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India face daunting task against Pak
Ganguly plays down psychological factor
Ranbir Singh has big plans for Indian cricket
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Today’s match
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Paes-Bhupathi to pair up for Thai Open
Delhi to host Santosh Trophy
Coaching camp for wrestlers
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India face daunting task against Pak
Birmingham, September 18 India are battling the poor form of Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh and are still trying to come to grips with the injury-induced absence of Sachin Tendulkar and Laxmipathy Balaji ahead of the decisive pool C encounter against the arch-rivals, who have the momentum going their way in recent weeks. India have lost to Pakistan in both Sri Lanka and Holland in this new season and it would take an outstanding effort to turn the tables on their traditional opponents. Indian captain Ganguly left for the European tour believing his side has rarely done badly against the arch-rivals outside the subcontinent but the Pakistanis seem on a revision course. Pakistan's talent was never in question but the disparate elements in the team were their worst enemies. Now that it has been taken care of by new coach Bob Woolmer, the results have started to come thick and fast. Their strongest weapon remain their fast bowling, which is seen as the biggest threat on pitches in autumn in England. The pace quartet of Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Abdul Razzaq and Naved-ul Hasan can reap rich rewards with the white ball on pitches which are beginning to offer generous help to seam and swing in these final days of summer in England. If that was not enough, the two spinners, Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik, are fresh from their success against Kenya and remember too vividly what they did to the Indian line-up in Amsterdam. The two spinners of contrasting styles picked up eight Kenyan wickets for 26 runs between them at this venue earlier this week. In Amsterdam, the two had seven wickets for 38 runs bowling together against India. Aiding their cause is the poor form of the Indian batsmen who, as recent tournaments have shown, either strike form collectively or lose it together and only a superlative performance by the top order can cover up the deficiency. India are also indecisive whether to play Rohan Gavaskar or Dinesh Karthik at the No 7 spot. The indications are that the left-hand batsman would be preferred over the wicketkeeper in the final eleven. It would mean that Rahul Dravid would return to his now familiar dual role of batsman-cum-wicketkeeper. India are also unsure whether to go with two medium-pacers and two spinners or stick to the three plus one formula in bowling. If they decides to go with three fast bowlers, Amit Bhandari could be pushing Ajit Agarkar for a place in the eleven. Pakistan, in contrast, have an embarrassment of riches. Both their batting and bowling run deep and they have players who can perform more than one role for the team. The batting line-up is deep enough for Abdul Razzaq, one of the most fearsome hitters in world cricket, to come at No 8. In bowling they have at least six bowlers who can bowl their full quota of 10 overs. They also are flexible enough to field either Imran Farhat or Shahid Afridi as opening partner to Yaseer Hameed. It is on cards that Afridi could come at the top of the order to snatch early initiative away from the Indians. Hours of play (IST):
3.15pm to 6.45pm, 7.25pm till close.
— PTI |
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A special game, says Inzamam
Birmingham, September 18 ''There can be no favourites in this version of the game,'' Inzamam told reporters when asked if his team would start in that position after beating India in the last two meetings in Colombo and Amsterdam. ''Our victories in the last two games are history. Tomorrow is a new day. And it all depends on who plays well on the day.'' The Pakistani skipper said, ''Even if it would be a big game with everybody looking forward to it, it's just a game. The atmosphere is great with fans from both India and Pakistan sitting together and cheering for their respective teams. The noise they make is to be heard to be believed. ''Anywhere in the world, the atmosphere for India-Pakistan match is great. I know the feeling of our fans. They want us to beat India. But as far as my team is concerned we want to win the tournament,'' he said. He said the toss would only give a 20 per cent advantage to the team winning the toss. ''The first 10-15 overs are difficult to negotiate in such conditions,'' he said. He was all praise for coach Bob Woolmer. ''He's friendly with the boys. He is an experienced coach and he knows his job.”
— UNI |
Just another tie, says Harbhajan
New Delhi:
An India- Pakistan tie is always a potboiler and though the match on Sunday will decide the semifinalist in the ICC Champions Trophy from pool C, star spinner Harbhajan Singh insists it is just another game.
Trying to downplay the hype around the encounter on Sunday, the
office told BBS Sports, “Of course it is a big game, but people, media and fans, make it bigger than it really is. They think it is more than cricket, but it isn’t. It is just another game.’’ “People back home expect us to win every game we play against Pakistan, so there is huge pressure there. “They don’t look at it as just a game’’, he said. Meanwhile, the spinner observed
Pakistan had progressed under their new coach Bob Woolmer. “They are a good, improved side with their new coach. They have been playing good cricket. “We will have to play good cricket to beat them. But if we play to our potential, we can beat any team in the world, not just Pakistan’’, he added.
— UNI |
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Ganguly plays down psychological factor
Birmingham, September 18 "When we returned victorious from Pakistan and then went to Sri Lanka, we seemed to have the psychological advantage. But we all know it was Pakistan who won in Asia Cup," said Ganguly. "I don't count the Holland game because it was a 30-over bash, but the point is in one-day cricket things can change dramatically." Pakistan have won two of their previous one-day outings against India, a comprehensive 59-run win in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka followed by the 66-run victory in Holland, prompting India's coach John Wright to remark yesterday that the arch-rivals would have an edge going into the match. Ganguly of course does not think so and he termed the first 10 overs as key for either side in a match which will decide which team progresses to the semi-finals of this tournament. "As an opener, you realise you need to get yourself in and must give yourself six or seven overs, you need to survive 10 overs to give your team a realistic chance," he said. Ganguly feels there is something for everyone in the match, be it bowlers, batsmen or fieldsmen. "One gets swing and seam and there is also something for spinners, it really depends from wicket to wicket." He did not commit himself on the bowling combination he would field at the Edgbaston tomorrow, stating the wickets are under cover and till he saw it, he would not know if it was dry or wet. Ganguly though committed himself on Rohan Gavaskar, saying the Bengal skipper would be preferred ahead of Dinesh Kaarthick. He is hoping the two vital components of his batting line up -- Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh -- out of sorts in recent times, would regain their form before it is late. "We would like to close this tournament on a high. Both Sehwag and Yuvraj are talented enough to turn a game quickly and we hope they hit the straps tomorrow." Ganguly did not think the toss would play a critical role although his counterpart Inzamam-ul Haq said it could tilt a game 20 per cent either way who calls correctly. "Toss has a vital role, I would say it could be a 20 per cent advantage to a team who wins it." Inzamam took exception to Shahid Afridi being referred to as a part-time bowler. "It's a news to me, he has done enough in the last few games to get respect as a spinner." Inzamam also sought to play down the hype which is usually associated with an India-Pakistan game.
— PTI |
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Ranbir Singh has big plans for Indian cricket
New Delhi, September 18 The man in reckoning for the top post is seasoned administrator Ranbir Singh Mahendra. The genial Ranbir Singh’s popularity cuts across regions and groups. His long association with cricket and the BCCI has made him a popular figure among cricket officials and players. As secretary of the Haryana Cricket Association, Ranbir Singh has done yeoman work to put the state in the mainstream of Indian cricket. Ranbir Singh Mahendra’s candidature for the BCCI president’s post is sure to get a smooth sailing as it’s North Zone’s turn to occupy the coveted post. But he would not want to jump the gun and speak out of turn, as yet, though he doesn’t “foresee any problem” in his election as the president. Ranbir Singh Mahendra’s association with the BCCI dates back to 1975, serving the Board in various capacities ever since. He was elected as the joint secretary in September 1980 . He served in that capacity till September, 1985 and before being elected to the post of secretary. He had a five-year reign as secretary, under two presidents—S. Sriraman (South) and B N Dutt (East). Ranbir Singh was the secretary when India hosted the World Cup in 1987. His administrative experience is vast and varied. Being a lawyer of eminence, and belonging to an illustrious political family, Ranbir Singh possesses the right kind of credentials. But when it comes to the affairs of the Board, he goes strictly by the rule book. He was one of the very few secretaries to enjoy a five-year tenure (from 1985 to 1990). Ranbir Singh has headed various sub-committees of the Board. In 2001, he was elected as a vice-president from North Zone, replacing C K Khanna of Delhi, to the BCCI. It is perhaps an interesting coincidence that Jagmohan Dalmiya, who took over as the BCCI secretary from Ranbir Singh in 1990, will be making way for the latter’s elevation as the president 14 years later. Dalmiya will take over as the Patron-in-Chief on October 1. It was during Ranbir Singh’s tenure as secretary that players raised the logo issue and the matter was settled amicably. Now it looks like the graded payment system for the Test and ODI players would be settled with Ranbir playing a decisive role. Ranbir Singh, who looks fit and young at 60 years, took time off from his busy schedule to speak to The Tribune on the ‘past, present and future’ of Indian cricket. Reflecting on the past, Ranbir Singh said he had to deftly handle the logo issue raised by the players, during his tenure as the secretary, to arrive at a mutually satisfying solution. Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri, Dilip Vengsarkar, Krishnamachari Srikkanth and Mohd Azharuddin were at the vanguard of the logo tussle and Ranbir Singh had to bring out his persuasive skills to solve the issue. There are new challenges ahead, and he’s game to face them head on. He says that the job of the Board president is a full time job, as the amount of work is hectic. The BCCI, he said, was seized of the players’ graded-payment contract system, and hoped that “it will be settled on the return of the team from England. Mr Dalmiya will sort it out amicably”. He has plans to give thrust to junior cricket—at the under-19, under-17 and under-15 level. He says the BCCI has prepared a plan of action to rejuvenate junior tournaments, like holding the under-19 Tournament on the pattern of the Ranji Trophy. “But we will have to stress on quality, and the physical fitness of the players. We will have to go to the villages to unearth talent”. There is a talent scout panel (TRDO), headed by former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, in place to shortlist promising players. Ranbir Singh is aware that not many players from Haryana are playing for India. The last player from the state to play for the country was wicket-keeper-batsman Ajay Ratra. But Ratra could not consolidate his batting, and his inconsistency often flagged to rob him of his place in the team. “Once you get a chance to play for the country, you have to show consistency. But Ratra is young. He still has time to get back into the Indian team”, Ranbir Singh observed. He also reeled off the names of some other promising players from the State like leg-spinner Amit Mishra, off-spinner Gaurav Vashisht, who is also a very good bat, and wicket-keeper Mahesh Rawat, who has done well at the under-19 level. “We will give full opportunities to the players, but the players will have to perform consistently. “We will have to search for second-in-commands. Our second line of defence must be there. We are capable of fielding a good team. The present Indian team is competent to become world champions”, observed the would-be-president. Ranbir Singh is also keen to setup an academy for umpires on the lines of the NCA. "After the retirement of (Srinivas) Venkataraghavan, we have no umpire in the ICC panel. The Board is very much concerned about it”, Ranbir Singh pointed out. The problem is that Indian umpires lack the drive and determination to reach the top. “Our umpires seem to be content with supervising matches in domestic tournaments. “We have formed a group of 20 elite panel umpires and 20 all-India panel umpires to improve the umpiring standard, though we have a total strength of over 100 umpires”, Ranbir Singh explained. For Haryana cricket, Ranbir Singh has big plans. The Haryana Cricket Association (HCA) is constructing a stadium on a 12-acre plot on the Rohtak-Bhiwani Road, 12km from Rohtak, which will be the fulcrum of cricket activity in the state. He said on the completion of the first phase of work at the stadium, it will have a coaching centre, regular tournaments for juniors and a state-of-the-art gymnasium. The Nahar Singh Stadium in Faridabad is the only international cricket stadium in Haryana though there are plans to build another stadium in Gurgaon. Ranbir Singh said his thrust would be to create a conducive cricket system and environment, which would make India a potent power in the game. |
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England in semis after washout
London, September 18 Andrew Flintoff struck 104 to steer England to 251 for seven before shining with the ball to help reduce Sri Lanka to 95 for five in the 24th over when rain ended play for the day to send England through thanks to the complex mathematical system. The match had already spilled over from Friday when showers meant only 32 overs of England's innings were bowled. One-day player of the year Flintoff, 21 not out overnight, smashed three sixes in his third one-day hundred before perishing in the final over when he dragged a Chaminda Vaas slower ball on to his stumps. "I hope I have got two more games left in me this summer and can contribute again," Flintoff said looking ahead to the Australia clash at Edgbaston on Tuesday and a possible final appearance next Saturday. "Everyone is excited about the chance to play the best in the world," he added. England Trescothick run out 66 Solanki c Sangakkara
b Maharoof 18 Vaughan b Zoysa 5 Strauss run out 7 Flintoff b Vaas 104 Collingwood c Jayawardene Jones not out 2 Wharf run out 0 Giles not out 0 Extras:
(lb-2, w-8) 10 Total: (7 wkts, 50 overs) 251 Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-44, 3-70, 4-123, 5-217, 6-250, 7-250 Bowling: Chaminda Vaas 10-1-51-2, Nuwan Zoysa 10-0-61-1, Farveez Maharoof 10-1-19-1, Mahela Jayawardene 3-0-16-0, Upul Chandana 9-0-64-0, Sanath Jayasuriya 4-0-23-0, Tillakaratne Dilshan 4-0-15-0. Sri Lanka: Gunawardene c Jones b Jayasuriya c Gough b Flintoff 27 Atapattu c Jones b Harmison 1 Jayantha c Jones b Flintoff 23 Sangakkara not out 17 Jayawardene c and b Giles 7 Dilshan not out 2 Extras
(lb-5 w-2 nb-6) 13 Total (5 wkts, 24 overs) 95 FoW:
1-11 2-15 3-49 4-74 5-88 Bowling: Gough 6-1-19-0, Harmison 6-1-21-2 (w-1), Flintoff 5-0-21-2 (nb-2), Wharf 5-1-20-0 (nb-4 w-1), Giles 1-0-2-1, Collingwood 1-0-7-0. Result: England won by 49 runs (Ducworth/Lewis method).
— Reuters
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SA-Windies match
to resume today
London, September 18 South African opener Herschelle Gibbs returned to form to hit a composed century and lead South Africa to 246 for six before rain stopped play for the day with West Indies 20 without loss in reply after six overs. Gibbs had a torrid time with the bat in last month's tour of Sri Lanka and was in danger of the axe but he hit back with 101 from 135 balls, including a six off spinner Chris Gayle to bring up his hundred. South Africa Smith b Gayle 45 Gibbs c Bravo b Gayle 101 Kallis b Bravo 16 Rudolph b Gayle 46 Van Jaarsveld c Powell Pollock not out 13 Boucher c C’paul b Bradshaw 7 Klusener not out 12 Extras (lb-4 w-2) 6 Total
(6 wkts, 50 overs) 246 Fall of wickets: 1-102, 2-148, 3-198, 4-212, 5-213, 6-222 Bowling: Bradshaw 10-2-40-2, Collymore 9-0-53-0, Bravo 9-0-54-1, Hinds 10-0-35-0, Gayle 10-0-50-3, Powell 2-0-10-0. West Indies: Gayle not out 12 Hinds not out 6 Extras (w-1 nb-1) 2 Total
(no loss, 6 overs) 20 Bowling: Pollock 3-0-14-0, Langeveldt 3-1-6-0 (nb-1 w-1).
— Reuters
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Paes-Bhupathi to pair up for Thai Open
Kolkata, September 18 “Yes, I am going to join hands with Leander for the Thai meet in Bangkok,” Bhupathi told newspersons here today. However, the former world number one pair has combined only for the short-term to take part in the professional circuit. “Right now, its only experimental. We have to take one (tournament) at a time,” Bhupathi explained. With both the players having been booked with their respective partners for the current season, a long-term reunification of the ‘Indian Express’ cannot take place till the next season. Bhupathi hinted that the duo might look forward to play together in the Masters series tournaments by the end of the year. On his current partner in men’s doubles — Max Mirnyi of Belarus — Bhupathi said “our combination is still good”. The Indians, who split in 2002, had reunited on the court in the Toronto Masters, which they won just weeks before the Athens Olympics. The duo had been teaming up to represent the country in the events like Busan Asian Games and Davis Cup. About their disappointing loss in the bronze medal play-off match in the men’s doubles event at the Olympics, Bhupathi said “that’s part of the sporting career. We try to get over the bad parts of it”. Paes and Bhupathi had went down against Croatia’s Mario Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic in a marathon play-off tie to return empty-handed from Athens after their unsuccessful ventures in Atlanta and Sydney Games.
— PTI |
Paes-Stepanek win
New Delhi:
Continuing their good show in the tournament, Leander Paes and his Czech partner Radek Stepanek downed Kenneth Carlsen (Denmark) and Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) in straight sets to move to the semifinals of the men’s doubles event in the $ 3,55,000 ATP International Tennis Championship at Delray Beach, Florida.
In the quarterfinal match on Friday, the second-seeded Indo-Czech duo kept their cool to edge past their opponents 6-4, 7-6 (6), according to information received here. — UNI
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Delhi to host Santosh Trophy
New Delhi, September 18 All India Football Federation (AIFF) President PR Dasmunshi said here today 32 teams, including holders Manipur, would take part. The preliminary round matches would be held at the Nehru Stadium, Tyagaraja Nagar Sports Complex and the Chhatrasal Stadium. The matches will be held at the Ambedkar Stadium from the quarterfinal stage. Delhi Soccer Association secretary-general NK Bhatia said besides registered players of DSA’s various affiliated clubs, outstation players from Punjab, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Haryana, who played for Delhi clubs in the recently-concluded Senior Division League, would also be eligible to participate in the selection trials for the Delhi The players shall have to report to convenors BS Chauhan and Abdul Aziz at the Ambedkar Stadium on September 20. AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco said the Federation Cup Tournament would be in Bangalore from November 20 to 30. |
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Coaching camp for wrestlers
Chandigarh, September 18 The selection of the team for participation in the World Cup will be held on September 26 at NIS, Patiala. Selection committee for the trials have been constituted under the chairmanship of Dr M.S. Malik, President, WFI. It will have Mr Dhara Singh, vice-president and Mr Sushil Kumar Gupta, treasurer, WFI as convener while Mr Madan Singh Yadav will be government observer. Weighing-in will be held on September 25. Mr Sukhbir Singh, Mr Roshan Lal, Mr Darshan Lal and Mr Ajay Pathak will be the referees and judges for the selection trial. |
Anju misses bronze India beaten |
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