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DDCA sets April 10 as deadline
India has unearthed serious talent in Dhoni
PCB to watch Shoaib, Shabbir
Atapattu, Jayawardene guide Lanka to safety
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All five named in Wisden are Englishmen
Australian eves in World Cup final
Hockey veterans set to rekindle rivalry
First hockey match cancelled
Frustrating day for Indian golfers
Rushmi, Shruti move into last eight
Contrasting wins for
Indian grapplers win
Al Hussein blank Dempo
20 selected for cricket academy
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DDCA sets April 10 as deadline
New Delhi, April 6 The match has assumed special significance as Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh are expected to witness it. Different viewpoints were being bandied about DDCA's preparedness to host the match, considering the fact that the stadium was under construction and the pitches were being laid anew. Doubting Thomasses have been painting a dark picture but it is now almost certain that the match would be played in Delhi as scheduled, despite their gloomy forecasts. Apprehension was expressed about the quality of the pitch but putting every doubt at rest, DDCA vice-president Chetan Chauhan, a former India Test opener, asserted here today that the match would be played without any hitch. He said the pitch would play true, and he was expecting around 550 runs to be scored on it. The had low bounce when a practice match was played on March 30. But Chauhan said the pitch was now getting set, and will be fully ready for the match in a week's time. The DDCA has prepared five wickets, two each on either side of the main wicket at the centre, which has been shortlisted by the Ground and Pitches Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, for the ODI. The centre wicket was covered this evening as dark clouds were hovering over the Kotla ground, though the day temperature had risen to 35 degrees C. Chauhan, who had opened for India in over 40 Tests alongwith Sunil Gavaskar, said the construction work has been stopped and only finishing touches were being given now. He said much of the construction material have also been taken out and the little bit still remaining would be shoved into a corner without causing any inconvenience to the spectators. Around 14,000 tickets would be put on sale through the branches of the Central Bank of India from April 11, and the Pakistani spectators would be given another 2,000 tickets. The rest of the capacity, out of a maximum of 30,000, would be earmarked for VVIPs, VIPs, members, media and others. The tickets have been priced at Rs 11,000, Rs 5,000, Rs 1000 and Rs 400, though it would come out of the press only by the week end. Chauhan was confident that in three days time, the entire playing area would be ready, as also the dressing rooms for the players, ground, pitch, media facilities and arrangements to accommodate the VVIPs. He said Musharraf and the PM would be watching the match from the ground floor of the old pavilion, which earlier used to be the players' dressing rooms, while the players will be moved to the new dressing rooms at the new block on the west side of the old pavilion. Chauhan said there was really no hitch about Delhi holding the match, and the entire controversy was drummed up by vested interests to scuttle the tie. He said the talk about the pitch having 'low bounce' was untrue though it won't be too bouncy either. "There were some people who did not want the match to be held at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground", Chauhan said without mincing words. "There was a kind of conspiracy as some people were spreading all sorts of rumours", Chauhan noted. He said works are being done in such a manner that everything would be in place before handing over the stadium to the security agencies on April 15. He said it was strange and sad that a concerted campaign was mounted to disgrace the DDCA. "The DDCA has become a whipping horse", he noted in anguish. |
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Grant of permission to Kotla challenged
New Delhi, April 6 The NGO, Society for Safe Structure
(SSS), formed by some building engineers, moved an application in the apex court today in its already pending public interest litigation (PIL), seeking to make earthquake safety measures compulsory in high-rise buildings all over the country, specially in metropolitan cities. The MCD, which was initially reluctant to issue the occupancy certificate to the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), had granted the same after the intervention of the Prime Minister’s Office on April 2 even when a major part of the renovation work in the stadium was yet to be completed. The
SSS, in its fresh application, challenged the grant of certificate to the DDCA on the ground that it violated the laid down building safety norms. Seeking quashing of the certificate, the NGO said it not only violated the Delhi Building bye-laws, but also was given without proper inspection by the Corporation and posed a grave threat to the audience. The safety certificate has to be given after a thorough inspection by a team of officers from the MCD, Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Urban Art Commission and Delhi Police jointly, but no such exercise had been undertaken in this case, the SSS contended. The application is likely to be taken up for hearing soon. It said that the certificate was given under pressure from the PMO and the office of Delhi Chief Minister. |
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India has unearthed serious talent in Dhoni
It is an ominous sign that India is scaling 350 on the board and yet quite a few of their key batsmen are out of form: Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif have all not been amongst runs. To the largely two-faced Indian batting of Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid have now been added the third dimension of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
This boy won points on all counts: technique and temperament; daring and fitness. He withstood some sharp tongue-lashing from Pakistan bowlers and then unfolded a searing range of strokeplay. It was audacious yet judicious; his willingness to hit was matched in equal by his desire to stay long at the crease. And let's not forget his keeping which was equally brilliant: the leg-side catch; the near stumpings of Shoaib Malik and Yousuf Youhana; the low catch of Rana Naved-ul Hasan. India has unearthed a serious talent who would add balance and energy to the side. In promoting Dhoni to number three, India seems keen to invest in future. Pakistan, on the other hand, is still carrying on with its 'life members'. It is now eighth match in row when they have failed to find an answer to Virender Sehwag. He's smashing them at will, he could wristily flick the same delivery to midwicket fence which, if his mood takes over, he is steering through vacant third man. Mohammad Sami, Naved and Abdul Razzaq are meat and drink to him; their threat to him is no bigger than that of a water-pistol. He's roasting them over the coals; yet the bowlers are not even seen attempting something different. They come, pay their dues, and turn up at the appointed hour in the next match to do it all over again! Yet they are being persisted with. There is no attempt to confront Sehwag with some unknown element. Once he sets the tone and tenor of innings, on flat wickets, India brook no stopping. It's some wonder that Ganguly and rest haven't feasted on the pop-gun attack yet. The Indian captain was out to a straight ball, it shows when the time is bad even simple deliveries can claim your scalp. Ganguly should either take his chances from the word go or he should block and take singles till his confidence is restored. At the moment, nothing is happening. In one-day matches in the sub-continent, in teams packed with batsmen and allrounders, any total is possible and any target is achievable. Only teams which have discipline and bowlers who could take wickets have a future. Pakistan need incisive bowlers. At present, nobody seems capable. Danish Kaneria is a must for the next game. So is Shahid Nazir for Sami bowling to Sehwag is beginning to look like a free lunch. The less said about Pakistan batting the better. Let's look at the batsmen and the manner they got out: Shahid Afridi, Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez. They wouldn't be able to see their captain in the eye. Abdul Razzaq too would avoid his captain for the latter held him responsible for his run-out. From Razzaq's point of view, he could have been unsure where the ball had gone and then Inzamam's reputation as a poor runner is always a consideration for his partners. Still, it's only basic cricket that you respond to non-striker's call if the ball has gone behind the batting crease. Same with shots played to mid-on and mid-off. It is a striker's call and non-striker must respond to it. How Butt would be able to explain away his dismissal when another 30 runs could have had India panting. And what explanation Pakistan has for mugging their script when the scoring rate was 7.71 runs per over at the 35-over stage? Not that Pakistan redeemed themselves in the field. Misfields, catches dropped, stumping missed -- in conditions heavily loaded against bowlers, even half chances are god-send. If you miss them, there's only one way to go. Much as one is a supporter of Pakistan cricket, let's not forget that Pakistan at best only squared up the Test series. They could have lost in Mohali and Bangalore wouldn't have happened if India were not seized by a feat of stupidity. Now in one-dayers, they have come apart at the seams. It's time for a reality check.
— PTI |
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PCB to watch Shoaib, Shabbir
LAHORE: Injured pace duo Shoaib Akhtar and Shabbir Ahmed’s return to the Pakistan side for the last two one-dayers against India will depend on their match fitness and the PCB will keep an eye on their performance in departmental games, according to chief selector Wasim Bari.
Both Shoaib and Shabbir will play for their respective departmental teams KRL and NBP. “After the match, I will ask team trainer Grant Compton on their fitness and that will help us decide whether they can join the team in India,’’ Bari said.— UNI
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Atapattu, Jayawardene guide Lanka to safety
Napier, April 6 Atapattu’s 16th Test century was his first against New Zealand and gave him centuries against the nine Test-playing sides. He went on to reach 127 in an innings lasting more than six hours to anchor his team to 351 for three at stumps on the third day in reply to New Zealand’s first innings of 561. Sri Lanka were 210 runs behind and only 11 from avoiding the follow-on. Atapattu’s knock made him the fourth Sri Lankan to pass 5,000 Test runs. He joined Sanath Jayasuriya, who was out for 48 earlier in the day, Aravinda da Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga. Mahela Jayawardene, who added 184 with Atapattu in a Sri Lankan record third wicket partnership against New Zealand, was still at the crease, 118 not out, when bad light ended play 13 minutes early. Thilan Samaraweera was with him on 34 not out. Atapattu’s 95-run opening partnership with Jayasuriya gave the innings a firm footing, but it was his stand with Jayawardene, which straddled three sessions, that made the match safe for Sri Lanka. Atapattu assembled his 16th Test century in four hours, 15 minutes, from 196 balls and with 17 fours. Jayawardene went on later to his 13th century in Tests in three hours, 44 minutes, from 157 balls with 14 fours. Atapattu and Jayawardene used their excellent footwork to score a majority of their runs with firm drives through the covers. They were also able to step across their wicket and turn full-pitched deliveries on the off-stump through the sparsely guarded leg side. New Zealand had a faint chance to gain an advantage in the match when Chris Martin claimed two wickets in the morning session. The tall, lean right-armer trapped Jayasuriya lbw for 48 and bowled Kumar Sangakkara off an inside edge for five. Sri Lanka were 101-2, but Atapattu steadied them and it was more than three hours before another wicket fell. Atapattu and Jaywardene dominated the middle session, putting on 133 runs in 121 minutes at a rate of 4.43 runs per over, and pushing the match towards a stalemate. At the end of the third day, more than 900 runs had been scored and only 13 wickets had fallen in nine sessions. Scoreboard New Zealand first innings: 561 Sri Lanka 1st innings Atapattu c Fleming Jayasuriya lbw Martin 48 Sangakkara b Martin 5 Jayawardene batting 118 Samaraweera batting 34 Extras
(lb-4, w-4, nb-11) 19 Total (3 wkts, 94 overs) 351 Fall of wickets:
1-95, 2-101, 3-285. Bowling: Martin 25-4-106-2, Franklin 20-3-91-0, Wiseman 20-3-76-0, Mills 17-3-47-0, Astle 11-4-27-1.
— AP, AFP |
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All five named in Wisden are Englishmen
London, April 6 “We obviously considered a good many other players,” said editor Matthew Engel. “But in a season when England won seven Tests out of seven, the case for these five was overwhelming,” he said. Under Michael Vaughan, England won all three home Tests against New Zealand and all four against West Indies. Before the start of the English season, the period from which the Cricketers of the Year were selected, they defeated West Indies 3-0 in the Caribbean. Vaughan and Andrew Flintoff, who matured into a genuine international allrounder in 2004, were not eligible as they had been previously been named as Cricketers of the Year. — Reuters |
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Australian eves in World Cup final
Durban, April 6 Australia reached the victory target of 159 for the loss of five wickets in 47 overs after England, put in to bat by Clarke, were bundled out in 49.4 overs. Clarke, who topscored with her half century including seven boundaries, during her 122-minute stay in the middle, partnered for 45 runs apiece for the second wicket and the third wicket with Karen Rolton (14) and Mel Jones (15). Lisa Delaka also made a useful contribution of 29 runs to reach the required 159 runs. Earlier, Cathryn Fitzpatrick took three wickets reducing England to 21 for three at one stage, while Arran Brindle (32) and Clare Connor (30) tried to add some runs. But with Connor’s dismissal, England were miserable at 106 for 8. Clare Taylor also managed 29 in the closing overs. —
PTI |
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Hockey veterans set to rekindle rivalry
Jalandhar, April 6 Preparations to hold the match under floodlights between the two neighbouring countries are in full swing. Olympians and hockey icons of yesteryears termed the initiation of veteran hockey series as another step to further improve bilateral relations between the two countries. "It will be a good fun match even as the veteran hockey series will help in improving bilateral relations between India and Pakistan. I am looking forward to meet my old Pakistani friends, against whom I used to play during my youth. I am feeling good for being able to interact with them after a long gap of time," Olympian Ajitpal Singh, who led India to win World Cup in 1975, stated. Pargat Singh, former captain of Indian team known for his remarkable defending technique, and Olympian Balbir Singh were also optimistic about the forthcoming series scheduled to begin with the first match at Amritsar on April 7. "Its very exciting to fight against Pakistani players on home turf. The match will also prove a fun exercise for the spectators, particularly oldies, who will see their favourite stars in action under lights. Besides, this will also help revive hockey in this part of the region, which is known for producing international hockey players," said Pargat Singh. The city residents are also keen to witness the historic encounter. "I had heard about Pakistani players from my grand father. Its really very exciting to watch them playing hockey here. I pray to God to further normalise relations between two countries so that we are able to move freely in any part of the sub-continent," says Ms Aneesha, a student of Guru Nanak Dev University, Regional campus, here. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner-cum-President of Surjit Hockey Society reviewed arrangements for the match. The Indian team will don sky blue dress while Pakistani players will wear green outfits. The trial of olive yellow ball is underway, which will be used for the encounter under floodlights. Indian probables: Ajitpal Singh, Pargat Singh, Balbir Singh, Surinder Singh Sodhi, Davinder Garcha, Gundeep Kumar, Tarsem Singh, Baldev Singh, Ashok Kumar, Balwinder Shammi, Edward Chand Singh, Lakhwinder Singh and Ripudaman Kumar. Pakistan probables: Akhtar Rasool, Khawaza Zuned, Qasim Khan, Raheem Khan, Shahbaz (jr), Abdul Gafoor, Saleem Sherwali, Parvez Bhandara, Mohammad Rasheed, Raja Maujahid Wasim Feroze, Nasir Ali, Saleem Ula and Naveed Aalam. |
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First hockey match cancelled
Amritsar, April 6 Balwinder Singh Shammi, Olympian and Technical Chairman, Amritsar Hockey Club, said that earlier in the morning they had received information that they (Pakistan players) would arrive tomorrow in the morning. However, now the confirmation had come that they had not got visas so they could not come here as per schedule to play the first match. Shammi said senior office-bearer of Pakistan hockey Federation Pervez Bhandara conveyed this message to him over the phone in the evening. He said they had made elaborate arrangements for the match and for the stay of players. He said hundreds of hockey lovers and veteran players from the country were expected to see their favourite former players on the ground. Earlier, Pakistan veteran hockey players were scheduled to reach here today morning. As many as 40 Pakistan players including several Olympians were expected to arrive. According to the schedule of the Test series the second match was to be played on April 9 in Jalandhar, third on April 12 in Bhopal and last on April 12 in Delhi. |
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Frustrating day for Indian golfers
Kuala Lumpur, April 6 Former Asian number one Jyoti Randhawa, who finished second in February’s Carlsberg Malaysian Open, stumbled to a 74 after three-putting on four greens and compatriot Amandeep Johl signed for a 73, alike Rahil Gangjee, but was kicking himself as he was three-under-par through 12 holes during the two-day qualifiers. “I just gave away shots coming in. The way I was hitting the ball, I could have posted a low round. Trying to qualify for the British Open seems like a tough thing for me,” said Johl, trying to qualify for the British Open every year since 1997. Jeev had lost in a play-off for a spot last year. Meanwhile, Asian stalwarts Mardan Mamat of Singapore, Canadian Rick Gibson and Danny Chia of Malaysia were are well positioned to claim the three spots available for the British Open, with Chia poised to become the first Malaysian to qualify for the world’s oldest major. Mamat and Manila-based Gibson jumped on route 66 with matching first rounds to set the early pace with local favourite Chia in close pursuit after an impressive 67.
— PTI |
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Rushmi, Shruti move into last eight
Mumbai, April 6 Rushmi, ranked 372, overcame a fighting Wilawan Choptang of Thailand in straight sets 7-6 (8/6), 6-2 and would meet Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu, conqueror of Petra Cetkovska of the Czech Republic in the second round, for a place in the semis tomorrow. Cetkovska was the only seed to fall, losing 3-6, 6-0, 3-6. Shruti, ranked a lowly 771, came from behind to eliminate another Thai rival, Thassha Vitayaviroj, ranked more than 275 places above her, in three sets to enter the last eight. The third Indian to survive in the singles draw, Punam Reddy, quelled the challenge of Canada’s Kavita Krishnamurthy, a player of Indian origin ranked 811, 6-3, 7-5 to make the grade. However, the run of two other Indian wild cards — Isha Lakhani and Krushmi Chedda — came to an end when they were beaten in straight sets by top seed Chi Wei-Chan (Chinese Taipei) and fifth seed Natsumi Hamamura (Japan), respectively, in the second round. Qualifier Pichittra Thongdach became the third Thai girl to crash out after losing to seventh seed Yurika Semka of Japan 4-6, 0-6. Singles quarterfinal draw is Shruti Dhawan (Ind) v Yurika Semka (Japan); Rushmi Chakravarti (Ind) v Mihaela Buzarnescu (Rom); Punam Reddy (Ind) v Montinee Tangphong Thai; Chi-Wei Chan (Tpe) v Natsumi Hamamura (Jpn). Results: singles (2nd round): Chi-Wei Chan (Tpe) bt Isha Lakhani (Ind) 6-0, 6-4; Shruti Dhawan (Ind) bt Thassha Vityaviroj (Thai) 6-3, 6-1, 6-2; Mihaela Buzarnescu (Rom) bt Petra Cetkovska (Czech) 6-3, 0-6, 6-3; Natsumi Hamamura (Jpn) bt Krushmi Chheda (Ind) 6-3, 6-3; Rushmi Chakravarthi (Ind) bt Wilawan Choptang (Thai) 7-6 (6), 6-2; Yurika Sema (Jpn) bt Pichittra Thongdach (Thai) 6-4, 6-0; Montinee Tangphong (Thai) bt Ivanna Israilova (Uzb) 6-3, 6-3; Punam Reddy (Ind) bt Kavita Krishnamurthy (Can) 6-3, 7-5.
— PTI |
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Contrasting wins for Davenport, Venus
Amelia Island, Florida, April 6 Davenport opened the defence of her title with an unconvincing 6-4, 6-3 victory over Kristina Brandi of Puerto Rico, while Williams looked full of confidence as she trounced Slovakia’s Martina Sucha 6-0, 6-1. Looking for her third Amelia Island title, top-seeded Davenport struggled with her timing on the claycourt surface and was forced to save break points in each of her first three service games. One break was enough to give her the opening set. The American took the last eight points of the match to set up a clash with either 16th-seeded compatriot Amy Frazier or unseeded Czech Kveta Peschke. Fifth seed Williams, who beat her sister Serena on the way to the semifinals in Miami last week, blasted 20 winners in her first match at Amelia Island since she won the title in 2002. She would next face either Polish qualifier Marta Domachowska or Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain in the third round. Japan’s Ai Sugiyama, the 13th seed, also reached the third round after she beat Czech Barbora Strycova 6-7, 6-1, 6-1. Ruano Pascual, the world’s number one doubles player, caused the biggest upset of the tournament when she ousted 10th seed Karolina Sprem of Croatia 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round. In other first-round action, ninth seed Elena Likhovtseva of Russia and Silvia Farina Elia, the Italian 12th seed, both advanced, while rising Chinese player Peng Shuai progressed when American Meghann Shaughnessy retired with a back problem when trailing 6-3, 2-0.
— Reuters |
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Indian grapplers win four medals
Chandigarh, April 6 The Indian team included 14 wrestlers from the Services, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. Four coaches accompanied the team to Sophia. City-based grappler Ajay Pathak was one of the coaches. Patiala based Gurdev Singh won silver medal in the plus 96 kg category whereas Vikas and Anup Singh won bronze in the under -50 kg and under-66 kg categories. The fourth bronze was won by Sukhvir Singh in Greeko-Roman style under-60 kg category. |
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Al Hussein blank Dempo
Margao, April 6 After initial resistance, mainly through Dempo’s goalkeeper Satish Kumar, Al Hussein scored through Al-Zboun (33rd), Hatamleh (75th) and substiute Edmoud (injury time). Dempo were pegged into their own half and had one chance in each half, but the well-marked Ranty Martins failed to find the target on both occasions. Al Hussein, who won both their matches, led the table with six points, followed by Al Ahed, who had three points with a win against Dempo. Federation Cup winners Dempo were yet to open their account as they had lost both their matches.
— PTI |
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20 selected for cricket academy
New Delhi, April 6 The selected players are: Nitin Saini, Chanderpal Saini, Sandeep Singh, Prem Parteek, Mandeep Singh, Sanjay Badhwar (all Haryana), Mayank Tehlan, Gaurav Chhabra, Karan Harit, Ishant Sharma, Harsh Gautam (all Delhi), Uday Kaul, Vipin Kumar, Ravi Inder Singh, Ankur Jhund, Bharat Loomba, Hardevinder Singh (all Punjab), Varun Sharma, Vishal Sharma and Monty Sharma (all Himachal Pradesh).
— UNI |
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