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Wednesday,
May 21, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Pak clinch place in
final Aussies worried about
fielding |
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Sehwag makes an impact in
England Klusener dropped from team Sodhi raring to make a comeback Three more weightlifters in doping net |
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Ludhiana boys in
control Punjab swimming from June
5 New coach likely for eves’ hockey team Nehru football series planned
Mohit shines in NICS win
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Dambulla, May 20 Pakistan’s victory means they now face New Zealand in the final on Friday. Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the final of a home tri-series for the first time in history. Set a challenging 204-run target, the highest score of the tournament, New Zealand were bowled out for 181 in 48.1 overs. Akhtar and Sami took three for 36 and three for 34, respectively as New Zealand lost their last six wickets for just 21 runs. All rounder Shoaib Malik laid the foundation for Pakistan’s win with the bat, smashing a boundary-studded 74 from 72 balls to win the man-of-the-match award. New Zealand started their challenging run chase well, with captain Stephen Fleming and Chris Nevin putting on 36 for the first wicket. But they then collapsed to 71 for three in the 23rd over after the loss of Fleming (17), Lou Vincent (2) and Nevin (28). Chris Cairns and Scott Styris resuscitated the chase with a 42-run fourth wicket partnership before Cairns was bowled for 28 by a googly from Danish Kaneria. Styris, top scorer with 46 from 99 balls, maintained the momentum with a run-a-ball 47 run stand for the fifth wicket with Chris Harris. However, with New Zealand needing 44 runs in 37 balls with six wickets, Pakistan stormed back into the match. Sami trapped Harris (24) lbw, Brendon McCullum was caught at slip for a duck and Styris holed out on the boundary before Akhtar and Sami wrapped up the tail. Earlier, Pakistan had slumped to 10 for two and then 61 for four after being put into bat by New Zealand on a re-used pitch that had been heavily watered the previous evening. Malik seized the initiative, adding 41 with Younis Khan (26) and 71 in 55 balls with Abdul Razzaq (23). He launched an all-out attack at the end of the innings as 76 came from the last 10 overs to power Pakistan to the highest total at the venue. The 21-year-old was eventually caught by McCullum as he tried to clear the boundary ropes for the second time. He had hit eight fours and a six. Daniel Vettori, New Zealand’s hero yesterday against hosts Sri Lanka, was the most successful bowler, taking three for 35 from his 10 overs. Reuters SCOREBOARD Pakistan: Hafeez b Mills 3 Umar b Tuffey 2 Hameed c Styris b Harris 25 Youhana lbw b Vettori 17 Khan c sub b Vettori 26 Malik c McCullum
b Vettori 74 Latif c Cairns b Wiseman 2 Razzaq c Mills b Tuffey 23 Akhtar not out 18 Sami c Vincent b Styris 0 Kaneria not out 0 Extras: (lb-2, nb-1, w-10) 13 Total: ( 9 wkts, 50 overs) 203 Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-10, 3-57, 4-61, 5-102, 6-108, 7-179, 8-191, 9-201. Bowling: Tuffey 9-1-31-2, Mills 10-0-36-1, Styris 5-0-31-1, Vettori 10-1-35-3, Harris 10-0-41-1, Wiseman 6-0-27-1. New Zealand: Nevin c Sami b Kaneria 28 Fleming c Latif b Sami 17 Vincent lbw b Hafeez 2 Styris c Malik b Kaneria 46 Cairns b Kaneria 28 Harris lbw b Harris 24 McCullum c Khan b Akhtar 0 Mills c Omar b Akhtar 11 Vettori c Latif b Akhtar 4 Wiseman b Sami 2 Tuffey not out 2 Extras: (lb-3, nb-3, w-11) 17 Total: (all out 48.1 overs) 181 Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-40, 3-71, 4-113, 5-160, 6-161, 7-163, 8-172, 9-179. Bowling: Akhtar 9.1-0-36-3, Sami 9-0-34-3, Hafeez 10-1-33-1, Kaneria 10-1-31-3, Malik 9-0-39-0, Razzaq 1-0-5-0. Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar faces a possible four to eight match ban for ball tampering during the match against New Zealand on Tuesday. Match referee Gundappa Viswanath conducted an official inquiry into the alleged incident |
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Aussies worried about fielding Castries, May 20 Ricky Ponting’s Australians beat the West Indies in the weekend double-header in Jamaica and will take a throttle-hold on the seven-game series should they come away with another victory in the third match here tomorrow. The Australians hammered Brian Lara’s team by eight wickets in Sunday’s second match at Kingston’s Sabina Park, but such are their lofty standards that they were dismayed at putting down three catches in skittling the Windies for 163. “It was certainly a lot better performance than Saturday’s two-run win, although we put down some catches which is becoming a bit of worry,” Ponting said after Sunday’s triumph. Australian team coach John Buchanan said: “Obviously, we are dropping a lot of catches at the moment, principally because there is no time to put into our fielding work. “That was sliding as we were in the Test matches as well. Just because there were not the facilities, and if you put time into your fielding, physically that takes away from the rest of your game, so we have sacrificed that at the moment. “At some stage, that will hurt us. Whether it hurts us enough to lose a game, we are yet to see.” Batsman Darren Lehmann (calf) and all-rounder Ian Harvey (stomach) were unlikely to play tomorrow, and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist was expected to rest from the game. If that’s the case then Jimmy Maher will take over the gloves while boom young batsman Michael Clarke may play his second one-day international. Gilchrist had been expected to rest last Sunday but the injury to Lehmann prompted selectors to play the vice-captain. The Australians remain unbeaten in one-day internationals since losing to Sri Lanka by 79 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 9 this year. Since then Australia’s dominance has taken in the World Cup in southern Africa when they beat all comers, culminating in their 125-run demolition of India in the final in Johannesburg on March 23. “I would like to think it’s something that will be unbeaten for a long time,” Ponting said of the streak. “What we have been able to achieve I think is outstanding.” The West Indies have more problems with express bowler Jermaine Lawson joining batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul (broken finger) on the sidelines for the series. Lawson, who has been reported to the International Cricket Council for a suspected illegal action, has a back strain. Teams (from): West Indies: Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara (captain), Ricardo Powell, Carlton Baugh, Omari Banks, Vasbert Drakes, Mervyn Dillon, Corey Collymore, David Bernard. Australia: Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting (captain), Jimmy Maher, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Michael Bevan, Brad Hogg, Andrew Bichel, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath, Nathan Hauritz. AFP |
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Sehwag makes an impact in England New Delhi, May 20 This is despite the fact that the 24-year-old has just hit two half-centuries in six innings, including a 70-ball 54 (6x4s) that helped Leicestershire beat Yorkshire by 66 runs in a National League game at Grace Road. Earlier, Sehwag, who has played 14 Tests and 73 one-day internationals, had scored an 84-ball 81 (15x4s) in a drawn game against Yorkshire in the division one Frizzell County Championship. The Indian has provided the British media with something refreshingly positive to write about following a miserable performance by Nasser Hussain’s team at the February-March World Cup, where England crashed out in the first round. Moreover, Leicestershire’s financial condition is set to improve as the club membership has gone up with Sehwag’s arrival. The Indian has brought an air of excitement amongst the large expatriate population, with familiar Indian expressions being used in cricketing circles. “I hope Sehwag changes Leicestershire cricket for ever,” Damesh Lakhani, who runs Bobby’s Restaurant in Belgrave, was quoted as saying in a special feature published by the Guardian. And, as if to capture the changing mood among the local Asian population, Lakhani told writer David Hopps: “It’s not all about tea and crumpets. It’s time to bring on the samosas and the bhajis.” Sehwag, say some, seems to have been the best thing to happen to the 2003 English county season. So much so that the best of British cricket writers, while showering accolades on the simple boy from the Najafgarh suburb of Delhi, have invariably given him prominence in their reports even when the Indian has failed with the bat. The “Sehwag effect”, “resplendent”, and “bewitching batting” are only some of the adjectives used to describe the batsman and his style by leading newspapers like the Times, Guardian and Telegraph. Even before Sehwag landed at Heathrow on May 4, the British cricket writers were excited in anticipation. It seemed as if it was not Sehwag but Sachin Tendulkar, with whom his batting is often compared, was going to represent Leicestershire. It will be interesting to find out who consumed more reams of British newsprint at the end of the current season in September — Sehwag or Tendulkar, who played for Yorkshire in 1992. It is quite apparent that headline writers are trying to push Sehwag’s name to top wherever and whenever possible. Sehwag, who was taking guard within six hours of reaching England, is beginning to find his feet after his initial cameos in a season in which Leicestershire completely overhauled its cricket set-up. “He won’t just dominate one-day cricket,” Leicestershire coach Phil Whitticase had predicted in April. “And we’re not just signing him as a batter - he wants to come over to bowl his off-breaks,” he told the Telegraph. Sehwag has, however, hardly bowled so far, capturing just one wicket. But new captain Philip de Freitas will most probably give him a longer bowl next month when the sun will hopefully be brighter and pitches will be drier. And when the sun shows brightly, Sehwag loves to play his shots on both sides of the wicket. June will also be the month when the revolutionary Twenty20 Cup is introduced, replacing the Benson & Hedges Cup. Since Sehwag is a natural hitter of the ball, Leicestershire will be expecting that the right-hander will be its biggest asset in this 20-over-per-side format matches that will be played under floodlights.
IANS |
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Klusener dropped from team Durban, May 20 Klusener, who played in the February-March World Cup tournament in South Africa early this year, has been off-form and did not make any impact during the World Cup. He was also left out of the squad for the just-concluded Bangladesh tour. One of the surprises of the selection is the inclusion of opening batsman Gary Kirsten who was left out of the Bangladesh tour. The selectors have named a separate 17-man squad for the one-day internationals in the tri-nation series against England and Zimbabwe and another 16-man squad for the five Test matches against England. One-day squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Mark Boucher, Paul Adams, Nicky Boje, Alan Dawson, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Charl Langeveldt, Neil McKenzie, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock; Dewald Pretorius; Jacques Rudolph; Martin van Jaarsveld, Morne van Wyk. Test squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Mark Boucher, Paul Adams, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Neil McKenzie, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Shaun Pollock, Dewald Pretorius, Jacques Rudolph, Thami Tsolekile, Charl Willoughby, Monde Zondeki.
PTI |
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Sodhi raring to make a comeback
New Delhi, May 20 Once considered to be the most promising youngster in the country, the 23-year-old Sodhi has not been able to do full justice to his potential at the international level, having scored just 280 runs from 18 one-day internationals at a modest average of 25.45. Just five wickets at 73 runs apiece also do not talk highly about his all-round abilities. But Sodhi is keen to change all that and is putting in around eight hours every day at the nets in Patiala in order to prepare himself for a comeback. “The slot of a genuine all-rounder is still vacant in the Indian team and I am eyeing that position,” he said. “I have been working very hard, especially at my bowling. I have brought a slight change in my bowling action on the advice of experts and it is going nicely for me.” Apart from being a hard-hitting middle order batsman and a talented medium-pace bowler, Sodhi is also an electric fielder, someone who not only saves a number of runs but also peps up his team-mates with his youthful energy and vivacity. For a cricketer who has been part of two World Cup winning teams — at the U-15 and U-19 levels — it was heart-breaking for Sodhi not to be in India’s World Cup squad in South Africa earlier this year. His last outing with the Indian team was against the West Indies at Jodhpur last year, where he was out for just one run. “It was certainly disappointing not to be in the Indian team for the World Cup. But it is still the early stages of my career and I am confident I will be a part of India’s World Cup team some day,” Sodhi said. As a junior, his crowning moment came when he led India’s U-15 team to the World Cup victory in England with a win against Pakistan in the final in 1996. His superb 82 not out and three for 34 won him the man of the match award. Four years later, Sodhi earned a unique double when, as vice-captain of the victorious U-19 team, he was adjudged man of the match again in the World Cup final in Sri Lanka. His performance at the first class level has also been impressive. After making his debut at the age of 16 years, Sodhi has scored 2634 runs from 46 matches with an average of 42.48 and a top-score of 200 not out. He has also claimed 73 wickets at 27.06 each with three five-wicket hauls. However, the going has been very tough for him at the senior level and a debilitating back injury some time ago, which kept him on bed for six months, did nothing to help his cause. “I have completely recovered from the injury now and I am now going through my training session nicely. I am ready for international cricket,” Sodhi, who has taken over the mantle of captaincy of Punjab, said. His fine all-round performance in a recent Ranji one-day match against Delhi, where he scored 73 and also took three wickets, proved his point. As the next logical step, he is hoping to find a berth in India ‘A’ team for a tour of England next month, the squad for which is to be announced shortly.
PTI |
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Three more weightlifters in doping net Patiala, May 20 During the junior national championship held at Chennai in January this year, the IWF had found itself in a mess when as many as 22 lifters were found to have used IOC banned substances. Prominent among these ‘dope tainted’ lifters was one of the country’s top women lifter, Pujari Shelja. Reacting sharply to P. Shelja’s positive test, the IWF was quick to withdraw her name from the preparatory camp held at the NIS here in March. The camp was being held in preparation for the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship held in Tonga early this month. The IWF had to face more embarrassment when seven lifters tested positive for using different types of banned stimulants and steroids during the Hyderabad National games. Gurpreet Singh of Chandigarh has tested positive for using a stimulant during the Lucknow nationals. The lifter had competed in the 105 kg plus weight category at Lucknow where he won a silver medal. Earlier taking part in the same weight class, the Chandigarh lifter had tested positive in the Hyderabad National Games. This time too an IOC banned stimulant was found in his urine sample. IWF sources disclosed that had the federation known in advance that Gurpreet had tested positive in the Hyderabad Games, he would not have been allowed to take part in the Lucknow nationals. According to norms laid down by the international body of weightlifting, a first stimulant offence attracts a ban on six months while a second offence carries a two year ban. A third offence for using a stimulant attracts a life ban. Punjab’s Munni Vellu, who is employed with Punjab Police, has also tested positive for using a stimulant in the Lucknow meet. The Punjab lifter had won a silver medal in the while taking part in the 56 kg weight category. Perigambi Channu has also returned a positive test during the Lucknow nationals. However, it is not clear as to whether P. Channu had used a stimulant or a steroid. Meanwhile, the IWF will hold it’s executive committee meeting on May 28 to take stock of the situation arising from Lucknow positive tests. It will also discuss the next line of action to be taken against the lifters who tested positive during the Chennai junior national championship. |
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Baboor wins opening tie New Delhi, May 20 Top Indian men’s player Chetan Baboor had no problems in overcoming his lesser known opponent Chriss Ndzoli of Congo in straight games 11-3, 11-5, 11-8, 11-3 yesterday. In other matches, Sharath Kalam thrashed Tahiti’s Sylvain Motahu 11-3, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7 while in the women’s section Mouma Das defeated Elmira Aliyeva of Kazakhstan 11-2, 11-6, 11-3, 11-5 according to information received here. But the other two Indians in the women’s section — Mamta Prabhu and Pradeera Thiruuengadam — could not pack the killer punch necessary at the highest level, as they went down fighting to higher ranked opponents. Mamta gave a superb fight to Pia Finnemann of Denmark befor losing 11-6, 7-11, 6-11, 11-8, 9-11, 7-11 while Judit Herczig of Austria got the better of Pradeera winning a tough battle 11-5, 6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 10-12, 11-8. In the mixed doubles, Sorav Chakravorthy and Mouma Das reached the third round before losing to Tomas Konechy and Katerina Penkavova of Czech Republic 5-11 6-11 4-11. Earlier, the duo defeated Enio Mendes and Vanu Carvalho of Portugal 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 and prevailed over Juan Acosta and Elina Gonzalez of Peru 9-11, 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6. Other Results (first round): Mixed Doubles: Sharath
Kamal/Pradeera Thiruuengadam lost to Indika Silva/Deepika Rodrigo (Sri) 11-8, 10-12, 8-11, 11-9 8-11. Men’s Doubles: Chetan
Baboor/Kamal Sharath beat Santoago Coste/Hector Berrios (Pur) 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-4. Women’s Doubles:
Pradeera/ Mamta Prabhu lost to Carina Jonsson/Susanna Nilsson (Swe) 5-11, 6-11, 5-11.
PTI |
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Ludhiana boys in
control Ludhiana, May 20 In reply to Amritsar’s first innings total of 200 runs, Ludhiana made 327 for the loss of eight wickets in 90 overs. Amritsar, trailing by 127 runs, in their second essay were struggling at 127 for eight after 40 overs. Resuming their first innings at 88 for one, Ludhiana’s overnight not out batsmen, Amrit Pal Singh and Dushyant Kohli took the score to 142 before being separated. Amrit Pal Singh made 68 while Dushyant contributed 34. Amritsar’s Harman Bajwa and Karan Kalia, with their accurate bowling made the Ludhiana batsmen strive for each run. Trying to force the run rate, Ludhiana middle order batsmen committed mistakes, losing wickets at regular intervals. At one stage, they were struggling at 175 for six. Harman and Karan took four and three wickets, respectively. Then, Sachin and Ashish Vinayak steadied the innings and in the process helped their side to surpass Amritsar’s total of 200 runs. The pair shared a vaulable 78-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Yogesh remained unbeaten on 41 which came off 42 balls, laced with six boundaries. Brief scores: Amritsar (1st innings)- 200 all out Ludhiana (Ist innings): 327 for 8 ( Karan goel 25, Amritpal Singh 68, Dushyant Kohli 34, Varun Gupta 14, Sachin 44, Ashish Vinayak 54, Yogesh Kumar 41 n.o; Harman Bajwa 4 for 51 and Karan Kalia 3 for 71) Amritsar (2nd innings): 127 for 8 in 40 overs ( Munish Bhatia 13, Gagandeep Singh 24, Vipan 22; Karan Goel 4 for 34, Rajat Bhatia 2 for 46 and Gurpreet Khaira 1 for 14). |
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Punjab swimming from June
5 Ludhiana, May 20 Entries close on, with Mr Balraj Sharma, honorary general secretary, PSA June 2 at Ludhiana. Eligibility dates of birth for different age groups as per the new AASF/SFI rules are: 15-17 years- those born from 1986 to 88 13-14 years- those born in 1989-90; 11-12 years- those born from 1991-92 and 9-10 years- those born in years 1993-94. The Punjab teams for the coaching camps prior to their participation in the National Aquatic Championship to be held at Delhi next month will be selected on the basis of their performance during this meet. |
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New coach likely for eves’ hockey team New Delhi, May 20 “We will have a camp at Patiala or Bangalore next month and the girls will be trained under the new coach whose name will be announced then,” Ms Bose told PTI here. “We have already selected one for the post,” Ms Bose said but added “we are not going to disclose the name.” Thirty players, including 11 members of the team that finished last at the Busan Asian Games, are part of a conditioning camp currently going on in Nehru Stadium here but it has been of little help since the team does not have a coach. However, Ms Bose insisted the coach was not necessary because the camp was essentially a fitness programme and was being held under the supervision of a physical trainer and an assistant coach. “It is just a conditioning camp aimed at improving the physical standards of the players many of whom are unfit. They have not had match practice for the past six months.
PTI |
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Nehru football series planned Kolkata, May 20 Disclosing this, Mr Dasmunshi said last night that a total of 12 matches would be played in the series in Goa, Kochi and Kolkata. He said efforts were also on to send the Indian team to Iran, Japan and South Korea “at a suitable time” to finetune the side’s preparation for the World Cup qualifiers.
PTI |
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Mohit shines in NICS win Patiala, May 20 Mixing aggression with caution in a controlled manner, Mohit hit six boundaries in his knock. He was involved in a fruitful 103-run first wicket partnership with Kulwinder Singh, who scored 44. In reply, the MES Coaching Centre were bundled out for a meagre 52 with Mohit and Jeewanjot Singh chipping in with two wickets each. Brief scores: NICS — 152 for 3
(Mohit Mohindera 67 n.o., Kulwinder Singh 44, Jaskaran Singh 17, Kulwinder 1 for
31). MES CC — 52 all out (Sartaj Singh 17, Mohit Mohindera 2 for 13, Jeewanjot Singh 2 for 18). |
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Office-bearers Shimla, May 20 |
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