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Monday,
October
13, 2003,
Chandigarh, India  
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New Zealand take away honours Agarkar replaces
injured Salvi
India, New Zealand teams arriving today |
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England qualify despite Beckham penalty miss
Schumacher takes record 6th title
CRPF stun JCT to win soccer title Sahil,
Jaspreet badminton champs
Surjit hockey from November 5 Vineet, Anu TT champs Kahlon finishes 21st
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Kiwis force a draw
Ahmedabad, October 12 It was a frustrating outcome for India who looked very much in sight of a win when they had reduced New Zealand to 169 for six by tea today. But the Kiwis showed remarkable character and resilience, epitomised by McMillan (83) and Astle (51), to fight back and deny India a victory. While New Zealand would now go into the second and final Test starting in Mohali on October 16 with a positive frame of mind, Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly would be worried by the fact that his bowlers could not finish off New Zealand’s second innings in more than three full sessions of play. The drab final session saw little action as the Indian bowlers failed to separate McMillan and Astle, who had both missed New Zealand’s last tour to Sri Lanka due to injuries. There was no support for Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, who shared all the six second innings wickets to fall between them, from speedsters Zaheer Khan and L Balaji. Ace leg-spinner Kumble turned out to be the most successful with four wickets in his kitty while Harbhajan scalped two but their efforts did not prove enough for bowling out the Kiwis who were set a target of 370 runs with more than a day’s play at hand. Scoreboard India (1st Innings): 500 for 5 decl. New Zealand (1st innings): 340 India (2nd innings): 209 for 6 decl New Zealand (2nd innings): Richardson c Chopra
Vincent b Kumble 67 Tuffey b Kumble 8 Fleming c Laxman
Styris lbw b Kumble 0 McMillan not out 83 Oram c Dravid
Astle not out 51 Extras: (b-4, lb-11, nb-12) 27 Total:
(for 6 wkts in 107 overs) 272 FoW: 1-44, 2-68, 3-85, 4-86, 5-150, 6-169. Bowling:
Zaheer Khan 10-1-36-0, Balaji 11-4-21-0, Harbhajan Singh 38-9-65-2, Kumble 39-12-95-4, Tendulkar 7-0-40-0, Sehwag 2-2-0-0.
— PTI
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New Zealand take away honours You could almost see coach John Wright sulking as the two teams shook hands at the end of the fifth and final day's play. He expected a more positive result before moving on to Mohali but that did not happen. New Zealand escaped with a draw and with them took away all the honours in this opening Test match. If you thought this was a grudge match, Indians didn't seem determined enough to avenge the drubbing they suffered during their tour to Kiwiland. There must be something wrong if Kumble and Harbhajan, on a typical fifth day wicket, fail to bowl out the opposition after having them on the ropes for good part of the day. Yes, due credit to Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan for bringing in all their experience at the right time but the fact remains, it was Indians who let them off the hook. I don't know much into Salvi's sudden injury but the inclusion of Agarkar augurs well for the deciding second Test. Logically, Agarkar had to be the second choice to Zaheer. Especially after his lion-hearted performance during the Irani trophy, add to this his all-round abilities, I wonder why the selectors missed him in the first place. Again, Agarkar in place of Balaji would have made a world of difference to the result on Sunday. Balaji gave a decent debut showing but the lack of variety and in-experience cost the Indian team dear. Agarkar, in comparison, also has the ability to reverse swing the old ball, something even Zaheer needs to master to become a complete match winner. Had the seamers given a head start of at least a wicket or two in the second innings, India, I think stood in with a real chance of going 1 up in the series. Captain Saurav Ganguly too on his part, didn't screw the knob tightly on the Kiwis. India should have attacked right through the day, getting in more close-in fielders and put pressure on the batsmen. New Zealand never looked to go for victory but surprisingly there wasn't much crowd around the batsmen when they tried to defend everything coming at them. The close catchers needed to be a bit more close to convert those half-chances into dismissals. India left the match when Astle and McMillan, as expected of them, put up a resistance and this was disappointing. Why Sachin didn't get a extended stint with the ball is another mystery, more so when both the skipper and coach reiterated their faith in the maestro's bowling abilities going into this Test. Getting the ball to jump and turn a long way, why didn't the man with the golden arm get to present his case more appropriately? Any regrets is a bit too late now. From the New Zealand point of view, they will feel more comfortable in Mohali. Not only the weather be more pleasant but the traditionally green wicket will be good news for Tuffey and Oram. The wicket is the closest New Zealand can resemble to their home conditions. It's good to see McMillan back in the New Zealand's scheme of things. A highly talented batsman, he has never fully converted his potential to reflect on those averages but Sunday's knock allowed McMillan to thank the selectors for remembering him again. Astle too made a good comeback after a knee surgery and should enjoy batting on India wickets. Morally, Fleming has won the first Test and India needs to regroup a little bit more and go for the kill in the decider.
— Dronacharya Sports Promoters Association |
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Agarkar
replaces injured Salvi Ahmedabad, October 12 Agarkar made it to the side after the selectors, who had earlier announced an unchanged side for the second Test, realised Salvi had injured the webbing of his finger during practice this morning, cricket board joint secretary Ratnakar Shetty told reporters here. Team:
Saurav Ganguly (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, V. V. S. Laxman, Akash Chopra, Parthiv Patel (wicketkeeper), Anil
Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, L Balaji, Ajit Agarkar, Yuvraj Singh and Sairaj
Bahutule. — PTI
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India, New Zealand teams arriving today Chandigarh, October 12 New Zealand squad is slated to reach the city in the afternoon by an Air-India flight, while seven members of the India squad comprising mainly junior players will also be arriving at the same time. Senior players including Sachin Tendulkar, skipper Saurav Ganguly, vice-captain Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble will reach a day after by the same flight. The arrival of the senior players has been delayed in view of the discussions they are slated to have with the BCCI president, Mr Jagmohan Dalmiya and the secretary, Mr S K Nair on the graded payment issue for senior and junior players. Soon after its arrival in Hotel Mountview New Zealand will leave for the PCA Stadium in Mohali, where they are keen to be at the nets to have a feel of the prevalent conditions. The Indian players will also be at the nets the same day. From Tuesday onwards one team will practice in the morning while the other will limber up in the afternoon. The match has assumed added importance as Indian team failed to force a victory in the first Test from a position of strength. Rahul Dravid scored a superb double century enabling India to declare their innings at 500 for 5 in the first innings. But Indian bowlers gave an ordinary display as the match ended in a tame draw. The Ganguly-led team will be under added pressure to go all out and record a victory if they have to clinch the series. Specially designed covers, being fabricated in the stadium in order to ensure that the wicket remained fresh and helpful to seamers initially on all the days of the Test matches would be tested tomorrow to find out their utility during the match. "They would be tested in the practice area today. Tomorrow morning, they would be taken to the wicket to find out their effectiveness. If found suitable, the covers would be used during the match," revealed Mr M P Pandove, secretary of the Punjab Cricket Association. If used during the match, the covers are likely to help seamers as they would ensure supply of fresh air to the wicket, enabling it to remain fresh to be exploited by seamers the next morning. "Fans may also be installed inside the covers to ensure proper circulation of air on the wickets," he added. Mr Pandove parried queries regarding the non-arrival of a portion of the video replay screen being imported at a cost of Rs 1.55 crore. Nearly half of it has been lying at Hong Kong due to non-availability of transport facility, while the rest is at the New Delhi airport. "Three engineers are already here awaiting the arrival of the screen. Once, the whole screen reaches here, which is expected by tomorrow, it would be fitted in 24 hours," he said. "We intend to get it inaugurated from some government dignitary on October 15". Health and fitness centre, getting the finishing touches, would be inaugurated on October 14. The aesthetically done fitness centre, costing nearly Rs 1 crore, has every conceivable facilities and could be compared with the best in the world, he said. The sale of the general block tickets was brisk, while the tickets meant for students were still available. Explaining the low rates of tickets, he said the idea was to ensure the maximum attendance during the match. |
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Aussies poised for win
Perth, October 12 Heavy showers just after tea sent players scurrying from the field with Zimbabwe hanging on by a thread, with 247 for nine wickets in their second innings - still 249 runs behind Australia’s first innings 735 for six wickets declared. After a 73-minute delay, play was resumed for 11.3 overs before further rain brought a halt with Zimbabwe 272 for nine wickets — 224 runs in arrears. Last-wicket pair, skipper Heath Streak (42 not out) and Ray price (17 not out) defiantly held up Australia for 47 minutes to force the match into a fifth and final day. Following on 496 runs behind, Zimbabwe nosedived to 126 for seven wickets before the lower-order showed commendable fight.
Australia dismissed the tourists for a first innings 239.
Further rain is forecast for tomorrow. Zimbabwe coach Geoff Marsh — the former Australian Test opener — has not given up hope that his young and inexperienced team can save the match, with a bit of further help from the weather. “We have already taken Australia to the fifth day — and not many sides can do that,” he said. Marsh was pleased with the spirit displayed by his players late in the day, but disappointed by the failure of the middle-order. “But Heath Streak and Ray Price can both bat well — make no mistake. So we have certainly not given up hope of saving this.” The home team coasted to the brink of victory despite the absence of two front-line bowlers — Jason Gillespie and Stuart MacGill. Both were injured yesterday. Australia (1st innings): 735 for 6 decl Zimbabwe (1st innings): 239 Zimbabwe (2nd innings): Ebrahim b Gillespie 4 Gripper c Gilchrist
Vermeulen c Gilchrist
Carlisle c Hayden
Wishart lbw b Bichel 8 Evans b Lehmann 5 Taibu c Gilchrist b Bichel 3 Ervine b Bichel 53 Streak batting 42 Blignaut st Gilchrist
Price batting 17 Extras: 20 Total:
(9 wkts, 105 overs) 272 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-11, 3-110, 4-112, 5-118, 6-126, 7-126, 8-209, 9-247. Bowling:
Lee 28-6-70-1, Gillespie 3-0-6-2, MacGill 3.4-1-10-0, Bichel 22-11-55-3, Lehmann 26.2-12-54-3, Martyn 10-3-26-0, Waugh 7-1-26-0, Ponting 5-1-15-0. —
AFP. |
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S. Africa beat Pak Rawalpindi, October 12 After losing their first five wickets for 80 runs, Pakistan were well served by their late order who took them to a decent total. Abdul Razzaq with 38, Rashid Latif 25, Shoaib Malik 20 from 29 balls and Mohammad Sami 22 from 30 put together vital partnerships in the second half of the innings to add 112 runs. Stand-in South Africa skipper Mark Boucher leading the side for the first time in a one-day international did a good job of marshalling his bowlers in the absence of Graeme Smith and Andrew Hall, both suspended for the match. Left-arm spinner Robin Peterson once again caused the most problems for Pakistan with a spell of 10 overs getting the important wickets of Younis Khan 24 and Malik. He took command after Andre Nel and Shaun Pollock had caused damage in the first 10 overs when Pakistan were reduced to 35 for three, including the wickets of Mohammad Hafeez and Yousuf Youhana for ducks. Pakistan: Hameed c Kallis b Nel 28 Hafeez b Nel 0 Youhana lbw Pollock 0 Younis Khan b Peterson 24 Inzamam run out 17 Shoaib Malik c Nel Razzaq c Boucher Rashid Latif b Pollock 25 Sami c Kallis b Ntini 22 Akhtar c sub (Van
Wyk) Kaneria not out 1 Extras:
(b-1 lb-4 w-6) 11 Total: (all out, 49.3 overs) 192. Fall of wickets:
1-3, 2-16, 3-35, 4-75, 5-80, 6-116, 7-152, 8-180, 9-186. Bowling:
Pollock 9.3-0-33-3 (w-1), Nel 8-0-36-2 (w-3), Dawson 7-0-26-0 (w-1), Ntini 9-1-38-2, Kallis 6-0-22-0 (w-1), Peterson 10-0-32-2. South Africa Dippenaar lbw Gibbs st Latif Kallis b Sami 40 Rudolph not out 13 McKenzie not out 9 Extras:
23 Total: (for 3 wkts, 45.5 overs) 193 Fall of
wickets:1-75, 2-168, 3-170 Bowling: Akhtar 8-0-33-0, Sami 10-0-47-2, Razzaq 10-0-33-0, Hafeez 3.5-0-18-0, Kaneria 10-1-37-1, Malik 4-0-20-0.
— Reuters SA lodge appeal
Rawalpindi: South Africa’s team management today lodged an appeal with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against the two-Test match ban imposed on all-rounder Andrew Hall over a breach of the Code of Conduct.
Hall was banned for two Tests and a one one-day match following an incident in the second one-day international against Pakistan in Lahore last week in which he was charged on two offences.
Hall apparently elbowed Pakistan’s Yousuf Youhana, who was completing a single at the bowling end and both players became involved an argument. The ICC match referee Clive Lloyd charged Hall for physical assault and bringing the game into disrepute.
Hall had 24 hours to appeal against the Test ban but there was no provision to appeal against the one-day ban.
South African captain Graeme Smith was also banned for one one-day and fined 50 per cent of his match fee after he was charged for using abusive language during the incident.
— AFP
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England
qualify despite Beckham penalty miss
London, October 12 Turkish players taunted Beckham after his wild penalty miss, triggering a brawl in the stadium tunnel at halftime. Two other European powers, Italy and Germany, also qualified, along with Denmark, Switzerland and Greece. But Spain was left to contest a playoff, along with other second-place finishers Turkey, Scotland, Norway, Russia, Latvia, Croatia and Wales. A total of six automatic qualifying spots and eight playoff berths were decided in 20 games across Europe. Five nations had already secured places in next summer’s tournament: host Portugal and group winners France, Czech Republic, Sweden and Bulgaria. Two countries — the Netherlands and Slovenia - had been assured of playoff spots as group runners-up. The unseeded draw for the 10-nation playoff will be held Monday in Frankfurt. The games will be contested over two legs on Nov. 15 and 19. The English needed only a point to advance ahead of Turkey — and that’s just what they got. England finished with 20 points, two ahead of the Turks. England went into the game after a week marred by a drug scandal, rape allegations, a player revolt and doubts over coach Sven-Goran Eriksson’s future. But the team managed to restore some pride. “The nil-nil showed our character even more than winning 1-nil or 2-nil,” Beckham said. England defender Rio Ferdinand was excluded from the team after missing a drug test, triggering a short-lived player threat to boycott the game. Newspapers reported that Eriksson could quit after yesterday’s match to become manager of Chelsea, and police are investigating rape allegations involving several Premier League players. “I’m very, very proud,” Eriksson said. “To do a job like that today after a week like we had is very professional.” Pressed on whether he planned to stay as England coach, Eriksson said, “I really hope so. Yes, of course.” After Steven Gerrard was tripped in the penalty area, Beckham lined up for a penalty kick in the 36th minute. He slipped, his left foot giving way under him, and shanked the ball some 20 feet over the crossbar. It’s the first time Beckham has failed to convert a penalty in his England career. Turkish defender Alpay Ozalan got in Beckham’s face to taunt him. Later as the players walked off at halftime, Alpay jabbed his hand in Beckham’s face, and the England captain tried to reach out after him. “He just went past me and clipped me around the ear, and said something about my mother,” Beckham said. “Obviously it upset me a little bit.” At least 50 people scuffled in the tunnel outside the teams’ dressing rooms in a “mini riot,” Sky Sports News reported. After the clashes were broken up, Italian referee Pierluigi Collina called in Beckham and Alpay and told them to cool down. English fans were barred from the game to prevent crowd violence. Turkish fans booed the British national anthem and set off flares in the stadium, but no major incidents were reported. Filippo Inzaghi scored two goals and Christian Vieri and Marco Di Vaio had one each as Italy beat Azerbaijan 4-0 in Reggio Calabria to win Group 9.
— AP |
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Schumacher
takes record 6th title Suzuka, October 12 But he scored it anyway, finishing eighth in a damp season-ending race of fluctuating fortunes and occasional scares. |
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CRPF stun JCT to win soccer title Nabha, October 12 Pacy and precise, CRPF were in full flow right from the first minute. Before the mill men could comprehend what was happening, Mustak Ali struck twice within five minutes leaving the millmen gasping for breath. Ali showed his class with a memorable goal involving opportunism and also skill of the highest order. Running into space on the right edge of the box, he screamed for the ball from team mate M. Nobin Singh. Once in possession, he found his way into the goal mouth and with three defenders quickly converging on him he still found enough time and space to kick the ball into the net even while falling. Five minutes later, Ali produced an equally dramatic goal. Collecting a ball on the centre line he moved dangerously into enemy territory and stunned a retreating defence with a power packed drive with JCT custodian Arvind Kumar being reduced to a mere spectator. The millmen’s Nigerian recruit Musa Aliu too could not do much in the defence. In fact, the Phagwara boys failed to strike a rhythm from the very beginning. Some of the players including Musa and striker Harvinder Singh showed individual brilliance but overall the team failed to combine. It was only when they were trailing 0-2 did the millmen initiate a series of good moves but that effort came too late in the match and moreover whatever little pressure created was soaked up by the rival defence. With time running out, the experienced JCT manager, Parminder Singh, a member of the 1982 Asian all star team, effected a couple of substitutions. First he replaced Harvinder Singh with Jaswant Singh who messed up a chance set up by Musa Aliu. Then Kuldeep Singh was brought in to bolster the attack but he too repeatedly ran into the defensive CRPF wall. Towards the fag end, JCT’s Baldeep Singh found the net but his goal was disallowed by referee Abdul Saleem. |
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Sahil,
Jaspreet badminton champs Sangrur, October 12 Tall and well built Sahil, who has won the state junior and senior titles this year at Jalandhar, had no difficulty in disposing of former Punjab champion Rohan Kapoor also from Jalandhar 15-6, 15-7. Sahil took an early lead and maintained it throughout in the first game which he won in 15 minutes. In the second game also Sahil dominated throughout and never allowed Rohan to settle down with his down-the-line smashes and accurate drops. The women's singles final between Jaspreet of Patiala and Shahnaaz of Sangrur was well fought. No doubt Jaspreet won the match 11-6, 11-9 in two straight games but she had to earn every point. The men's doubles title went to Navdeep Singh and Mohd Salim of PSEB. In the final they defeated Jalandhar's pair of Rohan and Rohit 15-8, 15-9 in a well fought match. Jaspreet and Amritpal of Patiala won the women's doubles final defeating Yogita and Punit, also from Patiala 15-4, 15-8.
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Surjit
hockey from November 5 Chandigarh, October 12 The IHF has appointed Shaqeel Quereshi, Virinder Bahadur, Balwinder Shammi, Satinder Sharma, Ripudaman Kumar and Suresh Bhatia as umpires for the tournament. Indian Oil will be the main sponsors while Coca Cola will be the co-sponsors. All India Radio and Doordarshan have agreed to telecast live the final on the national network while both the semifinals will be telecast live on the regional network. The society will honour the best coach with the Bhupinder Singh Bodhi Award. The society will also honour former hockey player and Punjabi singer Satwinder Bitti on the final day. A lucky coupon scheme for spectators has also been planned, according to Mr Surinder Singh, press secretary of the society. |
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Vineet, Anu TT champs Ferozepore, October 12 In women’s singles category, Anu of Jalandhar defeated Nitika of Amritsar 11-9, 11-8, 12-10 in a well-contested match. Mr Vikas Pratap, President, Ferozepore District Table Tennis Association, said that more than 350 players participated in the championship. He said more such events would be organised in the future for upliftment of the sport in the region. He distributed prizes to winners and the runners-up in the various events. The results: Boys singles: Randeep Singh (Patiala) b Rohil Khalia (Amritsar) 11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8. Girls singles:
Manisha of Patiala b Saloni of Jalandhar 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8. Sub junior boys:
Kamaljeet of Patiala b Kartik Dogra of Jalandhar 11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8. Sub junior girls: Nirdosh of Ludhiana b Meena of Ropar 11-8, 11-9, 10-12, 11-8.
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Kahlon finishes 21st
New Delhi, October 12 Kahlon finished with a total score of 5-over 293 in the four round event at the Woo-Jeoung Hills Golf Club recording a best of 4-under 68 in the penultimate. In the first two rounds he carded 75 and 77 before putting up an improved display in the third round. But the Indian fumbled again in the last round and recorded a score of 74. — PTI
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Hisar win yoga title Karnal, October 12 |
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Chandan shines Amritsar, October 12
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