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India, Pak to go for the kill
Kirui, Sun win half marathon titles
Left-handers can neutralise Harbhajan
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Intikhab Alam comes
‘home’ as coach
Canara Bank win JP Atray title
Canas wins Shanghai title
Pooja to lead Haryana team
Punjab, Haryana judokas dominate
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India, Pak to go for the kill
New Delhi, October 3 Pakistan had won the Pak leg of the four-match series 2-1, though India had run them close, winning at Quetta by a convincing 4-1 margin. Both the countries are on a “discovery” mission, to unearth fresh talent to prepare the teams for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. India have done away with the deadwoods and rested the “stars” to experiment with the bench strength, and has found to their surprise that the bench
strength is pretty good, after all. It’s just a question of giving them proper exposure. India’s German coach, Gerhard Rach, after a practice session at the National Stadium this evening, said the series like the one against Pakistan “are the ‘caps’ which are going to give the players considerable experience”. He said the youngsters were blending well, and were playing to his game plans. The coach felt no need to bring in the seniors for the return series against Pakistan as the young players have blended well. Pakistan manager Sami Ullah Khan said they were also “gaining a lot from the series”. He said Pakistan were trying out their youngsters to find the right combination for Beijing. The Pakistan team, who arrived in Delhi last evening, had a practice session at the National Stadium around noon. Meanwhile, Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) president KPS Gill discounted the possibility of making any change in the team “unless there is some serious injury”. He said there was “considerable improvement” in the performance of the team “and we hope the same results would emerge (as they had performed in Pakistan)”. Mr Gill said India will have a hectic hockey season ahead, after the series against Pakistan. “We hope the whole process will help us rebuild the team for the Olympic Games in Beijing”, added Mr Gill. He said after the series against Pakistan, the Senior and Junior National Hockey Championships will be held in Mumbai. The ground work has also been completed for holding the National League at Level-I and Level-II formats. The IHF president said each team will be allowed to field a maximum of five foreign players in the National League. The National League will be played under flood-lights in Hyderabad. After the National League, India will host a six-nation international tournament which will feature the best teams in the world. And next year, there will be the Champions Trophy in December and the Junior World Cup in July. Mr Gill said during the match tomorrow, the IHF would honour four Pakistani Olympians who have been selected by the Pakistan Hockey Federation for the honour. The veteran playrs are: Jahangir Ahmed Butt, Islahuddin Siddiqui, Akhtar Rasool Chaudhury and Hssan Sardar. The PHF had honoured Indian Olympicans Ajit Pal Singh, B P Govinda, Aslam Sher Khan and Surinder Singh Sodhi during the Pakistan leg of the series. After the Delhi match, the teams will lock horns at Chandigarh (Oct. 6), Amritsar (Oct. 8) and Hyderabad (Oct. 10). IHF secretary Jyotikumaran said entry for the matches would be free. He said for the first time, the matches would be telecast live by both Doordarshan and ESPN. |
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Kirui, Sun win half marathon titles
New Delhi, October 3 Paul Kirui maintained his winning form to clock one hour, two minutes and 15 seconds to cap a year of fine performances. The 24-year-old had won the Rome and Berlin half marathon runs this season. Tanzania's Fabiano Joseph finished second, 16 seconds behind Kirui, to end up as the second best yet again. He was second at the World Half Marathon Championships last year too, pushed behind by another Kenyan, Martin Lel, who did not compete this time due to injury. Joseph was dejected to have missed the title for the second successive occasion, though he admitted that Kirui was “simply too good on Sunday”. “We have often ran together, and were familiar with each other’s tactics, but Kirui ran exceptionally well today”, said Joseph. Abdullah Ahmad Hassan of Qatar took the third position, clocking a personal best of 1:02:36. Kirui’s compatriot John Cheruiyot Korir came fourth. Kirui later said he thought Hassan and former Kenyan runner Albert Chepkurui, who has now changed his nationality, would push him to the limit. “We Kenyans ran as a team and were chatting right through the run, and I found myself best equipped to go for the gold and surged ahead”, said Kirui. Heavy overnight rain washed the Delhi streets clean and there was a nip in the air as around 84 men runners collected at the starting point at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the morning. Chinese long-distance runner Sun Ying Jie ran a finely paced race to post a new national record time of one hour, eight minutes and 40 seconds to bag the first prize. Sun, bronze medallist in the 10,000 metres at the Athens Olympic Games and double gold medallist at the Busan Asian Games in 2002, ran a close race that left the second placed Lydia Cheromei of Kenya 20 seconds behind. Lydia clocked 1:09:00 minutes while Romania’s Constantina Tomescue finished third at 1:09:07. “I am a bit surprised, and very happy, to come first, as I didn’t come here expecting to win”, said Sun. The Kenyan trio of Paul Kirui, John Korir and Wilson Kiprotich Kebenei took the men’s team title, clocking 3:07.55 while Ethiopia and Uganda filled in the second and third slots, respectively. The Indian team, consisting of RB Subha (1:10:04), Mukesh Kumar Yadav (1:11:53) and Ajit Singh (1:12:05), finished last but one at the 12th spot, ahead of Nepal, with a time of 3:34.31. The other two Indians who ran the individual races — Raj Kumar and Mohan Chandr Kapri — clocked 1:12:12 and 1:12:49, respectively. Ethiopia took the women’s team title, with a time of 3:36.00. Romania and Russia followed in the second and third positions. Hosts India brought up the rear, posting a time of 4:11:00. Geeta (1:22:59), Sarita Marbade (1:23:23) and Purshot Laima Devi (1:24:38) strove hard to make a mark, but others were superior. Pushpa Devi clocked 1:24:44 while Sarabjeet Kaur returned a time of 1:28:48. Athletics Association of India President Suresh Kalmadi, who is also the President of the Indian Olympic Association and the Asian Athletic Association, tried to make a big spectacle of the show, but the organisation lacked order and class. The ‘Celebrity Run’, held at the fag end, was a big farce. Among the ‘celebrities’ who set off for a ‘heavy run’ were a bloated Shiny Wilson, Anju Bobby George and her husband Robert George. The ‘Celebrity Run’ should have been held a day or two earlier to build up the tempo for the marathon runs, as Delhi was being given the privilege of hosting the World Half Marathon Championships for the first time. |
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Left-handers can neutralise Harbhajan
Both India and Australia have been recipients of top-level status in the past two series. Now performance must stand up.
This is Australia’s sneak preview of the future. There are no Waughs, no Ponting. The batting line-up is full of left-handers who would neutralise Harbhajan Singh. It would blunt the off-spinner’s lbw menace to right-handers. Simon Katich at No 3, Justin Langer and Darren Lehmann to stabilise and Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist to dominate. Then Australians would derive great heart from how Damien Martyn played in Sri Lanka earlier this year. It was outstanding and career-saving for him. Michael Clarke, in my opinion, is selected two years too late but that wouldn’t hurt his appetite and will improve his composure. This team still has great class, balance and form. Even without the experience of team of 2001. Again, the footmarks created by India’s left-arm speedsters, such a critical ingredient for spinners looking to exploit those roughs, wouldn’t be as useable since Australia is stacked with left-handers. Australia’s bowling is a real unknown though. Glenn McGrath will be closely watched. Has he still got more than just economy? Reports are that his pace is down and that is not good if it is typically Indian pitches. Michael Kaprowicz is the in-form wicket-taker in the line-up with the ability to swing the new and old ball and cut it. He is unproven at Test level and in leading the attack. Jason Gillespie is proven and critical to Australia’s chances but such stresses in the past have seen his body buckle. He was
magnificent in the 2001 series without the result or luck. Then there is Shane Warne. Warney must spin the ball and then Indian fans will see the real Warne stand up. He has never spun the ball anywhere near as much as he can, in India. Not even out of the rough. He needs to provide ripping leggies to stifle the scintillating strokeplay of the Sun worshippers. They have no fear of him on home soil and that could be a mistake this time. The timing of series could also be an ally to him. It is the first pre-season trip to Australia, rather than him being the fatigued tweaker on previous tours. India too are developing a pack mentality like Australia’s — enough of them do their jobs brilliantly everyday. All of them are capable of performing in the rotation. This makes them hard to get on top of but huge things are expected of the spinners. Long breaks will ensure they are fresh but they will need helpers. In the last series, Harbhajan was on his own, whilst the quicks tried everything to no avail. Is there still the great rivalry between Zaheer and Hayden? I hope so and now Irfan Pathan is the new leader of great ability. The batting with or without Tendulkar can and will hurt at any time. Laxman loves Australia and this is mutual; Dravid loves performing everywhere; Sehwag is once again crunching more than just starts and Ganguly is the new Steve Waugh with his mindgames or at least the perception of these, as captain. In 2001 they were prodden into action late by the partnership (Kolkata) but must start early this time. I also feel Yuvraj needs some protection so that his natural-ness can happen. India must rethink if they are serious about opening the innings with him. Adam Gilchrist and captaincy —there could not be a harder time to be lumped with it. He will handle it, but something in his game may have to give. We expect so much of him in both forms of the game — this is his greatest challenge and will require skill of his strike players to get through. Looking at the tour in general, Australians now love touring India. Cricket facilities have improved. What makes tour enjoyable are hotels (second to none in India); being on the same wavelength as the people (the absolute joy of the Indian people was such an inspiration to me). Dressing rooms need to be comfortable as players spend so much time there and India is improving; practice facilities are crucial for those players out of form on long tours or reserves to make sure they are ready for immediate call up. India now has these criteria covered and there is heaps to do and learn about for us all in spare time. Plus Fosters brew is there. The strife in Indian cricket is a distant second to the anticipation of this great series. Looking in the past, if Australia in 2001 had decided not to chase 374 in 75 overs on day 5 in Kolkata, they would have won that series. India played tough, clever and enjoyable cricket in Australia last summer to get on equal footing with Australia at home which is rare. To me, this can be classed as a genuine world championship final. If India can win, there is a gathering pack of nations circling. Blood in the water will excite world cricket teams. History means nothing. It’s now time for supreme effort and performance.
— PTI |
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Malik, Younis spare the blushes for Pak
Peshawar, October 3 Malik made 80 off 104 balls and Younis Khan scored 77 as Pakistan recovered from an early scare of 48 for three to overhaul the 253-run victory target in 48.1 overs for the loss of seven wickets.
Man of the match Khan, who did not figure in the ICC Champions Trophy in England last month due to poor form, earlier in the day also kept wickets after regular wicketkeeper Moin Khan missed the match due to influenza.
Malik, dropped on 10 by a diving Mark Vermeulen in the slips, and Khan shared 114 runs off 128 balls for the match-winning fifth-wicket partnership. Stuart Matsikenyeri brought off a spectacular sliding catch with both hands at long on to end Malik’s innings when Pakistan required just 50 runs for victory. With the scores levelled today, Khan was run out after hitting four boundaries and a flat six at
covers. Zimbabwe: Matsikenyeri c Sami b Afridi 41 Taylor c Youhana b Naved
73 Sibanda run out 0 Ebrahim not out 71 Vermeulen b Naved 1 Taibu not out 46 Extras
(lb-2, w-11, nb-7) 20 Total (4
wkts, 50 overs) 252 FoW: 1-87, 2-87, 3-159, 4-161 Bowling:
Sami 10-1-43-0, Iftikhar 8-1-32-0, Naved 10-0-82-2, Afridi 10-0-39-1, Malik 10-1-43-0, Bazid Khan 2-0-11-0 Pakistan: Butt c Chigumbura
b Hameed c Taibu b Panyangara 0 Bazid lbw Panyangara 0 Malik c Matsikenyeri b Nkala
80 Misbah c Taibu b Hondo 23 Younis run out 77 Youhana b Hondo
14 Afridi not out 16 Naved not out 0 Extras
(lb-3, w-14, nb-1) 18 Total (7
wkts, 48.1 overs) 258 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-25, 3-48, 4-89, 5-203, 6-240, 7-252 Bowling:
Panyangara 9-1-28-3, Hondo 10-0-61-2, Chigumbura 5-1-31-0, Utseya 10-2-34-0, Matsikenyeri 4-0-23-0, Taylor 3-0-23-0, Nkala 5.1-0-41-1, Sibanda 2-0-14-0.
— AP |
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Intikhab Alam comes
‘home’ as coach
Chandigarh, October 3 “There is no dearth of talent in India as well as Pakistan. It is a matter of getting into the hearts of individuals and get the best out of them. There is no place for being No 2,” a candid Alam said. “Throughout my criketing life, I have accepted challenges. If I can do the job here as well I will be happy,” said Alam speaking to newspersons. “Building rapport with players is very important. I will pick about 15 to 20 players and hold camp for them. I can not guarantee results but would certainly do my best,” the affable former leg-spinner said. “It is a mission for me. I would like to know players as quickly as possible and concentrate on the job at hand. I sincerely hope we will reach somewhere,” he said. He denied considering himself as a foreigner, saying he was a Punjabi. Through the appointment of Intikhab Alam, the PCA has become the first state association to arrange a foreign coach to train its cricketers. The 62-year Intikhab Alam has impeccable credentials as a coach, being associated directly with the game for nearly four decades. He has the unique distinction of being the first-ever professional coach. His 12-year stint with English county Surrey is perhaps the longest in a county by any overseas player. He was the captain of the Pakistan team from 1969 to 1975 besides being the chairman of the national selection committee, Mr Bindra said. The reason behind the appointment of a Pakistani as the coach, as explained by Mr Bindra, was easy communication with players. “Since cricket no longer is the game played by the elite, it was important to have someone who could converse well with players even from humble backgrounds. The language spoken by the people here and in Pakistan is virtually the same. Hence the decision to select Alam,” Mr Bindra revealed. He said Alam, who had been running an academy in Pakistan, had accepted the new assignment as a challenge.
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Canara Bank win JP Atray title
Chandigarh, October 3 Showers during the lunch break delayed the start by half an hour which resulted in reduced target of 177 runs in 43 overs. Canara Bank started on a confident note with B. Chipli (41) and GK Anil Kumar putting up 31 runs in just 3.1 overs. B. Chipli scored 41 off 29 balls, including eight hits to the boundary before being snapped by the wicketkeeper Saha of the bowling of Rs Bose. Deepak Chowgle steadied the innings with a sedate knock of 30 runs. Odds were against Canara Bank when they were tottering at 163 for nine but V. Prasad smote a six off a no-ball to bring Canara Bank in striking distance of the victory in the last over. Canara Bank finally achieved the target of 177 runs with two balls to spare. A.R. Kidwai, Governor, Punjab, give away the winners trophy and a cash prize of Rs 75,000 to Canara Bank and runners-up trophy with a cash prize of Rs 50,000 to Bengal team. Sunil Joshi got the Man of the Match award and was also declared as Man of the Series. Ravneet Ricky of PCC was declared the best fielder, VRV Singh of PCC best bowler and Arindam Das of Bengal was adjudged best batsman of the tournament. Intikhab Alam, newly appointed coach for Punjab team, distributed the individual prizes. Brief scores: Bengal:
190 for 9 in 50 overs (Arindam Das 33, Rakesh Krishanan 37, M. Tiwari 31, R. Bose 12, S. Joshi 3 for 38, Aiyappa 2 for 24,
P. Murthy 2 for 39). Canara Bank:
177 for 9 in 42.4 overs (Revised Target as per Duckworth Lewis formula): (B. Chipli 41, D. Chowgle 30, C Raghu 19, V. Prasad 11 not out, R. Bose 3 for 30, S. Sanyal 2 for 37). |
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Shanghai, October 3
“When I won this game to go 3-1 up, I knew that it would be difficult for him to take the first set,” Canas said after a match that lasted less than an hour.
“It was tough for him to lose the first set 1-6, so I knew if I could continue like this it would be tough for him to get back in the
game.”
Canas earned $ 52,000 for his sixth career win and is looking for his form to continue next week in Tokyo at the Japan Open. The Argentine won back-to-back tournaments earlier this year at Stuttgart and Umag in what he views as the first of two stages to his recovery from hand surgery in March 2003.— Reuters |
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Pooja to lead Haryana team
Chandigarh, October 3 Haryana State Athletic Association Secretary H.S. Bhadu infomred this while announcing the team here. The team: Girls Under-20: Renu Joon, Neelam Preet Kaur, Anoop, NM Dev, Aplesh, Nisha, Manju Bala. Girls U-18:
Poonam Gill, Sunita, Pooja, Reena, Babli, Indu Bala, Manju, Manjit, Poonam, Sonal, Shalu and Neelam. Girls U-16:
Ritu, Jyoti, Arti Yadav, Rekha, Neelam, Rinku Sangwan, Manisha,Mamta, Ritu Jangra, Kavita. Girls U-14:
Shikha, Pooja Jangra. Boys U-20: Sunil Kumar, Jaskaran, Ashish Kumar, Kamlesh Kumar, Ramesh Kumar, Sandeep Kumar, Jainath Yadav, Satish, Ravinder, Ramesh, Sumit Kumar. Boys U-18:
Rajesh Kumar, Vikas, Parshant Kumar Sharma, Rajesh Kaliramana, Sunil Kumar, Bharat Inder, Manoj Kumar, Ajit Singh, Vikramjeet Singh, Dinesh Kumar, Pardeep Kumar, Ajay, Rishi, Daya Kishan, Ajit. Boys U-16:
Amit, Naresh, Parveen, Ajit, Sudhir, Naveen, Umesh, Vikas, Sandeep, Joginder Singh. Boys U-14: Jaibir Singh.
— UNI |
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Punjab, Haryana judokas dominate
Margao, October 3 Of the total of 20 gold medals on offer, Haryana and Punjab finished on the top of the table with four each, folloed by Jammu and Kashmir with three, Delhi and Manipur with two each and Maharashtra, Mizoram, Orissa, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal winning a solitary gold medal each.
— UNI |
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