up again. If they do, regaining their coveted position in doubles won’t be difficult,” former Davis Cup captain Naresh Kumar said. “They started a bit rustily this morning, but were quick to find the rhythm,” he said. The duo, despite having a not-so-impressive start, finished off New Zealand’s Alistair Hunt and Mark Nielsen 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in 100 minutes. Veteran tennis coach Akhtar Ali said: “They know each other’s game very well. But, there are two aspects of the game. While on-the-field understanding is still there, sorting out off-the-field differences is also important”.
PTI |
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Mohun Bagan arrive in Ludhiana Chandigarh, April 7 Although the team was initially supposed to travel by train from Kolkata to Ludhiana, uncertainty over bookings forced them to alter their plans and instead they opted to travel by air to Delhi from where they took a train to Ludhiana. Soon after arrival in Ludhiana, the green and maroon brigade had a feel of the ground. The Kolkata outfit again had a brief practice session today. Among the stars who are expected to turn out for Mohun Bagan in the crucial encounter are Baichung Bhutia, who has the unique distinction of having played in the English league till recently, dashing forward Jose Ramirez Barreto, and attacking medio George Ekeh. On expiry of his contract in England, Bhutia opted to play for Mohun Bagan this season but a muscle injury did not allow him to give his best in the initial stages of the national league which kicked off on November 15, 2002. Till now, Bhutia has scored four goals, including the match winner against Salgaocar on February 18. Talking to The Tribune on the telephone from Ludhiana today, Mohun Bagan coach Subrata Bhattacharya said despite the lacklustre showing initially, his team would go all out for victory against the mill men. “JCT are a good side but we have a a specific game plan. Bhutia is likely to take the field,” said Subrata, who himself guided Mohun Bagan’s destiny as a player many years ago. JCT, currently placed fourth in the 12-team league, see it as golden opportunity to further consolidate their position. The mill men had practice at the ground yesterday and appear determined to put up another memorable show. Coach Sukhwinder Singh, talking to The Tribune today, said the match could be a close affair and although his team would sorely miss the services of international IM Vijayan, who picked up his second yellow card in the match against East Bengal, JCT would go all out for a win. In the current league, the two sides had clashed at Kolkata on November 30 and had settled for a 3-3 draw. |
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Phelps breaks 400m medley record Indianapolis, April 7 The 17-year-old was ahead of the world record pace he established last August right from the start before touching in 4:10.73. His previous record was 4:11.09. Phelps also earned a $ 25,000 bonus from meet sponsors for his performance. Unlike his previous record swim, where he battled Erik Vendt down to the last stroke, Phelps took a huge lead on the butterfly leg and was never challenged, beating runner-up Tom Wilkens by more than six seconds, with Vendt another second back. Phelps followed up with victory in the 100 metres butterfly in 51.84, an American record and the second fastest time ever — just 0.03 seconds behind Australian Michael Klim’s world record. He snatched a third individual victory, overtaking Olympic champion Tom Malchow on the final stroke of the 200 metres butterfly in 1:55.7. The Australians, without several top names including triple world record holder Ian Thorpe, lost the made-for-television meet 196-74. Australia’s Grant Hackett turned in a difficult double victory. He took the 200 metres freestyle in 1:46.64 and the world record holder was on the blocks again 10 minutes later, for the 1,500 metres, which he won in 14:48.34 — a time only he and compatriot Kieren Perkins have ever bettered. Libby Lenton touched first in the 50 metres freestyle in an Australian record of 24.92 seconds, only to be disqualified for false starting.
Reuters |
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Total Tennis from April 9 Chandigarh, April 7 The tournament will be played in boys section in under-10, under-12, under-14 and under-18 categories along with doubles. For girls, the age categories will be under-14 and under-18. This will be an open tournament in which anyone from anywhere can participate. This leg is being played after a rest of three days. Almost all the participants of the first and second leg of the Total Tennis Academy’s circuit for juniors which were played at the Mount Carmel Total Tennis Academy, Sector 47-B, and Saint Soldiers Total Tennis Academy, Sector 16, Panchkula, have confirmed their entries. Apart from these, entries from Amritsar, Patiala, Jalandhar and Shimla have also been received. According to Mr Devender Kapoor, Tournament Director, Total Tennis, besides prizes for winners, there will be prizes for the youngest participant, most well-behaved player, sensation of the tournament, besides others. Entries close day before the commencement of the tournament with Mr Devender Kapoor at 8 pm at the YMCA. |
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Zelezny focusing on Olympics Prague, April 7 The world record holder wrote in a letter published by Czech daily Mlada Fronta Dnes that he is starting to train again after back surgery last year.
Reuters |
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Col Raminder Singh
chief of PSA Chandigarh, April 7 Mr Balraj Sharma has been appointed general secretary while the secretaries include Mr Harpal Singh, Mr Satnam Singh, Mr Gurlal Singh and Mr Amarjit Singh. Mr RS Dhaliwal and Mr Sandeep Sikka, have been made joint secretaries, while Mr Surjit Singh will be the treasurer of the association. Mr Harish Kalia, Mr NM Dutta, Mr Balwinder Singh, and Mr Adarsh Sharma were made members of the executive. In addition, Mr Gurubhagat Singh Sandhu and Mr MS Bhullar (NIS) were appointed chairmen of the selection committee and technical committee respectively. Dr RS Parmar was made chairman of the disciplinary committee while Mr Apinder Singh Grewal and Mr Sheetal Vij will be the chairmen of the research and development committee and infrastructure and conduct committee, respectively. According to Col Raminder Singh all pools in Punjab had been upgraded with provision of filtration plants. An amount of Rs 2 lakh was contributed by members of the spot to carry out minor works. |
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Police meet
results Jalandhar, April 7 In the 400m, Mandeep Sing of Border Zone covered the distance in 51.44 seconds of bag the gold medal while Jatinder Singh of PAP Zone (51.76) and Gurjinder Singh of PAP zone (52.71) won silver and bronze, respectively. Results: Long jump (men) final: Iqbal Singh (PAP Zone) 1, Harbhinder Singh (Border Zone) 2, Ramvir Singh (PAP Zone) 3; triple jump (women) final: Yum Negi (Patiala Zone) 1, Kulwinder Kaur (Jalandhar Zone) 2, Ramla Devi (Patiala Zone) 3; hammer throw (women) final: Sarabjit Kaur (Jalandhar Zone) 1, Sssapinder Kaur (Patiala Zone) 2; 400m (women) final: Rajwinder Kaur Gill (Patiala Zone) 1, Manjit Kaur (Patiala Zone) 2, Ramla Devi (Combind Zone) 3; hammer throw (men) final: Kulwinder Singh (PAP Zone) 1, Harinder Singh (PAP Zone) 2, Gurinderjit SIngh (Patiala Zone) 3; hockey: Jalandhar Zone b Combined Zone (W/o); cycling: 50 km road race (final): Kanawaljit Singh (PAP Zone) 1, Prabhjit Singh (PAP Zone) 2, Amandeep (PAP Zone) 3. |
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